Brand MVP | 11 Alberta-based brands that are killing it right now
With the hundreds of brands that we are introduced to each day, it’s important to appreciate the brands that are doing something extra special to stand out.
What makes a brand truly great? The truth is, a great brand isn’t defined by its profits or popularity. It’s defined by its values, what it communicates to the public, how it makes a customer feel, the community it creates, and so much more.
If you live in Alberta, this one’s for you. We all know there are a myriad of amazing local brands in our great province, but here are 11 that really stood out to us:
Edmonton and Area
[1] Sarasota Realty
Photo from: http://sarasotarealty.ca/
If you haven’t heard about St. Albert-based Sarasota Realty yet, you need to stop what you're doing and go check them out! Not only are their social media feeds beautiful and engaging, but they also produce regularly, quality content that is valuable to their audience. This realty company gathers their entire team each month to produce a podcast called Listed, while also creating entertaining videos to let buyers know about market trends in real estate.
We are also loving Sarasota Realty's brand because they do a fantastic job of utilizing employee branding to build connections with their audience, allowing viewers to truly get to know the brains behind the business. Members of the Sarasota team take advantage of their social channels to engage their following and build an authentic look into the world of realty. We get asked about personal branding versus corporate branding, and this is a great example of how you can incorporate the two!
Website: http://sarasotarealty.ca/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sarasota.realty/
[2] City Yoga X
If you’re an Edmonton yogi, you probably already know all about City Yoga X. This by-donation yoga brand builds authentic connections with the community by offering pop-up style yoga classes around the downtown core of Edmonton.
Photo from: https://www.cityyogax.com/
City Yoga X places community at the forefront of their organization. Every week, they connect with their followers on Instagram to let them know about their next pop-up event, encouraging dialogue and authentic engagement with their community. City Yoga X has an extremely strong brand experience that evokes feelings of belonging, foundation, and togetherness.
If you're new to yoga, City Yoga X is the perfect way to gain more experience with your practice in a non-judgemental, open, and welcoming environment.
Website: https://www.cityyogax.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cityyogax/
Photo from: https://www.libertine-fragrance.com/
[3] Libertine Fragrance
Forget luxury and gendered scents, this fragrance company is bringing perfume back to its roots. Libertine Fragrance is changing the way individuals think about perfume, shifting its ties with indulgence and extravagance into ties with nature and creativity.
Created by forester turned designer Joshua Kale Smith, Libertine Fragrance started as a response to the overly commercialized world of perfume, showcasing an authentic approach to scent that consumers can actually relate to.
Website: https://www.libertine-fragrance.com/
Photo from: https://newclassics.ca/
[4] New Classics Studios
With sustainability at their core, New Classics Studios curates ethically made designer clothing, shoes, and homewares to promote environmental and social change. This company’s purpose is much bigger than profit, communicating a strong determination to move past fast-fashion and into a new age of sustainable production. New Classics Studios builds community by supporting designers and creators who have paved the way for the sustainability movement.
Not only do they curate beautiful, fashion-forward collections, but they are helping to highlight other brands who are making an effort to manufacture high-quality, sustainable products. We love New Classics Studio for their thoughtful approach to brand citizenship.
Website: https://newclassics.ca/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shopnewclassics/
Red Deer
Photo from: http://wildbrewing.ca/
[8] Wild Brewing Co.
At Wild Brewing Co., Kombucha is more than just fermented, fizzy tea. This craft Kombucha brewery in Red Deer, Alberta supports its local community by always being sure to show up to events. This brand does an exceptional job of creating human connections with their consumers, something that is always a challenge in our online world.
Wild Brewing Co. also communicates a strong brand identity through their beautifully crafted visuals on social media. Not to mention, they play host to a unique kombucha taproom in the heart of Red Deer.
