Meet our Partners

Guru is using upcycled saris to revolutionize women’s fashion in a uniquely beautiful way.

Kathryn Boese founded Guru two decades ago, in 2001, with the desire to create sustainable apparel for women and support independent boutiques. Collaborating with local artisans in Rajasthan (India) from design to production, Guru is a 100% sustainable clothing brand creating high-quality fashion with a bohemian flare.

Boese barters in Indian villages to collect high quality Rasgulla saris that are beautifully re-fashioned into dresses, skirts, pants, jumpsuits, tunics, scarves and much more. Each clothing piece showcases the unique beauty of the saris, through the vibrant colours, patterns and designs.

“Because Guru’s upcycled saris have such an amazing history, they may also have minor imperfections that are camouflaged in the beauty of each exquisite piece. These type of petite flaws should be embraced, much like someone’s own personal flaws. Because nothing and no one is perfect,” said Kathryn Boese.

What’s the founding story behind Guru? What inspired the idea and how did it all come to be?

I dreamed of going to India since I was a teenager. I loved the extraordinariness of all India had to offer. All the colours, fabrics and people. Twenty years later when I finally made my trip I went with the intention make clothing to fit Canadian women.

Why did you decide on the name Guru?

I loved the sound of Guru.  The word means ‘teacher’ and it has such value in Indian culture.

What’s the mission and vision?

The mission is to grow as a sustainable brand and capture some of the market share of the brands that are harming the environment, as well as raise awareness on how people can do better in their purchasing process.

How do you source your apparel and where is it designed + made? What criteria do you follow when selecting the pieces?

Our team in India barters with women in local villages, exchanging every day essentials for their previously loved saris. The styles are designed by myself here in Oakville, Ontario and the production is done in India where they understand how to cut and sew with saris.

The selection process of the saris is probably one of the most challenging, time consuming parts of my work.  It takes hours of reviewing photos of saris and selecting prints that I believe my customers will enjoy.  The production team then has to work magic in production with the pattern placement, which they do phenomenally well!

What’s some great feedback you have received from happy customers?

Customers who buy from us directly will just about always tell us that the product is even more beautiful in person.  Wholesale accounts feel the same way and love unboxing our shipments.

What have been your most memorable moment(s) along the Guru journey so far?

Seeing the movement towards sustainability grow over the past couple of years has probably been the most memorable!

What do you love most about being an entrepreneur and small business owner?

I love working with people and seeing my customers recognize the value of what I am offering as a brand.

Future plans for Guru?

We are working on some big things for Guru and expanding our collection to another sustainable textile that can be composted.

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Birch Babe is on a mission to connect people back to nature through skincare.

Based in Bon Echo (Ontario), Birch Babe started from one woman’s dream to create all natural skincare products that are better for the health of our bodies and the environment.

It was six years ago that Debbie (Birch Babe’s founder) hiked solo from the southern tip of Patagonia to the Northern tip of Chile. While in Patagonia, she noticed that everyone was super conscious about their waste because they were remote – she even witnessed a hike leader put his cigarette butt in his shoelace until he found a garbage off trail.

It made Debbie realize that while she was a conscious consumer before the trip, there was so much more she could do to help make a positive impact in the world. Upon returning home, Debbie immediately retired and set out to pursue her newfound dream, by moving to the cottage and making all-natural soap and body products – with help from her two daughters, Kelsey and Lindsay.

Fast-forward to 2021, Birch Babe is now in over 80 stores across North America with a growing online community!

“At Birch Babe we believe in connecting people back to nature through skincare ,” says Debbie. “And we believe that little changes, minimal ingredients and less packaging make a BIG difference.”

In a nutshell, how did Birch Babe come to be?

Our mom Debbie has always been passionate about the environment and what she puts in and on her body.

We love telling the story about when our mom took a 6 month hike from Patagonia to Chile four years ago. On this trip she noticed that everyone was super conscientious about their waste because they were remote.

So, she came home and within 6 months had quit her job and moved to the cottage near Bon Echo Provincial Park. It’s there she started creating skin and body care. We watched her do it first for herself, then a few friends and eventually at festivals. She then went on to get a diploma in Organic Skin Care Formulations, as well as getting all products certified with CertClean. It was really amazing to watch.

You can see more in our Brand Video ‘Connected’.

When did you officially launch and what were your first products?

Well, there’s technically been two launches. The first was 4 years ago with our mom Debbie doing everything and going to festivals. We would help where we could however there’s only so much you can do as one human!

When she started Birch Babe the very first product was the Whipped Body Butter and what we love about it is the recipe is still exactly the same (and my favourite product).

Then we had a bit of a rebrand and sort of second launch you could call it.

It was during the beginning of the Covid-19 Pandemic in 2020, that my younger sister Lindsay and I decided to join forces with our mom and rebrand Birch Babe. So we came together with a lot of hard work and blind faith and launched a new logo, brand new website, a ‘Organics Collection’ and moved into a new bugger studio with our fingers crossed tight in October 2020 and haven’t looked back since!

What inspired the name ‘Birch Babe’?

Our family’s cottage is surrounded by incredible forests. There’s up to 60km of trails that are delicately hand carved into the land by a local and only a few people hike them, our mom included. One of her favourite trees is the birch tree and over dinner one night when we were trying to think of a name for her soaps, Birch Babe came up!

What’s your ultimate mission & vision?

So glad you asked! We actually just recently sat down together and re-wrote our Mission, Vision and Values. As we grow, we want to ensure we don’t lose sight of where we came from and what our purpose is.

On reflection we all agreed that: “We created Birch Babe not just to make another skincare brand but to help as many people as possible make easy lifestyle choices for the better health of their bodies and our planet.”

What’s it like working together as a family business?

Each of us have our own departments which I think helps us work together so well. Our mom takes care of quality control and formulations of existing and new products, Lindsay is our Studio Director overseeing all inventory, packaging, shipping and store logistics and I work as our Creative Director leading our branding, communications, social media and PR. We really feel like we’re the dream team and couldn’t do it without each other!

What’s the process behind sourcing ingredients and formulating your products? 

We work very hard at ensuring our packaging and ingredients are sourced as ethically and sustainably as possible.

We also stand very strongly behind our commitment to be as plastic free as possible. For example last year in November we were sent plastic Lip & Cheek Tint lids (approx. 4 times!). We had a choice to sell our Lip & Cheek Tints with a plastic lid or stand behind our decision to be as plastic free as possible and keep our Lip & Cheek Tints out of stock until our metal lids came in, which we did, for 6 months! It was a very painful and hard decision, however extremely worth it because we knew we were standing behind what we believed in and that our community appreciated that.

We’re proud to say all of our products are handmade, sliced and packaged in our studio near Bon Echo, Ontario.

What’s some great feedback you’ve received from happy customers?

Overall, we’re just overwhelmed with the love we receive in emails, Facebook and Instagram messages and in our reviews online. We read everyone and try to respond to them all. They really give us the reassurance that we’re doing the right thing and the drive to keep going!

A few product reviews are below for our 3 Award-Winning Products in the 2021 CertClean Clean Beauty Awards:

Hydrating Face Cream (23nd Place):

Lauren H. “I’ve been using this twice a day for nearly five months and my skin has never looked better in my life. I have both acne and eczema on my face, and the improvement is really noticeable. I’ve just repurchased!”

100% Mineral Sunscreen (3rd Place):

Carley B. “BEST SUNSCREEN EVER! Obsessed! It goes on SO smooth and actually rubs in without leaving a white residue! Doesn’t feel heavy or greasy on your skin, especially on your face. 10/10 would HIGHLY recommend!”

Lip & Cheek Tint ‘Absolutely Fabulous’ (4th Place)

Nathalie C. “My 5yo daughter and I argue over who this little tub of happiness belongs to. Safe enough for her to use without hesitation. What a nice little touch this gives on days I don’t wanna do a full face of makeup. A little pop of colour on my lips and cheeks. And the peppermint is a lovely soothing little kick.”

Is there anyone in particular who has inspired you along this journey?

Yes, when it comes to living a more plastic free lifestyle we really love @plasticfreemermaid and she was also a wonderful supporter of our All Natural Mascara when we first launched our rebrand.

When it comes to how to communicate to consumers in the digital space we really looked at what Glossier was doing as we felt they did a wonderful job launching a brand that was solely e-commerce. We saw how much fun consumers were genuinely having getting involved with the brand and thought hey, let’s do the sustainable, plastic free version of that!

We also love Lauren Singer from @trashisfotossers and how she does a great job of providing everyday ways we can all live a bit more plastic free.

For other skincare brands we have a great appreciation for Sḵwálwen Botanicals and that incorporate cultural plant knowledge and Indigenous science and self-care. We also just recently saw a film about the founder Leigh called ‘Walking With Plants’ which is beautiful.

Future plans for Birch Babe?

There’s so many!!

To name a few, in the new year we are excited to be able to offer a 100% Plastic Free Collection of products (right now we are about 90% plastic free overall). Our products that have sprays (like our Leave-In Conditioner and our Restoring Face Toner) and droppers currently have a tiny bit of plastic in them (the straw in the spray bottle and a tiny ring of plastic in the dropper).

These products will now have an alternative packaging option so consumers can choose to order Birch Babe 100% plastic free.

We will also be launching a new line of Fragrance Free products.

In addition, we can’t say who right now however soon you may be able to find us in a few big retailers (fingers crossed!).

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Manifest your dreams and make 2022 a year to remember, with a little help from your friends at Cheeky Peach Designs.

Founded in May 2020, Cheeky Peach Designs is your go-to local shop for beautifully illustrated journals, planners and greeting cards.

Cousins Lex & Bianca launched Cheeky Peach as a way to pursue their shared love for illustration while creating meaningful products that could empower others to remain accountable to their goals and ultimately manifest their dreams.

“Creating Cheeky Peach Designs was something myself (Lex) and Bianca talked about for a long time. We both wanted an outlet to express our creativity, and develop products that had the same value as those that have been really meaningful to our lives. We’ve always had a close relationship and we value empowering others to take time to organize, journal and get creative. It just made more and more sense to work together on building this business the more we talked about it. It all grew from there!”

Both beautiful and functional, Cheeky Peach Designs’ annual planners and self-care journals will provide you with the encouragement you need to stay organized and on track with your 2022 goals.

“Our mission is to provide Canadian made and locally designed resources, products and tools to those on a journey of personal development. Our vision is to help empower and uplift people through self care. We value how taking time for yourself and compassion can make this world a brighter place!”

Where do you get inspiration for your designs?

A lot of the designs on our products are inspired by nature – they are embellished with leaves, florals, the sun and moon. We’re both big nature lovers and went camping a lot together as kids. Being in nature has always provided us with clarity, balance and fun.

What’s some great feedback you have received from happy customers?

Our beloved customers often tell us that our notebooks are not only beautiful to look at, but are also functional. We are really intentional in the design of each product so that they are durable and the perfect size to carry around in your bag, especially when you’re on the go.

Our biggest compliment has been that the information we provide on our social media is really helpful to our customer’s overall wellbeing and journaling experiences.

What have been your most memorable moment(s) along the Cheeky Peach journey thus far?

Probably seeing our products come to life on our website and the overwhelming support we have received from those who have purchased our products. We had put months of work into developing the products, the site, the brand, everything – so seeing it all come together and seeing sales come in was really memorable.

What do you love most about working together as a team and being small business owners?

Myself and Bianca are the perfect pairing, like the making of a comforting PB&J. There is something magic about two people coming together and being able to collaborate seamlessly. It’s synchronicity. We love being able to bring our ideas to life through this outlet and seeing the value it brings to our customers. We are constantly talking about what’s next, and how we can keep growing and improving.

Future plans for Cheeky Peach?

We are talking about expanding our offerings- things like journal prompts, workshops, and free wellness resources. Our customers have been asking for it, so we think it’s time to start delivering on some of these now that we have gotten our feet on the ground with the online orders. We are so excited for our growth and what the future holds!

