Dream Big, Support Small.
So you’re on the road, you’ve been cruising and it’s time to eat! One problem, you’re sick of going to the same chain restaurants and supporting the same big companies. Your heart believes in supporting locally but sometimes it’s just hard to find the small local businesses.
I’ve come up with 5 different tips on how to find locals. Read more
Montreal Boutique
Our story begins…
After working in events, Evelyne got a first-hand view of the difficulty that comes with getting noticed as a designer. This inspired her into wanting to help get the designers to the public, and the public to the designers. Evelyne went into wholesale to try and make this possible, and many of the designers she had met from doing events asked her to sell their items. She said yes. It wasn’t until a couple years back when Evelyne was asked to fill in a few shifts for a friend over at Boutique Général 54, a local boutique that supports a ton of local artists. Evelyne loved the job but was much too used to working for herself to become an employee. After the talk of opening a second Boutique Général 54 with her friend and store owner Jennifer, the timing just wasn’t right, so Evelyne decided to give it a shot on her own. And now, just celebrating their one-year anniversary, we have… Read more
This week I enjoyed myself at the 2017 Montreal Etsy Fair! There were tons of artists (100+), and a TON of people! It was one of those events that you can’t really stop walking… You just get engulfed by the current and find yourself back at the beginning all of a sudden…. How did that happen? Nevertheless, it was amazing to see so many people come out to support the incredible local talent that Montreal has to offer! Read more
montreal locals boutique
Our story begins…
From old friends, to business partners; Kristelle Mercier and Geneviève Paquette explored the idea of putting together their talents to create something positive and new. Kristelle, having previously worked as a manager of a small bistro, had the desire to open her own business and the skills required to operate it. And Geneviève, a designer of her own ethical fashion line, brings imagination and artistic insight to the project. Together they decided to create a space for like-minded local artists to showcase their products, and to provide an accessible opportunity for the community to shop local, and discover local artists. This led to the beginning of… Read more
montreal children’s boutique
Our story begins…
Galina has lived in the neighbourhood du Plateau-Mont Royal since 2002. She wanted to use her years of experience as a graphic designer to offer a new business on the street. One which combines retail with an artistic vibe. Galina is mother to two young boys, who may also be referred to as The Little Monsters or Les Petits Monstres. And with these two young boys it was brought to her attention that there wasn’t much as far as a children’s boutique in the area. Galina and her brother took the opportunity to offer something unique on the street and in February 2016 they opened to the public. Everything seemed to fall into place and that was seen as a positive sign to Galina; that she had begun a valuable project. Read more
Montreal Hats : Corine.andthebee
Our story begins…
Our protagonist, Corine, took delight in fashioning together accessories for the hair. She experimented with making them at home; floral headbands, lace veils, clip-on braided headpieces, oh the fun! Besides the enjoyment she got from assembling and creating, she also realized that there wasn’t many people doing this. It soon opened up to her as being a “need” for the general public, and therefore a business. This understanding helped develop hair accessories into hats, and hats into a business. Corine taught herself the art, and 18 years later we arrive to the current time of her story. The story of Corine and… Read more
Our story begins…
Josiane always enjoyed giving old things a second chance. She had a knack for taking something old and making it beautiful again. Her family and friends assured her that her work was wonderful. However, she admitted, family and friends aren’t always the best for feedback. They are easily blinded by compassion. It was the honesty of the public that would reassure her, and that they did. Read more