What is your business called and what does it do?

Plantd Life is a biophilic consulting company specializing in interior plant design. We bring thoughtful, curated greenery into spaces.

What made you want to do this work?

I’ve always loved plants for as long as I can remember. Growing up in a house filled with many plants, I watched my amateur green-thumb father turn rooms into beautiful, plant-filled spaces that felt so alive. I was always captivated by this, and during the pandemic, with ample time for self-reflection, I realized my true passion. After taking gardening courses, I shifted my focus to interior plants and haven’t looked back. What started as a passion project turned into a business that I truly believe makes people happier.

What problem did you want to solve with the business?

I wanted to answer the questions: How do we make people feel happier and healthier while spending time indoors? How do we bring the outside in, in a more design-focused and deliberate way?

Who are your clientele/demographics?

We work primarily with homeowners and businesses looking to enhance their spaces with lots of impactful greenery. We also work closely alongside some of Toronto’s top interior design firms.

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

Plantd Life offers plant design services and charges a fee based on the scope of the project. We hand-select and source plants and planters from local growers to minimize environmental impact. Plants are carefully potted and installed, and clients receive a full plant care guide. For those concerned about plant maintenance, Plantd Life offers services including watering, pruning, cleaning, fertilizing and pest management, along with seasonal snowbird packages.

Where in the city can we find your profession?

We work all over the city, with clients from north to south and east to west, and even up into cottage country. We travel to our clients’ spaces, working onsite at homes and businesses. This process includes an initial consultation, installation and ongoing maintenance and plant health. We also offer online consultations for those who prefer that method of communication.

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

How do I choose the most appropriate yet beautiful plants for my space that are easy to care for?

We will come to your space and together in person we can determine your specific needs based on lighting, humidity and more. We will help you choose the right planters to enhance your space and make it beautiful. And lastly, based on your lifestyle, find something suitable that isn’t high maintenance.

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

I love the creative planning stage and sourcing unique plants and planters for my clients. And I’m very happy when my hands are in the dirt. It’s so freeing, I feel like a kid sometimes.

Worst part is the heavy lugging of soils, rocks and materials. However, it’s making me stronger than I ever thought I was!

What is your favourite joke about your own profession?

What did one cactus say to another cactus?

You’re looking sharp! 🙂

Where can we follow you?

@plantdlife.co on Instagram and plantdlife.com

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

I’ve always been a big fan of Stamen & Pistil Botanicals – stamenandpistil.ca

The post Homegrown Business: Tara Soloway of Plantd Life appeared first on Toronto Guardian.

-Written by Lauren Walker Lee, friend

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Which ‘hood are you in?

Dovercourt Village

What do you do?

I am the founder of ai 아이 (pronounced ah-ee: means children/daughters in Korean). We are a Toronto-based, sustainable fashion brand that carefully curates and produces vegan handbags and accessories made in small batches.

What are you currently working on?

We are currently working on a special project coming out in Summer of 2024. We can’t say much about it but it’s going to be a good one, we are very excited about it!

Where can we find your work?

We are available at our website and you can find us on Instagram, TikTok and Facebook.

We are also available to shop online at Amazon Canada, Indigo, TSC (Today’s Shopping Choice) and retail level at Permission on Ossington Avenue.

The post “A Day in the Life” with Handbag Designer Joanna Lee appeared first on Toronto Guardian.

What is your business called and what does it do?

Spruce Vintage is the name and we specialize in selling vintage and preloved authentic designer handbags and accessories.

What made you want to do this work?

I’ve always had a love of designer handbags but could never afford or justify spending the money on one new. I bought my first designer handbag preloved and online and it opened my eyes to the world of online sales. After quitting my career job and travelling throughout Europe, I came home wanting to do something for myself. That’s how it all began and I’ve been loving it since.

What problem did you want to solve with the business?

The price tag behind designer goods, along with the harm that the fashion industry contributes to our environment. There is no planet B, and the fashion industry is extremely wasteful. My goal was to keep these vintage pieces out of the landfills by giving them a second home and eliminating the need to buy new.

Who are your clientele/demographics?

Anyone and everyone who loves vintage designer goods, at the best prices.

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

I buy authentic vintage and preloved designer goods, clean them, polish them up, and sell them. We deal exclusively with an authentic vintage designer supplier who only works with registered businesses. Just this past year I have started taking on a few select pieces for consignment and buyout.

Where in the city can we find your profession?

You can find us online!

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

“Are your items authentic?” Any and all questions! When buying preloved and especially with the price tag attached, you need to be 100% certain. I encourage my customers to ask as many questions as they need to in order to ensure they’re happy with the item before purchasing. Authenticity is of utmost importance to me, which is why I have invested in a third-party authentication device. It’s called Entrupy, and they use leading technology in their devices. I have an in-depth background in people management and customer service, and I know how important that is. At the end of the day, it really is all about how you treat people.