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Kind Karma is on a mission to help you look good while also doing good.

Founded by Laurinda Lee-Retter in May 2017, Kind Karma Co’s mission is to spread goodness through their commitment to ethical fashion that gives back and creates opportunity. By employing at-risk and homeless youth to make beautiful, custom handcrafted jewelry, all Kind Karma pieces have a positive impact not only in the Greater Toronto community but throughout the world of fashion.

“Kind Karma was born on the principle that if we spread good, then good will not only come back to us but will continue to spread,” said Laurinda. “There is so much that we cannot control in the world but we can control how we treat each other. Amidst all the chaos of natural disasters, divisive politics and incomprehensible tragedies, nothing shines brighter than a little kindness.”

Proceeds from sales are also returned to Kind Karma’s youth employees to support their individual goals, such as funding their education, housing or courses. By offering meaningful employment to a demographic that often finds maintaining employment challenging, Kind Karma hopes to minimize and eliminate poverty in urban areas like Toronto.

“Our mission is to break the cycle of poverty by enabling vulnerable members of the future generation reach their full potential so they can continue to pay kindness forward.”

What’s the founding story behind Kind Karma Co?

I started Kind Karma through my own experience trying to find meaningful employment while recovering from mental illness. As a youth who had no degree and no work experience, I was forced to confront the limited employment options available to someone like me: retail or service. I ended up going the retail route but the long hours, inflexible scheduling and constant customer interaction only exacerbated my mental health challenges. I would eventually quit a couple months into each job attempt.

This inspired me to work with at-risk and homeless youth who might be struggling with the same issues of finding meaningful employment in a world where employment opportunities are limited without education, connections and experience. Most of these youth have been through much more than I ever went through in terms of trauma and emotional and mental health challenges and given their struggle to often meet basic human needs, most of them don’t have the educational background to get jobs that would accommodate their unique circumstances. They end up getting lost in a system with homelessness being a cycle that can often last generations. Kind Karma was born as a low-barrier, art therapy-based employment option to help marginalized youth reestablish their faith in themselves, build confidence and achieve the financial independence needed to create fulfilling and successful lives.

What inspired the name  ‘Kind Karma’?

I truly believe in karma and the fact that what we put out in the world will eventually come back to us and will also, hopefully, continue to spread. I thought about what the world needed more of and I settled on kindness because I think kindness is one of the most underrated things with a phenomenal impact. There is so much conflict, discord and disagreement in the world and while we don’t have to agree with everything that everyone says or believes, if we can treat those differences with kindness, respect and understanding, it goes a long way to creating universal peace and harmony. The hope is that by wearing any of our pieces, it will be a reminder to always be kind and to treat those that not only agree with us, but those that have different views and opinions, with kindness and respect.

Tell us about the youth involved with Kind Karma Co? 

We currently employ four youth artisans and they have been with us for a while which we are super proud of! We find our youth artisans in conjunction with employment centres within shelters and organizations that also work with marginalized youth such as Covenant House, Eva’s Phoenix, Yonge Street Mission and Youth Employment Services to name a few. This past year, we have dedicated even more time to expanding the skills of our youth artisans so we now have youth that help out in different areas of the company such as social media, operations and customer service in addition to handcrafting jewelry. My goal has always been to create a company run by street youth – I would love to one day see a VP of Marketing or Sales as a youth who started out as an artisan!.

Can you give us an example of a youth who has worked with Kind Karma and how the experience has changed their life for the better?

I think all of the youth we work with can say that the experience has changed their life for the better. As one of our youth artisans said: “For the last six years, I was unable to hold down a job. Now, I love coming to work and Kind Karma is actually the only structure that I can really count on in my life.” This sentiment has been reiterated by all of the youth we have been privileged to employ and they are all surprised by the environment that is Kind Karma. To read a full account of what Kind Karma has meant, one of our youth artisans recently wrote an entire blog about her experience and you can check it out here.

What’s the process behind designing and creating each piece?

Since most of the youth artisans we employ have never made jewelry before, I decided to design the pieces to keep a consistent aesthetic. Both out of personal preference and for sustainability reasons, I try to keep all designs very minimalist so that you can enjoy pieces no matter what outfit you are wearing. I will never forget when statement costume jewelry was on trend and you’d have to get a different piece for different outfits; most were only worn a once or twice before they tarnished and were then thrown out. Since Kind Karma jewelry is high quality, tarnish resistant and is designed to go with everything, our hope is that we avoid pieces creating additional waste in landfills and dumps.

This also made it easier for youth new to jewelry making to learn fundamentals through pre-designated designs but as their skills have developed, I am happy to say that so too has their involvement in the design process. We recently launched a brand new Artisan Collection featuring a piece co-designed by each of our youth artisans that reflects their personality, favourite gemstones and style. It has given them greater ownership over their artistic creativity and we hope to expand the collection as we grow!

What do you love most about Kind Karma Co?

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Makala is here to help you showcase your personality and confidence with elegant jewelry for all occasions. 

After working in high-end retail and public relations for many years, Andrea pursued her lifelong passion for jewelry and realized her dream of becoming an entrepreneur, with the official launch of Makala Jewelry in the summer of 2021.

Andrea’s main mission with Makala is to provide people with high quality jewelry that is elegant yet versatile for everyday-wear. Having learned her mother’s secrets about wearing jewelry with confidence, Andrea believes jewelry is an excellent form of expression that can communicate elegance, charm, and personality to anyone you may encounter.

“Since first impressions are everything, Makala showcases your true self and gives you confidence,” said Andrea.

Andrea’s main focus is on finding jewelry that is compatible with all types of personalities, so she takes each person into consideration and caters to their likes and needs.

“Makala is based in Toronto but I handpick jewelry from all over the world. Our pieces are made from high-quality materials, primarily sterling silver and stainless steel and are plated with either gold or silver. Whether you decide to wear your Makala Jewelry to a business meeting, or brunch with friends, our versatile pieces add a discreet charm to your presence at all occasions.”

Why did you decide on the name ‘Makala Jewelry’?

It’s curious but the first two letters (‘Ma’) represent mother in my native language, Spanish. For me, it is important to have my mother in the words.

Is there anyone in particular who has inspired you along this journey?

My mother was my inspiration, she wears jewelry as statement pieces to reflect her unique style. She used to tell me that and she still tells me that jewelry represents your personality.

My partner provides me with so much support and advice. He is an engineer so he helped me to build my website and he helps with checking the quality of the products; without him none of this would be possible.

As well, I am grateful for all of my friends would have helped me from the beginning, especially Ashlyn Garcia.

What’s some great feedback you have received from happy customers?

My customers are so wonderful and they’ve said that they love the quality and the look of the jewelry, as well as the customer service experience.

What have been your most memorable moment(s) so far?

My partner and my friends supporting me during the official launch of my website!

What do you love most about being an entrepreneur and small business owner?

Well, this is not my first language, so I’m eager to build my confidence, meet incredible people, have my own goals and prove myself.

Future plans for Makala Jewelry?

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Oakville’s Tracie Michaud is providing liquid therapy to the local community and beyond.

Tracie was working in the corporate world for 30 years, leading teams in the financial services industry, before she decided to make her quality of life a priority and pursue her dream of becoming an entrepreneur.

“Before Tea with Tracie, I spent 30 years in senior positions within the financial services industry, leading sales teams across Canada. I’d been living a very stressed-out and overwhelmed life in the corporate world and for years it had been taking a significant toll on my emotional, physical and mental health,” said Tracie. “So I was craving more calm and simplicity in my life, but it always seemed out of reach because I was so busy with work, travel, kids and all their activities.”

Reflecting on those simple joys in life that provided her with a feeling of comfort and calm, tea was always the first thing that came to mind.

“I’ve been a lifelong tea drinker (never had a cup of coffee!), and drinking tea has always been my liquid therapy. “Tea breaks” were the calm and relaxing part of my day that gave me the stress relief I needed,” said Tracie. “That was the initial vision for starting my business. I wanted to share that same feeling with other stressed out and overwhelmed women. I’d always had an entrepreneurial spirit, so I starting designing the life I wanted to live, and everything just seemed to fall into place to create Tea with Tracie!”

So with that realization, Tracie set out to become a certified tea sommelier and turn that simple joy into a dream career.

“One of the first things I did was become a certified tea sommelier through the Tea and Herbal Association of Canada. I wanted to be a tea expert so I could learn how to help other women find liquid therapy in their teacup.”

By 2017, Tracie officially launched Tea with Tracie and began sharing her luxury liquid therapy with the local community and beyond, providing the perfect tea for every craving, mood and festivity (hint: the holiday season!).

What do you enjoy most about being a small business owner?

I absolutely love the freedom to make my own decisions, and try whatever I want within my business! I love being creative with new ideas, trying new things to see if they work, and then pivoting if they don’t. And as we’ve grown quickly, I’ve been able to easily shift priorities to make sure the business continues to make sense for our family. I also love being able to give back to causes within our local community that are near and dear to my heart, like my Think Pink fundraiser.

Is there anyone in particular who has inspired you along your journey?

I’m blessed to have a very supportive family.  My parents, kids and husband are my biggest cheerleaders, and they’ve encouraged me every step of the way to follow my dreams. It takes a village to raise a family (and start a small business!), and I couldn’t have done this without the help and sacrifice of my kids, husband and parents.

Next to me, my husband Mark plays the biggest role within Tea with Tracie as he’s actively involved in the day-to-day decisions and operations. Mark, my dad (Bill), and son (David), also manage our local deliveries each day, and shipments across Canada and the US. Our daughter Faith also helps me out a lot so I really appreciate everything she does for me, especially keeping my tea cup filled throughout the day. And my Mom, Carolyn, is my constant voice of reason so I’m always running ideas by her to see what she thinks!!

What’s some great feedback you’ve received from happy customers?

We’re known for our great tasting tea and personalized customer service. I think in a world where people are used to ordering online from faceless companies, customers are always shocked when I email them to say thanks, or respond to a question directly. My favourite feedback is always individual notes I receive when I’ve been able to help someone find a tea that fits what they were looking for. Often it’s because they can’t sleep, or they’re feeling stressed and anxious, and they need some personal recommendations. I love being able to assist when people are seeking comfort in their cup.

What are your most popular teas? What are your personal favourites and why?

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Born into a family of professional artists in the United Kingdom’s beautiful English countryside, Andrea Nairn’s artistic journey began early on in childhood.

“My artistic journey started very early. I was fortunate enough to be born into a family that were passionate about the arts. My paternal grandmother was a professional artist and as a young child I would spend time drawing and sketching in the English countryside under her supervision.”

Drawn towards the beauty of the natural world and its changing seasons, Andrea focused on sketching the landscapes around her and capturing all the intricate textures, patterns, and colours.

“I became passionate about drawing and I dreamt of attending art college from an early age,” said Andrea. “Supportive parents and the guidance of an inspirational high school art teacher led me to attend Kingston University in the UK where I obtained a degree in graphic design and illustration.”

Since then, Andrea’s artistic journey has led her to work for two major North American design studios and her illustrations have been published in magazines such as Canadian House and Home, Toronto Life, Chatelaine and EnRoute.

More recently, Andrea has focused on designing home décor items – such as coasters and placemats – that draw from her original sketches and watercolours to beautifully showcase unique Canadian landscapes.

“Through my work it is my hope that the observer may be drawn into an experience that the natural world so often provides : a quiet sense of wonder.”

What sparked the idea of creating décor pieces from your art?

In 2011, the desire to push my work in a new direction resulted in a return to art college to study textiles at Sheridan College in Oakville.  My style of illustration translated well into the creation of repeat patterns . This became my point of focus. In 2014, I travelled to the USA to receive a First place award for textile print design from the International Textile Market Association.

Encouraged by positive feedback I made the decision to launch a range of bespoke products using my own original drawings. I love the idea of my designs being applied to something of practical use: Cushions are an opportunity to apply bold colour and customize any interior ; The melamine placemats are a practical, sustainably sourced, and decorative product, designed for everyday use. Both high quality, timeless products, with a uniquely Canadian story.

