10 local women-owned businesses for your Mother’s Day shopping
Mother’s Day is just around the corner, and planning ahead means less scrambling last minute and more getting a meaningful gift that she’ll truly appreciate.
Mother’s Day can be a sensitive time for some. If that is your experience, I invite you to be kind to yourself and take the time to care for you on this day, perhaps with a treat or experience from one or more of the suggestions below.
There are a lot of ways to show your mama (or yourself) some love, whether that’s with a physical item or an experience. Here are some wonderful options to choose from – and that also support women-owned businesses in Toronto. 🙌
1. Kim Smiley Store
In November 2020, artist and fashion designer Kim Smiley opened the doors to her lace jewellery and accessories store – a sanctuary of beauty. Step inside – perhaps along with mom for a Mother’s Day date – to admire the artwork, try on some wearable art, and delight in a magical shopping experience.
Cool to note: A social entrepreneur, Kim employs marginalized women and pays a fair-trade wage as well as runs her non-profit The Empathy Effect, which offers workshops on empathy.
Mother and business owner Phoebe Latido’s mission is to empower, validate and build self-esteem through her cosmetic products. The word MARO means to love and admire (from her native language Acholi in Northern Uganda), which seems particularly meaningful for this special holiday.
3. FAB Beauty
In the heart of Leslieville, you’ll find FAB Beauty Studio, a full-service esthetics studio offering everything from facials to non-invasive body contouring. The woman behind FAB Beauty Studio is Amy Isaac, a mother of two, who has built a dynamic career as an award-winning esthetician and makeup artist, and all-around amazing beauty guru.
4. Fit Stop
Gill Munn is a trainer based in East York with over 12 years of experience changing the bodies and minds of countless clients. In her one-on-one personal training programs, your mom won’t just be gaining a fitness instructor, she’ll be meeting her new number one fan who will motivate her to achieve her fitness goals.
Artist and mom of three Yolanda Fernandes Ly makes beautiful hand-crafted resin home décor accessories and paintings. You can feel the heart put into each one of her pieces vibrating energetic colour and textures. There’s something for every mom in her collection.
Cool to note: Her online shop also sells handmade jewellery by other artists, including this lovely brass “Mama” necklace pictured above.
6. darsbars
Dario Muscio’s passion for sustainable, natural personal care products with ethically sourced ingredients led to her starting darsbars. Each soap bar is delicately hand-crafted in small batches and scented with blends of organic essential oils. With her line of soaps, scrubs, and candles, you’ll surely help enhance your mom’s at-home spa experience.
Whether you want to gift Mom with a mani-pedi or put together a box of beauty care items, Raw Beauty Bar is the place to go. Located in Etobicoke (and online), Raw Beauty Bar is both a spa service and seller of beautiful Canadian made products. At just 22 years old, Lauren Fernandez started her business and five years later, she’s still loving building new relationships and working hard to continue the success of her business – but now with the addition of a sweet 8-month-old son.
Right Image: Styled and photographed by @rooted.spaces
Toronto native Ashley Jacot De Boinod’s journey began at Stubbe Chocolates where she fell in love with chocolate-making. Fast-forward many years later and her passion for sweet things have only grown. After working at some of Toronto’s top restaurants, Ashley opened up Glory Hole Doughnuts in Parkdale in 2012 which would become her flagship location (the second location in Gerrard East).
Her specialty handcrafted doughnuts are a fixture for Torontonians and beyond, with people pre-ordering and travelling long distances for a bite of Ferroro Rocher doughnut, London Fog doughnut, Tiramisu doughnut to name a few. If the way to your mom’s heart is through her bely, Glory Hole Doughnuts may be just the thing.
Cool to note: Ashley is a new mom to a 6-week old girl who is just as sweet as her mom’s delectable treats.
Morgan Kerbel started her career in the fashion industry in 2004 working in various roles before becoming a Toronto-based jewellery designer and curator. All her pieces are custom-made, designed personally for her clients – a lovely option for those looking for something extra special for Mom, giving her a lasting keepsake to cherish for years to come.
10. Sarah-Jane Wise
Are you really surprised I wouldn’t include myself in this list? 😉
I am a style coach and personal shopper who has worked in the fashion industry for over 10 years. I truly believe what I offer is a unique one-of-a-kind Mother’s Day gift – it’s not everyday that Mom gets treated to a service that includes a one-on-one wardrobe consultation, teachings on how to dress for her body, and much much more! I call it the Wardrobe Audit package but it really should be called the Feel-Good package. Learn more here.
Cool to note: I’m also offering a Spring Special on the “Dress For Your Body Type Mini Class” – learn more here.