A Conversation With Vinyl Art Not A Toy Edgar Nunes, know by his Instagram page Vinyl Art Not A Toy is an art collector based in Miami. As a young kid, Edgar grew a strong interest for toys, collecting legos and then transitioned to vinyl toys in the early 2000's. Over time, Edgar became enthralled with the art of contemporary artists like Kaws, DFace, Ron English & Shepard Fairey and has now amassed one of the most impressive collections of vinyl art in the USA with over 700 pieces. @vinyl_artnotatoy For those newer to the space, what are five things that differentiate vinyl art from toys? This is actually hard to define and everyone's definition can vary. Toys inspire art. Art inspires toys. People classify pieces based on their past, their interests and their tastes. That being said, these are some points of differentiation that often apply. Quality, materials & price . Vinyl art is made from premium vinyl as opposed to plastic found in toys. Vinyl art is heavier and feels more solid and usually comes at a higher price. As children we collect toys and mature to collecting vinyl art . This is often influenced by higher prices for vinyl art. Uniqueness . Vinyl art is created by an artist. There are characters that are thought out and developed. This makes them original and unique. Toys are more simple and designed for consumption by large corporations. Production quantity. Toys are mass produced and mass distributed. Vinyl art is often produced in limited quantities. Decision by authority: That which we find in galleries and museums is usually in the art class and not a toy. This is a much more subjective point but often influenced by the above 4 points. Your page heavily focuses on Kaws, one of the most popular artists when it comes to vinyl art. For those who might be less familiar with his work, what are 5 things that make Kaws such a well regarded artist. Original and Authentic Work: Kaws in the 90s began to do graffiti on the streets, which contributed to Street Art in New York and other cities such as Paris, London, Berlin and Tokyo, intervening on billboards, phone booths and bus stops with his graffiti and characters. Created his own style and brand: During that time he created a distinctive art expression, a brand with his pseudonym "KAWS" and his signature XX's as eyes in all of his works. Strategic Alliances: The projects that he had in collaboration with others artists, designers and brands was strategic in creating his own brand known as OriginalFake in Tokyo, from 2006-2013. Through OriginalFake he produced a variety of items, such as clothes, objects and vinyl art, all with the iconic graphics and characters that characterized it. He thinks big and without limitations : Taking risks with his work to include other materials and formats, such as presenting his toys as large wood and bronze figures and inflatables which are exhibited in outdoor spaces and museums around the world. He harnesses the power of social media such as Instagram which contributed greatly to his art being known worldwide. This helped attract the attention of collectors and critics, and today we see the result, a living artist, achieving major recognition a way that not even KAWS could have imagined. Brands he's collaborated with: Realmad Hectic, Bounty Hunter, Kubrick, Bearbrick, MediconToy, Nigo, Bape, Neighborhoud, Blitz, Sorayama, Robert Lazzarini, Undercover, Wonderwall, Disney, Peanuts, All Right Reserved, Dior, UNIQLO, Sesame Street. Etc. You seem to have a pretty substantial collection of vinyl art yourself. What are your top 5 pieces in your collection and why? "Can I break this into three parts? [laughs]" For most meaningful: The Rocky and Mugsy (vinyl) couple from 1994, produced by Loony Tunes, which I bought at the Warner Bros. Studio store on my first trip to NY. My first KAWS piece the “ Passing Through Companion” (Black) . I never imagined that this TOY would be the one that started this great addiction for Kaws Toys. It was a birthday present. “Boba Fett” from the KAWS Star Wars series . The level of detail achieved in the piece is amazing and it was a difficult piece to acquire due its popularity. Yoshitomo Nara. Pup Cup, 2003. and The Little Wanderer, 2003. Injection molded and rotomolded plastic. I love it because it differs in style with the whole collection of vinyl art and toys that I have. An custom 8” Dunny that I hand painted myself inspired by a trip I made to Alaska. The 5 best pieces in my collection if we talk about only Kaws are: Boba Fett Astroboy (Monochrome) Passing Though Companion (Black) Kaws Companion by Roberto Lazarrini Kaws Companion: Resting Place (Flayed) The 5 best artists I have pieces for in my entire collection: Kaws Mark and Sven (Coarse) Huck Gee Jon-Paul Kaiser (Customizer and Creator) Brandt Peters and Kathie Olivas With the rise in popularity