Where do you draw your inspiration to create your pieces?

The natural world and it’s changing seasons has always held a particular fascination for me and offers a constant source of inspiration; Pattern and texture in landscape; the play of light on a frozen river edge, the dance of shadows cast by the silhouette of a winter tree. I’m also fascinated by the history of textiles themselves and draw on the pattern and colours from fabrics of every era. The challenge for me when it comes to designing is always editing my thoughts and following through on an idea. The possibilities are always endless.

Future plans?

I would love to expand my work into joint ventures with textile companies, product and interior designers. I have always enjoyed collaborating.  I also want to continue to grow my own brand, adding to my range of high quality products for the home interior.

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Dana Leigh’s knitting journey began at the young age of five, alongside her dear grandmother.

But while she devoted many years to mastering the hobby as a child, Dana put away her knitting needles for several years before dusting them off as an adult and falling in love with the craft all over again.

“My grandmother taught me to knit when I was around 5 years old, but I put down the needles for many, many years. As an adult, I was looking for a hobby and decided to take up knitting again. I was encouraged to sell my pieces and so I tried and it went well – and then I decided to jump in and take it full-time. And that has been absolutely amazing!”

Fueled with ambition to turn her passion into a small business, Dana founded Rough Bark Knits to create beautiful handknitted winterwear accessories that are both stylish and cozy. In fact, only designs that make her do a happy dance make it into her collection.

“I love experimenting with fabrics, texture and patterns, and I aim to create versatile pieces that are comfortable and flattering on various fits,” said Dana. “I am very picky with my patterns, construction and material. I really want you to love the item you purchase and I work on the design of each piece until I am confident that will be the result.”

How did you decide on the name ‘Rough Bark Knits’?

It sounds silly, but picking a name is hard! So many names are taken in our global marketplace. Although I am a small business, I do want people to be able to Google the name and have my business come up – so I was really looking for something unique that reminded me of nature. I thought of bark and its texture is rough and knits is what I do so – ta-da! 

Where do you find inspiration for your designs? And how do you decide on your colour palettes?

I find inspiration everywhere! I look at what’s in style, what’s trending and how that might translate into an item I make that has a modern knitted feel. I am constantly on social media – I love seeing the ways in which people put pieces and colour together. I just kind of take all that in and, when I’m ready to change my colours or introduce a new piece, all of that information plays a role. In terms of colour, I prefer neutrals – and I have noticed that preference in people purchasing my items as well – so I try and stay with interesting neutrals and add a pop or two of colour.

What’s your process behind making your pieces? How many do you typically knit in a day/week?

I am knitting all the time! When I finish ‘work’ knitting, I have been known to knit to relax! This is my full-time job and it is literally what I do everyday. I spend the first part of the calendar year working on new designs and photos, then I build up stock for the busy fall/winter season, and by the time the chilly weather comes, I am usually at local artisan markets and filling online orders. Everything is made by me in my home studio in Hamilton, Ontario.

What’s some great feedback you’ve received from happy customers?

The best feedback for me is excited ‘I just love it!’ feedback, or when people say a season or two later that they have a particular piece and just love it. It makes me feel that I have succeeded in crafting something well-made that someone is enjoying for an extended period of time.

Future plans for Rough Bark Knits?

I would like to do more wholesaling and hopefully book a few artisan markets for 2022! With COVID, in-person shows have been challenging, so I really just can’t wait to get our there and start chatting with people again! I could talk about knitting all day! (Although if you ever do see me, don’t worry, I talk about other things too!!)

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FORZA is on a mission to help us strengthen from the inside out.

Based in Toronto, FORZA is an innovative all-natural skincare brand,  founded by Certified Esthetician/Skincare Specialist Jessica Hutchinson.

After graduating and becoming a Certified Esthetician, Jessica travelled internationally to learn from some of the best in the industry, who not only specialize in skin care, but also in aromatherapy. Jessica then began working at a spa she had always dreamt of working at. During her years working at the spa, it had won #1 Spa in Canada and Jessica was thrilled to be a part of that experience!

With years of experience and knowledge, Jessica felt as though it was time to take control, and share her passion with others. Not only did she have a passion for all-natural and effective products, she also had a true passion to take care of others, and help people feel their best.

That is when FORZA was born.

“Prior to launching FORZA [in December 2020], I had been working full-time as a Certified Esthetician at one of the top award-winning spas in Canada. After so many years in the industry and endlessly learning about how the skin functions, what ingredients are most beneficial to the skin, and the importance of using products with clean ingredients, I felt inspired to put my knowledge and passion to a bigger cause and take control; that’s when I created FORZA.”

With all of the products handmade in Toronto from natural ingredients – including 100% pure essential oils – Jessica’s mission is to provide the ultimate toxin-free skincare experience that strengthens from the inside out.

“FORZA stands for Strength. Strength to move forward, strength to show up for the people we love, strength to care for ourselves so we can continue to evolve. Self-care and self-love seemingly go hand-in-hand. The time we take for ourselves allows us to be the best we can be.”

What makes FORZA different from other skincare brands?

FORZA stands out from other skincare brands for many different reasons.

No matter the skin type, we’ve got you covered. Our product formulas are created to benefit any and all skin types, making it super easy for anyone to put together the perfect skincare and self-care regime. We make it super easy to navigate through each product to read product benefits and why each product may be the right one for you. When in doubt, you can let us know what skin concerns you are trying to target, and we will help put together a skin-transforming regime for you!

Pregnant, breastfeeding or have allergies? No problem! We are completely open to adjusting a product formulation for you in case there’s a certain essential oil you may be sensitive to. We want to help you experience self-care like none other while ensuring maximum relaxation.

FORZA works with you. Look at us as you’re local Esthetician that you can come to for any skincare advice you may have!

How did you research and develop the formulations for your skincare products?

Extensive research is a must when it comes to selecting ingredients that will be a part of any magical formula. Over the years I’ve kept important skincare notes and ingredient guides that have been extremely beneficial to our product formulation. I have also had the wonderful opportunity to travel abroad to learn aromatherapy and skincare from some of the best in the industry, and I’m so honoured to be able to apply their advice to my formulations to make for the absolute best natural products and remedies.

Is there anyone in particular who has supported/inspired you along this journey?

I am so thankful to say that all of my close friends and family have been an incredible support system through this journey thus far. They inspire and motivate me to do my absolute best. Without their words of encouragement or assistance, FORZA would not be where it is today. They push me to do better and pay attention to the little things, and I couldn’t be more grateful for each of them.

What do you love most about being a small business owner?

What I love the most about being the owner of FORZA is being able to express myself not only through my products, but our Instagram posts too! I’m an extremely creative person, so to be able to take photos and create fun posts keeps things extremely exciting for me. I also love that I’ve been able to grow my brand and now have so many people believe in me and my vision! It’s something I will never take for granted. I’m excited for what the future holds!

What’s some great feedback you’ve received from happy customers?

I am so thankful that we have received some amazing feedback over the last year! We’ve heard a few different things customers have pointed out, number one being that our products truly work, which makes us so incredibly happy! From body care to skincare, many of our customers have noticed a significant increase in bounce and hydration in their skin. This makes us even more excited to launch our brand new up and coming skincare! Our customers also tend to notice and appreciate our packaging. Our packaging is sustainable and eco-friendly, making our products guilt-free all around.

Future plans for FORZA?

The future plan for FORZA is to continue to create innovative skincare products to help people feel confident in their skin. I hope to see FORZA grow and reach a larger audience while maintaining an exclusive brand!

Together, let’s strengthen from the inside out

SHOP FORZA

At FIGG Studio, every piece of jewellery is one-of-a-kind, just like you.

Founded by Toronto-based artist and jewellery designer Magda Opas, FIGG Studio pieces are handmade in small batches from polymer clay,

“My primary medium is polymer clay as it is lightweight, durable, and malleable – offering endless design possibilities. All FIGG Studio pieces are handmade by me, in small batches or customized individually for you!” said Magda Opas. “I believe jewellery can be such a simple, accessible, yet deeply transformative part of how you present yourself and build your story – not just externally, but internally as well.”

Drawing inspiration from art, folklore and theatre, Magda’s creative process centres around themes of capturing movement and creating depth, with each piece depicting its own unique story.

“Since early childhood, I have been fascinated with folklore, mythology, and the magic of storytelling. I wanted anyone wearing my pieces to feel bold, unique and connected to their most authentic self,” said Magda. “In fact, someone told me that you can tell that there’s a story in each one of my pieces – so that meant a lot.”

What’s the story behind FIGG Studio? 

I’ve always had slightly restless hands and have tried any art or craft I came across – none of them took over my life the way jewelry making did.

I came across polymer clay, my current primary medium and was a bit of a Pandora’s box situation – I couldn’t stop creating. I had been looking to make some changes in my life, so when the pandemic threw a wrench in my career trajectory, I decided to see where the current took me. And here I am!

Since the beginning, FIGG Studio has been about coming home to myself – rediscovering my old loves, those deep-rooted interests that I had when I was young and much more fearless, but pushed away as we got older. I love that jewelry can be such a simple, accessible, yet deeply transformative part of how you present yourself and build your story – not just externally, but internally as well.

What inspired the name?

Since early childhood, I have been fascinated with folklore, mythology, and the magic of storytelling. I wanted anyone wearing my pieces to feel bold, unique and connected to their most authentic self. These are two foundational pillars of my creative process, and I wanted the name to reflect this.

The fig fruit can be found in many creation stories, mythologies and sacred texts all over the world. The fig fruit has watched the centuries go by, breathing life into the stories of old, a sweet relic of the past. Combined with the name of the powerful Norse goddess Frigg, we find ourselves with a simple name, that pays homage to the power of the stories we tell – FIGG.

What’s the process behind designing and making your jewelry?

Everchanging is the answer! I’m constantly learning, experimenting and improving – I don’t think that journey ever ends, nor do I want it to!

Sometimes I sketch out my designs and sometimes I just have a vague idea in my head and work it out directly with the medium. The prototyping takes time because the jewelry needs to be functional as well as beautiful. All my jewelry is made by hand by me in my studio, so there is no speeding up the process – each piece takes hours or days to make, depending on the complexity.

What’s your favourite thing about being a maker and small business owner?

First and foremost, I get to work with my hands and have my pieces worn by incredible, wonderful people all over the world. That in and of itself is such a dream and privilege.

I also get to be myself, unapologetically. There’s so much pressure, worry and doubt in working for yourself – but I’m free to build what my day, week, month looks like. I can build a life for myself without diluting who I am to fit into corporate expectations.

What’s some feedback you’ve received from happy customers?

Someone told me that you can tell that there’s a story in each one of my pieces – that meant a lot.

I also had a client tell me that they wear a particularly bold pair of my earrings when they’re in a meeting with slightly intimidating older men – you can’t beat that as far as compliments go.

Future plans for FIGG Studio?

We’ll see! I’m open to wherever this journey takes me. I will keep making my art and connecting with those who love it.

SHOP FIGG STUDIO

Oakville’s Kim Facca grew up baking cookies alongside her beloved grandmother, who called her Kiki.

Kim now bakes the best cookies around, maintaining the artisanal quality of her grandmother’s recipes and even using the nickname her grandmother gave her!

Just like her grandmother, Kim bakes all of her cookies from scratch by hand, using only the finest all-natural ingredients.

“We don’t use any preservatives, artificial colours, and GMO ingredients. I use the exact same recipes whether I am baking cookies for customers or my three kids. Everyone deserves to enjoy the best cookies I can make!”

Indulge in Salted Oatmeal White Chocolate cookies, enjoy a sweet and colourful treat with M&M cookies, pair the Vanilla Bean cookies with warm brew, dunk the classic Chocolate Chip in a cold glass of milk…or try all 12 flavours!

“Our classic Chocolate Chip is definitely one of my favourites. The chunks of Lindt milk chocolate are perfect with a cold glass of milk. But with a cup of tea, I enjoy the Orange Poppyseed. The crisp edges and soft centre in combination with poppyseeds and the fresh taste of citrus is delicious.”

