These entrepreneurs offer unique and memorable experiences that make perfect gifts for those who seem to have everything. By choosing to shop with local women-owned businesses, you not only find thoughtful and distinctive presents but also support the hardworking women who contribute to our community’s vibrancy and economy.

Follow WeBC on Instagram to discover other women-owned businesses you can support from all over BC and enter to win weekly prize packs.  

MEET THE FEATURED BUSINESSES

Parlez Vin, Kombucha & Wine Intuitive Tastings

Location: Vancouver

Every Sip Is An Adventure!

Parlez Vin, Kombucha & Wine Intuitive Tastings, will take you on a fun, inclusive journey to explore flavours and mindfulness—eyes closed, intuition wide open. From kombucha to wine, it’s a whole new way to connect with taste and yourself.

PV is unique because it combines sensory exploration with mindfulness in a fun and inclusive environment, encompassing the following elements:

• Eyes-Closed Experience: Participants engage in tastings with their eyes closed, allowing for a focus solely on the senses, enhancing flavor discovery and mindfulness.
• Inclusivity: The service caters to diverse preferences, offering options for both alcoholic and alcohol-free beverages, making everyone feel welcome and included.
• Intuitive Guidance: Participants are empowered to trust their intuition during tastings, fostering a personal connection to flavors and enhancing the overall experience.
• Community Focus: A welcoming environment encourages connection, whether through team-building events or gatherings for community groups.
• Memorable Experiences: The combination of fun, learning, and sensory engagement results in unforgettable experiences that leave a lasting impression.
• Educational Component: Tastings can include insights into the beverages, promoting a deeper understanding of the products and the tasting process.

Parlez Vin experiences are perfect for team building and parties: welcome to an unforgettable sensory experience—whether you’re sipping wine or zero proof!

Learn more and connect with Parlez Vin, Kombucha & Wine Intuitive Tastings

Website: Parlez Vin, Kombucha & Wine Intuitive Tastings  

Instagram: @parlez_vin  

Historical Chinatown Tours

Location: Vancouver

Judy Lam Maxwell is the owner and operator of two Vancouver-based businesses: HISTORICAL CHINATOWN TOURS and MASTERCLASS DUMPLINGS. She has led public tours of Chinatown for over a fifteen years and have given Chinese-style cooking classes for more than seven years, both in-person and virtually. In 2024, Judy was given the Tripadvisor Travellers Choice Award (Top 10% globally).

The immersive experiences that she offers are: Historical Tours and Field Trips; Tours plus Dim Sum; Tours plus Dumpling-making Classes; Dumpling Hop & Cocktails; Elevated Cantonese Homestyle Cooking Classes; and more.

“My immersive experiences are both interactive and educational. Exploring the local streets and historic buildings is an excellent way to educate visitors about Chinese cultural heritage in Canada (and beyond), the hardships and tenacity of Chinese Canadians, and the significance of this National Historic Site (designated in 2011), explains Judy.

“All my tours can easily be customized (date, time, duration, the number of people, site visits, and physical mobility) which means I can accommodate high school students, academics, business travellers, seniors’ clubs, and ethnic Chinese tourists seeking to reconnect with their cultural heritage or childhood memories. My businesses are a terrific way to educate people on the intangible cultural heritage and characteristics of historic Chinatowns.”

Learn more and connect with Historical Chinatown Tours

Website: Historical Chinatown Tours 

Instagram: @chinatownjudy  

Facebook: @HistoricalChinatownTours  

LinkedIn: @judy-lam-maxwell            

Amazing Escapes FSJ

Location: Fort St. John

Family Fun for Ages 8 Through 80!

Amazing Escapes FSJ provide safe, indoor, sober family fun via four unique escape rooms. They are a local, family-owned and operated business, and are one of the few indoor family fun venues in the North and South Peace Areas.

