From Founder Lunches to Border Delays: One Week in Toronto
A sleep tape shipment stuck at the border, a game-changing formula locked in, and a reminder that family always comes first
I just wrapped a whirlwind week in Toronto, where every day felt like three. Between locking in a formula for Launch 002, navigating a shipping fire drill with UPS, and spending a much-needed afternoon with my mum for her birthday, this week was full of the extremes that come with building something from scratch.
Here’s what happened, and what’s coming next.
Always checking out travel retail. Very cluttered. Very same same looking. All to say…I can’t wait to show you what we are cooking up next 👀
Founder Lunches > Founder Panels
I finally got to sit down for a proper lunch with Nadia from Marlow, someone I’ve admired for years. If you don’t know Marlow, they created the first lubricated tampon, a real innovation in a space that desperately needed one. They are known for clean, toxin free & sustainable period care that works. They’re now stocked at Whole Foods across Canada and are building a standout presence on social. Nadia and I have seen each other in passing, but this was the first time we had the chance to get into the weeds, founder to founder.
We swapped stories on early struggles, fundraising lessons, and brand vision. What I admire most about her is her razor-sharp focus, doing one thing exceptionally well. Marlow is proving that you don’t need to chase every opportunity to build something meaningful. So grateful to have her in my orbit, and even more grateful that we both know powerhouses like Annie and Kelley through Dream Ventures.
Launch 002: The Formula is Locked 🔒
It’s happening. The formula for Launch 002 is officially signed off and we’re now iterating on packaging. We’re expecting a physical sample within the week, and if it passes the vibe and quality check, we’ll move into production.
This phase is where the creative gears kick in. Messaging, storytelling, campaign builds, all the stuff I love most. But what’s especially exciting is that we’re bringing our community in early. We’re shaping this together, and if you’re a paid subscriber, you’ll get a front-row seat to help us vote on final packaging. I want this next drop to feel bold, smart, and unexpected, but most of all, ours.
We went back to Othership, but this time to their Adelaide location and sampled at the 6:45pm class, honestly I was jealous of how ZEN everyone looked, need to get on my cold plunge game
The UPS Saga That Nearly Broke Me 📦
Let’s talk about the real MVP of the week: patience. We had a critical batch of Sleep Tape stuck at the border, and every hour that passed meant another pre-order was delayed. I got a surprise call from UPS that we needed a customs broker, something I’d never handled solo before. Cue the scramble.
I called our 3PL, priced out two separate fulfillment paths, calculated import fees, and finally decided to reroute the shipment overnight to Canada so we could fulfill in-house. Except... it would arrive too late for our office to receive it. So a friend drove to my house, grabbed the box, and dropped it off at HQ for our interns to ship out.
Setting looks calm but u should have seen me on the phone w UPS 😵
Shoutout to our incredible team (and very patient customers). This week was a masterclass in staying calm, making quick decisions, and remembering that staying calm can sometimes be your super power because ultimately everything always works out.
A Personal Win: Mum’s Birthday 🎂
Amidst the chaos, I carved out a few hours to celebrate my mum’s birthday. After a year of brutally honest healing, moments with her feel sacred. She’s doing so well right now, and I couldn’t be more proud. Read more below if you missed our previous deep dive on this.
We went to a pottery class with my brother and laughed the whole way through it. Spoiler: I will not be quitting to become a ceramicist anytime soon. But it was fun, and it reminded me that time with the people you love is never wasted.
Not pictured: me taking 5 tries to make a single mug, water flying everywhere, the instructor saying ‘do you want me to just do it?’ 💀
More soon, including behind-the-scenes from our next campaign, partnership brainstorms, and, of course, the reveals on Launch 002
Catch me manifesting that 95 sleep score tonight ‼️
💬 What’s one thing you learned this week? At work, in life, or somewhere in the blur between the two?
Reply and tell me. I’ve started collecting these lessons to weave into future posts. The truth is, building something real is never just about the wins. It’s about the tiny pivots, the mindset shifts, and the messy middle.
Whether it’s a breakthrough or a breakdown moment, I want to hear it. Let’s keep making this space feel less lonely and more like we’re in it together.