Made with lots of love and care, Kiki’s Cookies is sure to brighten your day with their gourmet cookies.

What’s the founding story behind Kiki’s Cookies?

Kiki’s Cookies is the perfect mix of my passion, education, and work experience. Some of my earliest – and fondest – memories are of baking with my grandmother. I even remember the day she first let me hold the hand-held mixer all by myself! Birthday cakes were her specialty and they were delicious. But cookies are my favourite. They are the perfect little treat that you can enjoy anytime.

I love what I do. It makes my day when a customer sends me a note or text telling me how much they enjoyed our cookies. It’s a small thing, but I love knowing we made someone’s day a little more special. Life is crazy and busy – we all need a reason to smile

What were you doing prior to Kiki’s and what prompted you to launch this business?

I spent most of my career working in consumer packaged goods. I started off working in Finance, but eventually moved to Marketing. I got some terrific training at companies like Kraft Canada and Mattel. I learned how to manage all aspects of a brand – from production and supply chain management through to packaging and marketing to the consumer.

But I always wanted to have my own business. So I finally took the leap and started Kiki’s Cookies. It was a way for me to build something important to me, while better balancing work and family life. And there have been so many great benefits I never anticipated. I have met so many wonderful people and I feel more a part of my local community.

What do you enjoy most about managing and being the head baker of Kiki’s?

I love exploring new flavour combinations and developing new cookies for our customers. But I think most importantly, I control the ingredients. We use only high quality ingredients – there are no preservatives, no artificial colours, and no GMO ingredients.
 
Other than yourself, is anyone else involved with Kiki’s?

From the beginning, I have been working with an amazing graphic designer. She has helped me design my logo and build my website. She is very talented and understands my vision for the business.

And, like many small business owners, I have relied on my family. Though I insist on doing the baking myself, I often enlist their help for deliveries, especially during the busy holiday season. Their encouragement and support has genuinely been amazing.

Who has inspired you along your journey?

My grandmother has certainly been an inspiration for me. She instilled a love of baking within me, but also had an amazing attitude towards life and making the most of each day.

I have also had some great mentors throughout my career. Their advice and encouragement have made a huge impact, especially on days when everything seems to be going wrong.

What’s your favourite cookie and why?

That is a tough one because it changes with my mood. Our classic Chocolate Chip is definitely one of my favourites. The chunks of Lindt milk chocolate are perfect with a cold glass of milk. But with a cup of tea, I enjoy the Orange Poppyseed. The crisp edges and soft centre in combination with poppyseeds and the fresh taste of citrus is delicious. But that is the beauty of cookies – you don’t have to pick just one!

What are your Top 5 most popular cookies?

Chocolate Chip and Salted Oatmeal White Chocolate are our two best-selling cookies and ones that we have offered from the beginning. But some of our newer flavours (including Chocolate Crinkle, M&M, and Coconut Lime) are very popular as well.

What’s some great feedback you’ve received from happy customers?

We really have some awesome customers that have been very supportive. I think the biggest compliment is when they send Kiki’s Cookies to their family and friends after tasting the cookies themselves.

Some comments from happy customers:

• ‘You bake magic!’
• ‘I’m calling the Salted Oatmeal White Chocolate my favourite. My brain almost exploded with
  joy when I bit into this fantastic cookie. A must try!’
• ‘You really helped me bring joy to lots of people! They won’t stop texting/calling me to tell me
  how fantastic the cookies are.’
• ‘The cookies are delicious – I had to try one before dinner.’

Future plans?

I would absolutely love to open a store front so people can purchase our cookies anytime. But online ordering and delivery has been fantastic for Kiki’s Cookies. I need to make sure we can continue to provide excellent customer service for our deliveries before opening a retail location. It is a big project but one I hope to undertake one day.

Click here to shop Kiki’s Cookies

 

Devin Schaffner is on a mission to keep meaningful items in our lives and out of our landfills.
 
Honouring timeless design, Devin founded Rekindle to create bespoke décor that would spark meaningful connections and help people to live sustainably.
 
“The design philosophy of rekindle is sustainability through long lasting products,” said Devin. “Home is where we have some of the most meaningful experiences, so I wanted to create bespoke décor and handcrafted home goods that would support these experiences. I believe that investing in high quality, personalized items can spark an emotional connection to goods that encourages us to live with fewer but better things and avoid contributing to a throw-away society.”
 
Minimalist and Scandinavian inspired, each piece is handcrafted in small-batches from high-quality sustainable materials that are designed to last and age gracefully.
 
“We look at our items as investments in both your life and the environment. All our creations are made in Canada and support local communities by using local, natural materials that change for the better with the passage of time. All our bespoke décor and home goods are designed and fabricated by a small group of craftspeople who design pieces with meaning, longevity, simplicity, and beauty in mind and share a common belief that the highest standards increase the quality of our lives.”
 
Devin hopes that his customers will cherish their Rekindle décor so that they may become modern heirlooms that can be passed on to someone special.
 
“When you love what you own, you care for it and you don’t throw it away to replace it with something new.”

What’s the founding story behind Rekindle?

I returned back to school after being an interior designer in 2010 to complete a bachelors of Industrial design at OCADU with the ultimate goal of developing my own brand that truly represents my values as a person. I created Rekindle as my thesis in hopes of countering the tremendously wasteful throwaway society of our time. I wanted Rekindle to be truly sustainable and benefit our planet while also heightening the human experience. I went deep into understanding what a so-called “consumable” product is and what it could become so it would be more than something we use, discard and replace.
 
What inspired you to name your business ‘Rekindle’?

Rekindle was created around re-thinking what products are and how we connect with them. Emotional connections are the backbone into a sustainable piece. When we connect to something on an emotional level we want to care for it, use it, and never throw it away. What could be more sustainable than Rekindl-ing our relationship with items we use everyday?
 
What do you enjoy most about woodcrafting (and when did you begin engaging in this craft)?

I have always considered myself a designer instead of only a woodworker. I am currently working with wood as my primary medium, but adding a variety of well crafted items in multiple mediums is the direction Rekindle is going. I started with wood in the late 2000s. When I created Rekindle while in school I leaned more towards spending time in the woodshop as the smell, the texture, and the richness of the material was enticing. I also found that the pieces I was creating were perfect for wood.
 
Where do you draw inspiration for your designs?

Inspiration is such a fun trip! It can come from anywhere, at any time. I love exploring Scandinavian and Japanese design as they have such subtle details, functional features, and a warm aesthetic. I have a Scandinavian background which may be why I tend to feel at home with this style. I create items that I believe will benefit this world, more than just its initial use by a person. Each item I create needs to support an experience that is not a trend or a fad, like coffee with a close friend in your living room, dinner with family, or reading a book in a cozy chair with a cup of tea. If the experience I am supporting hasn’t been proven it is much more challenging to become emotionally connected to them – if they aren’t here to stay, they are destined for the landfill. I am always trying to enrich these experiences with quality goods that support experiences bringing people together.
 
Aside from yourself, is there anyone else involved with your business?

Rekindle is a whole community of people. It has always been my dream to have a collaborative environment that I get to build everyday. We are slowly adding more collaborations with other creators supporting a common goal. Formally, Rekindle is myself with the unwavering support of my wife, but the collaborations with the outside community creating long lasting items is also our team.
 
What’s some great feedback you’ve received from happy customers?

The connection we have with our community is a very special experience. Many of our customers mention how the level of craftsmanship is outstanding and like nothing they have seen. We focus on details that many people do not bother doing. We believe in creating products that will eventually be heirlooms, no different than a very expensive dining table, and we ensure our attention to detail is at the highest level. We go the extra mile to ensure our goods will be memorable for a lifetime. Our customer service has also stood out. We believe in what we are making and will always stand by the quality of our goods. We know our customers are paying a premium for something that will last and if it doesn’t that is on us, and will make sure you get a piece that will last. Ultimately, I believe in doing my absolute best with anything I do, and I believe our community sees that.
 
What’s some great feedback you’ve received from happy customers?

Rekindle is what I think about all day, everyday. I am so passionate about what Rekindle is and what it will become. I am constantly dreaming up where we are going and the collaborations I am creating are always being refined. We will be releasing the newest collaborative collection of goods before the holidays 2021 and I see this collaborative spirit being essential going forward. When I look to the future I see Rekindle offering a more experience based service. I would love to create an overnight/day destination for people to enjoy the luxury of the Rekindle brand in a beautiful natural environment with all the refined amenities that increase the quality of life. We hope to have a gallery-shop and café too that will be a hub for supporting the Rekindle lifestyle.
 
 

buttrmlk is on a mission to share a little piece of Ghana with the world.
 
It was back in 2019 that Vania Raquel (a Toronto-based artist and professional dancer) ventured out to Ghana and discovered a natural resource that would be the perfect ingredient for an independent skincare brand she was working on.
 
“During my trip, I noticed how accessible shea butter was to me which helped me make the decision to base my brand around that ingredient.”
 
Being of mixed race, Vania was also eager to experience and share a part of her African culture with others, while delivering an amazing product.
 
“Through buttrmlk, I want to highlight the natural resources in Ghana and their value. Shea is a world renowned natural moisturizer that is loved and adored for its properties. Giving all respect to the source, I want people to enjoy the natural benefits of this amazing butter.”
 
With the pandemic further inspiring Vania to launch her own e-commerce business to work for herself, Vania had buttrmlk in the works by January 2020 and officially launched the brand in March 2021.
 
“It was an easy start to buttrmlk, I have always taken pride in my skin health and routine so it aligned with me naturally. Starting buttrmlk gave me insight into the type of life I wanted, I am proud that I was able to give myself that opportunity.”

What research did you engage in to develop your skincare products?

The research and development stage consisted of what ingredients work well together with shea butter, base formulas for body butters, lip moisturizers etc. Aside from formulas, packaging research was a focus as well, seeing what style was best for each product and what type of packaging consumers liked best.

 
What makes buttrmlk different from other skincare brands?
 
What sets buttrmlk apart from other brands in skincare is, you know exactly where the ingredients are coming from, its place of origin providing authenticity to the consumer. Our minimal ingredients and all natural formulas are loved by our consumers because of their simplicity and effectiveness.
 
What do you love most about being an entrepreneur/small business owner?

I love seeing the vision I had on paper come to life and thrive and as a woman of colour it feels empowering to own and run a business independently.
 
Anyone in particular who has inspired you along this journey?

Shannon Whelan, creator and founder of Euclid Farms has been a mentor of mine for many years. She has always been there for me helping me handle any questions or concerns about business and how to scale and grow effectively.
 
What’s some great feedback you’ve received from customers so far?

Our customer base is extremely satisfied with the formulas and their versatility. The branding has been a huge success as well which is something many consumers factor in when purchasing.
 
Future plans for buttrmlk?

Expansion, expansion, expansion. Over the next few years I want to expand the product offerings to include a variety of bath and body goods. I would also like to expand into other retailers to reach a wider consumer base.

Essence & Beauty Co is here to remind you to “Love Yourself” through simple self-care practices.
 
Founded in 2020, Essence and Beauty Co. is one of many small businesses born out of the Covid-19 pandemic.
 
With the pandemic putting her hospitality career on pause, Joana Ledesma found her mind buzzing with creative ideas to keep herself busy.
 

What inspired the name ‘Essence & Beauty’?

 
What’s your mission & vision?

Our mission and vision is to create and offer the world  high quality self-care products that are good for our body and the environment.
 
What’s the process behind making and designing your products (candles, cosmetics, soap)?

The process behind making and designing my products includes a lot of research, putting ingredients together and months of testing – fragrances, burn test for candles, soap ingredients and cosmetics. We do our best to use reusable packaging and guide our customers on how to reuse and re-purpose our products on our socials. One example is our candle containers.
 
What’s some great feedback you’ve received from happy customers?

