This summer, we’ve opened our doors of ‘the edit’, in the vibrant beachtown of Port Dalhousie. Our chic general store features a collection of Canadian brands, and here we take you behind the scenes to learn about the founders and their stories. Our pop-up, located at Lock and Main Marketplace (17 Lock Street), is open Thursday to Monday from 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Kristen Vizzari; Founder of A Collection of Her
Photo via Kristen Vizzari
Website: www.kristenvizzari.com (website coming soon!)
Instagram: @kristenvizzari and @acollectionofher
Tell us a bit about yourself:
I worked in the hospitality industry for about 15 years and when the pandemic hit, I found myself, like many having to pivot. I was fortunate because due to the current circumstances, failure wasn’t really that daunting, and what already felt like the worst thing that could happen already did. Thankfully, luckily, the risk paid off and I now work for myself, doing social media/marketing management, along with freelance writing and consulting. After living in Toronto for about a decade, I returned back home to Niagara last summer and purchased a home in St. Catharines with my husband.
Tell us the story behind your brand:
Writing has always been a passion of mine. It is therapeutic. It is an outlet to help me navigate where I am emotionally, mentally, physically and spiritually. A few years ago I began sharing my work on Instagram and received positive feedback, from friends, from other writers, and from people I didn’t even know – that found comfort in my words. Truthfully – I write for me – but knowing that it can help others is what motivates me to continue.
What inspires you?
People inspire me daily. Their resilience, their confidence, their vulnerability, their courage. Story-telling is an under-utilized and powerful tool – it’s what unites us. Shared pain, shared loss, shared hopes. Our individual experiences may differ, but the underlying emotions, the lessons, the loss, the love is what connects us. We just need to open ourselves up to listening.
Where’s your favourite spot to vacation in the summer?
My husband’s family owns a cottage North of Sault Ste Marie. Getting to it is by no means my favourite, but when I’m there it makes the 10 hour drive worth it. It’s off-grid, so no internet, no cell-phones, no electricity. You are completely unplugged from the chaos and noise of the world. It truly feels like a different world – untouched from society, and pure. I always return feeling like I know myself a bit better than when I left.
What does 2023 hold for your brand?
It’s a good question and I’m not certain I completely have a clear answer. As I’ve gotten older I’ve learned that humans are incredibly diverse – but we are often unwilling or too scared to diversify. I’m not prepared to put myself into one box. I would love to continue to write both poetry and articles, but I am also hoping to return to a long-lost hobby of styling and fashion – all while continuing to help businesses with their branding/marketing and social media channels. You are only able to reach your full potential when you stop placing limits on yourself. “When you let go of the plan you were told to follow, you will begin to live the life you were meant to have.
Shop Kristen Vizzari at our pop-up located at Lock and Main Marketplace (17 Lock Street) from Thursday to Monday, from 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
