June 29th, 2019, is Meraki Supply Co. Appreciation Day!
Meraki Supply Co.(305 10 St NW #103, Calgary, AB T2N 1V8), was one of the very first Calgary businesses that gave Local Laundry a chance. Back when we were just two guys who Google'd "how to make a t-shirt company?" Owner and Founder, Chelsea Risling, saw the potential in us and in Local Laundry and wanted to share our story.
From there we grew and grew and other retail partners took notice. It was because of places like Meraki Supply Co., taking a chance on us that we are where we are today. When we were chatting to a few other local small business owners, we found out that we weren't the only ones who got their start, or big break, at Meraki Supply Co. It turns out that Meraki Supply Co., had taken a chance on other great local businesses that have grown and thrived thanks to her.
Here are a few of the other stories about how companies got their start at the little shop in Kensington:
When we first started Needle & Pine back in 2014 - all we had was an Instagram page and had been in only one small local market.
Chelsea from Meraki Supply Co reached out to us and asked if we’d be interested in having our products in a store she would be opening in December! We couldn’t believe this opportunity was being offered to us - we never imagined our shelves and pillows would be in a store.
This gave us a confidence boost that maybe we could turn this little hobby into something bigger!
Since those early days, Meraki has helped us grow in more ways than we ever imagined. Our products were in a permanent space to reach more people, we worked together to develop new product ideas, and best of all we felt a sense of community and acceptance.
We are forever grateful for Meraki - when we look back this feels like the point where we took the leap into creative entrepreneurship!
I truly do not know where Milk Jar would be without the love and support of Chelsea, the owner of Meraki Supply Company. She was the first store that took a chance on selling Milk Jars before I even had a sale or knew what wholesale was!
I remember entering her store in November 2016, to purchase a Needle & Pine shelf to merchandise a table for my first market for Milk Jar. I walked in the store with a candle in hand and started placing it on different shelves to make sure it fit. Chelsea asked me what I had in my hand and I explained that I was looking for some props for my candle company's first pop up. She looked at the candle and asked me right on the spot to carry them in her shop!
I have now been a part of Meraki for two and a half years and have grown so much with the advice and guidance of Chelsea. She has been one of the best mentors I could have in business, giving me the encouragement I needed to push Milk Jar and invest in it the right way and at the right time.
Chelsea was there right at the beginning of CHRC, I remember how badly we wanted to be part of Meraki because it was the coolest shop in Calgary and we felt right at home with her brand. She welcomed us with open arms and spoke about CHRC if it was hers, this was the start of what has been an incredible partnership, and we are so thankful to know her. Meraki and Chels have a saying "it's time for another adventure" and we are so happy to be along for the ride!
So if you are in town this long weekend, come down to Kensington on Saturday, June 29th, 2019 from 11 AM to 2 PM to meet all the business owners of these great companies. Sample some Calgary Heritage Roasting Co, coffee and win some great door prizes from us, Meraki Supply Co. and all these other great local Calgary companies.
Zach Lowe
June 28, 2019
Awesome Sauce