What motivated you to start your business and what is your vision for the future of the company?

I was motivated to start this business after experiencing a few years of university during the COVID pandemic. Many of my courses at UVic reaffirmed that we only had one planet, and we need to act differently as a society. This sparked my interest in the circular economy and its importance for our future. It is vital for sustainability to reduce our environmental impact and avoid over-exploiting people, the land, and our resources. It is essential for all kinds of businesses to provide really excellent quality goods and services, while diverting waste, reducing our carbon output, and keeping our economic circulation local. As a young entrepreneur, I can be part of the many developing industries that participate in the circular economy. We need this for our future. By being a new business experimenting with the idea of the circular economy, I’m learning to do things differently and make an impact. I chose the idea of “recertified” sofas because it was something I could start with little upfront capital. I started with just my time, energy, and labour. This was a low barrier to entry for a young entrepreneur, and I feel that I am making a difference. I came up with a good process based on ideas from car detailing to frame out how “recertified” furniture would work. I didn’t know the art of upholstery, but I could make good quality furniture really shine sing again! My vision for Recertified Furniture is to become a leading provider of high-quality used furniture, an exemplar of the local circular economy. In the short-term future, I am busy renovating the Victoria showroom to enhance the customer experience, streamline our recertification process, and expand our furniture selection. These renovations are crucial for increasing our sales volume and overall efficiency. With good systems, workflow, trainees, and an understanding of both the supply and sales side of the used furniture market, my vision is to build and manage 3-5 locations myself. I’ve visited communities in Vancouver, Kelowna, Nanaimo, Calgary, and Kamloops and have good networks there, and am confident the market would work well in these locations. After refining all the elements of the business model, I would like to offer Recertified Furniture as a franchise for others who want to build on the workflows and reputation that I have built. In the long term, I envision the flagship Victoria store as a continued source of unique, quality furniture and an exciting destination for shoppers.

Why do you deserve to win the Best Youth Entrepreneur Award?

I feel that as a 22-year-old entrepreneur, my small business has been a success and is making an impact. I started selling sofas when I was 20, working out of my parents’ garage and using our family minivan. I then expanded to a storage locker in the Keating Business Park, and soon after, I was operating out of four storage lockers. Before long, I was ready to grow the business to a retail space closer to downtown in Victoria. Now in my second year of business, I have learned an enormous amount. I am moving at least $30,000 of inventory every month (which is growing month over month), so I know I’m making a difference. I was recently recognized by the owner of Pemberton Homes and asked to give an inspirational talk to their realtors about the entrepreneurial spirit and my story. The reception I received was really gratifying. I’ve benefited so much from meeting other business owners and learning about how to make all this work. The Google Maps reviews of my business are overwhelmingly positive, with customers praising our selection, service, prices, and delivery. Many reviews recognize me as being knowledgeable, helpful, and professional. Several customers point out how I have gone above and beyond to ensure they were satisfied with their purchases. They also frequently note the quality of our “recertified” furniture, with reviewers describing the pieces as “like new” and “in incredible condition.” Customers also appreciate the fair prices and the wide selection of high-end brands. They also highly praise the delivery service that we offer, with many customers noting the prompt and careful delivery of their furniture. I’m proud of these testimonies and experiences.