Ahead of a busy holiday season, we sat down with Yaniv Abecassis, longtime brand builder and co-founder of Kuwalla Tee to learn about the steps that he's taken to set up his business for success in the future. Abecassis has built longevity and a large loyal customer base with Kuwalla Tee and we've transformed his experience into actionable tips that anyone can use to give their brand a leg up on the competition. Read below! On Purpose-Driven Branding : “Kuwalla Tee was born from a simple desire to create reliable, quality basics with a purpose. Now we create a full collection that is comfortable and effortlessly stylish.” Tip : Focus on building a brand with a clear purpose beyond just making products. Kuwalla Tee started with a commitment to quality and reliable, everyday basics, which evolved into a full collection. Emphasize long-term vision over fleeting trends. On Balancing Timeless Design with Trends : “What sets us apart is our focus on pieces that aren’t just on-trend for a season. Kuwalla Tee is about a commitment to quality and timeless designs.” Tip : Ensure your designs aren’t just seasonal but have enduring appeal. Prioritize pieces that maintain style beyond one season, merging minimalism with streetwear. On Understanding Your Ideal Customer : “They’re into the clean, minimalist vibe but still want something with personality.” Tip : Define who you’re designing for and align your offerings with their lifestyle. Kuwalla Tee’s target audience values understated, quality pieces that transition seamlessly throughout the day. On Creating Buzz Around Standout Pieces : “Our printed fleece jackets are what gets the most buzz right now.” Tip : Highlight unique products that generate excitement and conversation. Spotlight standout items to engage both existing and new customers. On Building Long-Term Customer Loyalty : “We have a high customer retention rate, so we know once we get them to buy for the first time, they will most likely come back once they experience the quality and customer service.” Tip : Leverage major sales events to convert new customers, knowing that the lifetime value will make up for any acquisition costs early on.  Don't miss out on Kuwalla Tee’s Black Friday sale now live at www.kuwallatee.com

On Sunday, November 24, Pier Five hosted a vibrant Community Day at Toronto’s One of a Kind Show (OOAK Winter), bringing together small business owners, artisans, and creatives for an unforgettable day of inspiration and connection. The event kicked off with a warm welcome and complimentary small bites, setting the stage for a day of exploration and networking. Attendees had the chance to discover hundreds of talented vendors and thousands of unique, handcrafted goods across art, fashion, home decor, and gourmet treats. A highlight of the day was Pier Five’s engaging panel discussion, Crafting a Unique Value Proposition: Standing Out in a Saturated Market , which explored how brands can differentiate themselves by understanding their audience, leveraging storytelling, and turning their uniqueness into a competitive edge. Olivia Ho, founder of The Give and Grow , shared her journey of blending sports and social impact through innovative products and workshops with global brands like Nike and the Raptors. Jackie Prince, founder of Guests On Earth , discussed creating sustainable household products, her success as a Pier Five x Mastercard Small Business Fund recipient, and launching her brand in Erewhon. Attendees left inspired with actionable strategies to elevate their brands. We love creating opportunities to unite entrepreneurs and makers, and this community day was no exception. It was a celebration of craftsmanship, collaboration, and the entrepreneurial spirit that makes our community so special. Here’s to continuing to support local creators and fostering meaningful connections through events like these! If you're interested in getting involved on an event with Pier Five, either as a guest or a partner, follow us on Instagram  or email us at community@pier-five.com !

