I asked each business owner two questions, what is the biggest thing you’ve learned or implemented in the last year and what is one product you’d love to highlight for the holiday season?
It’s been a year since we got the chance to speak to these women in business, and I am so happy to be able to catch up with as many as I could this year. Are you ready to find out their biggest takeaways from the past year?
Carolyn, Velvet Hand Designs:
What is the biggest thing I've learned or implemented? That's honestly tough! I feel like I make shifts here and there and they often don't stick. Whether that's because I have a lack of focus or because they're not really serving me is hard to say.
One thing I did change is a small price increase on some of my products. It's not much, but I'd been holding off for so long and I realized, as the world has gotten more expensive around me, I need to make up for that shift, and it turns out, the small increases didn't impact my sales. I think my prices are still quite competitive, so it was worth it to face that fear.
Holiday Highlight: Linocut Prints
They're my favorite because they incorporate a unique medium and involve a lot of careful process. I put care into everything I make, but my linocut prints feel like a journey and a labour of love. I think they have such a unique combination of bold line and fine detail. They're created in small batches, which makes them something of a rare treasure.
Claudette, Deer Meadow Soap:
The biggest thing I’ve learned since our last interview is the importance of staying true to my vision and values in my small business. It’s crucial to be happy with where I am in my growth rather than basing my success on others' expectations.
In the early days, when someone would say, “You know what you should make? A _____ soap,” I would feel compelled to create it. Unfortunately, many of those products didn’t resonate with my audience or reflect my passion. While I still listen to my customers and value their feedback, I’ve learned to prioritize what excites me about creating.
I’ve come to realize that my soaps may not appeal to everyone, and that’s perfectly okay. I started this little side gig to bring me joy, and it’s essential to maintain that joy as I grow. If, at any point, it stops being fulfilling, I’ll know it’s time to reevaluate my direction. This mindset has helped me focus on developing products that genuinely reflect my creativity and passion, leading to a more authentic and sustainable business.
Holiday Highlight: Limited Edition Soaps
This holiday season, Deer Meadow Soaps will be releasing a limited-edition collection of Christmas soaps. From classic scents to playful twists that capture the magic of the season, each soap is crafted to bring a little extra holiday cheer to your daily routine. So, whether you’re counting down the days to Christmas or just looking to add a little festive cheer to your bathroom, these soaps are the perfect way to do it. Enjoy this little sneak peek of one of the limited bars, and stay tuned — the countdown to holiday magic begins soon!
Amy, Northern Roots Family Farm
I have been striving for more balance in my life, which means putting my physical/mental health and family first. It has helped immensely in helping me to focus, work efficiently and be more creative. I have also worked hard at streamlining our business, focusing and putting more energy into the products and enterprises that bring us the most joy and passion to grow, raise and create.
Holiday Highlight: Handcrafted Soap
The handcrafted soap is always a huge hit for the gift giving season. Each one is unique in its creation and many of the ingredients come right from the farm or are locally harvested. Woodlands is a new one I am loving. It has nettle which I harvested this past spring, dried and finely ground up which gives it a beautiful woodsy green colour. This bar is also combined with some finely ground oats for a gentle exfoliation and scented with pure essential oils of pine, spruce and cedar wood.
Alex, The Alternative Folk:
Since having another baby, I'm learning to value my time and my work more. With that, I've realized that investing in proper supplies/equipment will be worth the expense because the accumulated time they save makes a massive difference after a while. I bit the bullet and bought the printer I had on my wish list, zero regrets. I also did a trial run and splurged on a pack of expensive paper. It's now the paper I print all my prints on! The extra cost is worth it because it isn't finicky and doesn't require a ton of pre editing.
Holiday Highlight: 2025 Moon Calendar
I'll have another moon calendar coming out later this fall. Every year, I hope it's my best one yet! I guess we'll see. They make a cute little extra something to send along with Christmas cards!
Annie, Krooked House:
I’m not sure I have a “biggest” thing learned as I’m often learning something new everyday. The restaurant business can be equally predictable as it is unpredictable, I’m always having to adapt to situations whether it be as simple as the Internet is down and all the way to fixing or replacing equipment. I guess you could say my biggest thing learned is needing to be prepared for anything!
Holiday Highlight: Craft Beer Advent Calendar
Something that Krooked House is offering this Holiday Season is our Craft Beer Advent Calendar! This year we have partnered up with Northern Dough for the calendar to bring something a little more special. We are also happy to offer our space for Holiday and or Party Rentals.