Lead with Your Heart

For at least a year now, I’ve been looking to support more women-led businesses, when I want need want to purchase something. And for the past six months I’ve been trying to do the same for Indigenous-run business. And when I come across them and they are good (and so far, they are ALL good), I will talk about them on ye olde blogge. For some of these finds, look here and here (Indigenous AND women-run).

I learned about WestCoast Wildflowers & Company on ye olde Instagram quite a few months ago…I saw that they were following Sequoia Soaps (Indigenous women-run company from Quebec) and was excited to find a related business just “up the road” from me here on Vancouver Island, in Campbell River. At the time I became aware of them travel outside my local community was discouraged due to rising numbers of Covid-19, so I filed this tidbit away under “later, in better times”. And just recently I learned of RavenSong Soap and Candle…also located in Campbell River; also run by an Indigenous woman. A road trip to Campbell River was written in the stars!

I asked adventure/camping/blogging buddy Donna if she wanted to come along and the answer was a resounding “HELL YES”. So off we went, vaxxed to the max and ready to rumble. According to Google, the businesses were practically next to each other in Campbell River but what we didn’t know (and Google didn’t either, apparently) was that both had very recently moved to new, larger locations. So as an added bonus, we got to explore more of downtown Campbell River than we had anticipated (a very good thing!) and got to speak with some locals in our quest to find these businesses.

First stop: West Coast Wildflower & Co., where we met delightful, bubbly business owner, Ali.

L-R: Yours truly, Ali, and Donna in front of the West Coast Wildflowers & Co’s new location. We wore masks when entering the local businesses, but removed them for the photos.

Ali stocks local and (mostly) Indigenous-made clothing, accessories, food, toiletries, toys and crafts in her bright, spacious store. Donna and I immediately gravitated towards, purchased and donned the Totem Design House shirts you see in the photo, and were stylin’ twins for the rest of the day. (Honestly, we didn’t intend to coordinate our bottom halves either but there you go…) Here’s a closeup of the gorgeous shirt design:

Chatting with Ali and trying on shirts was hungry business we found out. The ever-helpful Ali suggested Jiggers Grill, also Indigenous-run. Which we didn’t get to (next time! ) as we came across Seabreeze Food Truck (another Indigenous-run eatery) first and made a wise decision to stave off the “hangries” by stopping the car and checking it out.

I had the Fish Taco salad (L, with mango salsa) and Donna had the Halibut Caesar salad (R). Both excellent choices!

Refuelled, we sought out our next (and final) destination: RavenSong Soap and Candle! Little did we know when we arrived that the store had opened for the first time in its new larger location just 30 minutes prior! Another bright, beautiful, well-stocked retail operation with another bright, beautiful owner: Valerie.

From L to R: owner Valerie, Donna and myself. Yes, we bought these shirts too!
Here is Valerie, talking about her soap-making and inspirations.
My “haul”, as the young ones say. Including the beautiful Ghanian basket. Soaps, bath bomb, candles, moon cake, soap holder, shirt and a bear bell (for my hiking pack).
Home again and ready to try out these products. Maybe using them will actually spur on some real Pacific rain??? We desperately need it.
Close-up of the unwrapped July Buck Moon soap. So gorgeous!
I wish you could smell this candle.
Closeup of detail of the moon cake. Sorry for the poor focus. Got too excited and threw it in the tub before checking the photo…LOL!
Dissolving moon cake in tub. These are the coolest things ever and I need to buy more. Post-soak, my skin feels amazing. See my Instagram post for the video (that WordPress refused to upload)!

Both shops (actually ALL shops mentioned in this post) offer online shopping. Please do go check them out if I’ve inspired you to do so. You won’t be disappointed. 🙂

Rock (and shop) on,

The WB

70 thoughts on “Lead with Your Heart

  1. Hey Deb! I LOVE your matching outfits and how great to support these businesses AND get some cool products. Thom and I will be going through Campbell River when we are there in August and you know I’ll be checking these stores. And maybe we can take an adventure with you and Donna. ~Kathy

  2. A successful day!! Love your haul! … I mean, carefully selected, carefully handmade products 🙂
    but I especially love the first photo with you and Donna carefully, unintentionally, coordinated in style!

    1. Haha! Yes! As soon I picked Donna up she remarked that we were coordinated beautifully in our attire…even BEFORE we decided to buy and wear the same shirts 😁. Thank you, my friend 💕

    1. Thank you, Rivergirl 💕 I don’t know if these businesses ship internationally. If not, I am 100% sure there are similar-type businesses in the US…there has to be!

    1. Thank you, Jean 💕 The lip products are just good ol’ drugstore stuff – a L’Oreal Paris liquid lipstick in the colour “I Rule”…which is matte so I slicked it up with a touch of lip shine product (also L’Oreal – Colour Riche Shine) in Varnished Rosewood. The fish taco salad was excellent…the whole day was excellent…and well worth the 2 hour drive to Campbell River.