Website: http://wildbrewing.ca/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wildbrewingco/
Calgary
[5] Local Laundry
Photo from: https://locallaundry.ca/
If you own an e-commerce company, you probably know how hard it is to create a great customer experience through a computer screen. As an e-commerce business, Calgary-based clothing company Local Laundry focuses on their consumers and b-2-b network to create a sense of connection online. Local Laundry works with a group of local businesses to create a positive impact in their community. Even though you never get to step foot in an actual store, Local Laundry makes each customer feel at home.
We can speak first-hand to the quality of online customer interaction with Local Laundry. We've been incredibly impressed with their willingness to respond directly to customer inquiries — no bots here, you're definitely talking to a real human, and one who genuinely cares about their audience!
Website: https://locallaundry.ca/
Photo from: https://fieldstudyshop.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/locallaundry/
[6] Field Study Shop
This unique Calgary-based business combines beautifully made products with a wonderful community of artisans. Field Study Shop creates intimate connections with the makers producing the products they sell and translates this back to their customers, building a passionate community unlike any other. By hosting regular events, Field Study Shop ensures those human-to-human connections between their customers and makers are nurtured.
Their store is a beautiful, welcoming space for shoppers of all shapes and sizes. Not to mention, their brand image is delightfully executed in all visual mediums.
Website: https://fieldstudyshop.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fieldstudyshop/
Photo from: http://www.thegarment.ca/
[7] The Garment
The Garment’s mission is to connect women with responsible brands. This Calgary-based company hosts workshops to gather women of all shapes and sizes, promoting a more responsible and sustainable way of curating and purchasing clothing. The Garment follows the motto of “less is more” as they encourage their audience to buy fewer and better made clothing items, and teach their community about making use of capsule wardrobes as an effective means to reduce consumption.
Photo from: http://twobirdsfurniture.ca/
Website: http://www.thegarment.ca/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thegarmentlife/
Okotoks
[9] Two Birds Furniture
At the request of friends and family, Albertan couple Clint and Robyn Pigeon, started Two Birds Furniture in 2013. These two homegrown talents created Two Birds Furniture out of their love for Alberta and the province’s rich heritage.
Two Birds Furniture uses reclaimed wood from Alberta barns and historic buildings to construct handcrafted furniture pieces that will last a lifetime. This company’s connection with the Alberta prairies is unlike any other, which makes its connection to Albertan ranchers and farmers unlike any other as well.
Website: http://twobirdsfurniture.ca/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/twobirdsfurnitureinc/
Lethbridge
Photo from: http://www.cuppers.ca/
[10] Cupper's Coffee & Tea
Lethbridge-based coffee company Cupper's Coffee & Tea creates fun, coffee-related educational content for their audiences. On the Cupper's website, followers can find short and entertaining podcasts to listen to on the go, as well as informative blog content all about coffee! Cupper's Coffee & Tea’s purpose goes far beyond simple revenue generating, as 30% of the coffee they roast goes back to one cause or another that's near and dear to their hearts.
This unique, community-oriented coffee house truly understands the value of being a brand who finds importance in far more that turning a profit. Their willingness to provide their audience with useful, engaging content paired with their generosity, truly makes this brand purpose-driven.
Website: http://www.cuppers.ca/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cupperscoffee/
[11] Baby Laurel & Co.
Photo from: https://babylaurel.ca/
Baby Laurel & Co. is a Lethbridge-based baby and maternity boutique that focuses on building a supportive and nurturing community where all mothers feel welcome and accepted. Founded by Krista McLean after she experienced a lack of local businesses that catered specifically to mothers,Krista took it upon herself to create a space for mothers to shop for well-designed products, while also being a resource to educate women on all of the support services available to them in Lethbridge.
Baby Laurel & Co. supports their community of mothers by hosting free informational events and sessions for moms to discuss topics related to motherhood. They also collaborate with other brands and organizations that support mothers and babies to enrich the lives of their shoppers.
Website: https://babylaurel.ca/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/babylaurel.co/
Do you have a favourite Alberta-based brand that you think we missed? Tell us about it in the comments below.