“We’re not an online business; we are one of the few businesses where the users have to come to us,” says Tammy Kittle, owner. “There are a few that travel from Dawson Creek, Hudson Hope and Fort Nelson Areas, [but] the majority of our business comes from the locals. We love to be able to provide that service to the community.”

Learn more and connect with Amazing Escapes FSJ

Website: Amazing Escapes FSJ   

Facebook: @amazingescapesfsj   

Lulis Party House

Location: Coquitlam

Lulis Party House is an event planning and luxury balloon design business located in Coquitlam BC. They provide distinctive event decor with luxury balloon garlands and customized backdrop installations. All of their balloons are 100% biodegradable.

“Each design is unique and I spend hours of dedication to prepare every item from scratch – not limited to just balloons, but vinyls, cut-outs, backdrops, etc,” says Nabila Eva, owner.

Giving back to her community is also important. “I share the most I can of all services. For example, donation of our services, or reusing our balloons for moms who can not afford a party.”

Learn more and connect with Lulis Party House

NO WEBSITE

Instagram: @lulispartyhouse    

Facebook: Facebook

Wine Tours Gone South

Location: Osoyoos

Wine Tours Gone South specialize in personalized wine tours of the South Okanagan. They take the time to discover your requirements and pair your tour with the wineries that suit your ideal wine-tasting experience. You can choose which award-winning wineries you’d like to visit, then schedule lunch or dinner at a winery restaurant. 

Explore the wineries of Naramata, Penticton,  Summerland, Similkameen, Keremeos, Cawston and Oliver, and Osoyoos. Their fun and experienced guides make your tour a day you’ll never forget!

They also offer Gift Certificates, so why not give a wine-tasting adventure to someone this holiday season?

Learn more and connect with Wine Tours Gone South

Website: Wine Tours Gone South 

Instagram: @winetoursgonesouth  

Facebook: @winetours.gonesouth  

Vancouver Mysteries

Location: Vancouver

Vancouver Mysteries is Canada’s first outdoor mystery games company, offering immersive experiences in downtown Vancouver and beyond. Vancouver Mysteries offers five different outdoor escape games in downtown Vancouver, including a superhero-themed one for kids. More recently, Vancouver Mysteries has been collaborating with other organizations to offer indoor immersive mysteries (Vancouver Public Library, Fairmont Hotel Vancouver, VIFF Centre). They also run a series of fun and fast-paced murder mystery musicals called Murder is a Drag, a murder mystery show where the detective and suspects are drag performers.

These experiences are not available anywhere else. Tanya and her team craft the stories, equipment, puzzles, artifacts and evidence for a one-of-a-kind adventure, whether you are exploring the city or solving a mystery together at a show. 

It’s important to shop local, “to bring locally owned and operated businesses to the forefront so our communities will thrive,” explains owner Tanya Bennett.

“It was the locals who kept us afloat through Covid, when indoor activities were restricted. We were able to operate as normal for those who lived in the same household and wanted to spend some time outdoors. We were also given a boost from local businesses looking for outdoor team events (after Zoom fatigue). We are still here thanks to the local community support during those tough times.

We are women-owned and are celebrating our 11th year of operation this year!”

Learn more and connect with Vancouver Mysteries

Website: Vancouver Mysteries   

Instagram: @vancouvermysteries 

Facebook: @VancouverMysteries  

LinkedIn: @vancouver-mysteries   

Epic Experiences

Location: Online

Epic Experiences is online marketplace that offers unique experience packages and adventure tours across Canada and the US, providing convenient gift shopping and gift-giving solutions for all your Personal and Corporate needs. They help to bring excitement to people’s lives, creating epic memories through the gift of experience. Whether someone is an adventure lover, a foodie junkie, a wellness seeker, or a culture enthusiast, their selection of experiences is carefully crafted to appeal to a wide range of people.

Epic Experiences services are unique because of one-of-a-kind gift experiences that create lasting memories. Unlike traditional gifts, they offer a wide selection of immersive experiences, from adrenaline-packed adventures to relaxing retreats, tailored to suit all interests and occasions.