Customers comment on the great scents of our candles and soaps, they give positive feedback about our eco-friendly packaging, and they love the moisturizing texture of our lipsticks (like a lipstick and lip treatment all in one) and that our mascaras are gentle on eyes.
 
Future plans for Essence & Beauty Co?

In the future, I aim to have a wider range of high quality skin care products and to partner up with businesses and shops (both locally and internationally).

Meet the loungewear you never knew you needed.
 
Launched in 2020 by Toronto fashion designer Sarah Kardash, Shop Infini carries on a family legacy that began in the 1920’s.
 
During that decade, the Kardash family built a successful family business that began in Montreal and then grew to over 20 stores across Quebec and Ontario. By 1979, Sarah’s grandfather, Lenny, opened the first Infini store – luxury apparel for men and women – with his three brothers in Toronto.
 
Flashforward to modern day, when after graduating with a fashion marketing degree from Parsons Schools of Design in New York City, Sarah Kardash returned to Toronto with the fiery ambition and desire to build a career out of her lifelong love for fashion and to follow in her grandfather’s footsteps.
 
By 2020, Sarah revived the Infini name and re-invented the brand with her own original line of loungewear apparel and accessories.

What’s your mission and vision?

Infini’s overall vision is to create super comfortable, on trend pieces for your everyday life. With sleek and simple designs with a bit of flare to keep up with the trends,  we aim to create the perfect set to wear lounging around the house but also chic enough to go out in public and look well put together!
 
Where do you draw inspiration for your apparel designs?

I draw inspiration from my own personal closet, pieces I love and wear all the time. I also heavily rely and focus on the trends for the upcoming seasons. I think overall, comfort is key.
 
What’s the process behind making and designing your apparel?

The process starts with creating mood boards for both colour and silhouettes. It’s important to establish an overall vibe of the collection to make sure the colours and silhouettes work well together. Once the mood boards are created, specific colours and silhouettes are then selected to curate the perfect collection. I receive sample swatches from my manufacturer simultaneously to establish which fabrics will work for each of the different silhouettes. Drawings of each style are drawn up and samples then start to be developed! Once the samples are confirmed we place our final order and the collection is official!
 
What is your favourite thing about being a small business owner/entrepreneur?

I love getting to see people wearing my designs. It really is a dream come true being able to see people wearing and loving the apparel I designed! I think its super rewarding. I also love getting to connect with other likeminded individuals, and small businesses.
 
What’s some feedback you’ve received from happy customers?

-“The set is amazing! Love the fit! The sizes work beautifully. Such comfortable material! Love it.”

-“I didn’t think there was such a thing as a “good scrunchie” but these are amazing!”,

-“such nice fabric and fit”
 
Future plans?

We hope to continue to expand our product assortment! From more accessories, to wide ranges of apparel!

One-of-a-kind, supportive and reliable — Holland Designs will become your new best friend.
 
Launched in late 2020 by Toronto-based designer Kate Holland, Holland Designs was founded on the idea of creating the perfect bag that is trendy and practical for every season.
 
Beginning with the Teddy Tote (a Holland Designs original) for the winter season, Holland Designs now carries many other gorgeous and innovative totes, bags and beautiful silk pouches — all designed by Kate and and made locally in Toronto.
 
“I initially had the idea to create my original product (our Teddy Tote) because I am someone who carries everything everywhere! I was always carrying around a large tote bag, but could never find one that was affordable, fashionable and unique,” said Kate. “I made my first Teddy Tote for myself to carry around and use, but shortly after I realized that this was something that other people wanted as well. I started to slowly make more, and then from there began to create new styles for each season.”
 
With more new designs on the horizon, Kate looks forward to Holland Designs’ continued growth and receiving great feedback and support from her outstanding customers.
 
“I have always loved fashion, and the idea of creating my own brand is something I have always dreamed of.”

What’s your mission and vision?

Holland Designs was founded on the idea of creating the perfect bag that is trendy and practical for every season. I wanted to make something that is cool but also extremely useful, not just for single-use, but a staple in your closet.
 
Why did you decide on the name ‘Holland Designs’?

Naming the brand was one of the hardest parts for me! While I’m creative in some ways, coming up with a name wasn’t one of them. Holland is my last name and I have always loved it, so I thought why not just name it that.
 
Where do you draw inspiration for your designs?

I draw inspirations for my designs from all over! I am constantly checking out new trends for upcoming seasons, and seeing what people are interested in. I love to ask my Instagram community what they are loving and not loving so I can design something that people are looking for and wanting each season.
 
What’s the process behind making and designing your bags?

Each bag is so different in terms of making and designing. My most recent bag (Silky Pouches) has probably been the most complex as they are hand drawn and printed. I started by drawing the design I wanted then created it on Illustrator. From there I took it to a printing company that prints designs onto blank fabric. Once the rolls of fabric were done the bags then went into production.
 
What is your favourite thing about being a small business owner/entrepreneur?

I love being able to do what I am passionate about everyday! Every aspect that goes into growing the business is so important and meaningful, and it makes me so happy to see my dream become a reality.
 
What’s some feedback you’ve received from happy customers?

I absolutely love hearing all feedback from my customers! It means so much to me to hear everyone’s opinions and ideas. My favourite feedback from happy customers is hearing how often people use the bag! I love when people tell me that this is their new every day bag, and that it’s exactly what they needed.
 
Future plans for Holland Designs?

I’d love to continue making bags, and also expand into making clothes and other accessories as well! No immediate plans yet but a couple ideas in the works!

Meet Abbie Yermus & Emily Freeman, the cousin duo behind Shop Emie.
 
Launched during Summer 2020, the Toronto-based brand specializes in fine jewellery and custom design, exclusively crafted from precious metals and gemstones.
 
Following a made-to-order model and with the majority of Shop Emie’s pieces hand-crafted in Ontario by local master jewellers, Abbie and Emily’s mission is to offer a sustainable, high-quality alternative to the mass-produced jewellery that lines the shelves of many stores today.
 
“Our jewellery is sustainably sourced and ethically made in Canadian and Italian workshops that follow the highest standards of purity and ethics, ensuring that all craftspeople are paid fairly and equally. Our main goal with Shop Emie is to provide our customers with fine, luxury jewellery that is accessible while never wavering from our quality and ethical practices.”
 
With clients’ wishes at the forefront of their mind with every piece they create, Abbie and Emily provide a unique customization process that will ensure that each customer takes home a piece that will be treasured for a lifetime.
 
“We wanted to offer a customization process like no other e-commerce jewelry company where customers can design new jewellery, repurpose old jewellery, and make changes they want to the pieces we offer. Ultimately, our goal is to help customers build a collection of jewellery that will last and grow with them!”

What inspired the two of you to begin this jewellery business and what was involved in the process of launching it?

At the onset of Covid-19, we found ourselves at a time of our lives where we felt unsure of what was next for us. Ultimately, we decided to take this time into our own hands and start our own jewelry brand – something we had wanted to do for years. We are first cousins, love being creative, and have always had a shared passion for jewelry. Starting and building a jewelry brand was something we had always known we wanted to do, and this time in our lives just felt like the right one to take on this adventure. Launching it took a ton of designing, lots of learning and planning, and a huge commitment. It has been the most incredible journey and the most fulfilling and worthwhile work we have done, and we can’t wait to see what’s in store for the future of our brand.
 
What inspired the name ‘Shop Emie’?

Shop Emie is simply a combination of our two names – Abbie and Emily – because our hearts and souls are at the centre of this business, and it was important to us that our name conveyed that message.
 
How do you source your jewellery? 

While we source some of our pieces from Italian factories, the vast majority of our jewelry is designed and manufactured locally in our Toronto workshop. There are so many factors that go into the process of selecting pieces to bring in from Italy and manufacture in Toronto, but at the centre of it all is our customer. Every piece we create and sell is with our clients in mind. 
 
What’s some great feedback you’ve received from happy customers?

We are so proud to say that we have a 0% return rate, which is incredible. We get so much pleasure from seeing our customers in our pieces, hearing how much they love the quality of our work and pieces, and that they feel amazing and beautiful in our pieces.
 
Is there anyone in particular who has inspired the two of you along this journey?

We have the pleasure of being mentored by other female small business owners who continue to inspire and motivate us throughout our journey. We also feel so fortunate to have an incredible support system of friends and family who root for us and the success of our business.
 
Future plans for Shop Emie?

Our hope has and always will be to continue to make jewelry that our clients will love and feel good in because we would not be where we are without our incredible clients.

Huggabeau is on a mission to provide children with a ‘hug’ that they can treasure forever.

After working a career in finance for many years, Bo Karantjas felt that something was missing and that she had yet to discover that ultimate passion she was meant to pursue.

By 2020, that feeling of inauthenticity grew stronger and spurred Bo to explore new interests in order to discover her future career path.

“I was working in Finance but always felt I was meant for something else,” said Bo. “While happy and tired caring for my three toddlers during the pandemic, I drew closer to exploring my professional and creative purpose. I experimented with blog writing, creating graphic printable activities for kids, and even took a design course at OCAD.”

After a few months of experimenting with different creative pursuits and engaging in a lot of self-reflection, the idea of Huggabeau was sparked – quite literally – overnight.

“After sharing the handmade dolls I sewed for my daughter on social media, a floodgate opened of moms interested in custom orders. Shortly after, I was contacted by a local children’s clothing company who wanted to collaborate. That gave me courage to quit my career in March of this year and in that same heartbeat, I began the journey of Huggabeau.”

What inspired the idea and design of the first Huggabeau doll (prior to turning it into a business)?

The Huggabeau doll was created as a maternal response to my own daughter’s needs for a security lovey. Her high levels of separation anxiety and stranger danger were age appropriate, but also immensely triggered by being isolated during the pandemic last year. After piecing together existing doll patterns, I designed something I knew could grow with her through other stages of development and added removable doll clothing to promote fine motor, practical life skills, and imagination. My goal was to keep it neutral, simple and in harmony with our minimal home decor (which can be masked in chaos with 3 kids under 5). I now know that Huggabeau means so much more, and meant for more than just our home!

What’s your mission and vision?

My mission is to offer parents a go-to lovey option that checks off all the boxes. Huggabeau dolls and their capsule wardrobe are open-ended toys that are timeless in style and also safe, plastic-free, eco-friendly, ethically and locally hand-made. While all of this is important, doll play nurtures empathy and the ability to negotiate and resolve. There is nothing more moving than to see a little person spontaneously help or hug someone in need. I envision that one day the maternal response that started this will be far reaching. I hope to spread awareness about the benefits of genderless doll play in a meaningful way and that parents see that as a valuable takeaway from a Huggabeau doll.

What inspired the name ‘Huggabeau’?

Huggabeau is the happy marriage between ‘huggable’ and the French word ‘beau’ which means beautiful or handsome. It felt natural to incorporate ‘beau’ because my second language growing up was French and it was when I was on my babymoon in France one year that I crossed-paths with a Waldorf doll which inspired the initial design for Huggabeau. Coincidently, my first name is also Bo (Cantonese for ‘precious’) and I’ll probably get teased for that!

What’s the process behind designing and creating the Huggabeau dolls and their outfits?

The original doll was created by modifying several patterns I bought from some talented pattern designers, and after many prototypes, Huggabeau was born. Each fabric piece is hand-cut, embroidered and sewn with time and care. Designing the outfits is the most exciting part and it all begins with colour theory and selecting quality fabric, which is actually the most time consuming. Figuring out how to put a design concept into form was hard at first too, but now when I come up with an idea for a new outfit I lose track of time and am pumped with adrenaline until the outfit is finished and fitted to the doll.

What is your favourite thing about being a small business owner/entrepreneur?

The warmest part about this business has been the discovery of a whole new community of supportive and talented young women who are also small business owners. Most of my new connections have been like-minded mompreneurs, who are juggling the near impossible act of motherhood and running a business, but still find time to lift each other up. I also love the positive feedback and am still overwhelmed with joy to see photos of Huggabeau dolls providing comfort in their homes. That alone is why I love what I do! Of course, getting to be creative in design and fashion is a major bonus.

