Vendor Feature: D’ Lux Bath And Body

Who could resist such cute bath bombs? Thank you, D’ Lux Bath And Body for the gift!

Who is D’ Lux Bath And Body?

1) Why and when did you start your business?

I, Kim, made bath and body products for Christmas presents for years with my mom. I tried to start a soap making business back in 2015. However, my mom got sick with Alzheimer’s so my partner, Peeter and I cared for her for years until it was time for her to go into a home. Once she was cared for in the home in 2020, Peeter and I decided to make a go of it and started making a ton of products after much research!

2) What was your background?

Peeter was a ticketed iron worker but injured his back so he was looking for something else to fill the void. I am a Medical Office Assistant part-time. We’ve always had an interest in making high-end bath and body products that are accessible to everyone.

3) What is special about your products?

We use high quality ingredients but make sure we can offer affordable pricing. We try to make bath time fun and relaxing.

4) Finally, anything else you want to share?

We love making products for you to enjoy and it makes our days when we have repeat customers! We also love creating customized gifts for business or pleasure!

Check them out!

https://dluxbathandbody.com/pages/about-us

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Book Review: The Fiesta Burger Murder

Image Courtesy of Amazon

Summary

Christie Watson was a Boston homicide detective who was forced to take a sabbatical because she had pushed a witness too much… So she decided to go back to her hometown and maybe… look for the murderer who took her mother from her years ago? She wanted to solved this…

Luckily, her best friend that owned the local burger joint invited her to stay at her apartment instead of the motel. In return, Christie had to work at the burger joint. This season, the spicy Fiesta was a hit with the townsfolk and Christie! All, but one overly verbal man….after causing a bit of a ruckus at the restaurant, was found dead at her best friend’s backyard!

Naturally, Christie was on the case! Until the local attractive detective arrived…..

Conclusion

I enjoyed this story of mystery and a bit of romance. A quick read that was entertaining.

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Vendor Feature: Hushd Creations

I love the Grinch! The story ending makes me tear up with emotion…. Thank you, Hushd Creations for my new sweatshirt!

Who is Hushd Creations?

1) Why did you start your business?

Hushd Creations was created from a silent passion. It took a lifequake to ignite the fire that I needed to repurpose my focus. Working a 9-5, you don’t always get to fulfil your inner joy. I was figuring out how to loop all of my passions into something tangible that I could enjoy doing and share with others, seemed like it was taking years. Through a lot of self-realization, hard work and commitment, I was able to redirect my energy, find purpose and focus my passion into a business that I am now so proud to be able to share with all of you!

2) What was your background?

My background is actually in Science, but ever since I was young, I’ve always had a creative/artsy side. Working almost 20 years in the industry, you tend lose touch with creative expression. The more I’ve grown, the more I’ve come to realize that I need to channel my inner child and get back to doing what makes me happy, but in a way that I can also share with others. I feel that my business is the perfect mesh that allows me to do both.

3) What else do you want to share?

I recently launched my business in April of 2022 (after 2 years of struggling with how to make it a reality), and I’m so honoured by all the love and support we’ve been shown in such a short span of time. As they say, “the best gifts are the ones you give”; we hope you love our products as much as we love making them for you, and we hope we can be a part of your gift-giving experience.

Check them out!

https://www.hushdcreations.com/

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Vendor Feature: Ipse Mandoo

Dumplings are a staple in my kitchen. You can panfry, steam or boil them for a quick meal. Thank you, Ipse Mandoo for the invite!

Who is Ipse Mandoo?

1) Why did you start your business?

As a mother, I did not have time to take care of my two years old son when I operated a Japanese restaurant in Langley. Closing the business, I decided to do a small business which I could work according to my own schedule. While I owned a restaurant, I did not like the taste of factory made gyoza. So I developed my own recipes, which was first used for my first sales in the dumpling manufacturing business. Plus, I like to decorate things, which is the reason why I shaped leaf-shaped dumplings.

2) What was your background?

Before I operated two different Japanese restaurants, I worked as a cook from some Korean restaurants. I was into learning various recipes and developed it as my own ones. This enhanced my understanding in Korean food.

3) What is special about your products?

My effort is revealed in the taste of my dumplings. I have a motto to run my business: I only produce the food that my son can eat without any concern. My dumplings are what my son likes the most. That’s why I am always obsessed with checking the quality of ingredients.

• our dumplings are 100% handmade.
• our dumplings are made upon pre-orders. We never make them in advance.
• The wrappers are also made of our secret recipes.
• I always buy the ingredients myself to check the quality.
• My business has grown so fast as my customers instantly noticed the difference between my dumplings and other ones.
• The lineup for our booth was among the longest ones in the BC Dumpling Festival.

4) What else do you want to share?

We are introducing seasonal menu on a regular basis and running giveaways in the future.

Check them out!

https://instagram.com/ipsemandoo

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Vendor Feature: Thomakis Yogurt

I love Greek yogurt! What about you? Thank you Thomakis for the treat!

Who is Thomakis Yogurt?

1) Why and when did you start your business?

My husband Christos wanted to make something to feel connected to his Greek roots. He came home and said he wanted to make yogurt. So he did and it was amazing! He did this during covid when everyone else was making bread. A friend of ours came by and tried the yogurt and said we should make a business…that people would love it. So Thomakis was born.

2) What was your background?

Christos was a chef professionally for many years but when wanting to start a family chose to change directions for a job that was more oriented to be able to balance a family. He works in food sales and distribution. Though his passion was and always will be good food.

3) What is special about your products?

We strive to make the highest quality product. Clean with no fillers or preservatives. It takes time and lots of love and care to get such a smooth silky product.

4) Finally, anything else you want to share?

We love what we do and the community around us who love our product and make it possible for us to continue to grow and share great food with others!