Their online platform is designed to make gift-giving easy and meaningful by offering experiences that celebrate life’s special moments. Epic Experiences stands out for its high standards in partnering with top-rated vendors across Canada, ensuring quality and memorable experiences. They want the best for their customers when it comes to the experience and the service they provide.

“Shopping local is important because it directly supports small businesses, strengthens the local economy, creates jobs within the community and reducing environmental impact,” says Yuliya Cruikshank, owner. “When they buy from a local store they’re investing in unique products and services that can’t be bought anywhere else (such as Amazon). It helps to build a community around the business.”

Learn more and connect with Epic Experiences

Website: Epic Experiences   

Instagram:  @epicxps

Facebook:  @EpicExperiences   

LinkedIn:  @epicexperiences    

The post #BuyFromHer: Shop Experiences and Tourism appeared first on WeBC.

These enterprises not only create jobs and support local suppliers  ̶  keeping money circulating within the community   ̶  but they also strengthen our social fabric and contribute to local causes. Additionally, today’s featured businesses operate with a commitment to eco-friendliness and social good, so buying from them is just all-around win-win!

Follow WeBC on Instagram to discover other women-owned businesses you can support from all over BC and enter to win weekly prize packs.  

MEET THE FEATURED BUSINESSES

Better Basics

Location: North Vancouver

Better Basics makes personal care + home products that help you reduce toxins and plastic. Their products use the highest standards, with natural ingredients that are nourishing and healing, refillable, reusable and plastic-free packaging, and they look amazing and smell like a spa.

Additionally, Better Basics creates education around natural ingredients and the impact of plastic on our bodies and the environment. They donate 1% to the planet, organize events and donate products to local women’s shelters, and they’re certified cruelty-free and woman-owned.

“Supporting your local community helps to fuel creative, disruptive entrepreneurs who are committed to solving problems that you can relate to. You often get better quality, more sustainable and more community-oriented products and services when you shop local,” says Samantha Rayner, owner.

“We are having a challenging time competing with the marketing and distribution budgets/networks of the multi-national products in our category. The only way we can survive is by curious + conscious consumers discovering our business, shopping and spreading the word.”

Learn more and connect with Better Basics

Website: Better Basics

Instagram: @betterbasicsco

Facebook: @betterbasicsco

LinkedIn: @betterbasicsco 

Wildcrafted Wool

Location: Duncan

Local handmade eco-friendly wearable textiles and naturally dyed yarns from local sheep. Their philosophy is to make wearable art that is one-of-a-kind, earth-friendly and artisan-made on Vancouver Island. They support local small sheep farmers and merchants for a healthy local economy.

“My woman-owned handmade business seeks to redefine consumption and reconnect us with nature through a ‘small is beautiful’ aesthetic. Locally owned businesses build strong communities by sustaining vibrant town centers, linking neighbours in a web of economic and social relationships, and contributing to local causes. We keep our dollars in the community and promote a culture of healthy entrepreneurship,” says Dalia Levy, owner.

Learn more and connect with Wildcrafted Wool

Website: Wildcrafted Wool  

Facebook: @wildcraftedwool   

Robyn’s Nest Design

Location: Gibsons

Robyn’s Nest Design’s up-cycled upholstery fabric and leather creations transform reclaimed textiles into stunning, sustainable designs that bring new life to your space with a commitment to eco-friendly craftsmanship.

“Our handmade creations, crafted from reclaimed luxury textiles, are not just décor—they’re a celebration of sustainability and artistry. Each unique piece adds a touch of elegance and warmth to your home, making it a haven of comfort and style. But hurry—these exquisite pillows are limited in quantity, making them as rare as they are beautiful,” says Robyn Edmunds, owner.

The company is currently focusing on four products: Designer Toss Pillows; ‘The Canabis Nest’; Designer Leather Bracelets; and Lavender Eye Pillows. Check them out for one-of-a-kind, handmade, up-cycled upholstery and leather textile products that bring new sustainable life to your nest.

