Shops
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In Conversation with Isaiah // Whistle Buoy Brewing
"The main difference between us and a lot of other craft breweries is experimentation. We try a lot of new things, and are usually releasing a new recipe every week. This takes a lot of planning and effort, but it's what makes our work a really fun challenge. The fact that we aren't distributing to liquor stores makes it a lot easier to try one-offs and just see what happens. We also do our best to avoid rushing our beers, which usually results in a fairly balanced end product. At the end of the day, there are a ton of great breweries in BC and around the world that have…
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In Conversation with Sandy, Cathy & Karen // Merchant Quarters General Store
"Really we haven't had too many surprises . . . oh wait, there was one: our store's grand opening was March 12 [2020] and we had to close on March 18. We joke that we now hold the world record for the single biggest retail failure in history — shuttered after 6 days! So . . . you run with it. Rely on key staff, communicate about what is going on a lot, stay positive and go after whatever opportunities you can think of."
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In Conversation with Jenny // The Makehouse
"The Makehouse is not just a shop. It's a place where magic and learning happens. We don't just sell sewing supplies, we are mentors that can help with whatever stage you're at on your sewing journey. Some people come in just for ideas, others need more hand-holding to plan their first project. We are also sewing cheerleaders. In case you don't think you can do it — we know you can!"
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In Conversation with Melodie // Elate Cosmetics
"My strategy from day one has been to build a safe space. A community where people feel like they belong, with the mandate that beauty is for everyone. We have always used what we call 'role models' in our campaigns, humans that you would maybe have never seen in a makeup photo shoot before because of the preconceived notion of who beauty is for. The other thing that makes us stand out online is our honesty. We are always very forthcoming with info about our successes and failures, and we ask our community to shape the future of our company."
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In Conversation with Kari // Tulipe Noire Clothing
"I have always been a lover of art. My late mother was an artist and through her I met many wonderful artists and was raised to appreciate the arts in general. I minored in Art History and I have an astute appreciation for how important art is in our culture. I intend to continue to represent artists in my store. I think it adds something very special to the environment and helps the artists themselves."
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In Conversation with Aleisha // Footloose Shoes
"I would say running your shop is twice as much work as you would ever expect. You have to think of so many things that you wouldn't imagine. Like who cleans the bathroom? Making sure you always have tape — it’s the little things! But owning a shop is hard work and takes a lot of time and commitment, so be prepared to give up a lot of personal time for the business. In the end, if you love it, it can be worth it, but it's a tougher go with so much online ... and now with Covid, it can really be challenging."
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In Conversation with Jordan // Lucky Cat Barber Collective
"All I wanted to do was be wild and free with the clipper. I wanted to do weird asymmetrical styles that involved breaking the rules, and so after working in a salon for a while, I took the leap and applied at Victory Barber, where I grew into the barber I am today. It was the push I needed to be able to explore every new angle with my scissors and clippers. "
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In Conversation with Susannah // Ruth & Dean
"As ever, in business, being flexible, adaptable, and remaining calm, have served Ruth & Dean best. We restrategize frequently to adjust to the shifting landscape and expectations of our customers. We throw out goals all the time these days and start fresh with a new plan of attack. I also consistently adjust my idea of what success looks like. In this climate and for today, success is surviving and preserving as many jobs as possible." - Susannah
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In Conversation with Kasia // Duchess & Duke
"More than ever before, running a business is a moving target so be willing to change. Things aren’t always going to look and feel the way you wish they would and that’s ok. If you stay flexible and adjust your expectations then you’ll see that there are still a lot of wonderful things happening in these dark times. Now more than ever before, we need to come together as a community and support each other, so reach out — we're here for you!"
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In Conversation with Nicole, Alex & Audra // Thorn & Thistle
"We hope to gain greater perspective. For some this has meant the end of an era, and for others, the beginning. We believe it’s so important to always give others whatever support you can, financial, emotional or otherwise. Everyone is doing their best, and you never know the whole story. In terms of growth, we want just that: to continue expanding our business while remaining who we are."
