What is your business called and what does it do?

Our business is called Arcadia Academy of Music. We are a franchised music school with 9 locations across the Greater Toronto Area, with more locations currently in development.

We offer high-quality music education through private lessons, supported by our own curriculum, partner curriculums, competitions, festivals, and performance opportunities. Our goal is to provide a well-rounded musical experience that supports each student’s individual goals, whether they are learning for fun or working toward a professional path.

We also offer a variety of programs designed for different ages, skill levels, and musical interests, so that each student can have a personalized and meaningful learning experience.

What made you want to do this work?

Arcadia Academy of Music was founded in 1984 by my father, Carmine Di Rauso Sr., with a passion for making music education more accessible, structured, and inspiring for students of all ages.

From the beginning, he wanted to create a place where students could receive not only high-quality music instruction, but also a sense of community and opportunity.

What problem did you want to solve with the business?

Over time, we saw a need for a more consistent and supportive approach to music education, one that combines strong curriculum design with real performance experiences, such as concerts, competitions, and festivals.

The goal has always been to bridge the gap between private lessons and real-world musical experience, while creating an environment where students feel encouraged, motivated, and part of something larger than themselves.

Who are your clientele/demographics?

Our students range from young children through to adults.

How does your business make money? How does it work?

Arcadia operates on a lesson-based model, where revenue is generated primarily through tuition for private music lessons. Each franchise owner operates an individual school under the Arcadia Academy of Music brand, following our established curriculum and operational systems to ensure consistency, quality, and a unified student experience across all locations.

This structure allows us to maintain high educational standards while giving each location the flexibility to serve its local community effectively.

Where in the city can we find your profession?

We currently have 9 locations across the GTA, including Woodbridge, Maple, Richmond Hill, Markham, Newmarket, Brampton North, Brampton West, Burlington, and Nobleton. Additional locations are opening soon in Milton, Mississauga, Bradford, Oakville, and Hamilton.

What is the best question a prospective customer could ask a member of your profession when comparing services? Give the answer as well.

Question: Why choose Arcadia?

Answer: Arcadia offers more than just music lessons, we provide a full musical community. Our students benefit from a structured, high-quality curriculum delivered consistently across all locations, supported by experienced and passionate instructors.
We are deeply committed to helping students reach their individual goals, build confidence, and develop a lifelong connection to music. It is this combination of strong education, supportive mentorship, and consistent instruction that creates a meaningful learning experience for every student.

At Arcadia, students are part of an encouraging environment where they are guided, supported, and inspired throughout their musical journey. It is this blend of education, opportunity, and community that truly sets Arcadia apart.

What is the best part about what you do? What is the worst part?

The best part of what we do is watching students grow, seeing their confidence build as their skills develop and they begin to express themselves through music in their own unique way. It is incredibly rewarding to be part of each student’s musical journey.

One of the ongoing challenges is that every student learns at a different pace, which requires a thoughtful and individualized approach. However, this is also what makes the work meaningful, as it allows us to tailor support and ensure each student feels encouraged, included, and set up for success along the way.

What is your favourite joke about your own profession?

Easy… people think I spend my days listening to beautiful piano music and relaxing.

In reality, I’m answering emails, solving problems, researching, marketing, handling invoices, developing new locations, and somehow still trying to remember what day it is.

Where can we follow you?

Instagram | Website

PAY IT FORWARD: What is another local business that you love?

We love Chef Cos Catering! They have worked with us on a number of competitions and events, and it has always been a positive experience.
They are reliable, professional, and consistently provide excellent service and quality food for our events.

The post Homegrown Business: Maurizio Di Rauso of Arcadia Music Group appeared first on Toronto Guardian.

What is your business called and what does it do?

The business is Grey Willow Gifts, a female-founded Canadian gifting company known for its elevated gift boxes that showcase more than 200 Canadian brands while making gifting feel personal, purposeful and memorable.

What made you want to do this work?

The idea for Grey Willow Gifts began in 2020 when I created gift baskets for a charity fundraiser at my office. Colleagues loved them and suggested I start selling them, with several asking if I could create gifts for them personally. Their encouragement sparked what would eventually grow into Grey Willow Gifts.

What problem did you want to solve with the business?

