Village People: Water Yeti Co.

What do you get when you cross a sasquatch who likes to argue with a tree-hugging wood artist?

Q: What’s your favourite colour?

A: I don’t really do favorites when it comes to colour. I love them all.

Q: Where did the idea for the business come from?

A: Lori, who does all the woodworking, and I have known each other for years through farmer’s markets. When she moved back to Sussex from Nova Scotia, we started talking about teaming up. I’d been thinking about getting a container, and we both have roots here, so we gave it a shot last year. I’ve been making art most of my life — started screen printing in university and eventually turned it into my full-time job after working as a graphic designer.

Q: How did the name of the business come to be?

A: Water Yeti is a mix of both our business names — Watershed Wood Designs and The Quarrelsome Yeti. We both have a bit of a nautical theme in our work, and since we’re right on the water, it just kind of fits. Plus, it gave us a fun character to play with — our logo’s got a little sailing yeti on it.

Q: Did you have a different job before you started working here? What did you do?

A: I was working as a graphic designer before this — and now I’ve been screen printing longer than anything else I’ve done. Lori was actually a teacher before this. She taught in an independent school in Halifax and also did woodwork on the side.

Q: Is your container village location your first brick-and-mortar retail shop?

A: Technically, I have a workshop in Burnside, Nova Scotia, with another artist, and there’s a small storefront area there. But aside from setting up tables at markets, this is the first dedicated retail space we’ve been in.

Q: Why did you want to set up shop at AREA 506?

A: I’ve been doing the posters for the AREA 506 Music Festival every year, and it’s a nice reason to come back home and visit family. I also work with Long Bay Brewing and Wasted Day, so I’ve got pretty strong ties to New Brunswick.

Setting up shop here felt like a great way to grow and let people know I’m making things locally.

Q: When you were a kid, what did you want to be when you grew up?

A: I wanted to be doing exactly this. Lori wanted to be an architect growing up — and she kind of is, in her own way. She builds things, works with wood, and her dad’s a really creative engineering-minded guy who got her into it early on.

Q: Knowing what you know now, is there anything you would have done differently when you were starting out?

A: Honestly, it’s mostly small logistical things — like not realizing just how windy it gets here, or how unpredictable the weather can be in Saint John. Even coming from 20 minutes outside the city, it’s a whole different climate. But really, there’s only so much you can plan for — we’ve just had to adapt as we go.

Q: What do you consider your biggest success so far?

A: I’ve got a five-year-old, and honestly, being a parent is probably the most meaningful thing I’ve done. Lori’s a parent too, so we’d probably both say our kids are our biggest success — hands down.

Q: What’s next?

A: We’re hoping for a great season here this year, and beyond that, I’ve got a few things on the go. I’ll be heading to the Winnipeg Folk Festival soon — I do the occasional music festival here and there. I’ve also been working on some new Saint John-themed products, especially around the Loyalists, with a few character ideas in the mix.

I just launched a new Canadian-themed design called Zombie Beavers, which has been doing really well. So yeah — just continuing to create, and if you’re curious, come check out the new stuff. Lori’s been working on a lot of new things too.

If you’re an entrepreneur with a business that you think would be a great fit in the Waterfront Container Village, and you’re interested in hearing more about available opportunities, email hidden; JavaScript is required — we’d love to hear from you!