Our story
We love shopping local, but when we looked around at the usual "Shop Canadian" lists, we noticed something missing, so many incredible businesses weren't being highlighted. As entrepreneurs ourselves, inspired by our immigrant parents and grandparents who built businesses from the ground up in Canada, we saw an opportunity to create something different.
That's why we started From Here. A curated space that brings together small and medium-sized businesses from all over the country, ensuring that local shopping truly reflects the breadth of Canadian entrepreneurship. From rural makers to emerging brands, we're shining a light on businesses that deserve to be seen and supported. We're creating something beautiful, because shopping from here means uplifting everyone from here. We're adding new brands daily, and if we've missed your favourite, or if you'd like to help us expand our diverse list of Canadian entrepreneurs, we'd love to hear from you. Submit a brand here and help us uplift local businesses from coast to coast.
Meet the team
Shavonne Hasfal-McIntosh
is an entrepreneur, community builder, and longtime champion of small businesses. As the daughter and granddaughter of entrepreneurs, she’s seen firsthand how visibility, access, and storytelling can help create a landscape where more businesses are discovered, valued, and woven into the fabric of our national narrative.
Christine Jinae Lee
loves turning big ideas into things that matter: from building products in health and finance to writing children’s stories. From Here was born from that same spark — a fun way to discover and cheer on Canada’s diverse entrepreneurs and their inspiring journeys.
Nina Coutinho
is a people person. She is at her best when helping stakeholders align, teams work better to achieve their goals, or bringing people together at a party. Born and raised in Toronto, From Here is a love letter to the humans, brands, and places across Canada that have helped shape her life.
Frequently asked questions
How can my business be included in the From Here directory?
If you’re a Canadian small or medium-sized business and would like to be featured in our directory, you can submit your details here.
What if I need to update my business listing?
No problem! If you’d like to change your business tags (e.g., category, location, brand identity and values) or update any details, please email us at info@buyfromhere.ca, and we’ll take care of it.
Does it cost anything to be featured?
No! Inclusion in From Here is completely free. Our goal is to amplify and support as many independent businesses as possible.
Who can I contact for media inquiries?
For press and media inquiries, please reach out to us at shav@buyfromhere.ca.
How can I support From Here?
You can help by sharing From Here with your community, nominating businesses to be featured, and, of course, shopping local! Tag us on Instagram @fromherecanada when you support a listed business—we’d love to highlight your finds.
Who can be included in From Here?
Right now, our main criteria is that the business is Canadian-founded. We may evolve this over time, but for now, we’re focused on showcasing businesses with Canadian roots.