Last week, Pier Five hosted an incredible Community Dinner event at Hong Shing in Toronto, and it was nothing short of a resounding success. The event, which featured a 7-course Chinese family-style meal and a panel discussion with distinguished business owners, drew an enthusiastic crowd of creatives, entrepreneurs, and small business owners. Tickets sold out quickly, and the room was buzzing with inspiring conversations and valuable insights. Being a small business owner comes with its own set of challenges, especially in times of economic uncertainty. The goal of the event was to support and encourage the small business and creative community by sharing experiences and strategies for success. The evening began with a welcome cocktail, setting the tone for a night filled with networking and camaraderie. The 7-course dinner was a delightful journey through Chinese cuisine. Each dish was a testament to Hong Shing's culinary expertise, enhancing the atmosphere of collaboration and connection among attendees. The food was paired perfectly with delicious beer and wine courtesy o f Madri Excepcional & Charton Hobbs . The highlight of the evening was the panel discussion, featuring three remarkable business owners who have recently achieved incredible success in their respective industries. Carolyn Chen, Founder of Dandylion , shared her journey of innovation and resilience. Jess Miao and Chloe Beaudoin, Co-Founders of Apricotton , captivated the audience with their entrepreneurial spirit and insights into building a brand that resonates with young consumers. Justin Veiga, Co-Founder of Lost & Found , provided valuable perspectives on navigating the challenges of the retail industry. The panel discussion was not just a monologue; it was an interactive session with a lively group Q&A. Attendees had the opportunity to engage directly with the panelists, asking questions and seeking advice tailored to their unique business situations. This exchange of ideas and experiences fostered a sense of community and mutual support among all present. One of the key takeaways from the event was the importance of collaboration and community in overcoming challenges. The entire group emphasized this, sharing knowledge, and supporting each other, showing that the small business community can thrive even in uncertain economic times. In addition to the dinner and discussion, attendees were all connected via the Pier Five community channels post-event. This feature has allowed for continued networking and support, ensuring that the connections made during the evening can develop into lasting, beneficial relationships. The success of this event is a testament to the vibrant and resilient spirit of our small business community. Pier Five is committed to hosting more events like this, fostering an environment where entrepreneurs and creatives can learn, grow, and support each other. Thank you to everyone who attended and contributed to making this dinner event a memorable and impactful experience. We look forward to seeing you at our next gathering! If you're interested in joining the next Pier Five Community Dinner, follow us on Instagram or send us an email at community@pier-five.com !

On November 6th, Pier Five’s second Community Dinner, hosted at Hong Shing in Toronto, brought together some of Toronto’s most diverse and dynamic small business owners and creatives for an evening that seamlessly blended insightful discussion, delicious food, and meaningful networking. (swipe through the photos) The theme of the night, and what guests came to learn most about, was financial management for their businesses. This theme manifested through a powerful panel discussion led by two respected voices in the business community: David Kwok, Director of Innovation & Entrepreneurship at YSpace , and Brad Cheuk, Senior Manager at BDC . Both David and Brad have extensive experience working with Canadian small businesses and entrepreneurs, advising and supporting entrepreneurs through their financial journeys of business growth. The speakers addressed some of the most pressing financial challenges facing entrepreneurs today, including strategic fundraising, tax management, and financial forecasting. Their practical advice and nuanced perspectives resonated deeply with attendees, sparking discussions that extended long after the panel concluded. (swipe through the photos) A highlight of the evening was the interactive Q&A session and conversation to follow during the dinner portion of the evening. Over a delicious 7-course family style Chinese dinner prepared by Hong Shing, guests connected through shared learnings, exchanged stories form their businesses and took full advantage of the opportunity to engage with Kwok and Cheuk, posing thoughtful questions. The event embodied Pier Five's commitment to fostering a supportive, informed community where entrepreneurs can thrive. (swipe through the photos) Ending the year on such a high note, this final Community Dinner for 2024 underscored Pier Five's dedication to equipping business owners with not just opportunities to learn but also to connect and inspire. The Community Dinner was more than just an event; it was a reminder of the strength found in shared knowledge and collaboration, setting an optimistic tone for the year ahead. If you're interested in joining the next Pier Five Community Dinner, follow us on Instagram  or send us an email at community@pier-five.com !

