Four trendy Calgary-based small businesses you should know about

There has never been a better time to support small and local businesses, especially ones that are Canadian-based! Aly Velji shared four standout businesses from Calgary that are crowd-favourites. From artisan ceramics to curated artwork, we're sharing what we love about these unique companies!

THE ARTS ADVISORY

The Arts Advisory is a team of painters, illustrators, graphic designers and photographers that joined together to create unique and affordable art. While shopping at major retail chains for home decor isn't necessarily a bad thing, choosing from one-of-a-kind pieces is definitely a more valuable investment. Not only do they offer art consulting, but you can also order custom artwork curated specifically for your home! 

QUINSPIRED CERAMICS

Quinspired is known for its small-batch artisan ceramics that are carefully thrown, timed, glazed and fired with love. Quin, the founder, created the company as a way to share her love for pottery with the world. Her goal was to create both functional and beautiful pieces. Best of all, a portion of each purchase is donated to missions close to her heart - such as supporting access to education in third world countries. 

RIGHTEOUS GELATO

Righteous Gelato is much more than just another frozen dessert brand. Their commitment to creating environmentally-friendly packaging as well as providing their customers with complete transparency when it comes to ingredients is what sets them apart. Of course, their delicious flavours play a big role in their popularity! From peanut butter and jam to salted hazelnut, Righteous Gelato has tons of options no matter what your tastebuds are into. You can find their products at most Canadian retailers and they're also in the midst of launching a new shipping program!

XO TREATMENT ROOM

The XO Treatment Room takes a different approach to skincare than traditional aestheticians. Founder Annie Graham worked in the medical and tech field for 20 years before diving into creating face care products and a lab. Instead of closing up shop due to the nature of this pandemic, Annie decided to offer remote facials. Currently, you can Facetime with Annie to discuss your skincare needs before receiving a curated box of products shipping directly to you. When it arrives, you're able to reconnect with her to go through a virtual custom facial treatment using the products you were shipped.