I’m writing this while sitting on the beach in Turks & Caicos on my 1-year wedding anniversary. It’s probably the only time I’ll have to sit down and collect my thoughts since my time back home is spent chasing inventory, and making excel sheets. (boohoo)...Hubby is also in a corner somewhere on a conference call. It’s moments like these that I feel so lucky because I don’t depend on him, and he doesn’t depend on me. But, we depend on each other... do you know what I mean?

What’s the purpose of this blog post, you ask?

Well, since opening the new Uptown Waterloo location, I feel like more and more people are asking how, what, why questions.
So, here it is...❤I opened my lifestyle boutique in 2016. This was about 6 months after Target Canada’s HQ announced they were closing. Blah blah blah… More on that in the Our Story section of the website.

(HQ set up. Testing head phones.)

I was living what I thought was my dream life in downtown Toronto. By dream life, I mean that I was commuting for 2+ hours per day, and coming home to beer and cheese in the fridge. My pay cheques were going towards designer shoes at Holt Renfrew and independently owned boutiques downtown; I was unapologetic and still am.  One thing I always preach is buy the dress, the occasion will come. Andddd boy did I buy all the dresses! I’m a sucker for unique, great quality apparel; especially if they come at an affordable price point. So, when I set out to open UNI+KONCEPT, the first thing I did was go through my closet and look at the brands that I love, then I started reaching out to them. I couldn’t just stop at the clothes, I also had so many beauty products that I wanted to share. And, who doesn’t love stationary and notebooks?! I had to throw that in there too. Before I knew it all of my favourites were ending up in one place.

When I told my husband that I wanted to do it all. He said “I think you should just pick one arena and stick to it.”

My response was “No thanks, Tom Hanks.”
I physically couldn’t just be a clothing store. That wouldn’t have been enough for me. I love testing the latest beauty products & trends, and more importantly I love sharing that with those around me.

Lester St. Boutique

Yorkville, Toronto Pop-Up

Downtown Kitchener Boutique 

Uptown Waterloo Boutique

A Lifestyle Boutique was born! 

This is where it gets tricky. Because what gives me the right to tell someone that a certain product will enhance their lifestyle?! If it works for me, it doesn’t mean that it’ll work for everyone. It’s not like I’m living some glamorous life, to tell you how to live yours. But, I will be a guinea pig for all of these products and let you know if it helped me.  

However, I have been fortunate enough to live and travel in various parts of world. 🌎 If you want recommendations on hotels, restaurants, and books, feel free to ask me. Also, Hil will tell you that I give the best dating advice.. just saying :p
Owning a lifestyle boutique was never just about the merchandise that you can buy. It was always about the experience that I want to create for my guests. You can come in to vent about your day, or share exciting moments with us. The best part is that sometimes I’m the one who needs advice, and just the right person comes along to give it to me. We’re a community at the end of the day. That’s really what a lifestyle boutique is to me. <3 

That’s all she wrote, folks! I think I’ll put more effort into blogging. I promise to make it much shorter next time.

XOXO. #StayUnik.  

Always,

Jo