Entrepreneur Spotlights: Creativity Building Community and Commerce
- creatingconfidentl
- Aug 18, 2025
- 8 min read
I am a huge promoter of creativity as hobby. I love the space we create with creativity to do something for ourselves and our own joy; to fill our cup. At the same time creatives deserve to be paid for their creations, their ingenuity, their business if they choose to create one. Additionally, every entrepreneur whether they be in a creative field, retail, finance or any other discipline, they are creative by the virtue of making, starting, running, marketing a business. Creativity is not limiting; it’s not only what you make or how you make, it’s THAT you make; you create something in the world that wasn’t there before.
Whether it be a hobby or a business creativity is, at its core, about creating connection and community. Collaboration, connection, exchanges, sharing, inspiration; all of these are opportunities to build community through creativity, around creativity, because of creativity. We gather in groups to listen to a new album drop, a live concert, watch the new season of your favourite show, gather for a midnight book release or a bookclub, writing groups to motivate one another without speaking or sharing anything, paint nights at the local bar, a class to learn something new, asking for input on a brainteaser or spit balling a new idea that for scheduling more efficiently. All of these activities are immersed in creativity; centered around it, or actively exploring it. Even if you are in your own space, quietly working away with your headphones on, creativity requires external input from somewhere and external expression of your internal world - every time you engage with an idea you are actively creating and connecting even if it’s only a connection between your inner world and your external reality.
Today I want to celebrate some of the women in particular I have the privilege of knowing who have taken their creativity, drive, and passion for community and connection to a whole new level: entrepreneurs in a variety of spaces who bring their individuality to their creativity to share with their communities. All six of these women have recently started their own businesses, they’ve chosen themselves to be leaders, creative forces, examples of women stepping into their own power to build a community full of passion, delight, and support.
Vendors and Markets at Festivals and Online - Goodies to Delight and Indulge In
Wildwood Books and Market
This business local to Southern Ontario is a cozy bookstore on wheels traveling near and far to summer markets and festival this year to supply book lovers with new and used books! The one thing most often missing from these markets amid handmade goods, food trucks, and music stands is the book shop; Wildwood Books and Market saw that need and filled it exquisitely. Also offering custom stickers, bookmarks and blind dates with beloved books this business combines a love of reading and all things cozy with the spirit of ingenuity and adventure. Their instagram is blowing up, always up to date with the next steps for the business and where you can catch them before summer/fall’s end! Not only that but they just released their online store! Support local, connect with local bookworms, and be sure to stop by and say hi to the intrepid woman running this beautiful bookshop!
I am blessed to count her among my best friends and family in fact. She has the drive to make her dreams a reality and she keeps me feeling inspired and ready to chase my own dreams too! She has always wanted to live a life that suits her, one that gives her the freedom to be who she is and support herself doing what she loves to do. Her dedication to that dream is what has led to her fiercely fighting for her bookshop on wheels.
Crimson and Honey
This whimsical business of fairy wings, ear cuffs, jewelry, and coresets to inspire you to live your fantastical life is run by an equally whimsical, kind hearted, delightful human who loves to bring joy and delight into the world however she can. Crimson and Honey launched this festival season at a local Ren Fair immediately capturing attention as a business centered on intentionally creating pieces that are not only beautiful but infused with playfulness and delight; just like the two gorgeous puppies that feature in their logo and models the delicate crowns that are hand crafted. Whether you like the aesthetic, love live fantasy events, enjoy ren fairs, or want a little bit of magic in your home or to complete your cosplay, Crimson and Honey has gorgeous pieces to add that touch of whimsy and magic to your life.
The woman behind this business is a beautiful soul. She works tirelessly to bring delight into this world and share her view of whimsy with others looking to experience genuine connection and community. She reminds me to indulge in delight and take time to enjoy play among the regularity of work-a-day life. Her desire to create for a living is infectious.
