Your Number One Resource With Nishal Kumar of No Days Wasted "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!

Loving The Journey With Adam The Illustrator Photo courtesy of @jeremymarasigan, @shanikt & @recess.community As a creative, it's not always easy to know where the work you are putting in is leading to. For that reason, it's imperative that you love the journey. Adam Bosley, aka Adam The Illustrator has been on quite the journey for a decade as an illustrator, with many ups and downs, starts and stops and times of uncertainty but as he continues to climb, the thing keeping him in it is his love for the work. With new developments to his work and brand, Adam is a very exciting artist to watch and we got the chance to sit down with him to learn about the steps he's taken to get to where he is today, the secrets to his recent rapid growth and some of the new projects he has his mind on. Read the conversation below! Hey Adam! Thanks for chatting with us. Can you tell us a little about yourself and what you do? Hey guys! My name is Adam and, many can probably guess from my Instagram name, I'm an illustrator [laughs]. I've messed with a bunch of styles throughout my time illustrating which started back around 2010 but my main style now that I'm really enjoying is fun, cute doodle characters. I post those as well as tutorials that teach my audience different tips and tricks for illustration. I'm also starting to explore animation myself so hopefully I'll be able to share more video coming soon. 2010 is a while back! How did you first get into illustrating? Ya it is! I never grew up as an artist and actually went to university in Nebraska for a track scholarship. I was fully focused on that and wasn't really enjoying the rest of school. I had done a few doodles here and there in classes and one day a teacher of mine actually recommended I explore graphic design further. I started looking around and found some artist that I liked who had made careers essentially out of doodling. I thought, maybe that was something I could do. When I graduated I got a design job at an agency doing work for other brands. Over time, I got disinterested in design work but started to really love illustrating and drawing and that led to some freelance gigs and small projects and eventually turned into a full time thing for me. Who were some of the first illustration clients you had? I had a few pretty dope ones. Lost & Found gave me a shot early which I'll always be grateful for. Those guys are the homies and I've done a few projects for them now. I also did some work for Collectif Nude designing posters for their events and some early designs for the ice cream shop Ruru Baked on a new logo which is now used for their merch and packaging. Through the evolution of your illustration, you've now landed on a pretty fun style that preaches positive and self worth. Why is that so important to you? Truthfully, it wasn't intentional like "I wan't to make positive drawings" but basically, one day during COVID I was doodling and I realized that it was a bit negative - it was a joke but still kind of negative - and decided I needed to change the tone. COVID was a shitty time for most people, including myself, so I wanted to put out some art that promoted something more uplifting. It was basic messages like "Take Your Time" or "You're Allowed To Make Mistakes" that I was telling myself and figured I'd put it into the work. People definitely reacted to it better! Throughout that time and even now, what keeps you motivated to create? The biggest thing for me is really just ensuring I'm drawing what I like. That's a big reason I'm focusing on my own work and scaling back the client work. Not that I don't like helping clients but doing things for me keeps it the most fun. I'm really focusing on building my brand these days and I'm enjoying it a lot. That's great to hear! What are some of the projects you're working towards? I want to work on more physical products like books and other home good/accessory type of products. I will probably also work on some new merch and more limited edition drops like premium prints. The biggest thing is I really want to have my own art show. I think I'm at the point where I'm ready to do it and the community would come out for it. Nothing too crazy but I think I could do some wood cutouts and paintings and would love to see them on a white gallery wall. That would be epic! Keep us posted on that. Speaking of community, you've built quite a large one over the last year. What do you think was the main reason behind the growth? Oh man, it's crazy! I've grown from around 25,000 to 177,000 followers in the last year which blows my mind. I think the tutorial content is the main reason for sure. Once I started making those tutorial reels for IG and TikTok, I saw a lot more people start to engage with my work. I think it's really all about finding new ways to provide value to your audience and that was definitely a big value add. That's a great point. Value is everything. For the last piece of value in the interview, any advice that you can share for the younger audiences looking to build their illustration career? For sure! The biggest thing that I mentioned before was make sure you're doing what you love. At the end of the day, if you're not really enjoying the work, you're not going to see it through. Creative work and growth takes time so you need to enjoy the journey. For client work, make sure to figure out your value. Most people undervalue creatives and will try to take advantage of young artists so make sure you know your value and stick to it. Lastly, it's a grind so just keep your head down and work. A career as an artist takes a lot of time and is definitely not an easy one, but if you like the work and put in the hours, success will come. Hope that helps! ✌️ Check out Adam's Instagram for design tutorials, uplifting illustrations and updates on merch and new projects and make sure to keep it locked to Pier Five for more conversations just like this!

