No Ties in this Race: Handsome&Lace is the winner of the Fall 2019 Purolator Small Business Dream into Reality Contest! We challenged small Canadian business owners to share their stories of how they overcame hardships to make their business dream a reality. The grand prize? A little boost to support their goals: $10,000 in cash and $5,000 in Purolator shipping credits. Out of thousands of submissions, Handsome&Lace specifically stood out to our judging panel. Keira Morgan, founder and owner of Handsome&Lace, tells us more about her business.
Handsome&Lace is a Toronto-based small necktie and bow tie business that focuses on sustainability. Their story is a compelling tale of creative passion, perseverance and resilience.
Keira Morgan has always had a “bring it” attitude and a creative vision. At the age of 6, she was already hand-stitching embellishments onto clothing which eventually turned into making her own clothes. Although she had many obstacles to push through, her positive attitude has made her resilient against all the setbacks she’s faced in her past.
Running a business is no easy feat – especially if you live with social anxiety. “I’m not able to meet up with customers as easily as other people are,” she expressed. But that didn’t stop her from pursuing her dreams. By finding her voice through sewing, Keira was able to overcome this hurdle. Since her humble beginnings on Etsy, she transformed her side gig into the successful business it is today – Handsome&Lace, a home-grown, local and sustainable brand in the niche market of handmade neckwear.
Handsome&Lace is your go-to for customers who want their individuality to shine through sustainable accessories. Keira is hands-on when it comes to Handsome&Lace products – “When I see a fabric I like to touch it”. Not only are their materials locally sourced, Handsome&Lace’s custom neckwear is hand-stitched and made in-house. Keira’s creativity doesn’t stop there – she also crafts bespoke suspenders, slimming neckties and custom artwork ties. Have an old t-shirt, vintage curtains or other sentimental material? She can take anything and refurbish it into a bow tie, necktie or pocket square for you. Additionally, Handsome&Lace offers wedding services. This way, brides and grooms can celebrate their marriage with accessories as unique as their story.
Keira entered the Fall 2019 Purolator Small Business Dream into Reality Contest with a goal to expand her business reach. As she explained in her submission, “I’d love to upgrade my machines and hire so I can expand but in due time”. Winning the contest was instrumental to achieving her growth goals faster – “I was able to upgrade all of my machines, including my embroidery machine which makes much more beautiful images.”
Purolator is a proud supporter of Handsome&Lace and its mission to celebrate individuality with sustainable accessories.
As a strong advocate for the hard work of all entrepreneurs, Purolator offers specific services and guidance intended to help small businesses succeed with their shipping needs.
