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 Outdated, broken, and empty dispensers found in public washrooms across Canada are a problem when 87% of people who menstruate are caught off guard and 37% of them end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 .

U Grow Girl U Grow Girl Who: Crystal Wood & Leha Marshall Where: Kelowna, BC Instagram Website How would you use the $10,000 CAD fund for your business? See All Winners

Slipp Slipp Who: Victoria Lyons Where: London, ON Instagram Website How would you use the $10,000 CAD fund for your business? See All Winners

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

Pier Five Community Dinner: Volume 1 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 !

Pier Five Creators Grant Lookbook Photographer: Mark Gallardo Location: Crayon Studios, Toronto View the Collection (Soon) Creators Grant Home

A Conversation With Air Vegan Daniel Navetta, aka The Air Vegan is Queen's man wearing many hats. He has built a more than impressive resume as co-founder and director for film studio Bryght Young Things, co-creator of the Business of Hype podcast and full-time advocate for responsibility and "sustainability" in fashion and footwear through his platforms The AIR VEGAN and FutureVVorld. Dan focuses much of his time researching and educating on ways government, businesses and consumers can be more earth friendly in their activities has developed unique POV and inspired audience through creative design and storytelling. @theairvegan // @futurevvorld // @byt.nyc Besides using more recycled materials or reducing the shoebox footprint (Air Hippie single box), what are your 5 things brands are doing to become more sustainable that you think are really great? This is a tricky question because of the term "sustainable". Put bluntly, the only way to be sustainable is to cease to exist. We have enough stuff. Period. If we look at how production is run, how the industry treats workers, how the brands promote mass consumption, nothing about this is truly sustainable. However, I'm still excited about the space and there are things I think brands can do to be better such as: Using more scrap materials for products. Increase transparency into how brands are carbon scoring and make stronger commitments. Invest more into lab grown materials (biofabrication) Simpler construction. The Nike Presto was made to be one piece of fabric and use less glue. Considering how the product returns to the earth. Make product that is repairable and then biodegradable. High consumption is obviously a big issue in sneaker culture. Besides limiting purchases, what are five things sneaker enthusiasts can do to be more responsible in their day-to-day lives? Shop local - This encompasses the localization of production, fair wages, more care and reduces carbon emissions from shipping. We’re in this vicious cycle of making things cheaply overseas and then we ship it a million times until it gets to the customer. I’d rather pay $250 to know this was made locally by someone who got a lunch break and who’s family has health insurance and it wasn’t shipped all over the world to get to me. Consider repairing and mending. Extending the life of our products is very important. Celebrate worn sneakers. Stop buying new things every week. Enjoy using what you have. Im trying to make it cool to own less shit. Donate gently used pairs with clear intentions of where they are going, and to whom. Use your digital platform to amplify environmental responsible and equitable practices in sneakers. Our social media platforms are a place where we can inspire others- let’s talk about workers rights, fair wages, materials transparency, and conscious consumption. Let’s make that hypeworthy. We just released a great post on FutureVVorld about recycling clothing that also touches on these things that I think many will be into. Between your full time job at BYT, Air Vegan, FutureVVorld and all your other creative endeavours, it’s hard to understand how you even find time to sleep! What are 5 tips on time management and organization that you can share? I believe in focused bursts of energy. If I need twenty minutes to finish something, it's phone down, music on, avoid distractions and get it done. I wake up very early. I crush my to-do list as early as possible. Harness momentum, if you’re feeling it, run with it. Theres a great book called FLOW by Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi that's all about being in the zone that I recommend. Exercise and eat healthy. Those two things make me very focused. I want to get my work done so I can go for a run. Of all of it, sobriety is probably the most essential element. With the continued growth of podcasts and the emergence of social audio apps like clubhouse, audio content seems like it’s here to stay. Being the co-creator of the podcast series “Business of HYPE” for Hypebeast; what are 5 keys/pillars you see to building a successful audio-content platform? Interesting stories. This is obviously important. Respect the listener. Keep asking yourself "can this be more dynamic? " Channel people’s imaginations and initiate a spark for people. Consistency. Don't stop working. You’re the Founder & Director of Bryght Young Things and have worked with a number of high profile clients. Looking back at your journey as a creative, and knowing what you know now, what are 5 pieces of advice you’d give to your younger self or a young creative today? Reach out to someone who you want to shadow. Work harder than you think you need to. Be honest at all times. Treat everyone with the same level of respect, regardless of position, experience, etc.. Don’t expect people to unlock your creativity for you, show them as early as possible and as often as possible. Create beyond the clients, it will inform the journey.

