What is your name?
Kim Gehring
What is the name of your business?
Artsy Phartsy
What does your business do?
We create up-cycled products (mostly shopping bags) from material we find in the thrift stores or is donated to us.

Why did you start your business?
I had wanted to start my own business for many years and after 16 years of working in the area of addiction I felt it was time for a shift. I had a longing to be creative, thrifty, and eco-friendly, in turn Artsy Phartsy was born.
What do you like best about running your own business?
One: I get to make the decisions. Two: I get to work with and connect with other small business owners and artisans at the markets. Three: I do it together with my mom.
What is your biggest challenge when it comes to running your own business?
The time it has taken to get everything rolling; the investment in getting the name, vision and products out into the community.

What are you most proud of when it comes to your business?
That we make high quality products out of material that might have ended up in the landfill, and as a result that people are walking around Kelowna with our beautiful products instead of the dreaded single use plastic bags.
What is your favourite locally owned business (other than your own)?
There are many as Kelowna is loaded with smart, creative people but if I had to name one it’d be Bright Jenny.
Why do you believe supporting locally owned businesses is important?
Because when you invest your money locally and with people you know it creates something beautiful, it creates connection.

How can people find your business?
Our products are located at Unhinged, The Handmade Shoppe (Kelowna and Armstrong), The Bookstore at Okanagan College, ChiaBaba, online at Artsy Phartsy and we are frequently at local artisans markets in and around the Okanagan.
Artsy Phartsy Facebook ~ Artsy Phartsy Instagram ~ Artsy Phartsy Website
June 17th 2021