What's Up Wednesday

We've featured many of Ottawa's small businesses and entrepreneurs who have been doing unique things in an extremely difficult year, through this weekly feature, and as the holiday shopping season heats up, we're looking back.

"I think we would see, not just an open house, where people come in and sit on their laptops and be in their own space, but an intentional space where we would invite people in to be a part of what we’re up to," says owner Jessie Duffy.

Two years ago, James Phillips created his first beard oil in his kitchen. Now, he's got a full-fledged craft business.

Thirteen's youth-led program has been making unique African spice blends, now found at local shops and cafés in Ottawa, for the last four years, and this year the group is branching out with a market of its own.

After a career as a touring singer, Sylvette Briere is carving out her place in Ottawa’s arts community.

The DIY bike shop, currently located on Bronson Avenue, isn't sure where it might end up next.

Buchipop's Patricia Larkin launched Burrow Shop, an online farmers' market, in the early days of the pandemic as a way to keep afloat. But now, she sees it sticking around for much longer.

Judie Tu started House of Plants as an online store during the pandemic. Now, she's got her own plant shop in House of Plants.

When COVID-19 hit, young entrepreneur Mathew Paquet found his company, myMarketing, in high demand.

"Mini putt and alcohol. That’s what it is," says manager Nadeem Siddiqui.