A Conversation With Keith Pears Keith Pears is a force to be reckoned with in the kitchen. He has been in the food business for over 20 years, racking up an impressive resume as winner of Canada's Great Kitchen Party, Executive Chef for Delta Hotels, Toronto and most recently taking on the new role of Executive Chef at the W Toronto (Opening 2021). @keith_pears Your feed is filled with delicious looking meat! What is your 5-step guide to cooking the perfect steak? Let the steak sit at room temp for 10-20 minutes. A cold steak will cook unevenly. Use a cast iron pan to retain the most heat possible and get a meat caramelization (maillard) effect. Cook 6-7 minutes med-high each side (time will vary depending on thickness of steak) Baste your steak with garlic, herbs, shallots, and melted butter during the last 2 minutes. Even after you take it off the heat, it's still cooking. Let your steak rest for 10 minutes to capture the juices. What are 5 ingredients everyone needs in their kitchen? Fish sauce - for salt & umami Finishing vinegars Lemon Flaky sea salt Onions - one of the most diverse ingredients A great stock - you can make your own with cheap bones Who are you listening to in the kitchen? I've been listening to a lot of Toronto artists. Drake, [Justin] Bieber and Anders. I've also been playing a lot of Bryson Tiller and then a lot Spotify R&B mixes. We love to see a chef who's into sneakers. What are your top 5 in the rotation? Jordan 4 'Oreo' Nike Air Max 97 'Olympic Red' Nike Blazer Low 'Peach' Nike Flyknit Racers Clogs! I have a casual pair and a Gucci pair for special occasions Finally, a lot has changed since COVID took over. How do you think dining could change after it's over? I think food will have to get simpler - fewer touches in the kitchen and less sharing style cuisine. It's sad but I think tapas is going to fade. I also think drive-in dining is going to make a big comeback like back in the day where they're bring burgers to your window in the parking lot. Patio season will have to start to be year round but I'm not sure how yet. Lastly, food apps and ghost kitchens are going to keep popping up and becoming more popular. Low-lift, low personal contact and quick service.

