“Watching Goldsmithing for the first time was my light-bulb moment. I knew it was something that came naturally and I would love doing. “
All in Arts & Crafts
Maison Noi - Robin, Emilie & Sonia
“All of us were reaching the 15-16 year mark in the business and it was becoming clear that we needed a challenge, we were ready to grow professionally. It was important to create a salon where we could bring our shared values to life, with our skills and hard work. The three of us wanted the same positive change, so we decided to take the leap together.”
True Bijoux + Howard Fine Jewellers - Lindsay & Stephanie
“It is a lot of work. It helps that we each take a lead in a specific store. Working in any partnership requires respect, communication and a shared set of core values. “
Timm Holmes - Timm
“ I’m an author of children’s books but I’m also a father to two young sons that my wife and I adopted in 2013. Our bond as a forever family was formed over our mutual love of reading books and storytelling. I knew I wanted to tell stories after I won a storytelling contest in grade one telling Robert Munsch’s “Mortimer”.
ChelsDrawsYou - Chels
“Figure out what your “why” is. For me, it means spreading positive energy on a large scale through my words and my art. Once you figure out your sweet spot you can start. Create that instagram handle. Post that post you’ve been humming and hawing over for months. You must get comfortable with risk and the feeling of fear, it’s normal and you get better at dealing with it. “
Ottawa Tool Library - Bettina
“We set out to build a library for people to come, meet, get advice, and borrow tools. Often, those with the knowledge have built themselves a full workshop. We want to appeal to a broader demographic, especially those without the money and space for a massive collection of tools. And not just tools, but also the necessary ideas and expertise to use them safely. We wanted to make a community hub that empowered people, promoted sustainability, and collaborates with other community groups in the city. “
Chalkboard Chique - Rachelle
“Every part of making the chalkboards, I have learned from my dad. He’d be the last person to take any credit, but Chalkboard Chique only exists because of what he has taught me and his continued support. When I had first told my dad about the DIY chalkboard plans for my wedding, it was the perfect opportunity for us to have a project to work on together. Every weekend, I’d drive out to his home in Rockland and take over his garage/workshop.”
Chloé Lucas Conservation - Chloé
“ I was born and raised in France, a little South of Paris. I studied photograph conservation in Paris at the Institut national du patrimoine and first came to Ottawa in 2015 when I interned at the National Gallery of Canada. As a rule of thumb, the more the photographis damaged, the happier I am because it means a challenging treatment! You never stop learning in conservation. There will always be a situation I have never encountered. That being said, French photographer Brassaï once took a picture of my great grandmother. I would love to work on this photograph . “
BirthdayPartyMagic.ca - Ian
“When I grew disenchanted with my career as a lawyer, going into show business just seemed like the right thing to do. I had to take that chance and see if I could turn something I loved into a career. It worked!”
Katye Landry Designs - Katye
“I was born and raised in Toronto and went to school for Radio and TV broadcasting – this was a great path for me at the time, because it allowed me the opportunity to tap into my creative side. I’ve also always been a bit of a DIY’er, which is how I fell into jewellery. I saw a bracelet online that I wanted to get my mom for Mother’s Day and thought, ‘I can make that!’ After one trip to Lee Valley Tools and a local jewellery supply shop, I had made it.”
The Leading Note - Gary & Tina
“The foundation of the creation of The Leading Note and OrKidstra actually began when we bought and renovated our first – and only – home. We did everything together – completely gutted it down to the studs, re-wired, re-plumbed, built an extension +++ We did 95% of the work ourselves and realized we worked well together!”
Shoebox Studio - Samuel
“I always say “the photograph chooses the paper” or the more holistic “let the image tell us what it wants to be on”. This is a way of saying that not every paper/medium is suited for a particular image. As a printer, I want to create a print that communicates an image’s message as effectively as possible. Things like texture, warmth, brightness all come into consideration.”
Gift Studio - Dasha
“As a kid, you’d always find me getting my hands dirty with glitter — crafts were my life. When the time came to choose a career path, I decided to go to uOttawa and study Marketing at the Telfer School of Management.”
Scrim's Florist - Susan
“Can you imagine a better location? The windows, the neighbourhood, we have a great landlord, and sooooo much space. Scrim's is a landmark used by folks when they are giving directions. I love sweeping the front stoop and chatting with folks as they walk by. “
The Urban Botanist - Emma
"Ask for help when you need it. Your friends and family will be the glue that holds you and your business together in the beginning. I also learnt that even if you don’t have a background in accounting, graphic design or marketing that you will eventually gain one through self teaching haha. That’s a real learning curve to owning your own business, it really requires you to be the Swiss Army knife of all trades."
Black Rabbit Studios - Ashley
“I have always loved to read and watch stories. I recently found a box of old sketchbooks full of stories and comics I made in my childhood. So the need to imagine and bring stories to life has always been an underlying drive of mine! Nature and the natural world is a big inspiration to my artwork, I find natural organic forms fascinating to draw.”
Functional Reclaimed - Phil
“Ottawa as a city has been incredibly supportive, from messages on social media just letting me know how much people love to see what I’m building to loyal clients and customers, the city has really come forward and made it clear that they want to support small businesses!”
The Village Quire
“Cheerful is my natural state - it just makes sense that my little store is the same! ”
Buttercup Co. - Maxine
“From the moment I designed that first card in 2016, I wasn’t creating something to give to friends and family for fun, I already had this idea of selling them on Etsy, at the very least. I was accepted in my very first craft market that same summer and I was scared out of my mind. Working really hard on something is one thing – but working really hard on something and then getting people to pay actual money for it, that’s another ball game. My goal was to sell enough to pay for my vendor fees and I DID”
Sunday On The Run - Alexandra
“I would LOVE to embroider an album cover for Portugal. the Man. They have been my favourite band since about Grade 11 so I think that would be really cool. I enjoy how each album has a different vibe/sound so you can always find something for whatever mood you are in and they were one of the best artists I've seen play live ever (and I've seen a loooot of concerts!).”