One Quarter In: The Highs, the Lows, and Everything in Between
It has been 3 months since officially took over Smithery Style, and let me tell you- what a ride it’s been! I knew running a fashion brand would come with its challenges, but these past 90 days have been filled with surprises (some great, some… less great).
Here’s a little recap of what’s happened so far:
A fresh new look. We modernized our visual identity with the help of Hughes&Co, giving Smithery a cohesive, modern feel across all our communications.
A commitment to Canadian-first fashion. With on-again, off-again US tariff threats, we doubled down on carrying Canadian brands, launched a Buy Canadian Capsule, and created a Canadian Maker Collection to make shopping local easier than ever.
An unexpected launch delay. Our spring arrivals arrived a month later than expected (lesson learned: always expect the unexpected). But we pivoted, launching a Mystery Box Sale that was a huge hit- shoutout to the 50+ clients who ordered one (or three!).
Giving back. We confirmed Pink Pearl Canada as our official charity of record and committed to donating $2 for every new newsletter subscriber this year. And we have more plans in the works.
Our try-on’s got a makeover and some new team members. You might have noticed a new energy around try-ons! This has long been one of my favourite things at Smithery and we have taken it up a notch as well as added 2 new team members (Barbara & Stephanie). We are working to grow each body shape to 2 models per shape who represent different presentations of the same shape.
A brand-new blog. The Stylesmith is here to give you the inside scoop on our business journey, our fashion finds, and everything in between. This is my forum to chronicle the entrepreneurial journey’s ups and downs.
A new headquarters. We knew my basement was a short-term home while we determined our needs. But, two months in and I’d reached my max. On April 1 we officially moved Smithery Style to The Collective Workspace (14 Leswyn Road). We are looking forward to hosting you there soon. Check out the transformation here.
Three months in, I can confidently say: This business has heart. The Smithery community is stronger than ever, and while the road ahead will have its twists and turns, I couldn’t be more excited for what’s next.