Our Story

Traditional retail corporations are defined by maximizing profit at the expense of all else – including human rights, child labour, fair wages, environmental degradation, pollution, excess waste, excess consumption, and consumers’ self image, especially women.

But we believe that in order to create a world that is more equitable, more responsible, more sustainable, more beautiful, we can – and must – do business differently.

A beatnik refers to someone who makes a conscientious choice to operate outside of traditional cultural norms.

At Beatnik, we embrace this notion of being a rebel, of challenging the status quo, of forging a path towards a more conscientious way to conduct business. We want to find ways to pick an entire bouquet of flowers with one hand – to work collaboratively and collectively to amplify the abundance of our yoga community, to provide professional yoga teachers an opportunity to generate added income, to support and promote brands who also care passionately about changing the world.

Our Values

EQUITABLE: We believe that people deserve fair wages for the work they do, and to work under safe, regulated conditions at all times. We believe that kids should be in school, not in sweatshops.

RESPONSIBLE: We believe that the consumer choices we make have an impact on our communities and our world. As such, we must be responsible for how we choose to spend our money whenever possible and within our means – to opt for quality over quantity, to opt for the most ethically-sourced and -produced, sustainable materials we can afford, to support local and global brands that are devoted to making the world a better place.

SUSTAINABLE: We know that the fast fashion industry is one of the most prolific sources of pollution and waste. We choose to showcase brands made primarily from materials that are free from toxic dyes and chemicals, or upcycled from pre-market waste or post-consumer products. We also advocate for the use of alternative products to single-use containers that contribute to the staggering amount of waste and pollution in our landfills, waterways, and oceans.

BEAUTIFUL: No one says it better than Rumi: “Let the beauty we love be what we do. There are hundreds of ways to kneel and kiss the ground.” We believe that we all deserve to be surrounded by beauty – to create it, to live it, to embrace it, to embody it, to define it for ourselves.

Our Curator: Andrea Ting-Letts

I long to help others to uncover within themselves what makes them shine, to find their own distinctive voice, and to broadcast that voice with confidence and skill. On every path I have explored throughout my life, whether personal or professional, I have chosen to help others to radiate their own light into the world.

THEN.

As a makeup artist, I saw my primary role as helping women, transgendered women, drag queens, men, aging women, teenagers – those who saw themselves on the outside of the mainstream definition of beauty – to see their inner light and embrace what makes each of them unique.

As a manager of people, I endeavoured to help individuals thrive with confidence in their current roles, and to flourish forward in their careers.

As a manager of businesses large and small, I aimed to help teams leverage customer service excellence, organizational strategy, and collaborative partnership to achieve a common vision.

NOW.

As an educator, I strive to help leaders and entrepreneurs dig deep within themselves to understand why they found themselves at the helm of their organizations, and continue to forge their path from that distinct place.

As a brand storyteller, I seek to help leaders and entrepreneurs wordsmith nuanced identities, amplifying their messages to be heard above the din.

As a yoga instructor, I seek to help others find their true strength, to create a subtle (sometimes radical) revolution within themselves, and to draw upon their own capacity for self-empowerment.

As an entrepreneur and owner of Beatnik, I endeavour to promote brands who tell incredible stories of generosity and altruism, plus create employment for my fellow yoga teachers and entrepreneurs who want to supplement their income with fun and meaningful work.

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I relish my sweet life in Victoria, BC, surrounded by the breathtaking confluence of the sea, the mountains, and the trees. Among my most precious blessings, I count my family, my pups, my dear friends, and my yoga community. I savour every moment I can spend flowing my breath through movement, dancing, hiking, cycling, paddling, nourishing those I love, exploring incredible eateries, traveling to intriguing places (whether in the pages of a book or on my own two feet), engaging in both meaningful conversation and conscientious citizenry, designing and decorating beautiful spaces, and getting all dressed up for no reason at all.