Location: Bay of Quinte, Ontario

When did you start your business and what made you begin?

I started the initial business concept and product testing in September 2022, and launched our products for sale in November 2022. My husband really encouraged me to start the business. My husband and a lot of our family members have skin and scent sensitivities that can make using typical products very challenging. In addition I have a lot of family members with allergies to ingredients typically found in skin care products such as aloe. I wanted to create products that were safe for my family to use. After a lot of product testing I was able to create products that were safe for my family and that I loved more than the big name brands. I wanted to share the products I created with others in hopes that our products would help others with similar sensitivities. I also love  being able to use my creative side to create new products and designs to bring joy to our clients. 

What inspires you most and is there someone who influences you?

My biggest inspiration is definitely our customers. Getting to hear the difference our products make for them is really what drives me to create more products. Hearing about the different concerns my customers face when trying to find products that are not only safe for them to use but that also make them feel great inspires me to continue creating new products to help meet those needs. Without our clients I wouldn’t be able to do what I love and I am so grateful for the response we’ve received and so happy to be able to make a difference in even one person’s life.  

Who are your biggest supporters?

My Family. My parents, inlaws, aunts, uncles, cousins and extended family have all been incredibly supportive during this journey. I am so fortunate to have the family that I have and am so grateful for all of their support. My husband has also been my biggest supporter helping build displays, attending events and doing lots of late night labeling. I am so grateful for all of his support and help in growing our business. 

Where do you see yourself in two years? What is your main goal?

In two years my hope is to have our products in stores across Ontario. My main goal is to make our products accessible to as many people as possible in hopes that they can provide relief and joy to our customers. We do have a website, which is a great way to make our products accessible, however nothing is better than getting to open and smell a product in person and discovering your new favourite scent. Getting to bring the smile that comes with that first smell to a wider audience would be amazing. We are also hoping to continue to expand our product lines over the next two years to provide even more incredible products. 

If you could give advice to a new business owner, what would it be?

My best piece of advice for those considering starting a business is to just take the leap. I think a lot of the time the work required to start a business can seem overwhelming, but just starting, even if it’s as simple as creating your very first product, is so important. If you never start then you’ll never create your business.

“Small business owners help support one another and in my experience are always willing to offer advice and recommendations to help you grow.”

– Breanne Carr-Briant

My best piece of advice for new business owners is don’t be afraid to talk to other small business owners, even if they carry similar products to yours. Small business owners help support one another and in my experience are always willing to offer advice and recommendations to help you grow. I am so incredibly grateful for all the amazing people I have had the opportunity to meet through starting this business and my best piece of advice for a new business owner is to network and meet as many other business owners as possible. You never know who you will meet that you can collaborate with to help both of your businesses grow. Join groups, don’t be afraid to ask for advice or recommendations, chances are there is another business who has faced a similar challenge that can offer great advice and provide recommendations. Always be open to taking on a new opportunity and don’t be disheartened by the initial set up work it takes to get a business started, it will definitely be worth all the hard work.

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