How many years have you been in business in the DDBIA?

1

How many full-time employees (including yourself) work in your business or org?

1

Are your annual sales [budget] over or under $500K yearly?

Under

Tell us your start-up story here - and don't forget to tell us what motivated you to start your business/organization here in Downtown Duncan specifically? We want to know why you chose us!

As a lover of the arts from a young age, it was always a dream to be able to build a business within my hometown community in an area not only I was passionate about, but also what our beautiful valley thrives on. Artists and the versatility of expression. Being in the customer service industry for years, I’ve always had a passion for working with people. It wasn’t until I moved back home from the mainland to the Cowichan Valley that the idea of creating a local business came to fruition. Starting online and building a following and base foundation, I was overwhelmed by the support and love for the same kind of arts that I was also excited about. 

Through COVID, online seemed like the most sensible and safe option for everyone. Once the dust started to clear it became apparent that I wanted something more and to be able to showcase the artisan work I had collected over the past five years with my community. The downtown core is something special where you can find a collective of unique items and even better people and I wanted to be a part of that and include my artists in the showcase, educating and providing quality products to my neighbourhood in once such a taboo area. I am so grateful to be a part of this community and everything it brings.

What, do you believe, makes your business [or organization] uniquely successful?

I believe my business's uniqueness in providing quality functional artwork has brought light to the many talented glass-blowing artists who once hid in the shadows. Teaching folks about the scientific methods and timely process of the creation of these one-of-a-kind pieces has been truly rewarding. Many of our artists reside right here on Vancouver Island, with our closest artist being right here in the heart of Duncan.

Putting money back into our community and into the hands of aspiring artists has been nothing short of rewarding and remarkable to watch them grow, buy new equipment to do bigger and better things and be a part of that process. Many folks who have taken the time to pop in have commented on how beautiful and clean it is inside and have come back to shop with us again. I feel very grateful.

Regardless of how you define growth, what are the short and long-term growth plans for your business or org?

My hope for Medi Heady Glass Co is that we can include many more artists and continue to not only be a shop, but an art gallery for all to enjoy. Hopefully, we will be able to be a part of more in-town events and expand our name so all feel comfortable to come inside and take a look at what these talented artists can create from a raw stick of borosilicate glass. We don’t plan on going anywhere and will be here for years to come!