of vinyl art, there have been more and more counterfeit (FAKE) products coming onto the market. What are 5 things people can look for to help them find authentic vinyl art? Pay attention to the artists and galleries. The best place to get art (and release information) is from the artist themselves or galleries exhibiting them. Information Gather! If you're buying from a third party site, make sure to get: Origin and quality/condition of the toy Year of production Pictures of all angles of the toy and the packaging Weight of the piece If not brand new - Information on its use Ask for help! Contact collectors or experts in collectibles for a second opinion. Know where to buy. Acquire vinyl art directly from specialized stores or galleries that deal in the Vinyl Toys industry. Be ready to invest. If you want to have an original piece of vinyl art you have to invest a little more money. Great pieces come at a price. Who are 5 up and coming artists you have your eyes on that we should also check out? I cant't stop at 5. These are some artists venturing into Vinyl material and they have presented some very interesting proposals: Arkiv @arkivvilmansa (Indonesia) Danil Yad @danil_yad Matt Gondek @gondekdraws Theodoru @Theodoru Fidia @fidia Javier Calleja @javicalleja Edgar Plans @edgarplans Mike Lee @immikelee Mark Whalen @mark__Whalen (Resin not vinyl) LY @ly_painter

norda x ciele "Cooper's Hawk" Launch Recap A couple weeks back, we were lucky enough to get the invite out to the launch party for the norda x ciele “Cooper’s Hawk” 001 sneaker. This shoe marked the first ever footwear project for Montreal based running brand ciele and an iconic milestone for norda in regards to footwear development, with special details like the Cooper’s Hawk inspired yellow Vibram midsole, something that Vibram has never approved to any other brand in the world due to concerns around it contrasting with the Vibram logo. The launch event consisted of a community gathering at Off The Hook, Montreal’s premier sneaker boutique, where guests got to try on the norda 001s, followed by a 7km trail run hosted by Run Rite. Post-run, everyone gathered back at Off The Hook for some refreshments and music. This event marked the first launch event for norda and the first time that many got to feel and try on the norda 001 in person so we were absolutely thrilled to be able to attend. Pier Five got the chance to chat with runners and the norda team about the launch and even laced up the norda 001s to join the Run Rite run club for what was a very fun and challenging hike through the famed Mont Royal park in the plateau of Montreal. The energy was at an all time high, everyone’s feet were more comfortable than ever, and it’s safe to say that this evening solidified norda as a force to be reckoned with both in the running and lifestyle footwear space. Scroll down to watch the official event recap video filmed and edited by Pier Five, as well as check out photos from the event and run. Swipe through the slideshow for photos. To learn more about the norda x ciele “Cooper’s Hawk” 001 and purchase a pair for yourself, head to norda’s website and keep it locked to Pier Five for more stories and interviews with our favourite designers, entrepreneurs, creators, brands and more.

June Guest Picks: Books with Post Design Collective Guest: Amanda & JP of Post Design Collective 1. Atlas of Furniture Design. 2019, Vitra Design Museum "One of the most comprehensive design books featuring notable standout pieces throughout the 20th century. Beautiful book with a plethora of information!" 2. 325 Magazine, Yearly. Ryerson Department of Architectural Science (DAS) "An amazing yearly publication that showcases the work of students from 1st year through to Master's program from Ryerson's Architectural Department. Coming from this program ourselves, we always are interested to see what is being produced and how far the program has come." 3. What If? Serious Scientific Answers to Absurd Hypothetical Questions, Randall Munroe "Really just a fun, light-hearted read that takes simple problems way too seriously, sometimes how we approach problems as well." 4. The Age of Collage Contemporary Collage in Modern Art Vol 2, 2016. Gestalten "An amazing collection of abstract and surrealist works, showcasing collage as an art in its most idealistic and interesting form. Goes largely alongside Amanda's Thesis work, and is on the list to purchase (but is sold out everywhere)." 5. Dieter Rams: the Complete Works, 2020? Klaus Klemp "A Collection of works from one of the most influential designers (and one of our favourites, as noted in our previous interview). Also on the list for purchase and a read. One day!" Check out all of our guest picks for June here and stay tuned to Pier Five for more stories and interviews with the coolest people around.