On Friday, September 20th, Pier Five and PUMA came together for an unforgettable 'Community Court Day' at the One Yonge Community Recreation Centre in Toronto. The event brought together 25 creative entrepreneurs and small business owners for an afternoon filled with basketball, networking, and plenty of fun. The atmosphere was electric, and the sense of community was palpable as everyone hit the court, geared up in their brand-new PUMA attire. The day kicked off with a warmup and bonding session led by renowned basketball coach Ali Nizam. This session set the tone for the day, allowing participants to connect through teamwork exercises while sharpening their on-court skills. The energy during the warmup was contagious, and the camaraderie built during this time carried through to the rest of the event. (Swipe for more photos) As the activities unfolded, attendees got to showcase their basketball skills during drills and workshops that catered to players of all levels. Whether seasoned players or first-timers, everyone gave their all and put on an impressive display of effort and athleticism. From layup lines to shooting drills, the focus was on skill-building, but the smiles and laughter on the court proved that fun was the top priority. The 5v5 games that followed were the highlight of the day, with participants channeling their inner pro-athletes while forming new friendships through sport. Before the games, teams were also challenged to come up with creative team names and cheers, which they then presented to the other teams. This activity was a lighthearted and fun way to break the ice, build team spirit, and shake off any nerves before stepping onto the court. The competition was fierce but friendly, and the sight of everyone in matching PUMA gear made for a unified, vibrant aesthetic. The event wasn’t just about basketball—it was about community, and that spirit was felt both on and off the court. (Swipe for more photos) The day finished with a roundtable discussion [summer-camp style], exchanging ideas, stories, and business insights. These moments of conversation and connection were invaluable, with new relationships blossoming and countless collaborations brewing. Pier Five’s mission of fostering connections between creative entrepreneurs was fully realized, as meaningful conversations flowed as freely as the basketballs on the court. In the end, 'Community Court Day' was more than just a day of basketball—it was a celebration of community, collaboration, and creativity. Every attendee left not only with incredible memories and new business contacts but also with the confidence that they are part of something bigger. The event was a slam dunk success, and the buzz around it will no doubt continue to inspire future gatherings of like-minded individuals. PUMA’s support ensured everyone looked and felt their best throughout the event, adding an extra layer of confidence to each step, pass, and shot. All in all, this collaboration between Pier Five and PUMA perfectly encapsulated the spirit of community and the joy of coming together. We’re already looking forward to the next one! If you're interested in getting involved on an event with Pier Five, either as a guest or a partner, follow us on Instagram  or email us at community@pier-five.com !

On September 7, 2024, Pier Five, alongside Double Dribble , Ball Her Way , and PUMA , hosted an unforgettable event celebrating Montreal’s vibrant basketball community – “Community Court Day”. This collaborative event brought together 25 inspiring individuals from Ball Her Way and Double Dribble's ongoing pickup runs "Run & Jump" for an afternoon filled with basketball, networking, and thoughtful discussions. From start to finish, the event perfectly blended the worlds of sports and creativity, making it a day to remember for everyone involved. The event started with a surprise for all attendees; a full new basketball kit generously provided by PUMA. The new gear was an instant hit, setting the tone for an afternoon where everyone felt empowered to perform their best on the court. The basketball action began with a series of drills and warm-ups led by Ball Her Way founder and experienced coach, Heather Alonzo , where participants showed off their skills and got a chance to connect through the love of the game. The intensity picked up with 5v5 games that brought out the competitive spirit, yet fostered a deep sense of camaraderie. As Albert Nguyen , founder of Double Dribble likes to say, it's "the nicest basketball run in Montreal!" Whether seasoned players or newcomers, everyone took to the court with enthusiasm, making the games a true highlight of the day. But the event wasn’t just about basketball. Pier Five, Double Dribble, and Ball Her Way curated meaningful discussions and networking opportunities, allowing participants from diverse backgrounds—business owners, designers, artists, lawyers, social workers, and more—to share their stories and build lasting connections. These connections were full of energy and inspiration, as attendees explored the intersections of sports, entrepreneurship, and community impact. With the support of leading basketball brands and community leaders in Montreal, Community Court Day was a huge success. The collaborative spirit of Pier Five, Double Dribble, Ball Her Way, and PUMA came to life in this dynamic event, leaving everyone excited for future opportunities to engage with the basketball and creative communities. Pier Five was truly honoured to be back in Montreal, continuing its mission of bringing unique, engaging events to cities across Canada. The event captured the essence of what Pier Five stands for—fostering creativity, connection, and collaboration through unforgettable experiences. With so much excitement around “Community Court Day,” it’s safe to say that the future holds even more thrilling events from Pier Five and its partners. If you're interested in getting involved on an event with Pier Five, either as a guest or a partner, follow us on Instagram or email us at community@pier-five.com !

