A new local business born out of loss and love is designed with a community-minded approach to do good

My latest feature story for Halifax Magazine

If anyone knows how to turn a negative into a positive, It’s Carolyn Marshall. I’m sharing the story all about her newest venture in Halifax Magazine.. Marshall channeled the love and loss of her beloved pets into a new community-minded business. Finn and Lucy Premium Pet Gear sells leashes, collars, and accessories handcrafted by Marshall.

When both her pets died within two weeks of each other, Carolyn Marshall turned the negative into a positive with a new business venture

Her dream is to one day have a social enterprise where others can earn a fair working wage, with products hand-crafted in Canada. While it takes up plenty of her spare time, she’s not looking for this business to be her main source of income. “But I’d like it to be a main source of income for other people, if that makes any sense. I would like other people to be able to do the sewing, to have enough wholesale clients so there’s steady work for somebody, at least one person if not more, and then grow it from there.”

The product is hip, with patterns ranging from cupcakes, to beers of the world, wine, super heroes, and lots of other fun, pop culture references. Marshall releases new products every month. There are over 50 options currently on the business website, and she takes custom orders as well. “It’s more about an expression of what you love, than it is ‘let’s get a pretty plaid collar,’” says Marshall.

Positivity, fun, and something to smile about is the message Marshall says she is trying to convey.

Marshalls home office where she handcrafts leashes, collars, and accessories. Photo from Halifax Magazine, courtesy of Finn and Lucy premium pet gear #petgear #Halifaxmagazine #finnandlucy

“It’s really an endeavour of love. It was born out of love for my pets, it’s an endeavour to try and spread some love in a fun way without being all preachy,” she says. “I spend a lot of time on social media and there’s a lot of shaming of people and a lot of preaching to people and I just want there to be some fun and some happiness and some joy. And some love. We need more of that. It’s a scary world we live in, with all that’s happening south of the border. And that kind of stuff spreads. I think it’s really important for those folks on the love side of the coin to do everything that they can to spread it.”

Continue reading about Carolyn, Finn, and Lucy’s story, In This Together, in Halifax Magazine