A Conversation With Liz Beecroft Liz Beecroft is a practicing mental health therapist and licensed social worker residing in New York. She has grown a large following on social media through the crossing over of her therapy practice and passion for sneaker culture and basketball. Liz is also the founder of MENTL, a space that advocates and educates around matters of mental health and wellbeing. @lizbcroft Mental health is super important and awareness around it has become increasingly high during a pandemic. As more people start to understand how much mental health matters, what are 5 mental wellness or self care routines people can try to help them through their day to day? Listen to your body and your mind. If you need to rest, rest. Try and get outside. Get fresh air and exercise. You'll build up endorphins which will help with your mood. Be mindful of what you’re putting in your body. Unhealthy food and drinks can leave lasting effects leading to depression. Mindfulness is key. It doesn't always have to be meditation but something that forces you to focus in that moment - ex baking or cleaning. Check in with your support system. Stay connected in the best ways you can with your friends and family. You’ve done a number of collaborations with some well known brands where the partnership was centred around mental health awareness & giving back. What do you think are 5 important things brands can/should do to advocate for these causes all year round? Keep in mind that mental health is 24/7-365. Don't just highlight it for the big mental health holidays to be relevant at that time. Start from within. Brands needs to practice what they preach. Employees need to be trained on how to identify symptoms and know when to take breaks. Brands also need to give resources to their employees to help them when they need it. Consult with professionals if you’re going to talk about mental health. There is right & wrong language that can be used and it's important for brands to be cognizant of that. Understand your resources. Have some component of giving back. Thing about what this is actually doing for mental health outside of just saying it's for mental health. Similar to the previous point but consider a giveback piece. Donate to a non-profit with the earnings. What are your top 5 sneakers in your rotation right now and why? Reebok Question Mid. I'm from Pennsylvania and Allen Iverson is my all-time favourite. Reebok Answer 5. I remember buying that pair in a Mens 9 when I was younger. It was way too big but I didn't care. It was still super cool to me. Jordan 17. In 5th grade I was begging my parents for this pair from the Eastbay magazines. They got them for me in the summer but by the time school started I had already grown out of them [laughs]. Funny enough I got gifted a pair last Christmas so it was a really cool full circle moment. Adidas T-Mac 2 "All Star Pack". Love T-Mac and love these shoes. Jordan 1. It's a classic and there are so many good colourways. You’re no stranger to the court and we know basketball is a big part of your life. Who are your top 5 basketball players (dead or alive)? Allen Iverson Jason Kidd Dikembe Mutombo - I met him on a Disney cruise in 7th grade [laughs]. Shawn Kemp Michael Jordan - As an AI fan I didn't love Jordan growing up but he's gotta be in my top 5. Mental health is sometimes seen as a touchy subject but you’ve made it a very accessible and inclusive topic for others by merging information with creative design and sneaker culture. Where do you find inspiration and what are 5 resources or tools that you look to to expand your knowledge? I look at who I am as a person. Mental health doesn't always have to be pink and green pastels (not hating on pastels!). I want my information sharing to reflect what I'm thinking. I linked up with Christian Gonzalez for MENTL. He understands me and mental health a lot and is super open about it and such a good help for me to get my thoughts out. The DSM (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders) & colleagues in the space that have similar interests. Psycology Today Alyssa Petersel is awesome! She founded a great site called MyWellbeing which helps match patients with the right therapists. Non-profits like the JED Foundation are always inspiring and very great resources. What are five brands that you think are doing great things for mental health and self care that you’d love to work with? Chintatown Market - They're awesome and I'd like to work with them to add credibility to their mental health work. Brain Dead. Such a great brand. They're awesome. Disney - they don't talk about mental health but I love Disney and think that’d be really cool New Balance And for #5, I have 6 more people who are all dope haha Jerry Lorenzo Salehe Bembury Jeff Staple Billy Eilish Lil Dicky Post Malone (his album is about leaving LA because it was superficial). Lots of mental health references in there!

The Difference Maker: How Canadian Small Business Owners Turned AI Into Action In April, Pier Five partnered with HP Canada, with support from Microsoft Canada, Qualcomm Snapdragon and CDW to bring together small business owners for a two-part experience exploring one key question: What does the future of your business look like with AI? What followed was a full-circle program combining education, application, and community - showcasing how Canadian entrepreneurs are beginning to integrate AI into how they build and grow. Part 1: From Curiosity to Clarity The program began with two intimate, hands-on workshop sessions, each bringing together 10 founders from a range of industries. The goal was to move beyond AI as a concept and into practical application. After kicking off the session with a bit of networking, HP Canada shared how their latest technology is enabling smarter, more efficient ways of working, with a focus on innovation and sustainability. The sessions were powered by HP’s AI-enabled devices built with Qualcomm Snapdragon technology, allowing founders to explore real-time workflows. The core of the experience was a guided workshop using Microsoft Copilot. Founders were led through structured prompts to: Analyze their business and positioning Identify market opportunities Break down competitors Clarify their differentiation Using these insights, each participant created an AI-generated “Difference Statement,” which was then transformed into a visual poster - a clear representation of how their business can evolve. Kin Ho, Business Manager, HP: "One of the biggest barriers for small business owners we heard throughout this campaign is knowing where to start when it comes to AI. HP is focused on making these tools more accessible and practical, so founders can explore them in the context of their own business. When AI feels approachable and relevant, that hesitation quickly turns into confidence and that’s when real adoption begins." What started as exploration quickly became clear and set the groundwork for Part 2. Part 2: A Showcase For the SMB Community Two weeks later, Pier Five hosted The Difference Maker: Gallery Night, an exhibition space featuring all 20 founders’ work as well as a panel discussion from Canadian entrepreneurs and experts. The workshop participants and experts were joined by over 70 entrepreneurs, creatives, and community members, creating a highly curated and energetic room. Kane Willmott, CEO, iQ Offices: "The event was a powerful reminder that the future is being built right now by a remarkably ambitious generation of entrepreneurs. It was inspiring to meet founders across such a wide range of industries, each bringing different products, ideas, and perspectives to the table at various stages of growth." The panel discussion was a highlight of the night, discussing topics around AI adoption and the future of small business, moderated by Pier Five Co-Founder, Julian Golden. Speakers included April Marshall, VP of Inside Sales at HP Canada, Rebecca Prime, Founder of Beck’s Broth and workshop participant, and Kane Willmott, CEO of IQ Offices The conversation grounded AI in real-world use, focusing on how founders are applying it today and where it’s heading next. April Marshall, VP of Inside Sales, HP Canada: "What we’re seeing at HP is a shift from AI as a concept to something small businesses are actively using to solve everyday challenges. The biggest unlock is starting with the problem - whether that’s saving time or improving decision-making - and applying the right tools in a practical way. The businesses that will stand out are the ones building a strong foundation now by investing in technology that supports how they work and grow." Building What’s Next, Together What made this program resonate was its format. By combining education, hands-on application, visual storytelling and community, Pier Five and HP Canada created a space where ideas were not just explored but activated and shared. The program highlighted how collaboration between technology partners and community platforms can create real impact for small business owners. As AI continues to evolve, it’s clear that entrepreneurs aren’t waiting, they’re actively shaping what comes next; and they’re doing it together. Learn more about HP's Next-Gen AI PCs, discover the world of One HP here and follow Pier Five on Instagram for updates on all of the latest events.