What’s some feedback you’ve received from happy customers?

When clients make reviews they are excited about Huggabeau’s cute factor and quality. I think people are surprised to see that a Huggabeau’s outfit is a miniature version of what a child would wear in terms of colour and style and without velcro connections or snap buttons typical of doll clothing. I will never forget when one customer said that their Huggabeau package was like Christmas in July.

Future plans for Huggabeau?

I am so pleased with the success of Huggabeau so far and the speed at which it reached my preliminary goals. I’m hoping to scale the business by using a local production team who will craft the dolls in the coming year so that I can focus on designing and marketing. It will also allow more time for me to offer a wider range of products starting next with linen dolls, doll sling carriers and more outfits! I have also chosen to collaborate with some amazing partners and shops and can’t wait to see how that will unfold. There have been challenges and discouraging moments in my journey, but with the incredible support from my husband and family, friends and peers, I am optimistic that this is just the beginning for Huggabeau.

Downtown Oakville’s Core 1 has been the local region’s go-to source for ‘all things Apple’ since 1987.

Originally founded in 1987 as Canadian Computer Outlet (located at the corner of Trafalgar and Randall), its current ownership re-branded it to Core 1, with an eye towards the future of the company.

“We rebranded the store and moved to our location in Downtown Oakville, where we felt we would be able to connect with our customers in a meaningful way, embrace the community, and be a part of the historic Downtown Oakville, while also helping to shape the changing landscape of the community as we continue to grow,” said Nathan Arfin, general manager.

Along with being Oakville’s Apple Specialist Store, Core 1 has high-end home automation and audio equipment from brands like Sonos and NanoLeaf, as well as high-quality bags and laptop sleeves from Herschel.

“Come on in and experience the latest products from Apple in a friendly, relaxed atmosphere. Check out the coolest new software and accessories or speak with one of our Mac-geeks who will be happy to answer all of your technology-related questions!”

What has kept Core 1 going strong for the past 25 years?

Our customers have always kept us going, and our drive to offer customers consistently exceptional experiences is what keeps our doors open.

Also, as with any successful local business, nothing would be possible without an exceptional team. The Core 1 staff works hard to ensure we’re meeting and exceeding customer expectations whenever we can. There is nothing more fulfilling than hearing from our customers that we’ve helped them out, or made their day a little bit better.

We’re thrilled to be here to support our customers and community, and we hope that we can help you make your day a little bit better.

How has the Covid 19 pandemic impacted Core 1?

The COVID-19 pandemic affected everyone uniquely, and while our shop was certainly impacted, Core 1 was able to modify our operations to ensure that we were able to offer our high level of customer experience while keeping our team, our customers, and our communities safe and healthy.

Our changes were made with an eye towards our ongoing customer experience, not only for solving pandemic-related issues. With the pandemic acting as a catalyst, we have been able to bring new features, such as our online store at Core1.ca, our all-new ticketing system which enables more customer communication and transparency while their devices are in for repair, and our courier and delivery options, that are sure to be enjoyed by our customers for years to come.

Future plans for Core 1?

Core 1 always has an eye towards the future of our company. We’re always looking for opportunities to improve customer experience, partner with premium brands that will enhance our offerings, and find new ways to make lasting impressions on anyone who walks through our doors.

Click here to shop Core 1

 

Growing up with problematic skin, Connie Strazzeri struggled with the fact that in order to protect and nourish her skin with high-quality products, it would cost a small fortune.
 
“Many drugstore brands, while affordable, use harmful chemicals in their products that are harsh on the skin, or offer reverse effects,” said Connie. “So as an adult with acne, I gave into the cost and tried all the high-end serums, scrubs, moisturizers, and oils. I had chemical peels, facials at fancy spas, laser treatments and tried special products directly from dermatologists.”
 
However, after trying out multiple products and treatments but experiencing little (if any) success, Connie began engaging in her own research to develop her own natural and affordable solution for troubled skin.
 
“Studying skincare became an obsession and thus began my research to learn as much as I could about the body, natural remedies and a holistic approach to skincare,” said Connie. “So after 18 months of studying, testing, designing, Delia Skin Care was born (in late 2019).”
 
Locally-made in Toronto with all-natural formulations that are safe and beneficial for problematic and sensitive skin, Connie says that Delia’s mission is to provide luxury and effective skincare at affordable prices.

What were you doing prior to Delia Skin Care? And what inspired you to create your own unique skincare line and begin this entrepreneurial journey?

Before I launched Delia Skin Care, I was working with my family. We owned a local boutique grocery store in Toronto which I spent all my life in. I’ve always had an entrepreneurial side in me which I wanted to explore with a business I was passionate about. I loved the local community our family business had created and knew I wanted something similar.
 
Aside from the business aspect, I’ve had a passion for skincare since I could remember. Growing up, I didn’t have the greatest skin. I was always breaking out – even started developing white blotches around my mouth. I was too young to afford laser treatments, let alone a dermatologist and prescriptions. I started experimenting with natural ingredients which I had easy access to from our grocery store. I became obsessed with creating different products and loved that it wasn’t doing my skin any harm.
 
When I got older, I started experiencing breakouts again as life became more stressful. I thought “Ok, something is wrong now. Maybe I need a professional”. I tried every dermatologist in the area, all sorts of harmful and drying prescriptions, laser treatments and any type of facial you could think of. NOTHING worked! Back to the basics…I started formulating on my own again. 
 
When I was 24, my father was talking about selling the family business while I was waiting for my homemade face mask to dry and it hit me! A SKINCARE LINE! That’s when Delia Skin Care was born.
 
What research/education did you engage in to develop the formulations in your products?

I had always done extensive research on my own regarding skincare products and ingredients. I asked the professionals tons of questions as well. The more I learned, the more I kept wanting to know. I realized the information was endless, so I took a natural skincare course and became a certified skincare formulator!
 
What makes Delia Skin Care different from other skincare brands?

Delia Skin Care is different from other brands because it’s extremely personal and close to my heart, making it something no one can replicate. Everything I’ve created has also come directly from my consumer side and not my entrepreneurial side. 

What would I want to use on my face?

What do I look for in products?

What would I pay for certain things?

With these questions and my own opinion in mind, I’d branch out and take surveys from potential customers. I worked hard to create a completely inclusive skincare line. Each product can be used for all skin types so no one is left out. Every ingredient was carefully chosen and each formula was carefully thought out. Our product descriptions and website are extremely transparent – nothing to hide here! I wanted everyone to be able to understand what each product does and which one would work for them, even those who are not “skincare junkies” like myself. I packaged each product so they’re easy to identify. No product looks the same but yet everything is cohesive. Find our Refreshing Facial Mist quickly by its signature cucumber pictures or our Balancing Serum by the bright sunflowers, and so on.
 
What inspired the name ‘Delia Skin Care’?

I wanted Delia to be something that represents me and I can stand by 100%. The name ‘Delia’ is the name of my father’s hometown in Sicily. My grandmother lived there and I was never able to see her as much as I’d like so I decided I wanted to keep her close through my brand. The packaging is also extremely meaningful as I got my favourite person in the world to hand sketch them – my little brother.
 
What do you love most about being an entrepreneur/small business owner?

I love being able to know exactly what is going on in every aspect of my business. I’m constantly forced to challenge myself and think outside the box.  I also love the ability to learn new things everyday from myself and from others. The Delia community is so warm and welcoming and I love being part of it every day.
 
What’s some great feedback you’ve received from customers thus far?

I’ve had wonderful feedback from customers! I’ve heard people receiving compliments daily about the glow on their face. Even things as simple as knowing people incorporate 2-3 of our products in their daily routine is so rewarding. The area we get the most feedback in is our packaging which brings my brother and I huge smiles. People love how simple our packaging and ingredients are. I couldn’t be happier with the responses towards Delia.

Sip back and relax as we introduce you to The Copper Bell.

Always a fan of candles, Guelph’s Katrina Bell was frustrated upon discovering the toxic side effects of paraffin wax candles.

“I’ve always been a big candle fan but developed a sensitivity to scented candles after having my daughter,” said Katrina. “I discovered that most candles from big box stores are made with paraffin wax – an oil byproduct – that can result in unfortunate side effects like headache.”

After initially resigning herself to never burning candles again, Katrina was determined to research and discover healthier alternatives to paraffin candles.

Well, we all know that where there’s smoke, there’s fire. So upon discovering the all-natural benefits of soy wax, Katrina Bell began pouring her passion and creativity into making her own candles – with all the calming and aromatic benefits, but minus the toxic side effects.

“I started exploring soy wax as an alternative and never looked back. Soy burns longer and cleaner than it’s paraffin counterpart and I’m so proud to share my soy candles with you today!”

Since launching The Copper Bell in Spring 2020, Katrina has been busy lightning up a tropic thunder storm with her delightfully punny candles!

Not sure which scent to try? Why not cit down and mull it over, or get the Fall Sampler Collection so you can snuggle up with all six of Katrina’s warm and cozy autumn scents! We promise that they’re top koalaty!

FALL COLLECTION:

1. All You Knead is Loaf – apple cinnamon loaf
2. Give ‘Em Pumpkin to Talk About – pumpkin caramel latte
3. In-Cider Information – mulled apples, autumn leaves, musk
4. Pear Pressure – pear, riesling, pine
5. The Snuggle is Real – cozy blanket
6. Up in Smoke – sweet tobacco leaf, sandalwood, musk

Why did you name it ‘The Copper Bell’?

I named The Copper Bell after myself! My last name is Bell and I knew I wanted to include that somewhere in the brand name. Because I was making more than just candles and wanted to leave my brand open to including other things down the line I didn’t want to limit myself to having ‘candle’ in the brand name. ‘Copper’ was totally by chance. I was trying to come up with a name that sounded great with Bell and saw a sign advertising some condos in town that included Copper in the name. I liked the way “The Copper Bell” sounded and saw that there was a lot available on social media so decided that was my name!

What’s your overall mission?

My mission is to make people laugh and bring some joy into their day. I try to do this through puns and funny names as well as the way I interact with my followers on Instagram.

Describe the process behind making your candles and creating the perfect scents.

A lot of trial and error! I think up scents I think would go well together and try to think outside of the box. I blend my oils and create small samples for a sniff test and will go on to make candles once I’m satisfied with how the different blends smell. Candles usually smell different than pure oil so I always do a burn test after I’m satisfied with the oils to note what they smell like when lit and then adjust from there. I try to give my candles a 2-week cure time after pouring them for optimal strength so it can be a long process to come up with something new.

How do you choose the perfect ‘punny’ name for each candle?

I name every candle with a close friend and lovingly refer to this as our ‘candle naming committee’. It involves a lot of brainstorming on puns related to whatever is in the candle or the feeling of the scent – like a beachy feel for example. Sometimes I come up with names I really like and wait until I come up with a scent blend that fits the name.

Do you have any favourite scents? and which candle have you been burning most recently?

I’m a huge fan of citrus smells – particularly orange, so that keeps creeping into my candles. My all-time favourite is one of my Winter scents – it’s a blend of citrus, balsam wood, and mulled cider. A close second is my best seller – Day Drinking.

The candles that I’m burning most recently at any given time is whatever I’m testing for the upcoming seasons. I’m currently finalizing Fall scents and then will be burning Winter scents to make my decisions well ahead of time.

What is your favourite thing about being a small business owner/entrepreneur?

I love the flexibility of running my own business online. I can set my own schedule and work around the needs of my family. It can be really easy to work too much but I’ve found a good work-life balance that I hadn’t had before starting my own business.

What’s some feedback you’ve received from happy customers?

My favourite compliments come from people who took a leap to try a candle out without smelling it first. It can be so difficult to buy a candle online but I’ve found people are always pleasantly surprised! I often hear “I bought this for a gift but after smelling it I think I might have to keep it for myself” – that’s one of my favourite pieces of feedback.

Future plans for The Copper Bell?