The June 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. Remixed by Tal for ntwrk x SneakerCon Natalya Amres ( @natalyaamres ), upcycle designer & founder of Remixed by Tal ( @remixedbytal ), has an eye for deconstructing and repurposing everyday objects into other useful objects with style. Think purses made from volleyballs, teddy bears sewn from blankets or clutches stitched from sneakers. Her creations are one of a kind and this past weekend she released her newest creation, Adidas Superstar Mini Bags, through drops app ntwrk for Sneakercon. The attention to detail on these is crazy and the creativity truly makes these one of a kind. Oasis Skateboard Factory x Bryan Espiritu Bryan Espiritu ( @bryanespiritu ), artist and founder of streetwear brand Legends League, recently launched a new skateboard deck in partnership with Oasis Skateboard Factory, a Toronto District School Board school design program that provides accredited classes on product creation, brand building and the business of the skateboard industry. The deck features Bryan’s iconic font type and is a perfect piece to add to your art collection or to take it out for a rip at the park. The deck is still available for purchase on Legends League’s website and all proceeds from the sales go directly back to help fund Oasis Skateboard Factory programs. Salehe x New Balance Following the success of his first reimagination of the New Balance 2002R, we were eagerly awaiting Salehe Bembury’s ( @salehebembury ) second New Balance footwear collaboration and it did not disappoint. Inspired by his appreciation for the outdoors, “Water Be The Guide” takes cues from Arizona’s Havasu Falls. The shoe stands out from the crowd with its vivid color palette of teal, rusty orange & neon greens paired with a material composition that really brings out contrasting textures of hairy suede, leather and mesh. Hopefully you were lucky enough to get a pair on the initial June 25th drop but if not, keep it locked to your local retailers for a global release over the following weeks. Soleburners Sneaker Trays and Yeezy Candles A sneakerhead and candle lover’s dream; hand poured soy candles inspired by popular sneaker silhouettes. Camille De Leon, founder of Soleburners ( @soleburners ), has made a splash with her recent restock of her sneaker inspired candles and matching sneaker sole trays. From Air Jordans 1s to Yeezy 500s, there is a candle for every sneaker lover and the newly released complimentary hydrostone “Sole Trays”, are the perfect pairing to help catch the wax of the candles. This drop was sold out in under 2 hours, but don’t worry as she will be restocking in July! Reigning Champ x Modernica Vancouver-based label Reigning Champ revealed its newest collaboration this month with legendary California-based furniture crafter Modernica. Drawing inspiration from the monochromatic elements of Reigning Champ’s signature Spalding basketball, Reigning Champ x Modernica: Series 001 reimagines two icons from the Modernica collection, the Case Study Arm Shell Rocker & Side Shell, with 100% full-grain aniline leather upholstery. The clean and simple design, paired with unmatched craftsmanship combines to make the perfect set. Both chairs can be purchased on Reigning Champ’s website and if the name indicates anything, be on the (hopeful) lookout for a series 002 in the future! 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.