In the first edition of Community Canvas , Pier Five brought together an inspiring group of talent for a unique editorial lookbook, with looks by Kuwalla Tee , a Montreal based fashion brand designed to help those express their creative authenticity. This edition highlights a diverse mix of innovators, each representing the creative spirit and entrepreneurial drive that fuels the community. Featuring Glory Allan, an online content creator teaching people how to make their own clothes, the lookbook explores the intersection of fashion, craftsmanship, and self-expression. Adria Kain, a multidisciplinary musician, singer, and artist, adds a rich layer of sound and visual artistry to the canvas. Vintage lovers will be captivated by Post Design, a curated business blending style and sustainability through furniture. Photographer Teaunna Gray, who also owns her own studio Of Sorts, captures the essence of beauty through simplicity. At the heart of it all is Pier Five, the founders of the Community Canvas  series, who continue to champion creativity, collaboration, and connection. Sponsored by Kuwalla Tee, this campaign is a celebration of both fashion and community, with every look styled in Kuwalla Tee's new Fall/Winter 2024 collection —showcasing the power of creative partnerships in bringing new stories to life. Discover the stars of Community Canvas Vol. 1 and all of the looks below: Glory Allan Andre Chin, aka Glory Allan, is a passionate fashion designer dedicated to empowering others to embrace creativity. Through his work, he encourages people to kickstart their hobbies and discover the joy of making. Inspired by the art of creation, whether in designing clothes or crafting engaging content, Glory Allan thrives on bringing ideas to life. His work serves as a bridge between fashion and education, fostering creativity and self-expression. Adria Kain Adria Kain is a multifaceted artist and singer known for her soulful voice and authentic storytelling. With recent success in the music industry, Adria has re-emerged with renewed focus, sharing both her music and creative journey. In July, she expanded her artistic reach by launching a photography and creative direction studio, offering a space that fosters artistic expression and collaboration. Her studio has become a welcoming environment for creatives of all backgrounds, dedicated to inclusivity and supporting the growth of the creative community. Post Design Post Design, founded by JP Guay and Amanda Mota, is a curated studio specializing in unique furniture, objects, and wares. They offer carefully selected pieces that reflect creativity, paired with dynamic spaces and brands. Beyond their collections, Post Design provide furniture rentals, studio bookings for shoots and gatherings, and design services like sourcing, set design, brand pop-ups, and interior staging. At Post Design, they blend design with community to create inspiring spaces. Teaunna Gray Teaunna Gray is an Afro-Indigenous Director and Film Photographer from Toronto. Starting as a curator, she gained recognition through group art shows that support under-represented artists and give back to global communities. Her storytelling reflects her multicultural perspective, prioritizing inclusivity for womxn, people of color, and the Deaf community. As the founder of Of Sorts®, Teaunna creates a space for creatives through events, programs, and studio rentals, encouraging impactful art and dialogue. Pier Five Julian Golden and Jeff Lei are the founders of Pier Five, a community driven organization that offers support to creative entrepreneurs and small business owners. Pier Five's mission is to empower those looking to turn their passions into full-time businesses and careers by hosting unique networking events, fundraising programs and content series across Canada. Pier Five's initiatives have connected thousands of creatives and business owners and is building one of the largest founder networks across the country, shaping culture and driving economic growth. Shop the looks at Kuwalla Tee's website and make sure to follow Pier Five on Instagram for more content with the creative community.

