The local business we are featuring this week, Oak+Tonic, sells a variety of all-natural Canadian skin and hair care products. Oak+Tonic is known as Calgary’s leading organic and natural apothecary with brands growing on the daily.
What is your business called and what does it do?
Oak+Tonic – 100% Canadian Green Indie Beauty Skin & Hair Care sourced coast to coast in Canada!
What made you want to do this work?
I created Oak+Tonic here in Calgary by the people for the people! It’s been in the making for over 5 years now (but only launched October 2016). When societies commitment to a more natural lifestyle became more of a necessity rather than a hobby; Oak+Tonic was born!
What problem does this solve?
In using natural beauty products as an alternative to the mainstream beauty industry, we see products being marketed at women and men that have been either prescribed or marketed many medical treatments, most of which contain synthetic chemicals – there had to be an alternative.
We represent our love of community involvement and that culture it creates while leaning towards a movement of a more holistic lifestyle anyone at any age can adopt! People love options, but they need to be compelled at a more emotional level and be one with the brands mission and its values. By offering Sustainably sourced products, cruelty-free initiatives and exclusively Canadian Brands; that in itself is innovation and a driving force behind what we do in our day to day life and in the growth of Oak+Tonic as a lifestyle brand!
Who are your clientele/demographics?
Ages 25-45 is our main demographic…but realistically we strive to create a space that caters to everyone of all ages and walks of life…as Canada is a stirring pot of cultures, ages, beliefs, and lifestyle…we just want to compliment and add meaning to people’s day to day lives!
How does your business make money? How does it work?
We have an online store and just recently opened up a new 1300sq ft brick and mortar at the Southcentre Mall right here in YYC, boasting 30+ lifestyle brands and growing daily!
Where in Calgary can we find your profession?
#246, 100 Anderson Road Se and www.oakandtonic.ca
What is the best question a prospective customer could ask a member of your profession when comparing services?
What is the difference between me going to shop at another beauty store versus coming here to Oak+Tonic?
ANSWER: Oak+Tonic ONLY carries 100% Cnadian Brands. Whether these are local YYC brands or shipped from the other side of Canada ..we support our country all while creating a “Safe Zone” of tried and true Hand curated lines that meet our strict requirements and also are in code with FDA, EWG, ECO-CERT, LEAPING BUNNY and EU certifications! We are VERY proud of this and proud to call Oak+Tonic a grassroots YYC brand!
What is the best part about what you do? What is the worst part?
Best Part: My passion for skin and hair care combined with my love of people makes me want to wake up every day to make it just that much better for at least one other person! And by allowing myself to be the best I can be as a person, inside and out; I know I’ve made a difference…this is where compassion and self-betterment lives! I was thought at a young age “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you”. And when you live your life in the moment, as you would like to see it…it’s not particularly ignorance nor is it naive….it’s just a single individual trying to make the world a better place…one guest at a time 🙂
Worst Part: Seeing people not know what they are using on themselves and how companies can so easily get away with just selling something for the bottom dollar! Drives me mad but also fuels me to do what I do…lemons into lemonade I think they say!
What is your favourite joke about your own profession?
Crude, but gets another point across as this is a LIFESTYLE not just a checklist!
“Once you see someone with a clear skin you start disturbing them for their skincare routine but you haven’t changed your bedsheet and pillowcase in three weeks, your towel was last washed two months ago and you don’t even know what exfoliation is…do you even skincare?”
PAY IT FORWARD: What are some other Calgary brands you love?
Marketspot YYC…the passion that Emma and Andre share for giving Calgary a space to support local business…just makes me so happy! <3