Learn more and connect with Robyn’s Nest Design

Website: Robyn’s Nest Design   

Instagram: @robynsnestdesign

Facebook: Facebook

Fifth of May Cause Shop

Location: Coquitlam

“Fifth of May” is otherwise known as a cause shop. It all started as a means for owner Shirley Low to donate 10% of all her proceeds to BC Cancer Research, and has also has allowed her to channel her passion for creativity and love for simple and minimalistic designs.

Natural elements, such as beech wood, and neutral colours can be found in all her designs for lanyards, keychains, essential oil diffusers and much more. Materials are sourced from trusted local and/or Canadian suppliers as a way to support fellow small businesses as well.

“I believe in supporting dreams and more importantly the artisans and shops in our local community. It’s all about supporting one another. On my social media platform, I do my best to promote other local and small businesses that I love as well to my followers. And within my community, I donate proceeds from my business to BC Cancer Foundation, which is near and dear to my heart,” explains Shirley.

“Cancer took away my beloved aunt and uncle and it made me aware of how important this foundation is for research and support they provided to those affected.”

As of 2024, this “little silicone and wood bead accessories shop” has donated over $1,800 to the BCCRC.

Learn more and connect with Fifth of May Cause Shop

Website: Fifth of May Cause Shop  

Instagram:  @fifthofmayshop      

Facebook: @fifthofmayshop   

Chickpeace Zero Waste Refillery

Location: Kelowna

Chickpeace is a BCorp-certified zero-waste refill store in Kelowna. Their mission is to provide refillable and eco-friendly options for personal care, cleaning and pantry products. They support over 200 local, Canadian brands whose values align with their own. Chickpeace make sure that the brands they support are kind to the planet and plastic free. They also have gift boxes perfect for corporate gifting, and customizable options available for every price point.

“Supporting local brands strengthens our local economy. For us, local brands are the heart of our business,” explains Allisha Heidt, owner. “Our vision is to make sustainable living more affordable and accessible to our community. Community support means we are on the right track when it comes to our reach.”

Learn more and connect with Chickpeace Zero Waste Refillery

Website: Chickpeace Zero Waste Refillery  

Instagram: @chickpeacezerowaste 

Facebook:  Facebook

Kaleco Clothing

Location: Vernon

The Fashion Revolution STARTS WITH YOU…

Shopping for natural fibres and ethically made products IS possible at KALECO, a little boutique in downtown Vernon BC bursting with inspiring and unique products. They specialize in sustainable, fair-trade and handmade clothing, jewelry and gifts from eco-friendly brands working for social good.

Kaleco’s focus is on eco-friendly fabrics and ethically-made products, and they source their collection from small vendors who make very unique items you won’t find at the mall. The shop is proud of how many BC- and Canadian-based women makers they feature in their collection.

“When you shop local your money stays in the community and helps it flourish,” says Amanda Homeniuk, owner. “I could not operate my brick-and-mortar store without local people supporting me. We don’t get enough tourists to support running this business year-round so my regular customers are critical!”

Learn more and connect with Kaleco Clothing  

Website: Kaleco Clothing  

Instagram: @shopkaleco 

Facebook: @shopkaleco 

Tough Titties by Emma Hands

Location: Vancouver

Tough Titties mission is to create fun, cheeky designs that raise funds for Breast Cancer research and create community through connection. Owner Emma Hands aims to bring joy and foster a sense of acceptance: “Hey! Look! These are my boobs! These are my scars!” The company celebrates the unique beauty of all bodies, making people feel seen and normalizing the diverse stories we all carry.

“Shopping local helps not only to create a diverse culture of locally run shops (creativity!), but to keep supporting the local community as a whole. Supporting local means our money stays in our community and boosts our economy, explains Emma. “Plus, helping people live and support their dreams of running their own business is a HUGE win. It helps me to live my dream of having a creative business, and giving back to the community.