Lifestyle Business Coaching for Physical Health and Overall Wellness - Inspiration and Support
Tamara O’Shaughnessy
Her debut memoir, I Am Lotus, was my most anticipated ready of 2025. Her podcast launch on September 4th Becoming Lotus is at the top of my listening list, and her instagram is my daily dose of peace. She’s recently launched her life coaching business and promotes and supports other women simply going through life by holding space for them and their stories. Tamara is a force of nature, though not in the sense of an impending storm, she lives her life with joy, grace, and a quiet tenacity that gently tugs you to join her in putting one foot in front of the other, saying yes to experiences, and tackling life with dignity, directness, and softness. Tamara believes whole heartedly in everyone’s power, but particularly a woman’s power to overcome, rise and thrive, to become the most authentically joyful and powerful version of herself. Her own life of resiliency, courage, and unwavering hope has given her the distinct ability to see and appreciate every ounce of joy that comes her way; the proof that it is not our circumstances that define our lives, but our approach and mindset to meeting challenges.
This woman has had a profound impact on my life from the moment I met her. I strive to embody her soft strength, her quiet consistency, and her courageous joy. The beauty of Tamara is her generosity; she doesn't hoard her knowledge or keep her incredible capacity for compassion and coaching to herself, she shares herself with the world, giving of herself to support and empower her community.
Grace Benoit Coaching
Emulating her namesake in all of her endeavours, Grace is dedicated and disciplined. She combined these attributes with compassion and a wealth of knowledge to program her clients with precision. It’s more than working out, it’s understanding goals, people, and programming to tailor an experience many associate with frustration and judgement in an encouraging way. Grace Benoit Coaching is a fantastic training experience for beginners and advanced fitness individuals. Not only is she a trainer who sees results for her clients, but she has over the last two years competed in bodybuilding/fitness competitions. Fearless, driven, and tenacious. She not only encourages these approaches with her silence, but she lives by them herself.
Grace is a master class in showing up for oneself, building self trust, and striving for that next step whether you think you're ready or not. You wake up and start from now, from wherever you are. She lives what she teaches, and that is the most admirable quality one can possess. Her integrity is astounding, and her joy in the process for herself and her clients. This authentic approach to fitness training is a refreshing client centered approach that reinvigorates my love of personal training. The creativity of building a business designed to improve lifestyle is what got me started in thinking about creativity as more than traditional art. Yet, building our bodies, exploring movement, and building character in the gym is a beautiful way to create the lives we want to live, and Grace Benoit Coaching is a fantastic environment in which to explore your potential.
Appearance Aesthetic Artists - Building Body Confidence and Meaning Through Art
Amber Albano Tattoo Artist
One of the most incredible tattoo artists in Niagara. Installed at Hart and Huntington Niagara Falls she has designed all but one of my many tattoos, and tattooed all but three of them. Her art is full of life and passion. Attention to detail, creative ingenuity, and a master of her craft Amber works with her clients to merge their imagination with her brand of creativity to create designs that are meaningful and beautiful. She puts visual representations of life’s most meaningful moments, memories, and feelings on our skin forever. I myself am covered in pieces of her art and each and every single one of them makes me feel beautiful, sexy, and brings a smile to my face at their memories and meanings.
Not only is she a wonderful tattoo artist, but she is a passionate, joyful human being too. I am honoured to count her among my best friends. Her art and love of drawing drew her into the world of tattooing, but that precision and love for visual arts has never faded. Her pet portraits and painting for herself in her own studio reminds me to take time for my own creativity to fill my cup and bring me peace daily.
Cut the Dead Sam
A local curly hair artist dealing in holistic and scalp care as well as lunar cuts. This holistic approach to hair artistry encompasses the whole person. She dedicates her time and expertise to each and every client. Not only that, but she is always learning and expanding her understanding to better serve her clients. Willing to discuss her business and creative insights with anyone, Sam is a welcoming, authentic presence. She challenges limits and pivots as needed to maintain her integrity as a hair artist and a human being. Her offerings are thought out and tailored to suit not only her clients, but to align with her authentic self as well. She does not apologize for who she is, and she helps her clients embrace that bravery through their hair. It’s an expression of self, and Sam knows just how to deliver that tailored approach to each and every person who sits in her chair.
The woman behind this business is as fully authentic as you can get and she is gorgeous. Her vivacious love of life is infectious. She fully embodies her power and encourages others to do the same. This woman is incredibly open and welcoming to everyone. Following her business journey and getting to know her has been inspiring in my own creative practice. She reminds me it’s always okay to rebrand, pivot and remain true to your identity.
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