It’s that time of year again!
To help you with your holiday shopping, Startup Canada has put together this guide highlighting 13 entrepreneurs and small businesses from across Canada so you can support local this holiday season! Travelling from coast, to coast, to coast, this guide features a variety of industries and products for every name on your list!
Alberta – 7 Summits Snacks Explorer Box
Do you have an outdoor lover or adventure seeker in your life? Consider gifting them the 7 Summits Snacks Explorer Box!
7 Summits Snacks creates purposeful and delicious chocolate, balanced with energizing superfoods to fuel your next adventure! They have ethically sourced ingredients and are made locally in Alberta.
British Columbia – Nuez Acres Pecan Oil Serums
Give the gift of skincare and wellness this holiday season. Nuez Acres is a female-led, Indigenous-owned brand harnessing the Power of Pecans through its 100% natural & water-free products for skin, hair, and body. They’re a seed-to-skin brand working to emphasize the conservation of water in the beauty industry.
Their 100% natural and water-free serums are perfect for those looking to nourish and hydrate their skin. Not only do they keep your skin looking healthy, but the pecan oil also helps promote cellular regeneration. When you purchase from Nuez Acres, you purchase an ethically sourced product made with respect for nature and Indigenous communities.
Manitoba – I am Love Project DIY Tassel Earring Kit
Looking for a gift for the fashion lover in your life? Consider purchasing from Manitoba’s I am Love Project, an Asian owned jewellery making company!
After a collision, founder Sarah lost her source of income and couldn’t use her arm. All she could do was hold light things, which is how she discovered her passion for beading. To put less strain on her arm, she created this DIY Tassel Earring Kit. Through this kit, Sarah will show you how to bead these beautiful Indigenous-inspired earrings to make a bold impression with every outfit!
Newfoundland and Labrador – Newfoundland Salt Company
If you’re looking for a gift for the foodie in your life, consider purchasing the best-selling salt from Newfoundland Salt Company.
Their finishing sea salt is produced in small handcrafted batches from the pure and clean waters of Trinity Bay in beautiful Bonavista, Newfoundland. Their finishing salt has a crisp and delicate crunch that will change the way you eat food.
New Brunswick – LOOP Lifestyle
With winter and colder temperatures quickly approaching, stay warm and cozy in a beanie from LOOP Lifestyle!
With the double-sided LOOP logo sewn on the cuff, this hat can be worn in a medium profile with the cuff folded over or in a high profile with it uncuffed. LOOP also offers many other trendy accessories such as scrunchies, claw clips, and more, allowing you to always stay in the “loop” of the current trends.
Northwest Territories – NWT Brewing Company
Located in the spirited town of Yellowknife, Northwest Territories, the NWT Brewing Company is the northernmost brewpub in Canada!
Within the first year of operations, their crowd-pleasing beer, Kicksled Cream Ale, won a bronze medal at the Canadian Brewing awards, landing the Northwest Territories on the Canadian beer map. The Woodyard Brewhouse & Eatery has not only become a pillar in the Yellowknife community but was named one of the top 50 bars in Canada in 2018! Their beers are also available for online purchase.
Nova Scotia – MichNat Fashion
Do you want to gift a customized outfit specifically designed for someone in your life? Check out Nova Scotia’s MichNat Fashion!
Pictured below is the beautiful Three Piece Set. This can be worn as one outfit, or separately as shown in the pictures. It can be worn at corporate functions, weddings, or award ceremonies. The MichNat team works with any fabric and gives you the liberty to make your selections from their wide range of swatches. They design clothes for everyone!
Nunavut – Uasau Soap
Located on the coast of the Arctic Ocean in Nunavut, Uasau Soap (pronounced ooh-ah-sow) draws its inspiration from prehistoric Inuit traditions and culture.
By capturing the magic and wisdom of the Nuna, each of their hand-made small-batch products replenishes and nourishes your skin. They craft each product from local ingredients, harvested through sustainable and traditional practices. The luxurious products will be a treat – pamper yourself or someone on your wish list with their rich and varied fragrances!
Ontario – KOTN
If you’re looking for timeless and sustainable clothing, look no further than KOTN!
KOTN’s values are rooted in sustainability, positive impact, and integrity. They’re a certified B Corporation with the fourth-highest B Impact Score of all apparel brands in North America! KOTN believes in buying less and enjoying longer. It is these principles that allow them to create high-quality and long-lasting shirts. With every shirt that is made, KOTN prioritizes creating impact and growth in the communities that they operate in. They were also the partner for our Startup Day merchandise!
Prince Edward Island – Maritime Madness Maritimer Box
For the foodie in your life, consider giving them the Maritimer box from Maritime Madness!
This box includes four of the top-selling Maritime-inspired hot sauces plus a bag of traditional peanut brittle. At Maritime Madness, they believe one sauce does not fit all. They have a large variety of the finest sauces you can find – with over 35 sauces full of different flavour profiles!
Québec – MOS UpLift™️
If you have an outdoors sports enthusiast in your life, consider purchasing from MOS!
The MOS UpLift™ is a lift-assist system that makes it easy to pack sports and outdoor equipment on the rooftop of your vehicle. With its two powerful supporting arms that lowers equipment 2 feet (61 cm) on the side of the car, this innovative car roof rack gives you easy access to an active life. The MOS UpLift™ changes the rules of the game when it comes to simplifying the transportation of sports and outdoor equipment. Because engaging in the activities you love should be within everyone’s reach.
Saskatchewan – Lotus Adjustable Pillow and Luxe Mattress
Nothing is better than the gift of a restful night’s sleep! LOTUS is a small Saskatchewan-based sleep company.
Their unique prairie-designed and Canadian-made mattresses are guaranteed to offer you that well-needed snooze. They value quality, sustainability, and investing in the local community.
Yukon – The Yukon Soaps Company
If you’re looking to gift a wellness and personal care product, consider purchasing from The Yukon Soaps Company!
Palm Oil Free and Vegan, these soaps were crafted with plants that the team’s grandmothers once harvested following cultural teachings. Their language and culture are shared through the unique packaging, and each word translates to “grandmother” in one of four Yukon Indigenous languages.
Wrap-up
Thank you for checking out Startup Canada’s 2022 holiday gift guide! We hope you consider supporting some of the entrepreneurs featured in this guide or the many other small businesses across Canada that make up our economy.
We wish you and your loved ones a very happy holiday season from the Startup Canada team!