I founded Grey Willow Gifts with a simple goal: to make gifting more thoughtful and impactful. As gifting became increasingly standardized (read: boring) and filled with mass-produced products, I saw an opportunity to spotlight the incredible Canadian brands and artisans creating exceptional goods. Grey Willow Gifts connects those brands with consumers looking for gifts that feel personal, intentional, and meaningful.

Who are your clientele/demographics?

Grey Willow Gifts serves both consumers and corporate clients. One of the things I love most about Grey Willow Gifts is the variety. In the same day, I might be coordinating a large-scale employee appreciation program for a major corporate client and curating personalized gift boxes for a bridal party, baby shower, or milestone celebration.

How does your business make money? How does it work?

We create gift boxes serving both corporate and consumer clients. We take care of the entire gifting process—from curating products and designing the presentation to packaging and shipping the final gift. Whether a client wants us to curate something on their behalf or build a completely custom gift box, we create gifting experiences that feel thoughtful and intentional. We also offer recipient-selected gift programs, giving recipients the freedom to choose the products they genuinely want from a curated selection.

Where in the city can we find your profession?

Grey Willow Gifts is based in Mississauga but ships Canada-wide.

What is the best question a prospective customer could ask a member of your profession when comparing services? Give the answer as well.

Question: What sets your gifting company apart from the others?

Answer: Look for a corporate gifting company that acts as a strategic partner, not simply a supplier. The right company should take the time to understand your brand, your recipients, and the purpose behind the gift before making recommendations. At Grey Willow Gifts, we believe every gift should strengthen relationships while reflecting both your brand and your values. That’s why we take a thoughtful approach to curating gifts that feel intentional and leave a lasting impression. Creating a positive impact is equally important to us, which is why we proudly source products from more than 200 Canadian small businesses and plant a tree for every gift purchased.

What is the best part about what you do? What is the worst part?

Best Part: The best part is knowing that our gifts become part of some of life’s most meaningful moments. Whether it’s celebrating a milestone, welcoming a new employee, thanking a valued client, or offering comfort during a difficult time, it’s an honour knowing something we’ve created is part of that memory. I also love seeing the ripple effect that follows. We regularly hear from recipients who loved receiving one of our gifts so much that they end up becoming a client of ours as well! To me, that’s one of the greatest compliments because it shows the experience left a lasting impression.

Worst Part: The hardest part is that there are never enough hours in the day! Running a business means wearing a lot of hats, from creative direction and client calls to logistics and shipping. One day I’m curating luxury gifts, and the next I’m wrapping pallets for freight shipments. It’s not always glamorous, but it’s all part of building something you’re proud of.

What is your favourite joke about your own profession?

People think I spend my days just tasting chocolate and tying ribbons! While that is part of it, I spend just as much time coordinating freight shipments, responding to client emails, and carrying boxes around the warehouse.

Where can we follow you?

Instagram

PAY IT FORWARD: What is another local business that you love?

One local business I absolutely love is Revival Med Spa. As a small business owner, it’s easy to put everyone else’s needs ahead of your own, so I think it’s incredibly important to prioritize your own wellness, too. What I appreciate most about this spa is that they genuinely care about your results. They take the time to check in, celebrate your progress, and make you feel supported long after your appointment. That level of care is something I really admire and strive to bring into my own business as well.

The post Homegrown Business: Victoria-Rose Bozzelli of Grey Willow Gifts appeared first on Toronto Guardian.

What is your business called and what does it do?

Vintage Noon is a Toronto-based prestige skincare brand built for barrier-stressed and travel-disrupted skin. The line is effective, sensorial, and gender-neutral, with an editorial sensibility that pulls from travel nostalgia. Every product is formulated to perform across climates, cabin pressure, and the small disruptions that throw skin off course.

What made you want to do this work?

Honestly, my own skin. For years I had the kind of routine that took twelve steps and still left things reactive, congested, or unpredictable. I was trying everything, layering everything, and quietly suspecting that most of what I owned wasn’t doing what it promised.