We’re empowering women, with a laugh along the way.”

Learn more and connect with Tough Titties by Emma Hands

Website: Tough Titties by Emma Hands

Instagram:  @emmahandsdesign   

Facebook:  @emmahandsdesign 

LinkedIn:  @emma-hands   

The post #BuyFromHer: Shop Eco-Friendly and Social Good appeared first on WeBC.

Follow WeBC on Instagram to discover other women-owned businesses you can support from all over BC and enter to win weekly prize packs.  

MEET THE FEATURED BUSINESSES

Happy Family Baby Gift Store Ltd

Location: Surrey

Happy Family Baby Gift Store Ltd was founded in 2024 in Surrey, British Columbia. The company’s creation was driven by a desire to offer high-quality baby products that prioritize eco-friendliness and safety, inspired by concerns over allergies caused by conventional baby items. Founder Aye Moh Thu established the company to fill a gap in the market for allergy-free and eco-friendly baby products.

The company’s mission revolves around offering products that provide peace of mind to parents by using safe, sustainable materials that are gentle on babies and promote a healthier planet. The emphasis is on family, eco-friendly practices, and ensuring every child’s well-being through responsible craftsmanship.

“Shopping local is a powerful way to support our community, environment, and economy. When we buy from local businesses, our money stays within the community, creating jobs and fostering economic stability,” says owner Aye Moh Thu. “Small businesses often source their goods from nearby, which means a reduced carbon footprint compared to items transported over long distances. This helps the environment and promotes more sustainable practices.”

Learn more and connect with Happy Family Baby Gift Store Ltd

Website: Happy Family Baby Gift Store Ltd  

Instagram: @happy_family_baby_store

Facebook: Facebook

True North Home + Family

Location: Lake Country

True North Home + Family specializes in creating natural, high-quality, and sustainable home and family textiles, with linen ring slings for babywearing as their claim to fame. Proudly women-owned, operated and made in Canada, their products are designed to be comfortable, durable and elegant, showcasing the best of Canadian craftsmanship.

“At True North, our uniqueness is defined by our commitment to comfort, quality, community, empowerment, and resilience,” says owner Alison Ruks.

“Our unique combination of providing comfortable, elegant, durable and sustainable natural textile products with local craftsmanship, women’s leadership and operation, empowerment of women and mothers, and unwavering resilience is what truly sets us apart in the industry.”

Learn more and connect with True North Home + Family

Website: True North Home + Family

Instagram: @truenorthslings  

Facebook: @truenorthslings  

LinkedIn: @alison-ruks  

Be A Good Human Cleaning | Cleaning Services

Location: Victoria

The ‘Be A Good Human Cleaning’ philosophy is that they are a small business whose priority is YOU, their clients. If coming home to a clean house makes life just a little bit easier for you, then they have done their job. If your schedule needs to change, they do their best to accommodate what YOU need. They match our team members with YOU, their clients. Their team is like a family and they CHOOSE to work together, just like they CHOOSE to work with you.

Learn more and connect with Be A Good Human Cleaning

Website: Be A Good Human Cleaning

Instagram: @beagoodhumancleaning

Facebook: @beagoodhumancleaning

Rugs by Roo

Location: Vancouver

Rugs by Roo is a Vancouver-based online retailer of healthy, sustainable and ethically made area rugs. At Rugs by Roo, they believe that rug shopping should be fun. Customers shouldn’t have to research hours to understand what flame retardants, chemical sprays and glues can do to their bodies.

“The decorative rug market is a $2.5 billion market in North America. A whopping 80% of this market are comprised of synthetic, low-quality, fast-fashion rugs that are lined with toxic chemicals. We are talking about micro-plastics, PFAS chemicals, phthalates, BPA and VOCs, all of which are proven to cause cancer, infertility, respiratory illnesses, liver disease, kidney disease and even neurological defects in children. These rugs are often disposed of within 5 years once all the chemicals wear off and it loses its shine and glory, or when the style or colour trend dies down. They end up in landfills (only 9% of rugs get recycled), where they live for over 100 years before they decompose,” explains owner Sandy Wong.

