SPOTLIGHTS

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#TheList: The Top 10 Canadian-Grown Businesses to Seek Out and Support in 2021

by

Samantha Mehra

May 25, 2021

At PayBright, one of our privileges is to partner with extraordinary, home-grown Canadian businesses of all shapes and sizes and, in doing so, help them grow and meet the needs of Canadian consumers.

This year, we’re proud to share our list of the top 10 Canadian small businesses to support this year. Read all about these businesses, ranging from artists to auto-part providers, who represent Canadian success stories from coast to coast. We here at PayBright are particularly thrilled to partner with them, and encourage you to check them out (and choose us at checkout!).

*Note: the following are presented in alphabetical order.

AVA

Where: Vancouver, British Columbia What: Smart indoor gardens, pod packs, and accessories About: With every sale of their Byte smart garden, Canadian-grown Ava fights mass agriculture and promotes local, nutritious, and sustainable edible growing. Founders Valerie and Chase, veterans of the food industry in Vancouver, started their business to develop more eco-friendly garden-growing options for Canadians, whether they reside in a house or a condo. Website: https://avagrows.com/

CanadaWheels

Where: Ottawa, Ontario What: Auto essentials and services both in-store (installations) and online (products, such as wheels, tires, and auto parts) About: Ottawa-based CanadaWheels.ca has made the company a staple in the national automotive e-commerce landscape. It has emerged as a fan-favourite business whose return customers rely on the high-quality automotive products and customer experience it provides. This is not by accident: always with the end-user in mind, it has made some important decisions around improving customer experience. (One of those decisions was to begin offering PayBright at checkout.) Website: https://www.canadawheels.ca

DeekaayArt

Where: Toronto, Ontario What: Abstract art, prints, large exclusive art, and photography About: Through the shop DeekaayArt, Congolese-born and Toronto-raised founder and artist Deborah Kasongo shares her extraordinary mix of abstract paintings and digital creations that will add poise, style, and/or semblance to any room in your abode. “I feel like art allows us to connect and it’s interesting how differently people view art and the message behind an art piece,” Kasongo writes. “My art sends a message and that message can be different for every person! Art = Freedom!” Website: https://deekaayart.com/

Dust Leather Leather Co.

Where: British Columbia What: Boots, Accessories, Guitar straps About: Headquartered at the Stardust Trading Post in Clinton, British Columbia, Dust Leather Co. is a leather-wares boutique. The brains and hands behind the operation is artist and entrepreneur Dustin Bentall, who has since been the cool creator of over 100 custom pairs of premium boots for clients across the globe. Website: https://dustleather.co/

Guitarworks

Where: Calgary, Alberta What: Guitars and amps, musical accessories, percussion instruments, and more About: Founded in 1989, this purveyor of musical instruments has grown to include three physical stores in Calgary. For 30 years, Albertans have relied on Guitarworks to ensure they can rock out with the very best in guitar gear from top brands like Fender, Taylor, Gibson, Friedman, and Yamaha. Now you can, too. Website: https://guitarworks.ca

Jump+

Where: Guelph, Ontario What: Apple products, including Macs, iPads, iPhones, and services About: Jump+ is Canada’s first and biggest Apple Premium Retailer. Launched in 2011, the Canadian family-operated chain of stores ensures Canadians are tapped into Apple’s latest mobile, desktop, and wearable technologies, with easily accessible bricks-and-mortar stores available from coast to coast, and province to province. Website: https://shop.jumpplus.com/

Kanuk

Where: Montreal, Quebec What: Winter coats and accessories for men and women About: Quebec-based Kanuk has been crafting the coolest in Canadian coats for 50 years, ensuring Canadians are always equipped to handle the harsh winters found in the great white north. Known for its quality and durability, Kanuk products continue to be a fan favourite across the country, and are lovingly produced in its flagship store on Rachel Street in Montreal. Website: https://www.kanuk.com/en_ca/

Poppy Barley

Where: Calgary and Edmonton, Alberta What: Footwear and accessories for men and women About: This charming Canadian luxury brand offers up ethically-friendly footwear and functional accessories, which they sell out of their multiple locations in Calgary and Edmonton. Poppy Barley also has international and charitable reach: “partnering with family-owned factories in Mexico and Brazil,” they sell their footwear at affordable price points and “donate 1% of sales back into our communities.” Website: https://poppybarley.com/

Westcoast Kids

Where: Winnipeg, Manitoba, now with locations across Canada. What: Kids’ and babies’ furniture, bedding, decor, apparel, toys, gifts, and more About: Westcoast Kids’ birth year? 1974. The kid and baby boutique got its start in Winnipeg at a time when no speciality baby shops existed, and many the Canadian mom became a loyal customer. What started as a small shop in Manitoba has turned into a cross-province enterprise, with shops now open in British Columbia and Ontario. Website: https://www.westcoastkids.ca/

Wigs R Us

Where: Toronto, Ontario What: Custom high-quality wigs, hats, and wig customization and styling services About: Operating out of Toronto for over 16 years, Wigs R Us are the premium purveyor of top-notch wigs, for those suffering from hair loss due to a medical condition, or those interested in making a statement with a new ‘do. Enjoy luxuriating in wigs made from the finest quality human hair. Website: https://www.wigsrustoronto.com/


This article is provided for informational purposes only. It is not an exhaustive review of this topic. The content is not financial or investment advice. No professional relationship of any kind is formed between you and PayBright. While we have obtained or compiled this information from sources we believe to be reliable, we cannot and do not guarantee its accuracy. We recommend that you consult your personal finance professional before taking any action related to this information. PayBright is a provider of Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL) solutions. BNPL providers offer plans with a variety of terms and conditions, including interest rates, fees, and penalties, and have different standards for qualifying for loans. Laws and regulations governing BNPL providers vary by jurisdiction. We recommend that you compare and contrast plans, read the fine print, and conduct detailed research into any BNPL provider before using their services.

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Samantha Mehra

Senior Content Manager

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