I’ve just signed a lease for a new production space that isn’t in my home! I’m very excited to move to a larger space that will give me more capacity to grow and fulfill orders faster. I’m hoping to hire extra hands within the next few months and am very excited to see where we go from there.

Achieving a successful life starts with self-love and self-care.

That’s the foremost belief that inspired Toronto’s Liza Martinenko to found Mood Milk.

“When I was going through nutrition school, I was having a hard time managing my stress levels and anxiety. I was not taking care of myself, and it showed. I realized one of the things that exacerbated my symptoms was my coffee consumption.”

As a holistic nutritionist, Liza was determined to apply her skills and knowledge to reimagine the latte in a wholly natural and nutritional way, to provide a healing alternative to coffee.

“I decided to ditch my daily brew and experiment with superfoods and herbs that I was learning about in class. I soon discovered that incorporating these ingredients into my daily routine made me feel so much better!”

Liza turned her passion into a business, joining forces with her marketing guru friend Randi Patterson and officially launching Mood Milk in late 2019.

Made from high-quality all-natural ingredients, all four superfood + adaptogen blends (Beet Chai, Spiced Vanilla, Coconut Matcha, and Golden Turmeric) help nourish the body and mind with every sip.

Liza says that Mood Milk blends are the perfect addition to a meaningful self-care ritual – whether you have it while meditating, doing yoga, reading, taking a bath, or walking in nature!

“Women’s health, stress management and natural medicine have always been very dear to my heart. So when Mood Milk came to fruition and bridged all three of my passions, I knew it needed to be shared with the world. I am so humbled to be part of such a beautiful community and to have the honor to provide you with a beverage that is as equally delicious as it is healing. Move over coffee, this is a job for Mood Milk!”

Is there anyone in particular who has inspired you along your journey?

All the powerful, badass women around me! I was inspired to create Mood Milk for the hard-working, ambitious women who deserve some self-care and stress relief. As I grow my business, I am constantly meeting incredible women who inspire me to keep going and growing into who I want to be.

How do you source your ingredients?

Our ingredients are our top priority at Mood Milk. We ensure that our ingredients are certified organic to minimize exposure to chemicals and to ensure that we support sustainable farming practices. We also look at minimizing any unnecessary additives when sourcing our ingredients to deliver a product that is as clean as possible.

What do you love most about being an entrepreneur /small biz owner?

I love that I get to make an impact through my business by creating products that make others feel good. I get to share my knowledge about nutrition through my products and help them create better daily habits that ultimately allow them to get more out of life. That is truly rewarding!

What’s the mission behind Mood Milk?

Mood Milk is on a mission to reconnect women to themselves, empowering them to listen to their bodies and honour their needs and desires.

Our superfood blends are the perfect addition to a meaningful self-care ritual. By invigorating the senses, providing powerful nutrition and relaxing the body and mind, Mood Milk blends elevate daily “me time” to a healing practice.

Future plans for Mood Milk?

Our team is excited to keep growing and getting our products into the hands of more Canadians. Our plans include getting into more grocery stores and boutiques to make shopping with us easier. We are also dedicated to growing our online community and finding new ways to bring more value to our customers. We are currently working on setting up virtual meditation sessions and other educational opportunities for those who wish to work on their self-care routines.

Julia McCann’s journey into the art of flower pressing began several years ago, with a purple carnation.

“My flower pressing journey started years ago on Valentine’s Day when I decided to press some flowers my boyfriend had given me. I still remember the first flower I ever pressed and the flower that started my passion for pressing flowers; it was a purple carnation,” said Julia. “I remember taking it out of a book after a few weeks and I was shocked and amazed at how much beauty a single pressed flower could have. I was captivated by the different textures and details.”

“From that day on I went from being a chocolate girl to a full-blown flower girl.”

With that newfound appreciation, Julia turned her passion into art as she began creating beautiful pieces that captured the intricate details, textures and colours of the preserved flowers.

“Floral preservation has been around forever but is rarely displayed in a modern and artistic way. I thought there would be no better way to display the flowers than in double glass frames. Since then, I’ve been pressing flowers and experimenting with different ways to incorporate pressed flowers into art.”

As her ideas continued to blossom , the Toronto-based artist determined to turn her passion project into a business so she could share her creations with others.

“I ultimately decided to turn it into a business to spend my time doing what I love while also being able to share my love and passion for pressed flowers with others.”

Now devoted to her business full-time, Julia hopes that Go With The Flow Design Co. will inspire more people to appreciate the beauty in nature and see how they can “turn the ordinary into the extraordinary”.

Why did you name your business Go With The Flow?

I started this company to express myself and focus on what truly makes me happy which is creating! I wanted to create a brand that was a direct representation of who I am as a person and what I value in life. The name serves as a reminder to myself to go with the flow – to not feel held down by my own expectations or the expectations of others. I think it is so important to take life as it comes and trust in the process – what is meant to be will be. There is a reason they say everything happens for a reason… just go with the flow.

Where do you draw inspiration to create your pieces?

The inspiration for my pieces comes from the world around me but mainly comes from nature. There is so much beauty around us – from big, beautiful bouquets to the little weeds and flowers growing in sidewalk cracks and it’s often easy to overlook it.  Plants and flowers are truly magnificent, and I love being able to take these beautiful everyday things and turn them into something more.

I love exploring nature and taking in everything around me to see what interesting shapes, colours and textures I can see and incorporate into my pieces. There is nothing more exciting than emptying all the books and flower presses and getting to see all the wonderful, pressed plants I get to play around with.

Future plans for Go With The Flow Design Co.?

I’m so excited for the future of Go With The Flow and to see where things go. I have so many ideas for pieces I want to create, and I look forward to continuing to play around with different styles and techniques in my art. I am so happy pursuing my passion and I can’t wait to continue creating and just go with the flow!

Celebrate the soothing breeze of summer, cozy nights on the patio and the great outdoors with Terradomi Candle Co’s signature scents.

It was a couple years ago, in early 2019, that Andreea Apostol started making candles as a hobby and it quickly became a passion.

Upon learning that most mainstream candles are made from toxic materials, Andreea made it her mission to combat this environmental issue by turning her hobby into a business.

“I decided to turn it into a business upon realizing that candles sold in big box stores are made with paraffin wax (a petroleum-based wax), which happens to be toxic to us as well as the environment,” said Andreea. “So my dream was to build a beautiful, luxurious candle company that is also good for the home and the environment.”

Andreea pours that passion and love for Planet Earth into all of her candles.

Made from soy wax and all natural ingredients fragrances and essential oils, her candles are poured into ceramic vessels – meant to be repurposed in the home, or tin containers which can be forever recycled.

Along with caring for our collective home (Planet Earth), Andreaa hopes that Terradomi’s gentle fragrances will bring more enjoyment to our daily rituals.

What inspired the name ‘Terradomi’?

Terradomi comes from “Terra” which in Latin means planet Earth and “Domi” which means Home. I wanted the name to showcase our commitment to planet Earth as a collective home as well as caring for our own homes.

What’s the main mission and vision behind Terradomi?

My mission with Terradomi is to create luxurious soy candles for your home while remaining mindful of our environmental impact. From the raw materials to the packaging, I aim to constantly find better ways to care for our collective home, Planet Earth.

Describe the process involved in making your candles and creating the perfect scents?

All of our candles are hand poured by me in small batches to ensure optimal quality. The journey of creating the perfect scent always starts with memories from growing up on a beautiful farm in Romania and those special times connecting with Mother Earth. Another major source of inspiration are unforgettable moments from all over the world through my travels. Each scent has meaning and is intentional.

Do you have any favourite scents?

Each and every one of the scents that I have launched have so much meaning to me, however an all-time favourite has been “Peace Lives Within” candle, which is lavender, sage & patchouli as it’s my go to candle for meditation and before bedtime, it’s a great candle to light when you want to unwind.

Amna Abdelhadi, Founder & Head Formulator of Timi & Mila was inspired to create a line of ‘Simple, Natural, Care Products’ as an alternative to toxic products on today’s shelves.  As a new mom living in Eqypt, she struggled to find chemical-free products that would help her babies sensitive skin, specifically when it came to diaper rashes and eczema.

She took it upon herself to formulate products that would tackle the most common challenges new parents face when navigating through children’s skin care.  As her family grew and Amna, her husband, and 2 daughters moved to Canada, Timi & Mila also expanded to create care products for the everyone in the home.  Now, as her eldest daughter Fatima (Timi) becomes a “tween”, Amna developed a Tween line called “Timi’s Tween Trio” – a 3-step skin care routine designed to care for young, ever-changing tween skin.  Amna said, “Timi is so interested in my skin care routine and wants to be a part of it.  It’s never too early to develop good hygiene and skincare habits, and Timi loves that she has her own special line.”

From their family to yours, with love.  #TimiAndMila

How and why did you found Timi & Mila?

When I became a parent, I was riddled with anxiety!  I didn’t know anything about baby skin care and was so stressed that my baby was constantly irritated by the creams and products I was putting on her skin.  I was shocked at the amount of chemicals and toxins found in baby products so I decided to make a change!  I started to experiment with all-natural home remedies and they worked wonders!  The eczema, diaper rash, and dryness were gone and my baby was happy!  My friends and family were desperate to try the products I was developing so I decided to get my Certification in Formulation, study the science behind my recipes, and was able to create the incredible line of Timi & Mila products you know and love today.

What is the overall mission & vision behind Timi & Mila?

My mission is to help eliminate the anxiety and stress parents face on a daily basis, and to provide safe, all-natural skin care alternatives for the whole family.  We value transparency and are committed to providing good-for-you ingredients in all of our products

What’s the inspiration behind the name?

My two daughters, Fatima and Jamila, are both the inspiration behind the brand and products, but also the name.  Back in Egypt, we used to be called Mamas Touch Organic.  But when we moved to Canada, we realized that child-rearing was a full-family affair and the responsibility didn’t fall solely on the mother.  We also wanted to be inclusive to all families arrangements and rebranded to Timi & Mila in 2020.

Calista Tanaka’s passion for jewelry was sparked in her early childhood, growing up in Bali, Indonesia.
 
“As a three-year-old girl I loved dressing up as a princess for most occasions. I also remember being very picky about what I wanted to wear and how I would match my clothing to my accessories,” said Calista. “As I grew up, I got more exposed to the world of jewelry. I was an assistant to my mom for her small boutique, which then expanded to 2 amazing stores! As a teenager, I started making jewelry for my friends at school – beginning with friendship bracelets which was the trend at that time.”
 
Now, after working and living in the Greater Toronto Area for several years, Calista pursued her lifelong passion and realized her dream in 2020.
 
“Love, Calista was started about a year ago, in May 2020. It was kinda the start of lockdown and I was working from home, had a little bit more free time and was facing boredom from not being able to go anywhere,” said Calista. “The idea of opening my own business had been on my mind for months and that became the perfect time to start.”
 
Keep on reading to learn more about Calista and the mission & vision behind Love, Calista.

What led you on this journey of jewelry making?

I’ve always loved jewelry and accessories since I was a little girl. My journey began back in middle school when my mom told me to stop spending her money buying these jewelry and accessories (cause I have lots!). My friend and I then started to make our own stuff from very simple materials, starting from a simple friendship bracelet that we would then wear ourselves and sell to our friends in school. My mom also owned a boutique back then, I also started selling stuff to her employee! Then, I started stamping metals and do some personalized pieces back in my college years simply because I was too broke to get gifts for my friends. Gradually, my passion for jewelry evolved to the collection that I do today.

Is there anyone in particular who has inspired you along your journey?

My mom is and has always been my inspiration. The whole journey got started because of her in fact! However, what inspired me the most about her is her attitude in life. She taught me a lot in life that enables me to become this Calista today. She is always positive and hard working no matter what challenges she faced along the way. Even when faced with failure, she’s a person who would rise and stand up and just keep going.  She’s a mother, a wife, a business woman, an entrepreneur, and somebody who’s very active in her community. Sometimes I wonder how she does all that?! Along the journey of Love, Calista, obviously not everything is as easy as it seems. Every time I face challenges, I just remind myself about my mom and her journey.