‘Our rugs provide a beautiful, conscious choice for those who want style without compromising health or the planet. Second, based on our customers’ feedback and the data we collect on our website about what sells or doesn’t sell, we are able to identify gaps in the market that becomes an opportunity and informs our in-house product line. Tuft Love was launched as a result of customers telling us they want GOTS certified organic materials in a washable rug. Our commitment is for healthy, sustainable and ethical rugs to be accessible to all families and it starts with putting better products out into the market.”

Rugs by Roo take the guesswork out for consumers, ensuring every rug is free from toxic materials and supports eco-friendly and ethical practices. Their curated solution also includes their very own Tuft Love Collection, the first GOTS certified organic washable rug collection in the world.

“Our vision is to weave a better world, one rug at a time.”

Learn more and connect with Rugs by Roo

Website: Rugs by Roo  

Instagram: @rugsbyroo 

Facebook: @rugsbyroo 

LinkedIn: @sandyttam 

Les Jardins De Jaqueline

Location: Abbotsford

WHOLESALER IMPORTER OF FRENCH CLEANING AND NATURAL PRODUCTS

Les Jardins De Jaqueline is a GrowerDirect importer of French Soap and Essential Oils, and dried flowers.

They carry products from Savon de Marseille, whose cleaning line are made with Black soap made with pure Marseille soap and essential oils, and certified ECOCERT. The line also includes personal cleaning products like hand soap and flower gels. 

In addition, LES JARDINS DE JAQUELINE carries Organic Mediterranean Skincare, essential oils, boutique soaps from Provence, and lavender sachets or dried lavender and wheat bouquets sourced from Provence or grown on their own organic farm in Langley.

“Having been in business for 27 years gave us the credibility and the knowledge that our products do and smell as they are supposed to do,” says owner Viviane Guyot. “Many people come to learn more and get educated with us. We still have customers buying after years, which says a lot about the business.”

Learn more and connect with Les Jardins De Jaqueline

Website:  Les Jardins De Jaqueline

Facebook: @lesjardinesdejaqueline 

LinkedIn: @lesjardinesdejaqueline  

Ballantyne Design Co. | DREAM ROOM IN A DAY

Location: Langley City

*Dream Room in a Day* provides a streamlined, accessible approach to creating a thoughtfully designed room, all from the comfort of home. This virtual service is perfect for those seeking a quick and impactful transformation, without the time commitment or expense of traditional interior design.

The *Dream Room in a Day* service focuses on personalizing each space to reflect the client’s unique style, taste, and lifestyle needs. From the initial consultation to final recommendations, owner Chelsea Ballantyne guides clients through every step with a keen eye for detail and practicality. The result is a complete room refresh, with a clear vision, layout, and styling tips—perfectly tailored to maximize both form and function. Clients leave with a fully customized room design they can implement immediately, giving them the tools to transform their spaces confidently.

“My *Dream Room in a Day* virtual service offers a unique, fast-tracked approach to personalized interior design,” says Chelsea. “Unlike typical services, it provides a fully custom room plan in just one day, combining high-end design with the convenience of a virtual experience. Clients receive a tailored layout, curated shopping list, and styling guidance that reflect their unique style—without the time or cost of traditional design. By weaving in personal touches like vintage pieces or family heirlooms, I create spaces that feel both sophisticated and meaningful, setting my service apart.”

Learn more and connect with Ballantyne Design Co.

Website: Ballantyne Design Co.

Instagram: @ballantynedesignco

Facebook: @ballantynedesignco

LinkedIn: @chelsea-ballantyne  

The post #BuyFromHer: Shop Home and Lifestyle appeared first on WeBC.