A Conversation With Aran Raviandran of Get Fresh Company Aran Raviandran is the Creative Director and Strategist for Canadian streetwear brand Get Fresh Company. Aran is an expert in style and collaborations and has been at the frontlines of special projects with organizations like Puma, Remy Martin and The Toronto Raptors as well as the City of Toronto for the annual Caribana Block Party which brings over a million people into the city. @aranvandelay // @getfreshcompany Aran great to chat again! Canada has been a melting pot for creatives and new brands lately. Who are 5 designers or brands that you're really excited about right now? So much great talent out there and I'm really feeling: Apply Pressure Adidem Asterisks Mr. Saturday Prescribed Shelter and Get Fresh Company (of course!) It seems like lately inspiration has been harder and harder to come by with the lockdown but where are 5 places in Toronto that you go to get inspired? Honestly it’s hard to pin-point one single place, let alone 5 [laughs]. The city is so diverse and everywhere has something unique to offer from east to west. I will say any Hookah bar is a good start. I’ve done some of my best scheming’ there! Even though we're not getting out much, fashion trends are definitely still coming and going? What are the trends you're really feeling these days? Staying in has changed what I'm into for sure but I’ll forever love a comfortable fashion trend. No matter how fly it looks, If I don’t feel comfortable I don’t want it. We've been putting out some new sweats lately that are perfect! What are 5 things that are key to building a brand in Toronto? Have an end vision and don’t veer from it Only pivot when absolutely necessary - this doesn’t mean pivot on the vision, more so on how to get there. Build a strong team / network Listen to your customers, we live in a end user society. Truly love what you’re building or else it’s not going to happen. Lastly, we've been seeing some unreal photoshoots from GFC and would love to know, what are 5 tips to a successful fashion photoshoot? Lint roller Give yourself more than enough time Prep your key shots ahead of time Create a pose board / vision board Have a good playlist ready to bump

A Conversation With Ostrya Equipment Photo: @samuelpasquier As a new brand, it can be very hard to go up against the big dogs. Finding a hole in the market and filling that space with a unique offering is key and Ostrya Equipment, a technical wear brand from Montreal, Canada is doing just that. Having observed many of the Canadian outer and activewear brands like Arc'teryx and Lululemon, which are designed in Canada but not actually made there, Ostrya founders Francois and Simon are putting Canada back on the map with hand made, top quality technical garments designed and produced here in Canada. With a team of less than ten but a passion as large as hundreds, Ostrya is showing that the best things can be achieved locally and has attracted a very large network of tech heads and fashion lovers alike. Taking things day by day but with visions of the future, Ostrya is focused on its mission and making big waves one stitch at a time. Hey guys! Thanks for taking the time to chat. Over the last year and a half, GorpCore - outdoors technical fashion - has become a mainstream style choice for many. While Ostrya is technical first, how important is the consideration around fashion for the brand? It’s great that technical wear has been adopted so heavily into mainstream fashion. We’re always thinking about this but we try not to let it influence the designs too much. Our main focus is creating products that can outperform any other. It’s cool to see that the fashion clientele are starting to look more at technical wear and made in Canada products and we’re happy they like our pieces but it’s always function first for us. We also know that price point may be a factor that can impact who is consuming our products. We sell expensive products because they’re the best and made by hand here in Canada. There’s no fashion or hype tax here. We’re breaking our backs to make the best product. If people are down to support that, then that’s great, no matter how they’re consuming it. Would there ever be an expansion into more fashion first products do you think? We’ll definitely make some product that is less technical down the line but not necessarily as a way to please the fashion clientele. Our goal is to continue to show that we can make more great products in Canada so that will always be the core meaning behind our product lines. I don’t think we’d ever just make a fashion line though. While fashion may not be the core focus, you’ve definitely caught the eye of some top tier fashion retailers. How does it feel to be a technical first brand selling in stores like SSENSE and Better Gift Shop? It’s definitely a pretty cool thing [laughs]! SSENSE was actually the first retailer to place a wholesale order with us which was awesome. They can buy from the biggest brands all over the world so to see them support us as the smaller local brand was an incredible feeling. It’s wild thinking about how they carry our chalk bags and people buy them. It’s funny because we don’t really know what people are buying them for though. Maybe people are buying the chalk bags to put a wine bottle in and that’s fine with us. It’s a really nice and well made bag so maybe that’s enough for them to buy and if it then inspires them to try climbing one day because they have the bag, that would be the best possible thing to happen. Love that attitude! The both of you come from technical design and production backgrounds so the foundation for creating the garments has always been there. What was it like coming at Ostrya from an entrepreneurial angle where you were now also responsible for things like brand development, finances and building a team? Oh man, it’s really intense. It’s a lot of work but it’s super fun. We both really complete each other. We have the same vision and that is super important to run a business. We’re learning every day. It’s like a never ending puzzle. There’s constantly new problems that you need to solve and things can take a long time and it can take a while to see the money. We have some nice days and some tough days but overall when I think about it, having Ostrya is great. When we were shipping things to retailers a while back, I just looked at it and thought “this is crazy'', seeing those boxes that used to be just rolls of fabric and now we’re packing garments. It’s crazy to step back and see it all happening now and having those moments where the team can chill and have a beer and just be happy about all the progress we’ve made makes all the hard times worth it. Do you have any tips for new entrepreneurs just starting out? It’s funny because we get asked this every now and then but we’re still super young and learning every day. I guess there must be some things we’re doing right though [laughs]. The main thing I’d say is that there’s no right time to start or launch your project. It’s easy to work and wait to launch forever but you’ll never be totally ready. You just need to start and then learn as you go. Once you’re going, don’t be afraid to seek out for help and advice and get another opinion. There are a lot of people around you that know things better than you and will be willing to give their time if you ask for it. Those are great tips. What would you say is the biggest mistake you’ve ever made? Hmm, that’s a tough one. It’s not necessarily a mistake but sometimes we laugh about how it would have been so much easier not to establish ourselves as a made in Canada brand. That’s what we are and our passion is in quality made in Canada goods so we’ll never change that but we know it would be so much easier if we just made it overseas. That’s our differentiator though so we know we have to stick with it. Lastly, while we bundle up for a brisk winter, what can we expect to see from Ostrya over the next few months? For Spring 2022, we’re making trail running and climbing gear as well as some more casual gear like hemp shirts and shorts. That will be more of a line or full collection than this past Fall/Winter line was and we’re super excited to have a bigger offering. While we’re growing so much though, we want to keep things small and close to home. We don’t want to grow too quickly to a point where we lose control. We want to ensure things are always enjoyable for everyone here on the team. Interesting. Have you thought about that growth more long term, like where you might want to be in 5 or 10 years? We’re taking everything one day at a time but we’re also trying to think about things more long term now. It’s hard for a young business to think like this because there’s a lot of uncertainty but, at the moment, we’re thinking about 5 years down the line a bit. We want the vibe of the company to be really great and focus on the culture for all of the people that work here. That’s key no matter what the growth looks like long term. If we can have a great culture and keep putting out the best possible product, that’s the win. Love that! Any final thoughts? Come to your showroom! It’s so good to be able to feel these clothes in person and try them on. Every time people come by and try on the jackets, they absolutely love them and it’s always a good time chilling here. For updates on new releases and events coming from Ostrya Equipment, follow their Instagram and keep it locked to Pier Five for more interviews and stories with the coolest entrepreneurs, designers, artists, activists and more.

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.

2023 Recipient: Inoki Bathhouse Introducing Inoki Bathhouse, one of the ten recipients of the Mastercard x Pier Five Small Business Fund 2023! Who: Helen Yin Where: Toronto, ON Instagram / Website Inoki Bathhouse was founded by Asian-Canadian management consultant turned serial-entrepreneur Helen Yin, to offer accessible and affordable spa-grade tea bath experiences at home. The brand offers homemade tea bath sets, coupled with a digital app offering curated music and bath ritual tools. This combination transforms any bathroom into a tranquil sanctuary through the art of mindfulness and bathing. Inoki Bathhouse offerings are rooted in cultural practices of traditional medicine and bathing, featuring ethically-sourced premium tea and herbal plant ingredients that benefit both the mind and skin. The tea baths are packed with powerful tea antioxidants and contain an abundant amount of nutrients for the skin. Unlike bath bombs, soaps, and syrups, Inoki’s bath blends are pH balanced, safe for sensitive skin, and provide a unique aromatherapy experience. The business is also passionate about giving back, with over $25,000 CAD donated to the #StopAsianHate movement along with many in-kind donations and volunteering hours given to local charities and non-profits. How will you use the $10,000 CAD for your business? The $10,000 will go towards our first full-time hire. As the business continues to grow rapidly, I have hit my maximum output and having someone to help me full-time will allow me to focus on larger projects and innovations for the business that have been left to the side for too long. Some of these ideas include trade shows around Canada, developing new bath mixes to expand our product catalog, and working on finding a new office/warehouse space for the company in the near future as we have already outgrown our current space. What is your big goal for the future of the business? My long term vision for Inoki Bathhouse is to become, not only the world's first, but largest remote bathhouse company, accessible by anyone. I'd like to expand our product line to cover bathhouses inspired by every region in the world and create timeless, aesthetic bath ritual items that transform the home into a peaceful sanctuary. Most importantly, I want to help this generation find moments of peace and prioritize their well-being in the way I did during my own critical time of need in this chaotic and busy worl Learn more about the Mastercard & Pier Five Small Business Fund, and discover the other 2023 recipients here .