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

The best part of my job is interacting with the customers. I love meeting new people and trying to spread as much knowledge as I can when it comes to what I do. The worst part is having to post every piece and not keep them for myself!

What is your favourite joke about your own profession?

“Don’t invest your money in a bank, buy a handbag.” Only half joking with this one, as certain bags are one of the best investments you can have as their value continuously increases. Hello Chanel flap and Hermes Birkin!

Where can we follow you?

Always available online and on Instagram.

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

We love “The Nutritional Paradigm” A healthy mind feeds and healthy body and vice versa!

The post Homegrown Business: Kate Cope of Spruce Vintage appeared first on Toronto Guardian.

What is your business called and what does it do?

I do illustration, stationery and surface pattern design.

What made you want to do this work?

Illustration, doodling and practising writing styles goes back to when I didn’t want to do my school work, and coddled to control stress and anxiety. The fire was rekindled by accident when spending some time learning via Skillsbare and the opportunity of Surface Design was introduced. Once I started, I couldn’t stop.

What problem did you want to solve with the business?

The world has gone digital, and the idea of art on stationary, and something beautiful arriving in the mail makes my day. The lit-up faces of my children when they receive a card in the mail is so worth communicating through greeting cards. And surface design is the joy that a pattern or an illustration on a pillow, or walls, compliments someone’s environment, and supports who they are, is amazing.

Who are your clientele/demographics?

Anyone who likes to send a greeting card to a friend, colleague, or family member. Not just on holidays or birthdays, but also as a form of communication beyond texting. I love to send greeting cards as a way of practising my cursive 🙂

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

Direct online sales, as well as being available in a physical store. Making money through finding an art licensing company that wants to commission a pattern or pattern collection.

Where in the city can we find your profession?

Currently, I live in Etobicoke, a suburb of Toronto, Ontario, Canada.

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

Customization, do you do custom cards, or illustrations and patterns? Yes, not all illustrators or greeting card providers do customization but it is growing in popularity, as a means to expand our customer base.

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

Creating art and making people happy with the illustrations and patterns. Managing the business is the hardest, and sometimes the worst. If you don’t stay on top of managing the books and building the business, you can slog through a lot of work to stay afloat.

What is your favourite joke about your own profession?

That greeting cards are dead, and yet it is a million-dollar industry.

Where can we follow you?

Instagram | Website | Pinterest

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

May you know Joy. She has a wonderful business that promotes decks of cards that can inspire you each and every day. For kids and adults!

The post Homegrown Business: Tara Ritchie of LiaFail Designs appeared first on Toronto Guardian.

Officially launching her designing career in 2003, Rita Tesolin was quickly labelled the “Stone Angel” by Elle Canada. She joined its “Hot 100” list and was later named “The Costume Queen” by Flare Magazine.

She has collaborated with many Canadian clothing designers and has been featured in countless magazine editorials. Rita continues to impress with spectacular, ground-breaking, one-of-a-kind jewellery and art projects year after year.

Her creations have been showcased on Canadian and American celebrities alike. Rita’s designs have been worn regularly by the hostesses of television shows such as E-Talk, Project Runway Canada, Canada’s Next Top Model, So You Think You Can Dance Canada, The Social, and Canada’s Drag Race.

-Written by Kelly Donovan

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Which ‘hood are you in?

My studio is located in the New Fashion District, in the Dufferin and Lawrence area.

What do you do?

I am a Jewellery Designer and Artist. I spend approximately 80% of my creative time designing and producing very distinct and statement accessories – jewellery, handbags, and various body adornments. A smaller portion of my career has many facets. I embellish Geodes, bottles and other items used as home decor and/or art.

I have been commissioned for special creative projects. I enjoy the area of sustainability. I collaborate with clients who want to re-purpose and re-design their accessories so they can once again be enjoyed.

What are you currently working on?

I recently worked with the Director of the International Fashion Encounter (IFE), Jason Cameron, on a collaborative effort with HP Canada. The fruits of my labour were unveiled at the 13th Edition of IFE on September 22, 2023.

In addition to the HP partnership, I provided the accessories for the Couture segment of IFE under the direction of the Show Producer and Stylist Basil Waris and Sponsorship of Mercedes-Benz Downtown Toronto.

Where can we find your work?

Some of my collections can be viewed and/or purchased on my website or at Trunk shows around the province. Others are kept and sold at my studio which is open by appointment only. You can also follow me on Instagram and Facebook.

The post “A Day in the Life” with Toronto Jewellery Designer Rita Tesolin appeared first on Toronto Guardian.