Guelph is full of talented mums owning and running creative small businesses. I personally love buying one of a kind, handmade items while at the same time supporting locals in Guelph. Below are some amazing creative businesses run by local mums. This blog features the following businesses: BoBeads, Bumble Bear Designs, Cedar Lily, Monkey bum tie dye apparel and parties, Pufferkid Designs, and Sisters of the Hook.
Jorja Lindley owns BoBeads
Where can we find you online? (website, social media, etc):
BoBeads.com
@babybobeads
www.favebook.com/babybobeads
Why did you start your small shop? What inspired you?
I loved the idea of being able to safely (and uniquely) accessorize even with a baby around, but the teething jewelry is found online just wasn’t hip enough for me. A few months after our son Boden was born, I purchased enough material to make necklaces for myself and to gift my mommy group for Christmas. They loved them, and a business was basically born overnight!
How would you describe your products in 5 words or less?
Teething made trendy.
What is your favourite product that you’ve created?
Our newest design is the #powernap style necklace, and my favorite! It’s extra long, but light weight, and a little Mala-inspired.
Why do you love living in Guelph?
I’ve grown up in Guelph, since moving here just before Kindergarten started! It’s a beautiful and comfy city with a great sense of community. Illness hindered any plans to travel but I always knew that either way, Guelph was where I’d want to have a family in the end!
Crystal Pellizzari owns Bumble Bear Designs
Name: Business name: Where can we find you online? (website, social media, etc):
www.bumblebeardesigns.com www.facebook.com/bumblebeardesigns www.etsy.com/shop/bumblebeardesignsCA
Why did you start your small shop? What inspired you?
I love creating! I started sewing cloth diapers for my daughter and friends babies about 4 years ago after taking a sewing hiatus since high school…I branched into diaper pants with the introduction of Maxaloones to the market using soft, stretchy and colourfun fabric. Thus began my love of knit fabrics and sewing soft, comfortable clothes for babies and children. I take great pleasure in creating unique, limited-run to one-of-a-kind and custom pieces for my clients in my home, with mommy-love!
How would you describe your products in 5 words or less?
Unique, colourful, fun, comfortable, quality.
What is your favourite product that you’ve created?
Gosh that’s so hard. I have so many custom items that I’ve just loved creating! One of my favourites would be a special hooded romper constructed with space Dino fabric for my youngest boy; the second would be a polka dot 1st birthday dress for a fellow Mommy’s little girl this past May – it reminded me of Marigold from Polka Dot Door!
Why do you love living in Guelph?
I was born in Guelph 31 years ago so I’ve been here literally my whole life. I love that Guelph offers us the amenities of a big City with the community feel of a small town. We have a fantastic mom community and a large number of people who pride themselves on buying from small family and home-based businesses (like mine) and what shopping local represents. This City offers culture, nature and a great place to raise a family!
Andrea Munk owns Cedar Lily
Name: Business name: Where can we find you online? (website, social media, etc):
Why did you start your small shop? What inspired you?
When I had my first daughter five years ago, I couldn’t find any nursing bras that fit me. I looked everywhere. I even went all the way to Toronto with my newborn to find something, but came up empty. I just wanted to wear a nursing bra that fit me properly and didn’t make me look horrible. That’s when my mom suggested that I turn a regular bra into a nursing bra. It was the perfect solution! The magnetic clasps that I used to do the conversion were so much better than the plastic clasps found in regular nursing bras. They were easy to open and close with one hand, while holding my daughter, and they never came undone accidentally. My business started out as just doing nursing bra conversions for other moms in Guelph, then progressed slowly to selling a nursing bra conversion kit, for moms to sew into their own bras. Now I sell complete nursing bras, specializing in harder to find sizes, but carrying the full range of sizes.
How would you describe your products in 5 words or less?
Attractive, Comfortable, Easy-to-use.
What is your favourite product that you’ve created?
The thing that I enjoy doing most in my business is doing home visits. After a mom has had their baby, the last thing they want to do is go shopping for a nursing bra. I bring all of my stock and my sewing machine with me to their house and help them find a nursing bra that fits them properly. If they happen to have a bra that fits them, I will convert it into a nursing bra for them.
Why do you love living in Guelph?
I love living in Guelph because the people who live here are so friendly and seem to really care about one another. When I was fighting breast cancer last year (ironic? yes) people were so supportive of me and my family. People brought us meals, helped with errands and with child care. I truly believe that we were able to get through that challenging year without falling apart because of the wonderful people that live in Guelph and knowing that we had a large circle of support that we could count on if we needed to.
Kristie Boivin owns Monkey bum tie dye apparel and parties
Where can we find you online? (website, social media, etc):
Facebook : Monkey bum tie dye apparel and parties
Twitter: @monkeybumtiedye
Why did you start your small shop? What inspired you?
