Turning a Personal Passion into a Brand
We are a Toronto-based skincare brand, dedicated to offering all-natural, safe, and effective skincare products. As someone who has battled allergies for over 20 years, I’ve always sought natural solutions for skincare. After moving to Canada, this passion only grew. Over the past decade, I’ve been learning, experimenting, and creating skincare products that meet the needs of myself, my family, and those around me.I became deeply immersed in the magical and beautiful healing powers of plants. Because of my chemical allergies, everything I use must be natural—from the colors, to the scents, to every single ingredient. This commitment to nature became not just a necessity but a passion. It was this journey into the world of plants that truly shaped the products I created, focusing on their healing and nurturing properties.
But the real turning point for me—transforming this passion into a business—came unexpectedly during the pandemic.
Due to the pandemic, I had to pause my business ventures between Asia and North America. This time of stillness allowed me to reflect: Since I needed these natural skincare products, perhaps many others did too? Over the years, I had immersed myself in formulating natural remedies, filling my home with soothing scents. It became my personal retreat. That’s when the thought struck me: why not share this experience with others? The Chinese proverb “Give what you wish to receive” deeply resonated with me, and it became the foundation of my brand. I wanted to bring clean, safe, and effective skincare to more people—beyond my family, friends, and neighbors, to anyone looking for healthier, safer, and more natural choices.
CanGift 2025: Our First Experience at a Canadian Trade Show
Participating in CanGift 2025 Spring Show was a significant milestone for our brand. According to veteran exhibitors, the show was smaller than it was pre-pandemic, but it still had three halls with hundreds of exhibitors. To my surprise, there were very few truly Made in Canada brands present.
When I saw the "Canadian Made" label placed on our booth by the event organizers, I felt proud. Curiously, I walked around the exhibition hall searching for other booths with the same label, but I found only a handful. During the event, several visitors stopped by our booth and said, “We want to support local brands and buy local!” Their support was moving, but I didn’t fully understand the significance of this behavior at the time.
Understanding the True Meaning of "Made in Canada"
It wasn’t until February, after the CanGift event, when discussions around Trump’s comment that "Canada is not a viable country," the U.S.-Canada tariff disputes, and debates about whether Canada is just the 51st state of the U.S. began to gain traction, that I truly understood the depth of the "Made in Canada" label. These events made me realize that we don’t just live here—we truly belong here. This is our country.
As a Canadian immigrant of 12 years, I remember in our second year here, my son came home from school excitedly saying, “We won, Canada!” At that time, I was taken aback. It took me some time to process the concept of "our country." But when I heard Trump’s ridiculous comments, I felt a strong sense of identification. I believe many immigrants, like me, feel the same way: This is our country.
Yes, maybe our country is smaller, poorer, and weaker than our neighbors, but that does not mean we can be dismissed. Made in Canada represents more than just the place of manufacture; it is a commitment to craftsmanship, quality, and perseverance. It symbolizes recognition of local industries, culture, and social values.
Looking Ahead: Growth for "Made in Canada" Brands
I am confident that when we return to the CanGift show next year, there will be even more "Made in Canada" brands to join us. We will continue to grow, bringing our products to more people, and contributing our part to the strength of this beautiful land.