The other half of the story is that I was fortunate enough to spend close to a decade on the operator side of beauty, working across Estée Lauder, L’Oréal, L’Occitane, and Orveon, with touchpoints across brands like Jo Malone, La Mer, Tom Ford Beauty, Lancôme, Giorgio Armani Beauty, Biotherm, Laura Mercier, bareMinerals, and Clinique. I think of that time as a kind of bootcamp. I got to see how the best in the industry approached formulation, sensorial development, brand building, packaging, ecommerce, marketing, retail, and storytelling, all at the highest level.

Vintage Noon is what happens when you take that training and point it at the gap I kept noticing as a customer: skincare that is genuinely effective, but that also feels like something. Textures that are luxurious on application and stay beautiful on the skin for hours, never sticky or forgettable. Scents that transport you to a specific memory or place. A ritual that becomes the calmest five minutes of your morning or evening. A routine you look forward to instead of one you tolerate.

What problem did you want to solve with the business?

Travel destabilizes skin. Flights, climate shifts, sun exposure, water changes, and disrupted routines all stress the barrier and trigger sensitivity. The category’s answer to this has mostly been logistical: smaller bottles, mini versions of regular products. I wanted to design for the actual skin problem, not the packing problem.

Everything in the line is under the TSA liquids limit and intentionally multifunctional, so you carry less and rely on it more. The other piece is emotional. Travel is one of the few times in life when most people feel fully themselves, and also when they discover more about themselves. The products are designed to transport you back to that feeling through texture and scent, whether you’re travelling through the South of France or back home on a Tuesday in Toronto.

Who are your clientele/demographics?

Our customer is travel-inclined, in the broadest sense of the word. They might be the person who lands somewhere new, drops their bag at the hotel before the 3 PM check-in, and goes straight out to walk the neighbourhood, people-watch at a corner café, or wander a local grocery store just to get a sense of the local culture. At the end of that long first day, when their skin is reacting to the new water and the long flight and twelve extra hours of sun, that is when they reach for Vacation Skin to bring it back down.

They might also be the person getting ready for a golden-hour dinner with someone they only just met on the trip, who wants to look a little more glowing, a little more hydrated, and to feel a little more confident. That version of themselves that always seems to come out the most when they’re away from home. That is the Gilded Sands moment. Both products are built for those people, and for everyone in between who knows that skin doesn’t always behave the way you want it to, whether you’re somewhere new or moving through a normal week at home.

How does your business make money? How does it work?

We sell direct to consumer at vintagenoon.com, run pop-ups when we can to meet our community in person and get unfiltered feedback, and operate a growing wholesale business that now sits at more than 55 retailers across Canada and the United States. That retail network is intentionally diverse. You will find Vintage Noon in indie beauty boutiques, lifestyle and gift shops, and natural foods markets that carry a curated prestige skincare section, as well as on the backbars of facial studios where the products are used during professional treatments.
The diversity of that network matters strategically. It means we can reach very different kinds of customers and give them the chance to try, play with, and get a real feel for the products firsthand. In a facial studio, they experience the efficacy in the hands of a trained aesthetician. In a lifestyle or gift shop, they encounter Vintage Noon alongside other travel-leaning brands in categories like fashion and home, which is the broader world the brand sits within. The model is built to grow profitably rather than chase scale at any cost, and to keep the brand from leaning too heavily on any single channel.

Where in the city can we find your profession?

It is a little wild to say, but the easiest way is to head to vintagenoon.com. There may be a stockist closer to you than you think, and you can experience the products in person. Orders ship from Toronto. We also show up regularly at pop-ups and local markets throughout the year, which is honestly one of the most rewarding parts of this job. Meeting the people who use the products, hearing what is working and what isn’t, and building real relationships with the community in person. You can stay close to all of it on Instagram and TikTok at @vintagenoonskin, where most of our community lives day to day.

What is the best question a prospective customer could ask a member of your profession when comparing services? Give the answer as well.

The best question is: how is this actually different from the other skincare brands out there?

The honest answer is that most skincare is built for general use, and most “travel” skincare is just regular skincare in a smaller bottle. We start from a different brief. Every formula is designed around skin that is reactive, easily disrupted, or under stress from travel and environment. The textures and scents are developed with the same level of intention as the actives. The whole line fits within carry-on rules. Each product does more than one job so you can travel lighter. And the brand world it sits inside is built to make the routine feel like something you look forward to, not something you check off. If your skin is calm, low maintenance, and you are happy with what you use, you probably don’t need us. If it isn’t, that is exactly who we built this for.