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

Doing It Yourself With Glory Allan The path towards starting something new can be a daunting one and it's easy to be held back by the sheer number of different directions to go in, even without having taken that first step. But that first step - that's the most critical piece of the puzzle. For Toronto based, DIY fashion content creator Andre Chin aka Glory Allan, he has become comfortable with being uncomfortable taking that first step and it has taken him to incredible heights. With hundreds of thousands of followers tuning in for his do-it-yourself sewing and garment making tutorials, many of whom start with his pre-made garment kits, or eagerly waiting to cop his ready-to-wear namesake brand, Glory Allan has started to develop some incredible experience and we were excited to get the chance to stop by his studio space to chat with him about it all. Check out the conversation below! Hey Andre, great to link up! What have you been up to these days? Hey guys! Lots of stuff. I've been working on a bunch of new videos, including a new thrift concept that isn't my typical style but I'm excited and nervous for it. I'm also working on getting the cargo pants DIY content together. That'll be a big one. I've done parts of cargos like the pockets but the full pants video has been a lot of work to get together. Nice! We'll definitely talk about the cargos and DIY but tell us about the thrift video and that new style. It's basically me getting out to thrift stores and picking pieces I like. I haven't done much filming outside of my studio space so filming in public like that was super awkward but I think it'll turn out well. What pushed you to try this new video style? I think it's important for showing my growth and keeping things interesting for my audience. I think that's super important, especially for early YouTubers. You can't be afraid to put yourself out there. For this video I filmed on Friday, I watched the footage and it feels so cringe but I know I have to use the footage and I know I'll keep getting better. You need that mentality as a YouTuber. Maybe nobody watches it but maybe they do and you can get feedback and just keep working on it from that. You've grown quite the audience now on YouTube. What do you think the trick to that was? A few things! The first is that for my DIY videos, I've focused on a lot of non-trendy videos so that they stay relevant longer. I've also created content in a way that there's something for everyone at every skill level. So, I have basic tutorials like the bucket hats or bandanas that people can join in on when they're starting out and then I have the more complex tutorials like cargo pants. I have to think about what level my audience might be at when they're discovering me which is probably on the beginner side. So, I can't start them with cargo pants, I need to guide them through and have content for them every step of the way as they develop. From a reach stand point, I've also used TikTok well to drive people to my YouTube. The ability to go viral is so much higher on TikTok and then a lot of people will go from my TikTok videos to my longer form content on YouTube. Besides racking up views on your videos, you're also selling DIY kits and your own line of products. How does your content strategy as a creator play into selling those? The content strategy is super important. You can have the best products in the world but if you don't have a good content strategy to build the traffic and excitement, nobody will buy your products. The content is likely what people will interact with before your actual products, whether it's getting someone to buy something online or even drive someone into a store, so that first impression is everything. At the same time though, content can only get you so far. It's a funny thing you have to balance. If you spend too much time on the content but neglect the product and developing something people actually want, then you're on the opposite side of that spectrum which isn't good. Well, it seems like you've started to figure out that balance. Now that you're building quite the audience and moving a lot of sales volume, how does it feel? It's amazing, but honestly, I get hit with imposter syndrome so much because I don't have any formal sewing background or training with a camera or anything like that. How do you deal with the imposter syndrome? I try not to take it too seriously. I know it's always going to be there but I feel like everyone is a bit of an imposter. I just try to be grateful for where I am and if I have a hundred thousand people following me, I'm obviously doing something right. You're definitely doing something right! Before we let you go, do you have any advice to people just starting to develop their own creative business? Make sure you have a long term vision. Even if you're starting to see success now, with whatever you're working on, think about how it's going to make you money in ten years and if it will be able to still stand out in ten years. I know it sounds crazy and so far along but if you can think about ways you'll build more revenue streams and stay unique, that will be how you become very successful and always continue to grow. Love that! If you're looking to learn how to sew your own garments, make sure to check out Glory Allan on Instagram and Youtube and keep it locked to Pier Five for more conversations with emerging creatives!