Earlier this month, Pier Five proudly hosted its first ‘Community Court Day’ event in Toronto in partnership with PUMA. The event was designed to give entrepreneurs and creatives a new way to connect outside of the office in a space that was conducive to conversation and relationship building. As big proponents of 'breaking up the work week', Pier Five brought out 25 of Toronto's cultural change-makers, including business owners, artists, content creators and brand leads to spend a day on the court, a place that fostered so many relationships for us growing up. The day got started with guests arriving to a care package with some of PUMA's newest basketball gear; of course we had to hook them up in the best. From the beginning, strangers instantly started becoming friends and learning about each other. There's something about trying on new sneakers with others that get spirits high. After some introductions, basketball coach/trainer and founder of Core Basketball, Ali Nizam, started the day with warmups and partner drills designed to get people out of their comfort zone. Regardless of experience, every single person was sweating by the end of it. Spirits were definitely high, and safe to say we were all on an equal playing field after that. The warm ups were followed up refreshments from our friends at Neutria and Barbet who kept us hydrated throughout the day and a good 'ol fashioned 'name game' - of course we had to bring some summer camp memories back - to help everyone learn a bit more about who was in the room. After that, guests were put into teams to put their skills to the test. Every single person was playing hard and throwing it down! Lastly, we wrapped the day with a roundtable-style discussion focused on getting out of your comfort zone , something that is key for entrepreneurs and that every guest of the day demonstrated so well that day. The #1 goal of the day was give creatives and entrepreneurs a unique space to get to know each other and we couldn't be more proud of how much that was accomplished. In an age of social media connections and a non-stop grind to the top, finding time to meet likeminded individuals in-person, even those in our own backyard, can be very difficult but when you find a way to do it, break down all of the walls, and just let people jam, the results are incredible. A major thank you to every single person who came out with an open mind and willingness to learn. We can't wait to see how these conversations turn into incredible things outside of the gym doors. As well, thank you to Neutria and Barbet for the incredible drinks and of course, thank you so much to PUMA for supporting our vision of creating unique spaces for inspiring people to connect and grow. We can't wait until the next one!

"You get out what you put in" is something we all need to remind ourselves of more often. Nishal Kumar, founder of the wellness supplements brand, No Days Wasted, that helps anyone maximize life's moments after a night out, has made a living off of this mantra and his story is an incredible example to emulate. From becoming the sponsor for some of the biggest podcasts in North America, to locking in over 1200  retailer partners, Nish knows a thing or two about making your own opportunities and we got to speak to him to gain some fresh insights that are very applicable for any new founder. Check out the conversation below! Hey Nish! Thanks for taking the time to chat. One of the first things we want to know is how the partnership with Barstool, which was huge for the brand in the early days, got off the ground. Oh ya, that was great! Over 5 years ago, we connected with Paul Bissonnette 'Biz Nasty' who was spending a summer in Vancouver after he retired from the NHL and was working with a couple buddies of mine. There was one night, we're all out, and my buddies told me Biz was going to be there and to come out. I went and I had a couple packets on me and I gave them to him, and that was my first touch point. A couple days later, I saw him at the gym and I gave him a full box of product. He ended up going to an event the next day and calls me, and he tells me he tried the product, had about ten beers and woke up the next day like nothing happened. He mentioned he was joining this podcast called Spittin’ Chiclets and introduced me to Barstool Sports. We started working with them and Spittin’ Chiclets was a home run out of the gate. I asked Barstool if they had any female demo shows and they mentioned Call Her Daddy which was just launching at that time. They were like "it's pretty crazy. It's pretty out there, but it might just work." so we tested with them and saw instant return, like 7-10x right out of the gate. We were the first brand to sponsor Call Her Daddy, which ended up blowing up and becoming the biggest female podcast in North America. The big learning was really, you need to make that investment and take a chance on things early on when and if something works, double down on it. It seems like now there are so many brands doing this? What do you think of the competition? Yes the space got very crowded but in general but between those days and now, my view on competition is very different. Early on, I was actually very averse to competition and I was concerned about what all of our competitors were doing. I would be offended if they did anything too close to us. These days, things have shifted. I really welcome the competition from players that have staying power and are creating a meaningful product and brand. The reason being is because ultimately, this competition drives awareness to a category that's emerging. If we're the only player on shelf, who's going to know about the category? Only the people that know about us. But, if you think about the value that competition provides, it's that they're providing extra eyeballs onto us for free and we are validating a new category together by creating great products with high efficacy, safety and value for consumers. That's a very good attitude to have and regardless of the competition now, it's incredible to hear about how you created that opportunity for yourself. If you're proactive, you're assertive, you are charismatic and personable, good things will happen. That's why I spent quite a bit of time in New York, and continue to do so. It's the epicenter of chaos, and there are a lot of people doing great things out there. My focus is always to meet cool people doing great things. At the very least, I could just make a friend, or on the other end, we could do something meaningful together from a business point of view. If you're not there, if you don't show up, if you're not putting yourself out there, it won't happen. As an emerging brand, use what you have. You may not have tons of capital behind you, but you have your energy that you put out to the world, and the best way to showcase that is by actually going out there and doing it. Would you say that's your big tip for brands, especially ones in the early stage of their business? I have a few tips but the biggest thing is to remember that how you do anything is how you do everything. For me, whether that's going to the gym every day and staying focused or playing ball and putting my best foot forward, I just want to be consistent, I want to care about what I do, and I want to solve problems. That's the same way I treat my business and that's not just work, that's life. Your success and your achievements are going to come from your efforts. So top three things; give a damn about what you do, be consistent and just do it well. We couldn't agree more. Before we finish off, any other advice for new founders? You need to go where you're wanted. For example, maybe you have a dream retailer or dream partner that you want to work with but at the end of the day, make sure it's not a delusion. It's like when you're growing up and there's that girl you see that you're into but turns out they're the most toxic person in the world. You don't want that. You want to go where you're wanted. That's been a big part of our retail strategy. We always want to hear a no from a retailer rather than a maybe, because that will allow us to move on to the yeses and find the places where we're wanted. Make sure to check out No Days Wasted and keep it locked to Pier Five for more founder conversations just like this!