  3. I am now following WestCoast Wildflowers on Instagram, Deb. I haven’t been to Campbell River in awhile and fun to learn about new women-led, Indigenous-run businesses on the Island. The stylin’ twins made me smile. I am a fan of quality, beautiful smelling candles. I am bookmarking this great post! 💕

    1. Thank you, Erica 💕 I’m happy to share when I come across great finds like these. And they ship, if you can’t manage the trip to Campbell River anytime in the near future. I know I’ll be ordering again, soon!

    1. You are most welcome, Del! Not sure if these businesses ship internationally (I didn’t check, my bad!) but there have got to be similar ones in the US, I am thinking. Thank you 💕

  4. Good to know Deb. I was surprised to find out how difficult it was for female medical doctors. We do have to support our sisters.
    Leslie xoxo

          1. She even got full-time employment with the TTC which is a misogynistic work place full of nepotism. She was within the top people out of 800 (men) who wrote an exam to apply for the job. They called her in for an interview and when they found out she was a woman they said “no way” . Her name is Renee so easy enough mistake to make, especially if you don’t speak French. She applied several times before getting the job and she told them: “you might as well hire me because I’m not going away!” They finally hired her. She was there almost ten years. Has since retired with her husband and moved to Nova Scotia. She ended up hating the job since the company was so mismanaged.
            Leslie xoxo

          2. My sister had a similar experience with Toronto Hydro. All I can say is this shows that most men are weak and easily threatened….and everything they accuse us of goes double for them (e.g. being unstable and governed by their emotions).

  5. Great job promoting your local business’s and to feature them in your blog. I bet the owners really appreciate your support. Also, I felt like I was along for the ride!!

  6. What an awesome adventure and those soaps and candles look fabulous (as does lunch). It’s such a great thing to support both local and indigenous run businesses. I think it’s something we can do more of here too.

    1. Thank you, Jo 💕 We have treated our native population terribly, and the recent news of unmarked graves of thousands of native children being found at residential schools (where they were forced to attend) is unfortunately just part of the egregious treatment. I am trying in my own small way to help by supporting these businesses, and also by giving to foundations that help with healing for these communities.

      1. I read about that in the newspapers over here. We too have treated our traditional owners appallingly. Nothing can make up for the past, but awareness and understanding can help going forward.

  7. I like how many small businesses are around you. We’ve nothing quite like that here, unless you consider all the micro-breweries. The candles and soaps look lovely, and I trust are pleasing to your senses.

    1. The candles and soaps are indeed lovely! I guess because we are a very touristy place small businesses, artisans and artists abound. People have time to wander around and shop for these types of things when on vacation and away from their regular daily grind. At least, I always did. Thanks, Ally 💕

  8. A girls day out, shopping & supporting local business? Sounds like a pretty perfect day to me! Love the shirts, in fact I have a girls week coming up, I may just have to do an online purchase.💕

      1. I found the Totem Design House shirts to have a roomy fit. They didn’t have my actual size, so I bought an oversized one, which was more like a tunic on me than an actual shirt…and I liked it that way!

  9. debscarey

    So great to see the businesses you featured have not only survived the pandemic but also moved to bigger & better locations. I’ve started to purchase online from a number of really small working from home female businesses in the UK but a bit further afield of me, and plan to do as much as I can as my area has proved to be a washout. Boo hiss!

  10. debscarey

    PS: Loved your T-shirt so much, I’ve checked the site and found a bright pink option (better for my colouring) so have sent a message to check if they ship to the UK.

  11. hilarymb

    Hi Deb – oh how you make me ‘homesick’ for the Island … so much going on, so many interesting ventures, educative programmes etc.
    These all sound wonderful and your photos add so much …
    Did you go to the WildCoast Perfumery in Cowichan Bay … ??? I loved visiting when I was there … take care and I’m always happy to read more about your visits to these wonderful organisations – cheers Hilary

  12. Love this! The finding and supporting business owned by women and indigenous people is such a great concept and so wonderful you put it into action!

    You got a good haul there. I’m a sucker for homemade soaps and that “bath bomb” (it’s called a moon cake?!? looks awesome. No doubt your post will inspire others to follow suit! You ARE a badass!

    Peta

  13. AJ Blythe

    That moon soap is awesome! And the bath bomb looks pretty in the bath. I wish I could smell your post, lol.

  14. I came across your blog on Bohemian Valhalla and then I read about the blog and the widow and I was kinda blown away. You also live on Vancouver Island which is where my father’s side of the family comes from.

  15. Pingback: Great Bears of Bute Adventure – A Full Day of Beauty, Wonder and Learning – THE WIDOW BADASS BLOG

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