I never really thought this is what I would be doing when I grew up. I always thought grown ups had 9-5 jobs that they hated. While on maternity leave with my 3rd child I faced the same problem most new mother face… how can I be home with my children and still bring an income in. I had no idea what I was going to do? But somehow it all fell into place… I was looking for a tie dye outfit for my new baby who I called my monkey bum (Maggie), but could only seem to find them online and they were over my budget, so I made my own. From there people who saw it wanted one too. So I started to make and sell baby clothing. Then adults asked if I made adult clothing; so I said why not. Then I got a break of a life time – Play with Clay’s Nina and Mario wanted me to do tie dye shirts at there anniversary party. So I came up with my “make your own system” that launched my business not only into selling already made, but now being able to teach others and bring birthday parties to a new level. My inspiration was always my children first, but the response and support of local Guelph businesses and my customers has been amazing and keeps me going.
How would you describe your products in 5 words or less?
Adding colour to your party!
What is your favourite product that you’ve created?
My favourite thing I have created is the “make your own” system. I love teaching children especially that you don’t need to be the best at drawing or painting to create art. Every time they see there t-shirt all finished they are amazed they made that themselves. I often hear from moms that their child’s tie dye t-shirt is their child’s favourite and they wear it all the time!
Why do you love living in Guelph?
I love living in Guelph because we love to support local! I love being part of the Guelph Mompernuers who help you network and grow with other businesses in Guelph. I have made many connections and friends of small home grown businesses that have got me where I am today . That being said thank you to Play with Clay for believing in a crazy tie dye lady, Cleo the Clown for believing in my birthday parties, Guelph School of Art for making me a teacher, Pablos World of Cartoons for letting me show their campers how to tie dye and of course downtown Guelph for letting me set up shop every Wednesday in the summer right in the heart of our great city!
Jacquelyn Roosenboom owns Pufferkid Designs
Where can we find you online? (website, social media, etc):
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pufferkiddesigns
Instagram: pufferkiddesigns
Why did you start your small shop? What inspired you?
When I was younger, like many other children growing up, I was afflicted with Asthma. Now as a mother of two I live with a young child who also requires a puffer and has been in and out of the hospital many times due to respiratory problems.
Growing up it’s scary to experience moments with breathing issues. As a mother it’s just as nerve racking watching your child go through the same.
The reason I started this company, was to help with research in finding better and longer term solutions to respiratory problems. Scientist continue to work towards a solution to help those facing these health problems.
With the help of Puffer Kid Designs I’m hoping to create a stylish world, where we can all breathe easier.
How would you describe your products in 5 words or less?
Fun, comfortable, informative.
What is your favourite product that you’ve created?
I love the PufferKid shirt. Not only is it the driving force of the company but my son was the one who helped me create the shirt. My son chose the colors for the Puffer mascot and is so proud everytime he sees another child wearing his shirt. It makes him feel like he is not alone, he is not the only child who suffers from asthma and that makes him feel great.
Why do you love living in Guelph?
I love living in Guelph because it allows for such diversity and supports the arts. As much as Guelph is growing it still has a small town feel to it. The ability to support local businesses and farmers really brings our community together
Aliy and Tash Burnside own Sisters of the Hook
Where can we find you online? (website, social media, etc):
https://www.facebook.com/sistersofthehook/
https://twitter.com/SistersOTHook
Why did you start your small shop? What inspired you?
Well, we started crocheting not just as a creative outlet, but also as a form of therapy as well. You see, we both deal with depression and anxiety; having a thing that we can make and then put out into the world and think: ‘Ya, I did that! I accomplished that *whatever* and it’s making someone else happy!’ is a feeling that we cherish. I don’t think that people like us with depression really get that a whole lot; especially on those days when it’s hard just to put one foot in front of the other. It’s that kick of joy that we just really crave. Also, having anxiety means (for us, it can be different for everyone) that going out, meeting new people and being around others can be really challenging sometimes. Reactions vary, but I (Tash) like to call mine ‘the puffer fish’: I bloat like no tomorrow, get sweaty, red in the face, panicky, lose my words, stutter… I’m a real mess sometimes. But talking about crochet (Or yarn… either of us could blab on about yarn for hours! Haha! ) and going to craft shows has really boosted our self-esteem and ability to mentally talk ourselves down from those ‘puffer fish’ moments. Our shop is a means to help both of those issues: we make money to get more yarn to help with our depression, and in the process of selling the items that we make, we both take steps that ease our anxiety, and at the same time, we can also share our story and possibly help others who have the same types of issues.
How would you describe your products in 5 words or less?
Totally awesome in every way!
What is your favourite product that you’ve created?
Tash: I have so many! I think I have a top two though: Glori – Jam Hats and Wikki the Unicorn Stuffy. Glori – Jam Hats because they are just so ridiculously fun to make, and Wikki because my nephew named him.
Aliy: I would have to say that my favourite thing i have made would be Earl our amazing octopus mascot! And the frilly dresses I make, they are just so cute!
Why do you love living in Guelph?
Tash: I did most of my growing up in Cambridge. My family and my friends are here; it’s where I feel most comfortable. I lived in Petawawa for a number of years with my spouse while he was in the military; it just wasn`t home. I am so glad that we moved back here!
Aliy: Although Cambridge is where I grew up and currently live I love visiting my friends in Guelph and taking my son to the many parks and other awesome things for kids in Guelph!
We encourage you to check out the great small, creative Guelph moms businesses and to shop local whenever possible. Part of what makes Guelph great is supporting other locals.