What’s the mission behind Love, Calista?

With Love, Calista, I always want my brand to bring positivity to those who wear the pieces. My mission is to design and create minimalist everyday jewelry with a fun twist, that would remind women of how beautiful they are and empower them to be strong and independent.

Have you paused for your moment of magic today?

Surrender your inner boss babe, slow the grind, and halt the hustle with Wax + Wane Coffee.

Founded in 2020 by Chantsy, a local Ottawa influencer, Wax + Wane Coffee was created from her love of coffee and a reminder to slow down from her busy life and practice mindfulness in the everyday mundane. 

Chantsy works with local artisanal roasters, who source only the best quality beans from around the world. Wax + Wane coffee beans are freshly roasted to order in small batches and shipped directly to clients all over North America.

Keep on reading to learn more about Chantsy and the mission behind Wax + Wane.

Tell us the story behind how you founded Wax + Wane?

In 2014, I started a blog, where I created curvy style and Ottawa lifestyle content. Over the years, I rode the wave on Instagram under my pseudonym @Chantsy and became what we call an Infleucer today. My personal brand is all about being a relatable Canadian mom, who loves beauty and fashion. I like to empower women to embrace their beauty, no matter what size they are. My blog supports local and Canadian as much as possible, which is why I relate to the work that Look Local does.

In December 2020, I started Wax + Wane Coffee, a fresh roast-to-order online coffee company, to celebrate my love of coffee. Although it may seem like it came out of nowhere, it’s something I had been thinking about for a while and the opportunity came at the right time.

I create wax + wane to be beautiful and giftable, and to bring feminin energy to the coffee industry. I want to remove the barriers and make it less intimidating for people just getting into good coffee. Coffee culture can be very snobby and elitist, and I want to change that.

The coffee I drink is the coffee I sell, and there is no better way to spread my message of mindfulness and gratitude for small joys to my local audience.

My morning coffee ritual has been the best part of waking up during lockdown, and I wanted to share that experience with everyone. I especially love creating my relaxing coffee videos on Instagram reels and TikTok.

Serial entrepreneur Bisma Bhatti founded Lennon, in May, 2021.  She designed Lennon as a capsule collection of timeless pieces that would combat the waste of fast-fashion. Her goal was to create a complete and sustainable wardrobe that would stand the test of time.

The slogan “Free of Gender. Full of Love. #LennonForAll” is something that Bisma is exceptionally passionate about.  Her belief that ‘gender is a social construct’ was paramount in designing this line, so choosing an androgynous name for the company was equally as important.

Why a children’s line?  Bisma felt that if she were entering the world of fashion, she had a responsibility to create inclusive sizing.  Until she was able to master the perfect fit for all, she had, according to her, “no business being in that space”.  Children’s clothing however providing the unique advantage of “standardized sizing” up to a certain age, so Bisma decided to launch a kids line.

Bisma’s commitment to sustainability is also apparent with Lennon’s “Trade In, Sustainably” program.  After you’ve handed down your Lennon garments, you are encouraged to send them back so the company can sustainably recycle portions for future garments.  In return, you’ll receive 10% off your next order.

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Oakville’s Chrissie Iacobelli was working in the corporate world for 23 years before the diagnosis of a rare liver disease forced her to leave her job and prompted her to engage in some self-reflection and discovery.

“It [the diagnosis] was my saving grace really and it’s when my wellness journey began more than seven years ago,” said Iacobelli. “I realized early on in my journey that I needed to prescribe my own wellness plan.  I needed to start focusing on me, what my body was saying and how it was responding when I started listening.”

Deciding to step away from the corporate world and prioritize her quality of life, Iacobelli’s pivotal moment occurred while she was traveling with her sister, exploring small boutiques and discovering new products to incorporate in her lifestyle.

“Two summers ago was when I started to feel the nudge,” said Iacobelli. “A little voice in my head kept saying you should open a boutique or even just a pop-up market. I was discovering that many of these boutiques had products I was already using at home and that’s when the creative juices started flowing.”

Not long afterwards, she. boutique came to be.

The online boutique is specially curated with Canadian-made products that nurture and promote self-care, each one tried and tested by Iacobelli.

Firebat Coffee’s story goes back to 2013 in El Salvador, when Leena and Gustavo Castelar were planning a move and had the desire to bring great Salvadoran coffee to Canada. At the time, their friend Rodrigo was heavily involved in the Salvadoran specialty coffee landscape, and so gasoline met fire. A great friendship started that day, and it was a few years later that Firebat Coffee came to be.

In 2016, taking a leap of faith, Gustavo and Leena moved their family to Canada and after a few spins ended up finding a place for the roastery in Oakville. 

Now, with 2021 marking Firebat’s 50-year anniversary, the local community has truly become their ‘home’ and their passion extends from sourcing and roasting coffee to building new relationships with every sale.

“We’ve continued roasting delicious coffee at the “Bat Cave” on Speers Rd since 2017, and serving the local coffee community by retailing freshly roasted beans directly from the roastery,” said Gustavo. “Our passion for coffee goes beyond our love for specialty coffee flavor exquisiteness. It is a combination of continuous curiosity about unlocking the flavors that single origin coffees reveal and a definitive commitment on how to source amazing quality coffees authentically and sustainably.”

Victoria Garofalo had been working as a biologist for almost ten years but felt like something was missing in her life.

With two young children, Garofalo was worried about their future and wanted to make a bigger difference to leave them with a healthier planet and a greener future.

“Everyday seeing the news and images of the state of our climate and pollution impacts is overwhelming, but the idea that this is what we will leave our children breaks my heart and I refuse to sit idle and watch it happen,” said Garofalo.

In July 2019, after months of research, Garofalo opened up an eco-friendly shop in Waterdown – selling sustainable products that reduce waste by reducing consumption and packaging.

Fittingly named A Greener Place, all products are made of organic and vegan formulations and are respectful to the environment in that they don’t include carcinogens, parabens, phosphates, or sulfates.

“We strongly believe in well-made, reusable products that last vs cheap single use products. We want our products to be economically accessible and work well without breaking the bank because we don’t want people feeling like they can’t afford to shop sustainably,” said Victoria.

For people new to sustainable living, interested in making their first eco-friendly swaps, how do you suggest they begin their journey?

I encourage people to choose a space in their home that they feel produces the most waste – this is usually the kitchen or bathroom. Making changes to the products they use and re-use won’t happen all at once – nor should it. Don’t toss items just because they are plastic – use up what you have first, then when you’re ready to swap for a sustainable alternative, we are here to help. Our refillable products are a great place to start since most people already have a soap pump, shampoo bottle, laundry jug, etc laying around at home. Instead of recycling it – bring it to A Greener Place to refill instead! Our refills also allow you to try as much or as little of a product, so you can ensure that you don’t end up stuck with a full bottle of a product you don’t like and won’t end up using.

Maison Apothecare is an outward expression of everything that is important to Founder, Formulator & President Natacha Rey: family, creativity, honesty, loyalty, and the planet.

Born in France and raised on an organic farm in Ontario, Natacha Rey spent her childhood making potions and lotions for her loved ones — using the ingredients she collected from nature. As an adult, she pursued this passion and studied homeopathic medicine at the Australian College of Natural Medicine where she earned a Bachelor of Health Science.

Natacha’s early career focused on formulating bespoke skincare products. With the birth of her first child in 2010, her creative energy materialized as Sleepy Owl Baby Care, one of Maison Apothecare’s popular product lines.

Today, Natacha continues to formulate new products (including Lemon Aide Surface Cleaner) for the whole family as she leads Maison Apothecare along the sometimes-bumpy road of business.

Maison Apothecare took a major hit during the pandemic and Natacha was forced to permanently close two of her three locations — Niagara-on-the-Lake and Bloor West Village. But the company has moved into a new location in Oakville’s Kerr Village, allowing Natacha to share her products in an environment that offers better distance, incredible natural light, and more.

What inspired you to found Maison Apothecare (and later on, Lemon Aide Cleaning)?

Growing up I always had sensitive skin, I reacted to regular off the shelf products so my mom would often use basic ingredients from our pantry such as olive oil or yogurt.  I loved mixing and blending natural ingredients with her which always felt so soothing.  My experience as a child ignited a passion for chemistry using natural ingredients which I eventually studied.  After having my daughter, who began having bouts of eczema, I became determined to produce the highest quality, most effective, genuinely natural products for families.  My product line began with Sleepy Owl then Maison Apothecare and finally Lemon Aide Cleaning.  I love creating products, inspired by my loved ones, and enjoy every aspect of the process from research to formulation to packaging design.  Most of all I am so honoured to be helping people from all walks of life with my products that heal, soothe  and comfort.

 

What inspired the name ‘Lemon Aide’?

Lemon Aide was actually the name of my Grade 5 science project where I created electricity with using lemons and copper.  The name stuck with me when I created a cleaning product using real lemons and I liked the word “Aide” since our line helps families and the planet.

 

What are your three most popular products?

Lemon Surface Cleaner, Maison Apothecare’s Healing Oil and Maison Apothecare’s Hand Sanitizer

 

What made you decide to open your store in Downtown Oakville?

Our company head office and warehouse has been in Oakville for 5 years but few locals knew about us.  We really wanted to have more of a presence in the downtown so we could connect with the people of Oakville and support our community with high quality, genuinely natural cleaning and skincare products.

 

Click here to shop Maison Apothecare

Luis Velasquez and Juliana Berrio are the owners of Familia Fine Foods in Burlington.

After attending business school together in Colombia, Luis & Juliana moved to Canada where Luis graduated as a professional chef. He then worked in corporate banking in Toronto for seven years before deciding to pursue his lifelong passion: cooking. It was then, about five years ago, that Luis & Juliana opened their own family restaurant and Familia Fine Foods was born.

They know firsthand that getting home after a full day and then rustling up a family dinner can be a difficult task. Sure, you could pick up the phone or hit up a drive-thru, but we all know there’s nothing like a hot, wholesome meal made from scratch with tons of TLC to beautifully end the day. That is exactly why Familia Fine Foods was started. They take the stress out of meal times and put the “ahhh” back on the table.

We asked Luis and Juliana a few questions about their restaurant, their style of cooking, and the inspiration behind Familia.

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What was your inspiration for starting Familia Fine Foods?

Combining our love for food with our love for family was the inspiration for Familia Fine Foods. We know the importance of family time, and the convenience of having a wholesome, homemade, ready-to-eat meal on your table gives families more of that priceless time to make memories with their kids.

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What were you doing before Familia Fine Foods?

We were both working in corporate environments. We realized that life is short and doing something fulfilling is so important. We started Familia Fine Foods in 2014 and it was the best decision we ever made.

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What do you offer at Familia?

• Restaurant: Our restaurant is a warm space where we have healthy lunches and daily specials. We also have Colombian Coffee and prepared meals ready to go.
• Prepared Meals: We offer a monthly menu with healthy hand crafted (take home) dinners for the whole family. Visit our website to see the menu (familiafinefoods.com) and place your order online.
• Catering: We offer catering for any special occasion. Our most popular option is the Taco Bar, but we offer solutions for anything from business meetings to weddings.

What type of cuisine do you specialize in?

Handmade with love is our motto, and of course we put a little Latin touch in every single meal we make! We all know there’s nothing like a hot, wholesome meal made from scratch with tons of TLC  to end the day perfectly, and that is exactly why we started Familia Fine Foods.

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Click here to shop Familia Fine Foods

Happy International Women’s Day!

Today (March 8) and throughout the month of March (being Women’s History Month), we celebrate the achievements of all women —past, present and future.

There are so many women who are making a difference in their communities and all over the world. Here at Look Local, over 90% of our businesses are woman-owned and led!

We’d like to recognize a few of these women who have built their small business from the ground-up and are an inspiration to the next generation of female entrepreneurs and leaders!

Meet six of these women below and click on their image to visit their shop on Look Local Marketplace!

Shop this months local must-haves: