July Guest Picks: Home with Sylvia Hoang Guest: Sylvia Hoang, founder of Studio S 1. Bearbrick Figurines "Bearbrick is for everyone that loves art, fashion and culture. From their "basic" designs to limited edition collaborations, this is a conversation starter and essential piece to elevate your space." 2. Virgil Abloh's Markerad Clock "With Virgil's iconic quotation marks, this clock is a clean and minimalist design that does not include numbers yet it challenges the notion of function vs. art with this homeware design." 3. Hype Books & Magazines "Get inspired everyday by having a copy or two of any streetwear related hardcovers in your home. When not in use, it's a perfect coffee table set up for the next reader." 4. Murakami Plush Pillows "These are more than just flowers. They will brighten up your space and comfort you, with this iconic motif by Murakami nodding towards the history of Japanese culture and art." 5. Studio S Swoosh Incense Holder "This is a functional art piece, inspired by the swoosh, that could either be used just as decor or to relax your aura with incense sticks." Check out all of our guest picks for July here and stay tuned to Pier Five for more stories and interviews with the coolest people around.

2024 Recipient: Lesley Hampton Explore the Mastercard x Pier Five Small Business Fund Introducing Lesley Hampton, one of the ten recipients of the Mastercard x Pier Five Small Business Fund 2024! Founder: Lesley Hampton Location: Toronto, ON Discover Lesley Hampton online: Website // Instagram About Lesley Hampton Lesley Hampton is a luxury fashion brand that blends Indigenous artistry with contemporary design, celebrating cultural heritage while emphasizing mental wellness and body neutrality. The brand has four key pillars: direct-to-consumer, custom design services, corporate partnerships, and wholesale. Lesley Hampton offers both ready-to-wear pieces and bespoke designs tailored for clients seeking unique, ethically made fashion, while its corporate collaborations promote Indigenous representation across industries. With wholesale stockists in New York, Toronto, and Seattle, the brand is expanding its reach and visibility. Additionally, Lesley Hampton's founder contributes to the brand’s success through public speaking, modelling, styling, and event coordination, building strong relationships within the fashion community. How will the fund make an impact with your business? With the $10,000 from the Mastercard x Pier Five Fund, I plan to expand my team to support the growth of Lesley Hampton, especially as I work to introduce a more accessible mid-tier collection. The funds will allow me to hire an operations manager, a customer service representative, and a marketing specialist, all of whom will play key roles in refining our processes, enhancing customer relationships, and increasing awareness of our new offerings. This team expansion will help streamline our operations and improve our capacity to produce and market a collection that retains the luxury quality of my designs but is more affordable for a broader audience. By enhancing our supply chain and marketing efforts, I can ensure that we maintain the integrity of my brand while introducing Indigenous-designed fashion at a more accessible price point. This new line will further our mission to amplify Indigenous representation in fashion and reach more customers who connect with our values of inclusivity, cultural pride, and mental wellness. What is your long term goal for the company? Over the next 3-5 years, my goal for Lesley Hampton is to establish the brand as a leading voice in Canadian and Indigenous fashion, with a strong focus on representation and inclusivity. I aim to showcase at major international fashion weeks, starting with New York Fashion Week, and become one of the first Indigenous designers to headline a solo show. Alongside this, I plan to invest in community initiatives to support the next generation of Indigenous designers and foster collaborations to amplify our collective voices. Ultimately, I want to create a lasting legacy that promotes inclusivity, mental wellness, and cultural pride in the fashion industry. Learn more about the Mastercard & Pier Five Small Business Fund, and discover the other 2024 recipients here.

The Tale Of A Sneakerhead Who Found Running A couple months ago I had a sneakerhead epiphany. I have too many shoes. This happened around the time I secured one of my grails, the Nike Air Max 90 ‘Bacon’ and then only wore them twice in the preceding month. I waited a full year (since the rumored 2020 release) for this shoe, got them out of luck, and then only wore them twice! Why was this? Well, only one reason. I have too many shoes. Since I've always been a bit of a collector, having a lot of things never bothered me much. The issue with sneakers is how much less each pair gets worn as I continue to buy more pairs. I grew up loving the cycle of beating a new pair of sneakers down and then replacing them only once my toes stuck through the front. Nowadays, I can’t remember the last time I’ve actually worn a pair into the ground and yet the new pairs keep on coming in. I can tie my sneaker consumption habit to a few causes. The first is that I’m a big nerd for design. The technology keeps on getting better and the fact that I do get to wear something, albeit minimally per pair, that I consider almost like art, is awesome. Secondly, I love the hunt which is a huge part of sneaker collecting. Lastly there’s a bunch of other reasons that I’m not as proud of like “hype made me do it” and the occasional “flip”. Yes, I admit that I occasionally resell sneakers, but all of these factors are what has fuelled the obsession that I, along with many others, have for sneakers. So, what does this have to do with running as mentioned in the title? Well, around the same time I was questioning all my decisions regarding footwear, I was also getting more into running. I learned that if I transferred all of my obsessive characteristics to running, I was instantly more fulfilled. The design and tech aspects were obviously there, it was a new hunt for a product I had no idea about and I could regain that satisfaction of really wearing my shoes like they were meant to be worn. It also got me outside way more and made me feel healthier and happier. Running was my ultimate saving grace as a “struggling” sneakerhead and I am riding that wave like no other. The thing with running though, is that while it’s a simple activity at its core, it can be intimidating. It took some time to learn and get into the right groove to really start loving it. So, in hopes of helping other sneakerheads (or anyone for that matter, but this story be most relevant to sneakerheads) who may be interested in exploring this culture that I’ve recently become obsessed with, I reached out to other more experienced runners to share their knowledge on the sport, community and gear. The Guests: Mario LoConte Mario is a co-founder of vintage convention ThriftCon and streetwear label Station. He is a big time runner and is a part of a running team with 48forchange, a non-profit that raises funds for underprivileged and marginalized communities through run challenges. His team is currently sponsored by ON Running. Jes Woods Jes is a running legend! Day-to-day, Jes is a Nike Running coach in New York and also serves as a trainer and coach for Brooklyn Track Club and Chaski Endurance as well as manages a Mile High Run Club location. Jes recently came second in a solo-run, three-hundred mile race from Los Angeles to Las Vegas which she completed in under six days. Daniel Navetta Dan, also known through his social media as The Air Vegan, is an NYC based director and content creator. He is the founder of video production company BRYGHT YOUNG THINGS and fashion sustainability platform news FutureVVorld. Dan is an avid runner and vegan sneaker collector and brings a fresh perspective to the sport and culture. Q1: Why do you like running & how does it make you feel? Mario: Firstly, running is a great way to explore your own city and see it in a different light. I also think that it's fairly easy to progress, but in your progress, the ceiling just keeps moving up and up, so it's a great way to stay motivated. The thing that I might appreciate most about running however is the fact that it isn't enjoyable sometimes. It's hard, it hurts and it makes you want to quit, but you find ways to push through, and I think that ultimately translates to other areas of your life. Jes: How much time do we have? [laughs]. Running makes me feel accomplished. There’s goal setting and working hard to achieve that goal but at the same time, running doesn't always have to be that serious. It’s also a social thing that I get to enjoy with my friends. If you're doing it right, running can be and should be enjoyable. Daniel: I like running because it gives me a break from the outside world. There is a state of "flow" that has become easier to achieve during my runs, and that's the feeling I find myself seeking. When everything is clicking, there is a euphoria and bliss that I don't access in other areas of my life. I also love the community aspect of it. Q2: Are you a collector of running shoes? Mario: I see my running shoes as work boots. I get a new pair and I instantly start setting mileage goals for them - 350-500 - and wonder how fast I can get there. I want them to be completely spent by the end of those miles and I want them to look like it too. Daniel: I wouldn't say that I collect running shoes, because all of my running sneakers get used. I think there's definitely more "collectible" running sneakers than ever before, but I seek them out to put miles on them. Jes: I genuinely don't consider myself cool enough to collect lifestyle sneakers, so my collection is very much running sneakers focused with a dash of lifestyle. Oh, and maybe the Bad Bunny Crocs too! Q3: Many are shifting spending from hype to more technical footwear. Have you seen your behaviour shift like this at all over the last year? If yes, why do you think this is? Daniel: Yes. I think everyone has suddenly discovered a greater appreciation for the outdoors and a small shift away from “hype for the sake of hype”. I'm grateful that I learned this lesson years ago, because I've spent my free time and expendable income on travel and experience as opposed to coveting a bunch of sneakers that sit in storage. Jes: Yes! Thank goodness technical gear is now considered fashion because it's the only thing I'm wearing 99% of the time. Hopefully this shift sticks around for some time. Mario: I would say so. I am starting to think more about the actual composition and construction of all of my clothing and see others doing so as well. I’m making an effort to be more mindful with my purchases and surround myself with more functional, timeless products to cut down on my own waste and consumption. What are you wearing on the road? Mario Shoes: ON Running Cloudflow Apparel: ON Running Lightweight Shorts, Performance T, Performance Long T Jes Shoes: Nike ZoomX Invincible Run Apparel: Jordan Track Cargo Pants, Nike Trail Gear Daniel Shoes: ZoomX Vaporfly Next% Apparel: District Vision Air-Wear Longsleeve, Satisfy Running Gear, Nike NSRL Transform Jacket What are you listening to on the road? Mario: If it's a short distance run I’ll throw on some rap or a random metal playlist (which I never listen to) because it's nice to just have some wild music playing in the background that I can push to. For longer runs, I’ll do something more mellow:, rap, pop, 90s/00s stuff. I'll even throw on a podcast every once in a while to try and learn something while I run. Jes: Here we go! The Greatest Showman soundtrack. On repeat. Over and over again. Sometimes for upwards of 9 hours (on a 50 mile run). Daniel: Wild story - For the first marathon I ran, there was a rule against headphones, so I had to run in silence...that was quite an experience. Nowadays, I listen to everything from the DJ Premiere/RZA Verzus playlist, to "War on Drugs", to the NY Times "The Daily" podcast, to books like, "Power of Now" and "Breaking the Habit of Being Yourself". I'm always trying to dial in the right mood, for the right day, to achieve the perfect run. Final Thoughts from Pier Five The purpose of this story was not to tell you all to stop buying shoes. I can’t honestly say that I am going to stop and I am not the right person to tell you to. If you do want to learn how you can think about your consumption more responsibly, Daniel’s FutureVVorld is an amazing platform for this. Ultimately, this story was meant to inspire you to try something new. For me, it was running but there are a million activities that exist that we can bring our compulsive sneakerhead characteristics to that can make you happier. Finally, if you made it this far and you’re still no more excited to try something new, then all I can say is the next time you overpay for some kicks on StockX, at least wear the damn shoes more than twice a month! For more on Mario, Jes & Dan, check out their IG and keep it locked to Pier Five for more stories and interviews with the best in fashion, art, business, sports, food & more. Mario: @imnotmars Jes: @jeslynnyc Dan: @theairvegan

Community Court Day MTL: Pier Five x PUMA x Ball Her Way x Double Dribble 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 !

2022 Recipient: Rise Arts Co. Introducing Rise Arts Co., one of the five recipients of the Mastercard x Pier Five Small Business Fund 2022! Who: Shivani Sen Where: Vancouver, BC Instagram / Website Founded in 2021 in Vancouver, British Columbia, Rise Arts Company strives to offer a fun, lively & professional training environment. Shivani is committed to providing world-class training by passionate and experienced faculty to constantly heighten not only Rise Arts Co's student’s skills, growth and love for the arts, but both soft and technical hard skills used in everyday life. A key goal at Rise is to provide a safe, welcoming and accepting space for all aspiring artists to step out of their comfort zones & be themselves! Although Rise is an arts company offering programs in both visual and performing arts, Shivani loves watching all Rise students grow with excellence as artists and most importantly, as people in her community. She hopes to provide a space where artists of all levels are able to find a creative outlet to pursue their passions for the arts. How will you use the $10,000 CAD for your business? The $10,000 fund has allowed me to bring on some incredible people who have formed the first ever, Rise Arts Co. team and faculty. These instructors will lead our programs which has allowed me to scale to more areas in the lower mainland. The fund has also helped lease my first space, which is our first Rise Arts studio. The future of small business in Canada is bright and growing!" Learn more about the Mastercard & Pier Five Small Business Fund, and discover the other 2022 recipients here.

2022 Recipient: Parkerview Brews Kombucha Introducing Parkerview Brews Kombucha, one of the five recipients of the Mastercard x Pier Five Small Business Fund 2022! Who: Amy Kaban Where: Saskatoon, SK Instagram / Website In 2017, only a handful of kombucha brands were available in grocery stores. After trying all the kombucha Amy could get her hands on with little satisfaction, her natural inclination was to create her own! The goal was to brew kombucha that tasted better than existing ones - less tangy (vinegary), lightly sweetened, bubbly - and to incorporate local ingredients from Saskatchewan growers. Together with her husband, she began experimenting and created a kombucha that was better than any other brand she had tried previously. Today, Parkerview Brews Kombucha is the largest commercial kombucha brewery in Saskatchewan and can be found in 200+ stores across the province. The brand also has their own cafes and e-commerce making them a go-to destination for all things kombucha. Parkerview Brews is known for making kombucha that simply tastes great - it's sparkling, balanced in flavour and uses unique Saskatchewan ingredients like Saskatoon berries, sour cherries and chaga mushrooms. The business also supports local charities that help provide at-risk youth and families with food throughout the year. How has the Mastercard x Pier Five Small Business fund helped you? Being a recipient of the Mastercard x Pier Five Small Business Fund has been a game change for our business. The $10,000 injection has allowed us to scale and get into canning, which has been a huge goal of ours. Having the opportunity to meet other women entrepreneurs has been amazing and also to get to meet with experts in their fields, providing us with advice and motivation and connecting us with resources is just the cherry on top. "When we support other small businesses, we are supporting our local economy. When customers support me, I'm able to then put my kids into another program or course that is being run by a small business owner, which is a beautiful thing." Learn more about the Mastercard & Pier Five Small Business Fund, and discover the other 2022 recipients here.

Pier Five Social Media Lead (Part Time, Toronto) About Us Pier Five is a dynamic community-driven brand and platform that fosters and uplifts creative entrepreneurs and small business owners. From our content and funding to engaging events and our athletics club, we bring together small businesses, creatives, and entrepreneurs with a shared passion for innovation and collaboration. We’re looking for a skilled Social Media Lead to take our digital presence to the next level. If you have a knack for storytelling, an eye for design, and a strategic mindset, join us in shaping Pier Five's online community and brand identity. We are looking for a team player who is communicative and not afraid to ask questions or share ideas with us; someone who is willing to grow with Pier Five, elevate our content and continuously add value as a key member of our team. Role & Responsibilities As a Social Media Lead, you will be responsible for developing and executing creative strategies to grow Pier Five’s online presence. You’ll manage day-to-day social media activities, create content (strong emphasis on video), engage with our community, and collaborate with our team to ensure our platforms reflect Pier Five’s values, voice, and vision. This is a part-time role with an expected workload of approximately 10-15 hours per week with potential increases to hours for events & special programming. Strategy Development Design and implement a social media strategy aligned with Pier Five’s goals. Build out content formats and series that are on trend while also resonating with our community of small business owners. Analyze trends, target audiences, and platform algorithms to optimize engagement and reach. Content Creation & Management Create, curate and schedule visually appealing and engaging content (videos, posts, stories, reels etc.) Prepare storyboards, moodboards and scripts for content planning sessions. Write compelling captions that embody Pier Five’s brand voice. Collaborate with the Pier Five team (Co-Founders, photographers/videographers) to create high quality assets for content. Be available to be on site at shoots and events to collaborate on creative direction and content capture. Community Management Foster meaningful interactions with followers by responding to comments and messages. Monitor online conversations and engage with relevant content to expand brand visibility. Analytics & Reporting Track and analyze social media metrics (engagement, reach, conversions). Leverage analytics and reporting to inform on actionable content insights and improvements. Trendspotting Stay updated on emerging trends, tools and best practices in social media. Suggest and experiment with new formats or platforms to enhance Pier Five’s digital footprint. Qualifications Proven experience as a Social Media Strategist, Manager, Lead or similar role. Strong knowledge of major platforms (Instagram, TikTok, Youtube Shorts, LinkedIn, etc.) and their algorithms. Exceptional storytelling, copywriting, and editing skills. Proficiency in design/editing tools like Canva, Kapwing, Adobe Creative Suite or equivalent. Data-driven mindset with the ability to translate insights into actions. Passion for building online communities and connecting with diverse audiences. What We Offer A creative and collaborative work environment. Opportunities to influence and grow a brand at the intersection of creative impact and community. Great way to meet like-minded individuals and grow your network of creatives, entrepreneurs and small business owners. Flexible work arrangements. Salary: $1,250 - $1,650 per month depending on experience. How to Apply Submit your resume and examples of social media accounts or campaigns you’ve managed to community@pier-five.com . Please subject your email with Application: Social Media Lead - [Your Name] . Tell us why you’re excited about joining Pier Five (cover letter is optional), how you can help elevate our online presence and be part of our journey to inspire, connect and create for the creative entrepreneur and small business community.

Staying Curious With Patrick Stangbye Photo: Patrick Stangbye & Johannes Rummelhoff When it comes to the outdoors, there is nobody that we know more adventurous than Patrick Stangbye. Growing up in a small town in Norway, just inches away from the forest, Patrick grew up exploring the woods and the mountains and picked up snowboarding, hiking and trail running, a sport he now pursues professionally. A life outside and curiosities around product and technology led him into the fashion scene and after a number of different roles, landed Patrick the role as Brand Manager for ROA Hiking, one of the hottest brands at the moment amongst both fashion enthusiasts and hikers. We got a chance to catch up with Patrick to chat about all things sports, fashion, gear, entrepreneurship and much more. Scroll below for some of the highlights! ROA: A Hybrid Brand Oriented around the landscape. Made in the same factories as the best performance footwear. An approach to design unlike than any other. What does the Brand Manager role entail? A little bit of everything! Working with the sales team to present new collections Working with the design team on product development that strengthens the brand identity Financial planning assistance Designing campaigns with marketing Coordinating collaborations "My job is really just to make sure that the brand is always working." "I'm interested in movement. Many of my learnings are had through connecting with my friends over an activity" Buying performance gear from performance brands... "Many times fashion is moving so fast that nothing is ever tested. So, it might be that you're buying €600 trousers from a catwalk brand and the fabric is great...but it's not made to last and also nobody tested to see if that was a fabric that should be used on a trouser. But this is something you know when you buy something from a climbing brand or something related to an activity. These people needed the stuff to work for them." The convergence of performance and lifestyle... Photo: Satisfy Running On taking your fate into your own hands... "If you really want to do something, more than anything, be curious. Talk to people. Try to meet people. Try to have a conversation and be openminded. If you really want to make bags and a huge backpack brand is not going to hire you then start making your own backpacks. Buy a sewing machine and learn how to do it. Just got for it because if you believe it, I'm pretty sure you could do it." Make sure to follow Patrick on Instagram for a sneak peak into all things ROA, gear and trail running and keep it locked to Pier Five for more conversations with the coolest entrepreneurs, designers, artists, activists and more out there.

The November 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. Curves by Sean Brown We’ve always been impressed with the work of creative director, designer and photographer Sean Brown. When he launched his home goods line Curves by Sean Brown, now most notable for CD Rugs or popular hip-hop albums and hand-shaped incense holders, we knew it’d be nothing but a home run. Amongst a number of new design projects, Sean recently released the half-version of his CD floor mat perfect for home entryways and his new Spill Coasters, 4 mirror coasters shaped like water spills. You can find both of these and more home goods on his website here. Melody Ehsani F/W 21 Collection Melody Ehsani’s eponymous lifestyle brand recently launched its F/W 21 collection and the pieces were brilliant, especially for the chillier months ahead. Some of our faves are the Quilted Shirt Jacket inspired by Persian Rugs, the butterfly inspired Rugby shirt and the military set. Be sure to check out the full collection on her website and act quickly as sizes are selling out! Spencer Badu Collection 000 + Pop-Up Toronto based fashion designer Spencer Badu hosted a pop-up shop this month to showcase some of his most recent pieces from his Collection 000. From his take on a sleeveless insulated nylon vest to a wide leg chino pant, SP’s foundation of creating genderless uniforms really shine through in every piece he creates. The Cargo Vest & Reflective Balaclava are some of our top picks from the collection. Even though the pop-up is now over, you can find his collection on his e-store here. KNC Beauty x Champion Collab All natural lip mask beauty brand KNC Beauty, founded by Kristen Noel Crawley who happens to be the wife of Don C, linked up with heritage sportswear brand Champion to create a fully size inclusive line of sweats, crewnecks, cropped tees, biker shorts & more. With sizes XS-3XL, the collaboration aimed to give women a fashionable set to feel comfortable in, wherever they go. There was an initial sneak preview of the collab at ComplexCon and the full collection can be found now on Champion’s website here. Cian Moore x Blackstock & Weber: Lucky Loafers New York photographer Cian Moore has shot some of the biggest acts in music and fashion, from Jack Harlow and A$AP Rocky to Cactus Plant Flea Market and Prada. Having begun the development of his Clover brand, Cian blessed us with the launch of his Lucky Loafer - yes, we’re on that loafer train! - made in partnership with Blackstock & Weber, one of the best makers of loafers in the game right now. The Lucky Loafers feature a buttery green and white leather upper with a Cian’s signature clover embroidered at the centre of each toe box. If the Lucky Loafer is any indication of what else is to come from Cian then we will be on the edge of our seats heading into the new year. The loafers are now sold out but follow Cian’s IG to stay up to date on his latest projects and releases. 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.

A Conversation With Kishan Mistry Kishan Mistry is one of Toronto's most promising up and coming photographers. Having shot some of the city's most iconic moments and talents, Kishan has compiled a very impressive portfolio. Kishan is a regular contributor to the MLB, NBA and hip-hop/rap scene and has photographed the likes of Drake, Travis Scott & Kawhi Leonard's "The Shot". @_kishanmistry What photographers are you paying the most attention to these days? I try not to focus on other's work too much so that I can keep my styles my own. That being said, @doncharleone, @jayscale & Marc Blinch are killing it right now. They each have a unique style and have scored some incredible shots. Do you have a top 5 for photos you've taken? Fred VanVleet - Game 6 Playoffs 2019 Kawhi Leonard airborne for "The shot" Demar Derozan and Kyle Lowry hugging post-game Drake & Travis Scott (2018) Portrait of Drake What are 5 tips you'd give to any starting out in photography? Shoot everything! No matter where you go, bring your camera and practice. Fake it ’til you make it. It's not always easy getting your foot in the door early on so do what you can to make your reach seem as big as possible and overtime it will grow naturally. Shoot your shot (no pun intended)! Don't be afraid to reach out to people to shoot. The worst they can say is "no". Use “no” as motivation to keep pushing & be resilient! Network and be kind! A nice attitude will go a long way an create a ton of opportunities. What are 5 tricks you use to make your photos pop? Since everyone has their own style, these tricks won't apply to everyone but my 5 tricks are: Invest money into good gear. You'll earn the money back through work! I like to use my music photography edit style for other categories like sports photography. Big poses. Vibrant, saturdated colours. Spend lots of time in Lightroom. My special trick is decreasing clarity a bit, but that's just me. Download as many presets as possible and work backwards from them to learn about each element and how they affect your photos. ASK QUESTIONS! Don't be afraid to ask people what gear they use, what settings they use, how they achieved a certain effect. Networking and talking benefits us all.