2024 Recipient: BocoBoco Explore the Mastercard x Pier Five Small Business Fund Introducing BocoBoco, one of the ten recipients of the Mastercard x Pier Five Small Business Fund 2024! Founder: Lauren Rochat Location: Montreal, QC Discover BocoBoco online: Website // Instagram About BocoBoco (EN) BocoBoco is an eco-responsible online grocery store focused on simplifying access to local products while reducing waste. They exclusively partner with local, organic producers to offer food and household items, all packaged in reusable and refundable jars. Since its launch, BocoBoco has prevented over 10 tons of waste through its jar return system. The company prides itself on transparency, working with suppliers who meet strict criteria such as local production and waste reduction, and over 60% of its suppliers are women-led businesses. Through its efforts, BocoBoco fosters a sustainable, fair economy while supporting small producers, artisans, and community initiatives. (FR) BocoBoco est une épicerie en ligne écoresponsable qui simplifie l'accès à des produits locaux tout en réduisant les déchets. Ils collaborent exclusivement avec des producteurs locaux et biologiques pour offrir des produits alimentaires et ménagers, tous emballés dans des bocaux réutilisables et consignés. Depuis son lancement, BocoBoco a permis d’éviter plus de 10 tonnes de déchets grâce à son système de contenants consignés. L'entreprise se distingue par sa transparence et travaille avec des fournisseurs qui respectent des critères stricts, tels que la production locale et la réduction des déchets, et plus de 60 % de ses fournisseurs sont des entreprises dirigées par des femmes. Grâce à ses efforts, BocoBoco favorise une économie durable et équitable tout en soutenant les petits producteurs, artisans et initiatives communautaires. How will the fund make an impact with your business? (EN) We will use the $10,000 to enhance our impact through three main initiatives: firstly by improving sales by upgrading our CRM system to better understand and segment customers, which would help us personalize communications and encourage frequent purchases. We would also allocate funds to create visual communication materials and awareness campaigns to educate our community about zero waste, local shopping, and organic products. Lastly, we plan to partner with other small local businesses for contests, expanding our reach while supporting others. These initiatives would help us grow sustainably, increase our environmental and social impact, and attract new customers. (FR) Nous utiliserons les 10 000 $ pour renforcer notre impact à travers trois initiatives principales : tout d'abord, en améliorant les ventes grâce à la mise à niveau de notre système CRM pour mieux comprendre et segmenter nos clients, ce qui nous aidera à personnaliser nos communications et encourager des achats fréquents. Nous allouerons également des fonds pour créer des supports de communication visuelle et des campagnes de sensibilisation afin d'éduquer notre communauté sur le zéro déchet, l'achat local et les produits biologiques. Enfin, nous prévoyons de nous associer à d'autres petites entreprises locales pour organiser des concours, afin d'élargir notre portée tout en soutenant d'autres entreprises. Ces initiatives nous aideraient à croître de manière durable, à accroître notre impact environnemental et social, et à attirer de nouveaux clients. What is your long term goal for the company? (EN) Our long-term vision is to become a national leader in sustainable distribution while staying true to its local roots and community commitment. In the next 3 to 5 years, the company aims to expand its services across several Canadian provinces and offer a nationwide zero-waste service. By replicating our sustainable grocery model in new cities, starting with one expansion within three years, we plan to further grow into two additional regions over the following two years. The company's proven system of reusable containers and efficient logistics ensures an eco-friendly solution with a high level of service, supporting both local producers and environmentally conscious consumers. (FR) Notre vision à long terme est de devenir un leader national dans la distribution durable tout en restant fidèle à nos racines locales et à notre engagement envers la communauté. Dans les 3 à 5 prochaines années, l'entreprise prévoit d'étendre ses services dans plusieurs provinces canadiennes et d'offrir un service zéro déchet à l'échelle nationale. En répliquant notre modèle d'épicerie durable dans de nouvelles villes, en commençant par une première expansion dans les trois ans, nous prévoyons de nous développer davantage dans deux autres régions au cours des deux années suivantes. Le système éprouvé de contenants réutilisables et de logistique efficace de l'entreprise garantit une solution écologique avec un niveau de service élevé, soutenant à la fois les producteurs locaux et les consommateurs soucieux de l'environnement. Learn more about the Mastercard & Pier Five Small Business Fund, and discover the other 2024 recipients here.