Last week, Pier Five and PUMA hosted a remarkable event, 'Mental Health Strength Day,' that occurred with tremendous success. The gathering was a vibrant mix of creatives, entrepreneurs, and small business owners, all united by a shared commitment to wellness and mental health. The event, held at Fit Factory gym in downtown Toronto, saw a packed turnout of 25 inspiring individuals. Each participant brought their energy and enthusiasm, giving 110% in the workout and engaging with open minds and positive attitudes. The day was designed to provide a break from busy work weeks and foster connections within the community. The schedule kicked off with a meet & greet and product try-on session, allowing participants to gear up with the latest offerings from PUMA. This was followed by a group workout class that catered to athletes of all skill levels. The workout was an invigorating start to the day, setting the tone for the subsequent activities. After the workout, attendees participated in networking and group discussions centered around mental health challenges and triumphs. These discussions were a highlight of the day, offering a platform for honest conversations about the unique pressures faced by entrepreneurs and creatives. Participants shared their personal stories, wins, and challenges, creating a supportive and empathetic environment. The event left everyone with a sense of accomplishment and community. PUMA's generous provision of gear added a special touch, making each participant feel valued and equipped for their fitness journey. Overall, the 'Mental Health Strength Day' was a testament to the power of collaboration and the importance of mental health in the entrepreneurial and creative communities. Pier Five and PUMA successfully created a space where individuals could connect, learn, and grow together, making the event a standout success. Special thank you to Guru Energy & Barbet for the refreshments throughout the day! If you would like to join a future Pier Five event, be sure to follow us on Instagram or email us at community@pier-five.com !

"You're never going to please everyone" is a phrase that set Drew Stevens, founder of the skincare brand Margin, free. In the era of amplified social judgment, and hundreds of new competitors popping up every week, it is more important now than ever to understand what you're in it for, and if that reason is guided by passion, like it is for Drew, then the only way forward is up. Backed by the creative minds of Benjamin Edgar, Chris Black, Ben Sehl (KOTN) and Sam Jayne, Drew has assembled the creative avengers to release what is currently one of the most exciting science-first, aesthetically beautiful skincare brands on the market. We spoke to Drew about his learnings as an entrepreneur, his tips for assembling a great team and how he deals with the competition; good and bad. Scroll down to read! Hey Drew, for those who aren't too familiar with you and Margin, can you tell us how it came together? Hey guys! My name is Drew Stevens and I'm the founder of Margin. I've always been really into skincare, and prior to starting Margin had the chance to spend a lot of time with with the founders of bootstrapped and venture backed businesses both inside and outside the beauty industry through my work in private equity. I was lucky enough to get to know some of the best skin scientists in the world, and in getting to know them had the chance to share (and confirm) a set of beauty industry observations that I thought left a gap serving me effectively and honouring my interest in skin.. Ultimately, Margin was launched as a way for my to offer myself and my peers a skin solution that incorporated  best-in-class-ingredients, logic-driven formulations, and product design that I could be confident using and displaying in my home. The whole process started in 2020 and from there, we’ve put together a great team and had a lot of fun working on what is now Margin (which we launched in 2022). With all of the R&D and trials to get the product to be what you envisioned it to be, how do you know when it's finally right? It's really hard to figure out when it's right. I think a lot of it has to come down to me being really proud of the product. If I can stand behind it, and I really love it, and we put it out in the world and it bricks, I'm fine with that because this was me and the team's decision. I don't think I would sleep well at night if we conceded based on a product to try and make everyone happy and didn't put out what we loved the most. Realistically, you're not going to make everyone happy. If you go to a major beauty website and look at their top trending