What is the best part about what you do? What is the worst part?

The best part is the range of a single day. I might be organizing a campaign photoshoot for the next launch in the morning, refreshing the website in the afternoon (where my ecommerce background still earns its keep), reaching out to retailers, pitching the brand, prepping for store visits, attending a trade show as a guest or with our own booth, or travelling somewhere new for inspiration. Very few jobs let you operate at that range, and even fewer let you do it under one brand you actually own.

The worst part is that as a solo founder, every job is your job. There is no one to pass the harder decisions to. You learn quickly that energy management matters more than time management.

What is your favourite joke about your own profession?

Anyone who has worked in beauty has heard some version of this line. We’re not rocket scientists. We’re not curing cancer. We sell lipstick. It is true, and it is the right amount of humbling. There is a real craft to what we do, and you should take the work seriously, but the second you start taking yourself too seriously, you’ve lost the plot. Get inspired, have fun, make beautiful things.

Where can we follow you?

Website | Instagram | TikTok

PAY IT FORWARD: What is another local business that you love?

Love the perfumes from Belaris Perfume

The post Homegrown Business: Marco Tsang of Vintage Noon Inc. appeared first on Toronto Guardian.

What is your business called and what does it do?

My business is called Tasty Tours Toronto, and we are the original and number one-rated food tour company in Toronto. Our tours celebrate the city through one-of-a-kind food experiences, and we focus on creating non-touristy tours that showcase the true tastes of Toronto, the kind of tours that locals bring their friends on. Each tour includes a guided walk around a Toronto neighbourhood with curated stops at various eateries for tastings of edible delights and interesting tidbits of food and Toronto history.

We are best known for our five-star rated, number one selling Kensington Market “Taste The World” Food Tour, and we also offer a Must-Do Toronto Food Tour that showcases hidden food gems in downtown Toronto alongside some the city’s most popular sights, the Grand Chocolate Flight which includes a helicopter tour over the city with a guided tasting from a chocolate expert, and our brand new Soccer & Spice Food Tour running in June and July that visits spots inspired by popular soccer nations to celebrate the World Cup coming to Toronto.

What made you want to do this work?

I’ve always had a love for entrepreneurship, starting from when I was selling homemade cookies to my neighbours in elementary school to raise funds for local charities. When I first graduated from university, I had some time on my hands in between jobs, and I thought I should seize the moment to start experimenting with entrepreneurship. I love eating, travelling and meeting new people, so starting a food tour felt like a natural fit!

What problem did you want to solve with the business?

At the time I started, there were no food tours in Toronto like the kind that was popular in the US and Europe. After taking them while travelling, I realized it was something fun and unique that Toronto was missing.

Who are your clientele/demographics?

Tourists, of course! We also get a lot of locals who are looking for something fun to do on the weekend or to celebrate a special occasion. For our private group tours, we are popular among companies looking for interactive team bonding events, as well as event organizers for conferences, and so on that are looking for a way to combine sightseeing and eating.

How does your business make money? How does it work?

People pay for a tour ticket, which includes an experienced tour guide and all food samples on the tour.

Where in the city can we find your profession?

Kensington Market is our special place. We are the first, longest running food tour in Kensington Market, which remains our most popular tour today. We are also the only company to offer a food tour in the downtown Toronto core!

What is the best question a prospective customer could ask a member of your profession when comparing services? Give the answer as well.

“What makes you different from other food tours?”

Here’s our answer! We’re the first and longest-running Toronto food tour that’s still run by the founder, so there’s a lot of heart behind what we do. Our tours focus on hidden gems, cool local stories, and authentic flavours—not just trendy Instagram spots. Guests often say they walk away with full bellies but also a deeper appreciation for the city, its history, and its communities. If you want a tour that’s personal, engaging, and full of local flavour (in every sense), you’ll feel right at home with us.

What is the best part about what you do? What is the worst part?

It’s so hard to choose! It’s a toss-up between meeting new and interesting people on every tour and saying hi to the familiar faces of our store partners on each tour (some of whom we’ve spent over a decade working with!) It’s a joy to help local businesses thrive and to connect with the local and global community.

