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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."
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In Conversation with Jeanette // Tout de Sweet
"After a month of a lot of crying and a downward spiral of negativity, I made a conscious decision to stop worrying about what wasn’t happening and be grateful for what was happening in the moment. For me, I absolutely love making and selling candy. I go to work happy every single day. Once I made that positive mental shift, great things started to happen."
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Checking In with Khloe, Iain & Talia // Amelia Lee, Shopify & Love Medals
It’s been a crazy few months since we originally chatted with some shop owners — and in that time, they’ve been through the emotional roller coaster of frantic shop closures, hustling online, and slowly reopening with all its rules and challenges. We’re taking a breath to check in with two quick questions to see how they’ve been doing. (Part 2)
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Checking In with Dave, Lily & Rebecca // Oxford, Dancing Lily & Hughes
It's been a crazy few months since we originally chatted with some shop owners — and in that time, they've been through the emotional roller coaster of frantic shop closures, hustling online, and slowly reopening with all its rules and challenges. We're taking a breath to check in with two quick questions to see how they've been doing. (Part 1)
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In Conversation with Mackenzie // Upcycle Clothing Collective
"We have many unique pieces in the shop, but we also have a lot of basics that would pair well with anything. I do try to take a little of everything, even if it’s not my particular style. I wanted to create a space where individual styles are celebrated and people feel like they can come to us to find whatever is missing in their closet."
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In Conversation with Margot // Verve Fashion
"My style is a little street, with a classic twist. I love mixing pieces and 'MacGyvering' them to work for me. I am petite, so sometimes I can take a sweater and turn it into a dress, or I can take a cowl neck, flip it around and it becomes an off-the-shoulder sweater with a high ripped waist. I enjoy wearing fashion, even if sometimes it's not how it is meant to be worn. I am famous for cutting clothes and re-designing them to work for me. My mother was forever giving me heck for cutting up my clothes!"
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In Conversation with Natalie // The Natural Hair Salon
"I am always learning and working on the next project. It’s who I am, same with Philip. We are people that take on everything all at once, we just can’t help ourselves. Both Philip and I were raised by immigrants, and the work ethic and values we bring to the table are deeply rooted in our culture and upbringing."
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In Conversation with Natalie // Pom Pom Boutique
"Pom Pom is a combination of all things lovely over 36 years. It was a lifetime of curtain calls, many loving years of business, and marriage with a partner that can realize dreams. There were unbelievable losses both personal and financial and wonderful triumphs. Pom Pom will never be a grand salon of Paris, but it can offer a customer warmth and mesmerizing style. We know the part by heart on this business stage and hope to get a standing ovation a good deal of the time."
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In Conversation with Bianca // Biophilia
"Our design process is to treat each project as unique. Projects are most successful when there exists a trusting, open collaboration between all of the parties involved in the design and build process. I believe the general design consciousness is becoming more attuned to the importance of landscape and natural elements to the enjoyment and health of the people that will be living in the space."
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In Conversation with Talia // Love Medals
"Be open to what makes sense. If you need to adjust and shift gears, do it, and if you can find a way to be excited about it, even better. Victoria has a strong sense of community. Connect with people who believe in what you’re doing and build your support team. Think creatively and always be open to opportunities, as you never know where they can lead. Dr. Bonnie Henry wearing a Love Medal on TV was a result of an email to a friend about new postcards I needed printed. Random!"
Supporting small businesses in Victoria and beyond. #shoplocal