A Conversation With Carlos Ortiz of 8Point5 Agency After sixteen months of on and off closures, the world of retail is beginning to get back on its feet. Doors are reopening, production is getting back to normal and business may soon be back to where it once was. We spoke with Carlos Ortiz, founder of lifestyle sales agency 8Point5 and veteran in the streetwear scene, about his last year, how the business has changed, what he's optimistic about, advice he'd give to new brands looking to get their foot in the door with retailers and of course, his go-to food spots in the city. @los_ortiz Hey Carlos! For those that may not be familiar with you, tell us a little about yourself. My name is Carlos Ortiz and I’m the founder of lifestyle sales and strategy agency 8point5. I got my start about ten years ago when I helped open and manage the first Livestock shop. After that, I started working for a distribution company that was run by the owner and helped open the Toronto office, managing brand accounts like The Hundreds, BBC, Alife and G Shock. In 2019, I decided to go out on my own which is when I started 8point5. The name was taken from my shoe size. Luckily the guys I worked with before were encouraging and supportive of me taking some of the brands I had worked with previously and now I have G-Shock, Taikan, Jason Markk, Rizzoli Books, Baxter of California, Clae Footwear, House of Blanks and Toyo Street on my roster. We help these brands gain exposure in east coast Canada and get into a ton of the top boutiques and stores. Really cool stuff! What would you say are the biggest differences being on your own now versus working for a larger company? Great question! The biggest thing for me is that I have way more freedom now to work how I want and with the brands that I want. I also have a really great work-life balance now that I’m on my own which has helped a ton with my mental health, especially in the last year and a half. I've been able to get outside way more which I love and have gotten a better outlook on the city. I will say though that it’s not always so easy being on your own. The ups feel great because I know they were all mine but the downs are tough when you don’t have a team behind you. It’s just a different game now. That makes a lot of sense. Speaking of the last year and a half, what was it like for you and the business? Man, I won’t lie, this last year was tough. There were a ton of manufacturing pauses which were difficult because in this business, you get paid when products ship. So, if nothing is shipping and you can’t complete orders, that really hurts on the revenue side. I also lost a couple brands during the pandemic simply because they couldn’t operate. Everything in terms of operations and strategy really changed. I wasn’t able to rent showroom spaces and have people come through anymore so like many others, it was a lot of Zoom calls but that just isn’t the same because people need to feel the product to truly understand it. So that was hard. On the bright side, I grew a lot and many of my strategies have developed. I’m now more particular about the brands I work with and stay away from seasonal brands which means I can focus on “at-once” brands that can always ship and help me grow when I need to. I’ve also built my network and started helping other retailers develop their e-commerce and digital businesses which has helped them as well as me. If the stores are operating better, it drives more business for me and my brands. As hard as it all was, I think the pandemic brought out the good in everyone and brought the community together. It’s interesting to hear how your perspective has changed. In addition to focusing on at-once brands, how else does 8point5 choose which brands to take on now? Portfolio Alignment: For me it’s important to ensure that all of the brands we carry can sit together so that shops can get multiple brands from us. It helps them and helps us. High & Low: Another thing we look at is if the brand can work in both high and low tier retailers. For example, Jason Markk is carried at Harry rosen which is a top luxury store for men, but it’s also in streetwear boutiques and even at the Nike store. Not Too Niche: Sometimes this is tough but I need to take on brands that are generally loved by many so that I can sell them into a lot of doors. I love some really cool Japanese brands but there’s only maybe 1 or 2 shops in the city I could sell them too so unfortunately it’s just not smart to work with them. Product Diversity: Diversity of brands is very important. My roster has footwear, books, bags, watches, cleaners and grooming products. I want 8point5 to encompass the entirety of men’s lifestyle and this also helps me stay away from seasonal products like apparel which faces greater risk due to manufacturing delays but also usually goes on sale so is harder to sell. Ethical or Sustainable Practices: Lastly, I’m very focused on trying to work with brands that have a focus on sustainable production and practices. Not every brand that I work with has this but it’s a bit plus for me as I expand the roster. Over the last few years, we’ve seen brands put more focus into their direct-to-consumer (DTC) channels and reduce the number of wholesaler doors they’re carried in. Why do you think this is and do you think retailers are still as important for brands as they were 5 or 10 years ago? Well, I mean, there’s way more money in DTC. That’s