Earning Your Place With Titi Finlay A year ago we got the chance to speak with Titi Finlay, the Social Media Manager for Laced UK, artist and content creator who was taking the sneaker scene by storm through her advocacy for more inclusivity in the sneaker industry. Between her bold quote posts like "Make Sneakers Gender Neutral" or "Sneakerhead is defined by passion, not gender." and her incredible sneaker paintings and fit pics, there has been lots to talk about and now with the recent partnership with Nike, we had to catch up again. Check out the conversation below to hear about how everything came together, how she feels about the current state of inclusivity in sneakers and what she's looking forward to, this year and beyond. Getting the Nike Call "It was so surreal! I actually cried after I got off the phone with them because they wanted to bring in my art and my creative side rather than just the message I was pushing in the community. My art and paintings and my print making and all the stuff like illustrations has all been something that I’ve always wanted to make my main career but never felt like I could do that. For Nike to recognize that and give me the platform and the tools to actually execute it was just so amazing." Titi On Imposter Syndrome "My imposter syndrome has been at an all-time high this year. I think just because I’m moving into a much higher role in my work and also being seen by more people on social. It’s almost like the more success you have ,the more you feel like you have to lose." (Listen further below) As it turns out, before the partnership, Titi has been helping the brands roll out more inclusive products and launches. "I personally had a few calls with the Nike design teams where the had me and a couple of other women actually feed in on the products coming out for next year. It's super empowering for all of us to know that we’re being heard now. Obviously things don’t happen overnight with brands." With all the excitement, comes over-indulgence. Listen to how Titi is approaching sneaker madness today. Would you ever NFT your work? "I thought about this a lot. I'm obsessed with learning about it but I still find it baffling. Some of the stuff is so terrible. I feel like I could make a lot of money if I did go into it but I think there’s also the whole conversation around the sustainability and energy usage of NFT's. There are some really cool concepts coming out so I’m definitely not opposed to it but I’m also still a bit sceptical. I don’t like do crypto right now but I'm excited to see where the space goes." So what's next? Keep an eye out for more of Titi's projects with Nike coming out in April and hopefully some gallery or exhibition events coming soon! ...oh and potentially a world tour ?!?! Make sure to follow Titi on Instagram for news on her upcoming drops, events and all the best sneaker content and keep it locked to Pier Five for more conversations with the coolest entrepreneurs, designers, artists, activists and more out there.

2023 Recipient: Zing Introducing Zing, one of the ten recipients of the Mastercard x Pier Five Small Business Fund 2023! Who: Jannine Rane Where: Toronto, ON Instagram / Website Zing works in collaboration with diverse Canadian chefs and food creators to bottle their secret sauces for home cooks. Their sauces and seasonings are designed to be “pantry shortcuts” — home cooks can add Zing to ANY protein, vegetable or starch to create meals with globally inspired, restaurant quality flavour in minutes, minus the effort. Zing currently has a portfolio of nine distinct products representing creators, cuisines and cultures from around the world (e.g. an Indo-Chinese Chili Crisp inspired by Toronto’s Hakka diaspora, a garam masala with Persian influences etc.) that are made with premium, “real” ingredients and are sourced from Canadian suppliers wherever possible. How will you use the $10,000 CAD for your business? Zing has a new, exciting product release on the horizon, slated for summer of 2024 with two well known Toronto food personalities. We will use a portion of this funding to support our public Test Kitchen innovation process that involves community testing product prototypes. To elaborate: a part of our unique value proposition and one of our values as a company is to build “in community” — this means all our unreleased product formulations go through rigorous public testing with input from REAL consumers and tastemakers; we iterate until we have a “community approved” product recipe that we ultimately release to virtual and IRL shelves. It's a lot of fun, and it helps us minimize the bias in our work, while de-risking products before they release. Remaining funds will be used to support Zing’s goal of becoming B Corporation certified, including anticipated certification and consulting fees. What is your big goal for the future of the business? Over the next five years, our goal is to be available in every major Canadian city, and have a presence in every province and territory. We are also working towards expanding our presence internationally, in the USA to start, where we already have a growing grassroots community of independent retailers stocking and championing our products. Today, we manufacture, warehouse, and ship entirely out of Toronto; we hope that in three to fiveyears we would be able to set up a presence in the USA to capture margin efficiencies and lower our cost of acquiring new customers in the region. Learn more about the Mastercard & Pier Five Small Business Fund, and discover the other 2023 recipients here.