There isn’t really a worst part. Sometimes you meet unreasonable guests, but most people are lovely, so that more than outweighs the few bad apples!

What is your favourite joke about your own profession?

The classic one is how ‘hard’ it is to eat for a living!

Where can we follow you?

All of our tours are available to view on our website. And you can follow us for updates, photos and more on Instagram and Facebook.

PAY IT FORWARD: What is another local business that you love?

Le Dolci, a fun culinary classroom – it is one of the pioneers of unique food experiences in Toronto. Plus, the owner, Lisa, is a creative and business powerhouse with a truly genuine soul.

The post Homegrown Business: Audrey Ooi of Tasty Tours Toronto appeared first on Toronto Guardian.

What is your business called and what does it do?

I’m the founder of two Mississauga-based restaurants: East Tea Can, a full-service Middle Eastern eatery, and Soul Smash Burgers, a simple, back-to-basics smash burger spot.

What made you want to do this work?

I grew up surrounded by great food and hospitality in the Middle East, and when I moved to Canada, I saw a big opportunity to bring that same quality and feeling here.

What problem did you want to solve with the business?

At East Tea Can, we wanted to solve a simple but meaningful problem: the lack of places that serve authentic, high-quality Middle Eastern food with the same social and cultural nuances you experience in the Levant. Food in our culture isn’t just a dish; it’s about the conversation, connection, and community. Our goal was to bring that feeling forward and create a space that reflects the love we have for our heritage.

With Soul Smash Burgers, the concept is completely different, but the intention at its core is similar. We wanted to cut through the noise of overcomplicated menus and trends by focusing on high-quality, no-fluff ingredients. It’s about making great food through a chef’s lens: thoughtful, simple, and delicious.

Who are your clientele/demographics?

For East Tea Can, our guests are incredibly diverse. The restaurant naturally attracts anyone seeking an authentic Levantine dining experience, from families and friends to people who simply love gathering around food meant to be shared. Our menu was intentionally designed for communal moments, so we see a wide range of guests who appreciate culture, flavour, and connection.

For Soul Smash Burgers, the demographic is just as broad. It’s a place for anyone seeking a simple, well-crafted burger made with quality ingredients and intention. Whether stopping by for a quick bite or enjoying a comforting meal, our guests are people who value flavour without the fuss.

How does your business make money? How does it work?

East Tea Can offers dine-in, takeout, delivery, and catering, while Soul Smash Burgers focuses on dine-in, takeout, and delivery. Both are built on strong systems that ensure a consistent experience across all services.

Where in the city can we find your profession?

Currently, both East Tea Can and Soul Smash Burgers are located in Mississauga, and our catering serves the entire GTA. We also plan to expand Soul Smash Burgers with additional locations in the west end of the GTA.

What is the best question a prospective customer could ask a member of your profession when comparing services? Give the answer as well.

What makes your food different?

At East Tea Can, everything is made 100% from scratch in our commissary using authentic Middle Eastern ingredients sourced from reputable importers.

Soul Smash Burgers was built with a single goal: to focus on the fundamentals and do them exceptionally well. Each burger is made with AAA prime-grade Ontario beef that is hormone-free, sustainably raised, and cooked fresh to order. With morning and evening deliveries and the beef ground twice daily, every burger is served at peak freshness.

What is the best part about what you do? What is the worst part?

Best: Watching people look around the restaurant with a smile while waiting for their food, at East Tea Can, it feels like a busy Middle Eastern market, with trays flying by and energy everywhere.

Worst: As a leader, you have to jump in and problem-solve, whether it’s something in your expertise or not. There are times during a busy service when something goes wrong, like equipment failing, a supply issue, and I have to step in to keep things running smoothly and support the team. It can be stressful, but it’s just part of managing everything when things get hectic.

What is your favourite joke about your own profession?

People think running restaurants is easy.

Where can we follow you?

You can follow us at @eastteacan and @soulburgers.ca

PAY IT FORWARD: What is another local business that you love?

Honestly, all the neighbours in our plaza. We support each other, and everyone is working hard to build something great.

The post Homegrown Business: Shakir Al-Qanbar of East Tea Can appeared first on Toronto Guardian.