Embracing Your Community With Sarah Sukumaran of Lilith NYC The realities of starting any business always have two things in common. The first is you can't predict your path. There will always be unknowns. The second is that no matter where that path might take you, anything is possible. Sarah Sukumaran, NYC-based tech exec turned sneaker designer and now founder of Lilith NYC has embraced that wholeheartedly and has some great antidotes for anyone looking to turn their creative passions into a business. The learnings that she has acquired over the years with traditional tech roles, a predictive analytics gig at Nike - a natural fit for a sneaker-loving software product director - to now the life of an entrepreneur, have set her up for years of success and are something we could all benefit from. Scroll down for some gems from the conversation with Sarah. Hi Sarah! You're a big advocate of embracing your community. How did that play a part in getting Lilith off the ground? It's amazing. When you put out in the universe that you're doing something, people will naturally gravitate towards you and start making those connections wherever they can. Lean into that. When I started vocalizing and putting it out there that I was starting a footwear company, people all of a sudden had these connections for me and that's how all of my contacts, angel investors and other people I now work with, have come about. What's it like going from the tech world to now being recognized as a sneaker designer and brand owner? I worked in tech and I thought that was my life. I was ready to become a DevOps engineer and I really thought that's where my career was headed. So now, it's so nice to explore this creative side that I didn't know I had. I really love colour theory and working with materials. When I'm in Portugal, going to the leather supplier and looking at the suede that we're going to go with, or looking at the colour swatches; I have such a strong passion for that. People now refer to me as a creative and I'm still getting used to embracing it because I still am this nerdy tech person but now I'm a creative too which is pretty cool. Any advice to someone who was in your position looking to start their own brand while working a 9-5? I am a big proponent of not quitting your job and working on your side hustle when you're getting a nice check at your current employer. The only reason I quit [Nike] was because it was a clear conflict of interest working for a footwear brand and starting my own. If I was working as a tech company I would definitely have done this as a side hustle and just kept collecting a check. You need to be able to financially support yourself or have savings to be able to take that leap on your dream. Work full time and spend more hours after each day building your startup. There are so many little things you can do to get your startup off the ground, especially in footwear. You can source the factory on the internet and spend $200 to get a sample made. Everything is possible. You just need to take those small steps and making it work doesn't have to involve quitting your job and going bankrupt throughout the process. Lilith has done a bunch of pop-ups and is in a few retailers. Is expanding that a big goal of yours? I think for any brand, you always need to have a multi-channel experience. In year one, we started getting approached by retailers but I just felt like I wasn't ready. However, I realize now how important that is and we're definitely working on getting into more and more doors and doing more pop ups. Online is great but getting people to try on the shoes, especially at my price point it key. Just like any portfolio, you need a diversified approach as an entrepreneur. So true! Lastly, has been one of your biggest learnings since starting Lilith? Shifting away from traditional seeding and actually using your customers as the influencer, that's been an interesting shift and learning for me. I was wasting time seeding people who would post once and never wear the shoe again. Now, I'll surprise a customer who's bought two or three pairs and be like, here's a free shoe because I know that they're going to wear the hell out of it and that's probably better marketing at the end of the day. They're the ones who post the authentic photos, wear the shoes and get complimented in person and get way more excited! They're their own ambassadors to the brand. I love it and they love it. Make sure to follow Lilith for news on their pop-ups and releases and keep it locked to Pier Five for more conversations with creative entrepreneurs like Sarah!