products, what you'll find is that for virtually every product in the world that's ever been released, reviews are normally distributed on both ends. You'll have 20% of people that say that they are absolutely obsessed, you'll have a bunch of people in the middle saying it's pretty good and then you'll have 20% to 30% of the audience saying "I wouldn't put this on my worst enemy", and yet it's a best selling product. At the end of the day, there is no such thing as universally loved anything, so I just try and put out what we really like and if it works, great. You have some pretty established names on your board/co-founder table. What was your process to getting in touch with them and getting them on board? From a cold calling perspective, you'd be surprised at how easy it is to get in touch with people. Social media has totally changed that over the years. If you have a tweet that bangs and somebody replies to it and they're an interesting person, boom, be in their DMs immediately. Same with Instagram and then if you're doing something interesting, offer somebody a little bit of value and something tangible they can act on. Meeting Chris the first time, I had never interacted with him, not on a social platform, nothing before. I knew who he was and I thought he'd be an interesting partner in a venture like this. It was literally me just sending him an email and saying, "This is what I do now. This is what's interesting about what I do now. This is an insight that I think I have that I think would be compelling and I'd love to know your take on it because I think of you as x, y, and z". The biggest thing though is just come to them with a good idea. I came to him with "Here's my insight about skincare and here's what I think we can do about it. Tell me I'm crazy". It wasn't just like, "hey, bro, skincare is really hot right now. Want to do something?" because that's not really actionable and that's not like a nutritious little bite for them or a hook in the water that they may find interesting. You've mastered skincare and the art of networking. What is on your list of things to master in 2024? I'm really trying to master my energy output in the most efficient way. My default is to try and move 30 footballs an inch up the field every day and then at the end of the week, I look back and the 30 footballs have only moved a few inches and that's not really that noticeable of an improvement. I think the right way to work is actually for me to run one football ten yards down the field for like a half day, run another one five yards down the field for a part of the day, and, be very focused on trying to really make progress on a few tasks in a given time period versus trying to do so many tasks at once. That's very difficult, as I'm sure many people reading can relate to this when you're running your own thing or have a side project that you're working on too. It becomes easy to feel busy and tired and feel like you spent energy, but not really have a lot to show for it. So this is what I'm trying to focus on and master in 2024. The beauty industry, like many others, has a ton of players that seem to care more about making a quick buck than an impactful product. What do you think about those types of brands? This is very true. The reason I'm doing this is because I care about products so much and I want the product to be the best it can be. I have a visceral reaction to the idea that someone would try and enter the market with a product that's trendy but potentially ineffective or harmful, but I also know that the answer isn't just for me to go around and say "hey,, that's not OK." There's a game being played, right? We're on this giant field and the way for me to make a point is to just eat their lunch, right? The way to do it is to play the game better than them. If in five years or ten years or twenty years, we've played the game better, then we will be rewarded for that and if we didn't play the game well or the game changed on us and people actually didn't care what they put on their skin then, you know what, I wasn't playing the right game and I lost. However, I can lose feeling good, right? This is my passion, but at the end of the day, I try to remember that there's an element of sports or gamesmanship to this and any other business as an entrepreneur, and just focus on what I can do to play the game better. I think that's a healthier attitude and so when I hear about competitors like that, it's like, okay, great, you're playing the game well right now. Let me see if I can't outscore you. Make sure to check out Margin and keep it locked to Pier Five for more founder interviews just like this!