2023 Recipient: Joni Introducing Joni, one of the ten recipients of the Mastercard x Pier Five Small Business Fund 2023! Who: Linda Biggs Where: Victoria, BC Instagram / Website Joni is building an ecosystem of accessible period care. While reusable products are incredible, not everyone can use them or wants to use them. Therefore, disposable options will always be needed. Knowing this, Joni set out to make the most sustainable disposable option on the market and launched bamboo pads that are plastic-free packaged in a certified compostable wrapper. Furthermore, the brand has developed one of the most innovative period care dispensers on the market disrupting a billion-dollar monopolized industry. Outdated, broken, and empty dispensers found in public washrooms across Canada are a problem when 87% of people who menstruate are caught off guard and 37% of them end up leaving school or work to find a solution. Through its product offerings, Joni has created a fully turn-key commercial period care solution for hundreds of organizations across the country. To-date, Joni has also donated over 120,000 period care products and supported over 80,000 people who menstruate with access to a product they might otherwise go without. How will you use the $10,000 CAD for your business? We’re currently developing a new version of our commercial dispenser and are working with organizations, facilities, and universities to create a modern and innovative option. This dispenser will have incredible new features and we would use $10,000 to help us finish our research and development, in the hopes of bringing the product to market in 1H 2024. What is your big goal for the future of the business? My goal is to expand Femtech innovation in Canada. Femtech is a USD 30-billion-dollar industry worldwide, yet there has been very little investment and innovation in Canada. We want to change that for 30% of the population that menstruates. The largest check ever written in support of FemTech innovation in Canada was $1.5MM - we want to break that record by investing in R&D to create more innovative solutions for Canadians in the next three to five years. Essentially, we want to make Joni period care just as accessible as toilet paper. Learn more about the Mastercard & Pier Five Small Business Fund, and discover the other 2023 recipients here.

Guests On Earth Guests On Earth Who: Liz Drayton & Jackie Prince Where: Toronto, ON Instagram Website How would you use the $10,000 CAD fund for your business? See All Winners