Check them out!

https://thomakis.com/

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Vendor Feature: Sushi Mura (Richmond)

For beer lovers out there, this Japanese restaurant has beer on tap! Thank you Sushi Mura for the invite!

Who is Sushi Mura?

1.Why and when did you start your business?

Our owner EJ ran this business for 11 years now. He has been in the food industry for over 21 years as a chef and the owner.

2.What is the background?

Sushi Mura is a fast-growing restaurant located in Vancouver since 2012. After receiving so much love and support from our customers, we are dedicated to constantly expanding our restaurant in the future. Our goal is to bring customers joy and satisfaction with the best quality of our customer service with our best fresh ingredients.

Until everyone becomes Sushi lovers “Muran,” we won’t stop serving our immersive dining experiences service and the best quality of taste.

3.Finally, what else would you like to share?

With highly experienced and passionate sushi chefs, we strive to bring the greatest taste and finest experience to our customers. To satisfy your desire for an exceptional Japanese foods experience, we only use best quality of ingredients, which we receive from our suppliers every morning.

Check them out!

https://sushi-mura.com/

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Vendor Feature: Predator BWear

Do you own a dog and worry when it wanders around during your hikes in the forest…? Thank you Predator BWear for this outfit!

Who is Predator BWear?

1) When and why did you start your business?

We started PredatorBWear about 3 years ago after seeing dogs coming in the Veterinary clinic we both work at, either with life threatening wounds and bites. We knew there had to be some way to help.

2) What is your background?

Alison is a Veterinary Technician and Janice is a Veterinary Assistant. Between both of us, we have about 20 years of Vet experience and knowledge.

3) What is special about your products?

Our PredatorBWear harness is lightweight, breathable, has removable spike strips and is also pretty bad-ass looking. We hope this will eliminate expensive Vet bills and give dog owners a better piece of mind. It can be used anywhere on walks, in the trails, and in your own neighborhood or yard. Predators lurk everywhere!

Check them out!

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Vendor Feature: Spirits With Smoke

These kits are great for making your own infused drinks, both alcoholic and nonalcoholic too!

Who is Spirits With Smoke?

Here are some questions that you can choose to answer:

1) Why and when did you start your business?

Antonio and I are two best friends who started our business because of a great opportunity fueled by a love of whiskey and cocktails.

After working in the hospitality industry for a combined total of 20 years, we saw an opportunity to transform the ordinary cocktail by focusing on creating a complete sensory experience by adding Smoke. While helping a whiskey bar help develop its Old Fashioned program, we recognized that people didn’t just want to enjoy great smoked cocktails; they wanted to craft them at home too!

But now our goal has gone beyond just smoked cocktails. We want bartenders to enjoy various restaurant-quality cocktails at home, whether an Old Fashioned, Margarita or a delicious non-alcoholic creation.

Our goal is for homes across the country to never drink ordinary.

2) Next, what was your background?

Both Antonio and I have backgrounds in Anthropology and Geography. Not exactly directly related to starting a cocktail barware company! However, we met while working at a whiskey bar and fell in love with the hospitality experience.

It is why we are passionate about helping people recreate those experiences at home.

3) Some interesting facts about your product?

Spirits with Smoke is about enhancing your drink, whether it be an alcoholic cocktail or mocktail! So much of what we consider to taste comes from our sense of smell. Smoking can influence the flavour, aroma, and appearance of any cocktail, elevating a simple drink to something extraordinary. However, the tricky part with smoke is that humans don’t have the specific receptors to taste Smoke. That’s where the power of aroma comes in.

Smoke transfers phenols, carbonyl compounds, and organic acids, all breaking down into what we detect as distinctive smells. By adding a smokey dimension, you are adding to the aroma of the drink, which in turn pumps up the flavour and adds depth and complexity to an otherwise ordinary cocktail.

4) Finally, anything else you would like to share?

We are passionate about ensuring we leave the planet better than we found it. That’s why for every product sold, we plant a tree! Our “give back, more than we take” philosophy is one of our core principles.

Check them out!

https://linkpop.com/spiritswithsmoke

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Vendor Feature: Jin Soo Sung Chan Korean BBQ

Thank you, Jin Soo Sung Chan Korean BBQ for the invite!

Who is Jin Soo Sung Chan Korean BBQ?

Why did you start your business?

We always wanted to introduce our Korean traditional food to everyone. We wanted introduce to all that there is a korean bbq place in Guildford Surrey!

Our food is authentic and we have variety of korean food to choose. We have VIP rooms where family and friends can enjoy time with privacy. We can cater to big events, including birthday parties and family gatherings like wedding or celebration of life.

Check them out!

https://www.jinsoosungchan.ca/

https://instagram.com/jinsoosungchankbbq?

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Thank You For 20K

20K milestone!

Thank you to all my followers and supporters, who engage on my Instagram account!

There has been ups and downs at times. But, I am very grateful to be able to show support to the small businesses and business owners that I meet each day, either in person or online.

My Social Media Platforms Grew!

My social media accounts, including my blogs, really showed their worth during the beginning of pandemic. Everything was on lockdown, businesses were closing and no one could go out…. Small online businesses began to grow all around me. Friends and especially vendors friends also began to reach out to ask if I could just share some posts.

Naturally, I did what I could to share and repost. They would drop of gifts of appreciation as a means of showing gratitude. At time of the pandemic, these kind gestures made my life much better. Being laid off from my long-time job during the pandemic, I had more time to write up more content and to explore my creative side.

Again, I want to thank you each and everyone of my subscribers to my platforms and my blog! Without your support and encouragement through these years, I wouldn’t have discovered this lifetime passion of mine!

To share what you love, please leave a link to your blog in the comments below!

Let’s all show our support to each other!

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