just the truth. We see brands like Nike pull out of shops every month basically BUT, I don’t think stores are going away. They’ll always be important for giving the brand more of a story. You need stores to create that in person product experience. Some brands can do this on their own but many can’t and it’s not the same with only online. Even Nike that has a massic e-comm business and their own stores still leverages boutiques for big promos like Air Max Day. I think that says something about the need for shops. We may get fewer shops but we’ll always have them. We definitely agree with that. It’s hard to imagine a world without our favourite sneaker shops and clothing boutiques. What tips would you give to a newer brand looking to get into retailers for the first time? The first thing any brand needs to do is build up their DTC channels. I know this sounds counterintuitive but retails want to feel like there’s a partnership and not just that you need them to succeed. Secondly, identify stores that have similar brands and styles. It has to feel like a natural fit. Once you identify the shops you want to be in, work on building relationships with people there. The world of retail is a tight knit community. Solidify your product offering and brand strategy. If you’re successful with growing your DTC to start, you’ll likely have this. You’ll need to convince the stores that you are the best choice to sit on their shelves so a great product and brand strategy is key. Lastly, a sales and distribution agency can be very helpful. They often have the best relationships with stores and can be very influential as a promoter of your brand. They’ll also help manage product orders and logistics which isn’t always easy for new brands. Love that! We agree, it’s definitely important to have a strong multi-channel approach. Before we let you go, we’re going to switch gears for a second. It seems like in the last year you’ve been all over the Toronto food scene. What are your top 5 spots in the city for anyone in or visiting Toronto this summer? [Laughs] Yes! I think I’ve tried a new spot almost every single week for the last year and a half when we were able to. I was really looking to support as many small and local businesses as possible and I love spreading the word about them to others. The following places are all great and, even more importantly, have amazing staff. That’s key for me. Mattachionni : An amazing pizza spot with 2 locations. 416 Snack Bar : Great drinks and quick bites. Grandma Loves You : Some of the best sandwiches in the city. Pho Tien Thanh : Great Vietnamese food. I always get the bun dish #59 w/ extra meat. Ruru Baked : Awesome ice cream and such a nice team. Check out Carlos and 8Point5 Agency on Instagram and keep it locked to Pier Five for more interviews and stories with the coolest designers, artists, activists, entrepreneurs and more.

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.

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 .

Chasing Your Curiosity With Carolyn Chen of Dandylion The powers of curiosity are truly incredible! Carolyn Chen, founder of dog care brand Dandylion has learned this throughout her life as a serial entrepreneur with years in the beauty industry and now pet care industry. As she follows her passions and curiosities, she finds that doors continue to open, much of which by the people she meets along the way and the communities she builds with likeminded individuals. We got the chance to speak with Carolyn about her experience founding Dandylion and tapped into her tricks and advice for new entrepreneurs looking to turn their everyday passions into full-time businesses. Hi Carolyn, for those who aren’t familiar, can you tell us a little about yourself and Dandylion? My name is Carolyn Chen and I am the founder of Dandylion which is a community powered dog grooming brand on a mission to clean up and add transparency to the dog grooming industry. Dandylion launched just over a year ago and was inspired by my life as a parent to a dog with itchy and easily irritated skin, finding that there weren't a lot of products out there that were effective and transparent (like the products in human skincare/grooming) in terms of the ingredients in the solution. Where did the name come from? I wanted a name that captured the essence of a childlike carefree-ness to the world. One day I was listing to that song "Dandelions" by Ruth B and loved how the word captured that feeling. I also liked the play on words with “dandy” and “lion. It also helped with trademarking which, from my time founding other brands, I know is very important when it comes to picking a name. Speaking of other brands, we know you have some history founding beauty brands. How did that help inform the process for creating Dandylion? Yes, so I've had 4 years as a DTC beauty brand founder. It all starts with understanding the problem you are trying to solve for. For Dandylion, I was trying to solve the itchy skin issue for my dog, but I wanted to validate the idea to see if other dog parents experienced the same pain point. I started with 100 interviews with dog parents and then once I dialled in on the problem, I brought in a vet dermatologist and human skincare chemists to help develop a solution for dogs. It was important to have experts to bring the latest thinking from human formulation and understand how to best formulate for dogs. For example, the PH