Creating Your Identity With Jun Arnaiz of Neutria It's not uncommon to find creatives venturing out into their own startups but it is a bit more unique to see them dive into the realm of health and natural supplements, a space that is highly competitive with mass-pharma and can take years of R&D and approval. So, what does it take to dive into this world? We sat down with Jun Arnaiz, a longtime friend and man of many talents, to learn a little bit about it. Jun got his start in the Toronto-nightlife scene, rising up as one of the city's best club videographers by night, while experimenting, formulating and testing supplements by day. As he got deeper into the nightlife world, his sights set onto DJ'ing, which has now grown his name even further as a certified nightlife double threat; but he didn't forget about the pharma. In 2023, Jun and his business partner Andrew Daye launched Neutria, an all-natural supplement brand rooted in ancient herbs and remedies to help those eager to excel do so in a clean and sustainable way. Jun has a lot to say about breaking down barriers to follow your passions. Read through the conversation below! Jun, you seem to have your hand in so many pots and never shy away from opportunities. How does someone like yourself approach all of these new things? Naturally, I'm a very curious person and I have a bunch of interests but I'm very careful to ensure if I do something, it's of quality. It can be daunting but anytime I'm exploring a new craft, I know it will require me to put myself out there no matter what because that's how you get new opportunities. It requires you to be vulnerable but it's necessary. Especially for artistic crafts, showing your work is the only way to get booked. If we reverse engineer that to figure out how to build the confidence to put yourself out there, it really comes down to putting in the reps. You have to practice. Once you really commit and practice, you build the competence in the craft and then you build the confidence. That confidence will be the fuel to put yourself out there in the world and that's when opportunities will come to you. Do you ever feel stuck diving into new things? Luckily not so much but it took time. I think the number one thing that stops people from taking on a new craft is imposter syndrome. People think "I'm not this person, so I'm not going to give it my 100%." I realized that the antidote to that is building up enough evidence for yourself that you do embody this person to the point where it can become your identity. For me, it was hard as a nightlife videographer, who's identity was so ingrained in that, when I wanted to start DJ'ing. I knew people might not take me seriously but I was serious. I didn't want to be a videographer that could also DJ. I wanted to be a DJ. In order to do that, I needed to be consistent. I needed to show up every day. I needed to do shows consistently. I try to embody this mindset with every new thing that I do. It wasn't even up until maybe a couple of months ago that I finally was confident enough to call myself a DJ because I felt like I wasn't there yet. I didn't have that identity yet but I was always pushing for it. Just remember, success isn't an overnight thing. You have to work on it every day but the only way to get there is to start. Can you talk about what pushed you to start Neutria? I worked in a pharmacy for five plus years, so I saw firsthand how people are so reliant on pharmaceuticals just to get by. We're at an age, societally, where people are becoming more health conscious. My partner, Andrew, and I have always been obsessed with finding ways to optimize our health, wellbeing and mindset. We were always experimenting with these different ingredients in college and university. So we've been exposed to the world of natural supplements and natural remedies. We never really had the intention when we were in our early twenties of doing this. It was just a passion to help us optimize our businesses at that time but we sensed this paradigm shift of people who want to excel in their careers or their crafts and find remedies to do so without harming themselves in the process by using synthetic drugs, like Adderall, or excessive melatonin or caffeine. So, we started Neutria and all three of our products are a response to a synthetic version. We have an all-natural sleep support product that uses herbs that have been used for thousands of years, melatonin-free and that's kind of like our counter to melatonin. We have a focus blend that's our counter to excessive caffeine or Adderall. We're not doing this to profit off of people. We're doing this to offer a sustainable solution to these specific needs that we saw. Lastly, what is one of the biggest learnings you've discovered so far as a brand owner? As an e-commerce brand, it's easy to dehumanize the business and diminish it to just numbers and digital screens. For the first half of our existence, Andrew and I lived on our screens and we weren't getting any sort of physical feedback from customers. It was all online-everything. So, one thing that we introduced was more events and collaborations with other brands to get out into the physical world and connect with and build our community. We started selling in local markets, sampling with groups and getting actual feedback on our products. The human connection was also important to help remind us of our purpose and why we started the business, which was very motivating. We really learned the importance of that macro view on why you do things and I think going physical, going offline as much as possible does that. Make sure to check out Jun and Neutria on Instagram and keep it locked to Pier Five for more conversations with creatives and entrepreneurs just like this!