Brand Values: Why We Choose Small, Local, and Women-Led, and Why It Matters

At Wren, every product on our shelves tells a story. Not just of scent or style or how it looks in soft morning light—but of who made it, how it was made, and why it exists at all.

From the beginning, we made a clear decision: to prioritize Canadian, women-owned, small-batch makers. Not because it was trendy. But because it was right.

Choosing the Underdog (And Loving It)

Let’s face it—small businesses are the underdogs. Especially in a world dominated by mega corporations and glossy ads with billion-dollar budgets. But here’s the thing:

Small businesses care in a way that big ones can’t.
They care about their ingredients. Their footprint. Their packaging. Their community. They care about you.

And when a woman builds something from the ground up—blending, pouring, packing orders at her kitchen table or in a small studio surrounded by plants and Post-it notes—you can feel the difference. There’s intention. There’s soul.

Community Isn’t Just a Buzzword

When you shop local and small, you’re doing more than buying a beautiful item. You’re:

• Circulating dollars back into your own community

• Supporting families, not shareholders

• Creating real jobs and real opportunities

• Helping keep creativity, diversity, and artistry alive

• Sparking a ripple effect of good

Your purchase becomes a yes to someone’s dream. It says: I see you. I believe in what you’re building. Let’s grow this together.

And yes—it absolutely does make a difference.

Small Batch, Big Heart

There’s also something quietly radical about buying a bar of soap that was made by hand. Or a candle poured with a signature blend someone spent months perfecting. These products aren’t churned out by machines. They’re created with care. With ethics. With joy.

And often? They’re better. Cleaner ingredients. Smaller footprints. More thoughtful formulas. Because when you’re making 100 units instead of 100,000, you can afford to pay attention.

The Wren Way: Why We Prioritize Women-Owned & Canadian-Made

We intentionally seek out brands that align with our values—and that means women-led, Canadian brands that care about what they create.

We stock our shelves with names like:

• Bath Poetry, made right here in Saskatchewan by Nicolle Nugent, who infuses each product with song lyrics and soul.

• The Tofino Hobbyist, is an artisan brand that embodies the essence of Tofino's natural charm. Tamara offers a curated selection of handcrafted, small-batch products such as botanical soaps, eco-friendly haircare, and plant-powered body care items. Each product is thoughtfully made with sustainability in mind, allowing you to bring a piece of Tofino's serene coastal lifestyle into your home.

• Three Ships, Flicker Candles, Isla Rae Jewelry, Ruby Reid Fine Fragrances—and so many more.

These aren’t just products. They’re conversations. They’re connections. And we’re endlessly proud to share them with you.

Every Choice Matters

You might think, “It’s just a lip balm” or “It’s just a candle.” But no. It’s a vote—for creativity, for community, for values that matter.

At Wren, we believe shopping can be both beautiful and meaningful. That supporting a small brand can spark real change. That intention is the most underrated luxury.

So next time you shop, pause. Flip the label. Ask the story. Choose the underdog. Because when you do?
You’re not just buying a product. You’re building a better world.

Want to explore the makers we love and support?
Visit us at wreninspiredlife.com or stop by in person—we’d love to tell you the story behind every jar, bar, and bottle.

Wren’s Story

Hi, I’m Leslie—and Yes, I Opened a Store During an Economic Dumpster Fire

So here we are.
You, a curious browser of beautiful things.
Me, a middle-aged, perimenopausal mother of many (six kids—yes, you read that right), with a dream... and also four dogs, two cats, a schedule held together by dry shampoo and Google Calendar, and a bank account that cried when I said, “Hey, what if I open a store?”

But let’s rewind.

Where It All Started: My Bathtub (No, Really)

Wren began, quite literally, in my bathtub. Every night, like clockwork, I soak the day away and debrief my life with my two ride-or-dies, Marney and Nicole, in the world’s most chaotic, beautiful, and borderline unhinged group chat.

You know the kind:
56 conversations at once, no clear beginning or end, bouncing between memes, menopause, manifesting our futures, and "Did you try that new body scrub??" energy.

One night, we spiraled into a dream we’ve all shared for years:
A store.
A cozy, gorgeous little space filled with all the things we adore in our own homes.
Candles. Bath soaks. Throw cushions. Geometry tea towels.
Natural skincare, good-smelling everything, and decor that whispers, "you are safe here."

And not just pretty things—intentional things. Woman-owned brands, clean ingredients, cozy textures, meaningful details. Basically, a home and wellness wonderland. But… in Saskatoon? Crickets.

Cue the conversation we’ve all had:
“WHY doesn’t anyone have it all?”

And me? I decided to do something reckless and beautiful:
I opened Wren.

The Dream. The Chaos. The Loan.

Let me be real: I didn’t do this because my life was calm.
In fact, if you were writing a list of “Times NOT to start a retail business,” my life would have ticked all the boxes.

But when I met Alauna at WESK (now lovingly referred to in my circle as Wren Jesus—no offense, it’s said with the highest form of reverence), everything shifted.

She saw the spark, the vision, and calmly walked me through the wild ride of writing a business plan, applying for a loan, staring at spreadsheets, and resisting the urge to cry-scream into my tea.

And when I hit a wall and whispered, “But what if I fail?”
She didn’t blink. She said, “What if you succeed?”

Cue tears. The real kind.

Spoiler: I Signed the Papers

Every cent mattered. Every form took forever. Every moment felt too big and too small all at once.

And then—the loan was approved.
I stood there, blinking at the email like I had imagined it. Terrified. Electrified.
Because suddenly, this wasn’t just a Pinterest board or a group chat fantasy.
It was real.

Welcome to Wren

Wren is more than a store. It’s a love letter. To beautiful living. To slowing down. To community. To every woman who’s ever dreamed of more while wrangling chaos and eating dinner standing up.

It’s a space where you’ll find clean, Canadian, women-made brands that make your home smell better, your skin feel softer, and your nervous system say thank you.
It’s where joy and intention meet. Where small-batch means big heart.
And where you’re always, always welcome.

So come visit. Smell the candles. Touch the blankets. Ask me about my sixth dog.
This dream was built for you, too.

With love (and probably dry shampoo),
Leslie
Founder, Chaos Coordinator, Cushion Enthusiast
Wren