level of dog skin is different than human skin, which is something we learned from our vet dermatologist. Since its launch, Dandylion has seen hugely positive reception IRL and online. Can you speak to what you think was key to achieving this. A few things for sure. Asides from the product needing to perform well, we try to come up with innovative solutions and formats and involve our community ever step of the way. The community that we have built has been so integral in helping Dandylion grow so quickly. From support on social to friends and family helping me pack and ship boxes, everyone has really come together to help which I am so thankful for. Looking more at the product, from the packaging to the creative ads, everything seems very premium and almost high-end. Why was that important for you? I'm glad you see that! It took me a very long time to develop and I learned Adobe Illustrator on my own to design this [laughs] so thanks for noticing! My brand is really going to be for this next generation of dog parents so when I look at the brands they're consuming, I have to fit within that. I'm looking at brands like Glossier or Recess or Aesop which connect so well with millenials and Gen Z and that was how I drew inspiration for Dandylion. Dandylion comes in at a price of $22 per bottle whereas most brands come in around $8-$10. Has there been any difficulty entering the market as a more premium product? So far it's been well received but I think it all comes down to brand values which are: High quality ingredients Proven by experts and scientists Eco-conscious formula and packaging Better Value. Dandylion uses less product per application so you get more uses out of each bottle than the regular brands That's great to know and we definitely understand this. With the brand growing so quickly, what are you thinking about most as you scale? For us it's always about planning ahead and being prepared for things before we need them. So, thinking about things like supply and demand. If I have 10 orders per day now, what does it look like when I have 100 orders per day and what do the pieces around supply chain and operations look like then. the set up process to scale those operations so it's very important to look ahead. Another big thing for me is optimizing cash flow. So, finding ways to hold onto money longer, whether that is finding ways to pay suppliers later or finding ways to get money from customers sooner. If you can optimize for cash flow and plan ahead, you'll be in a great spot to grow. Those are 2 great pieces of advice! Before we let you go, what are some pieces of advice you'd give to any young entrepreneur that is looking to start their own business? The biggest thing is to follow your curiosity and see where that leads you. Try as many things as possible, fail fast and learn from it. I think this will give you a lot of new perspective that you can incorporate into any project that you're working on. I also think goal setting is very important but keep those goals flexible. It's great to have something to work towards but you want to ensure that if something changes, you can account for that. Lastly, surround yourself with people who uplift you and can make the process of starting something a lot more enjoyable! Make sure to check out Dandylion on Instagram for news on new products and community events and keep it locked to Pier Five for more conversations with inspirational founders just like this!

2023 Recipient: Guests On Earth Introducing Guests On Earth, one of the ten recipients of the Mastercard x Pier Five Small Business Fund 2023! Who: Jackie Prince Where: Toronto, ON Instagram / Website Guests on Earth is counter-worthy home care that feels like self-care, and cares for the planet. The brand launched their first products in 2022, an All-Purpose Cleaner, Foaming Hand Soap and Waffle Cleaning Cloths with the vision to build and lead in a new category of Home and Planetary Wellness. In only a year and half, Guests On Earth has won numerous awards, generated thousands of new customers and is selling in over 20 retailers across Ontario. Guests On Earth was also recently certified a B Corporation, meaning it meets the highest standards of social and environmental impact and is dedicated to creating a positive effect on the world beyond financial gain. How will you use the $10,000 CAD for your business? The funding would go towards the production and marketing of our new product launch in Q1 of 2024. We have some really incredible ideas on how to effectively bring our new launch to life and the funds would enable us to enhance our production capabilities. With this launch, we hope to cover more touchpoints in our customers’ homes allowing them to live their best “clean” life. What is your big goal for the future of the business? Our big goal is to develop a robust hospitality strategy for the brand. We want to get our products into vacation rentals, yoga studios, and restaurants. These are spaces where customers can become aware of the brand while trying our product. It would be a new channel for us and will take time to learn and build. We are currently testing the market with sampling but hospitality could be an incredible catalyst for mass sustainable expansion in the years to come. Learn more about the Mastercard & Pier Five Small Business Fund, and discover the other 2023 recipients here .

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