A Conversation With Florence Tang of Lot Stock & Barrel Florence Tang is a co-founder of Lot Stock & Barrel, one of LA's premier design studios and clothing stores with a specialty in chain stitched designs and vintage garments. Florence is a Toronto native with a background in graphic design and relocated to California to continue her studies and pursue a career as a visual merchandiser for Levi's before starting LSB. @florencewtang // @lotstockandbarrel LSB has put together some really cool projects over the years. What are your 5 favourite you've worked on? The most interesting projects would be: Coachella LSB x Mastercard Collaboration ASOS x LSB Collaboration Lucky Brand x LSB Collaboration Nike x Carhartt launch Each of these projects were so interesting, combining all of our teams' talents with product that really shined. What are 5 keys to a successful collaboration? Theres only ONE and that is letting each team do what they're best at! Meaningful collaborations combine talents to create innovative product, and should be the ultimate goal. We have been lucky enough to work with some great partners that have allowed us to showcase our craftsmanship and have respected our creative processes. Besides all of the great stuff LSB does, who are 5 designers or brands you're really into right now? This one is really hard, there are some great brands out there, doing really innovative stuff! Heavy hitters that continue to impress are Stone Island, Jacquemus and Sacai. Nicole Benisti has beautiful quality outerwear and I'm also a huge fan of Ruslan Baginskiy headwear. Who are 5 brands that you would you love to work on a project with next? The dream client pool is large, but top 5 would include: Prada Maison Margiela MSGM Alyx Proenza Schouler Lastly, everyone starts small but it seems like you have figured out a thing or two. What are your top 5 tips for growing your business? Be clear in your vision Be able to adapt quickly Treat everyone with respect Foster and cultivate your team. Your company is only as good the people who make it what it is. Don't be discouraged when things don't go as planned. Put your head down and keep working!

Pier Five x PUMA: Community Court Day 2023 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!

Aiori Aiori Who: Andrea Wong Where: Toronto, ON Instagram Website How would you use the $10,000 CAD fund for your business? See All Winners

The October Roundup Welcome to Pier Five monthly round ups, a look back at some of the people, brands & things that caught our eye this month that we thought you should know about. Ruru Baked x Adidas Canada To celebrate Adidas’ Confirmed app launch in Canada, Toronto-based small batch custard ice cream maker Ruru Baked partnered with Adidas to create an exclusive new flavour. If you know Ruru Baked, you know their flavours are unique & delicious and the Adidas Confirmed flavour sounds just as amazing. White chocolate ice cream coloured with butterfly pea powder, lemon thyme cake and lemon glaze. Our mouths are watering! Jordan Brand Joins Makeway If you haven’t heard of Makeway, then listen close! Makeway is Canada’s first standalone sneaker boutique by women, for women. They’ve created a space for women to connect, celebrate & build community through sneaker & streetwear culture, and this month, they made a huge announcement with the launch of Jordan Brand at the shop. To celebrate the launch, Makeway re-released the Jordan 1 Low Shattered Backboards and had a live raffle party with their community; the right way to sell sneakers. Congratulations to the Makeway team! Ostrya FW21 Launch Founded in 2019, Ostrya handcrafts high-performance technical outerwear designed for protection, looking good and comfort. The Montreal-based outdoor brand specializes in sustainably sourced garments that combine materials with the latest innovations in the outdoor industry. This month, Ostrya launched their Fall/Winter ‘21 collection which consisted of earth-toned down-filled parkas, water-resistant rain jackets, warm fleece pullovers & sustainably sourced duck canvas pants. Their collection is no joke and we think they’ve found the formula for combining technical features with minimalist styling that can weather all elements. Check out the full collection on their website here. Hotpot Variety’s New Site We all know bucket hats have been a huge vibe lately. Now, imagine the classic bucket style we love done in colourful hand-crocheted knits! Toronto-based creative Jessica Prapp is doing just that under her newly launched brand, Hotpot Variety. A brand new site - which hosts a very cool design matching the vibe of the hats - opened this month to make it easier for all of you to view her creations and add them to your headwear collection. Our favourite colourways are the “Snakey Snake” & the “Sour Patched”. Go check out her online store and cop a hat before they’re gone. Vincent Tsang x The Letter Bet Multi-disciplinary artist and designer Vincent Tsang releases his first reproduction of his handmade ceramics with Montreal art gallery & boutique Letter Bet. Together they produced one of Vincent’s signature characters into a sculpture form; made with a sandstone and resin mixture to create a rough texture to the eye yet a smooth texture to the touch. These will look awesome on anyone's coffee table, or even as a book weight so make sure to act fast as they’ve only made 50 pieces and news of a restock after they’re gone is uncertain. Cop yours before they sell out on the Letter Bet's online store here. Stay tuned to The Roundup series to discover the coolest new people, brands and releases each month and keep it locked to all of Pier Five for stories and interviews with our favourite designers, entrepreneurs, creators and more.