This Week’s Campus Profile Is On Undergraduate Student and Owner of Local Business Till & Sia: Stephanie Sokolowski!
What program are you in? Urban Planning!
What semester? 4A.
What are some of your other favourite past times?
Already to the deep stuff, eh? Well, I really enjoy spending time outdoors, exploring cities, painting and breakfast-ing (eating/ making/ going out for breakfast)!
Tell us about your business!?
Till & Sia initiated in 2013, specializes in tillandsia plant arrangements. Tillandsia plants, otherwise known as airplants, are epiphytes which means that they do not require any soil. This makes them the perfect houseplant as they can be arranged in numerous different ways from sitting in a shell or hanging in a globe, they are easy to take care of and are absolutely stunning!
What inspired you to start your own business?
First of all, I fell in love with these plants after initially seeing them in a magazine but I could not find them anywhere in Toronto! Most of the florists I spoke to have never even heard of air plants before and were directing me to spider plants or orchids. Learning this made me realize a potential demand for interesting, low maintenance plants and a large gap in the market. With a final push from a couple of family members, I was off researching suppliers, creating a design and making a business plan!
How has running your own business changed you?
Managing Till & Sia has completely transformed me. I met so many people on this adventure that made me realize that you can achieve anything if you set your mind to it. Now, I fully believe that we have to just stop talking about “when I ….than I…” and instead “just do it.” I have now taken so many more risks, so many more opportunities than I ever had before and am learning about failure, success and support on the way.
How do you attempt to maintain a balanced lifestyle while running Till & Sia?
Balance has always been difficult as I usually keep busy with school, volunteering, a part-time job and all my friend and family relationships. However, an agenda is key, as well as knowing the different aspects that I want to focus throughout the week such as healthy eating, exercise, personal development etc. which I try to schedule into my week. One of the most important things I learned is also including “me time” where I can non-guiltily enjoy a film, a warm bubble bath, or a morning of painting to help me regenerate and relax.
What has Till N Sia taught you most about the world of business?
Customers are the most important element in a business and personal touches are very much appreciated!
If you could give your first-year self advice what would it be?
The Startup Community in the KW area is very supportive and provides numerous resources and opportunities to get involved. Go to an entrepreneurship event, a Velocity pitch or the St Paul Greenhouse and make use of those amazing opportunities!
What kind of opportunities have you had here at the University of Waterloo to help improve your business?
The BET300 class was monumental in my business knowledge, as well as having the opportunities to sell my plants throughout campus such as the Ecoloo fair or the Art Faculty Office.
What does the future hold for you?
Well, with an 8-month co-op coming up and an increased saturated tillandsia market, I am actually going to start to wind down my business! There comes a time in every entrepreneur’s life when it is time to learn, appreciate and move on to the next project! I am currently managing an economic development initiative in Hespeler Village in Cambridge and I have many ideas for future collaborations and projects for the future. Till & Sia has taught me so much and I look forward to creating, managing and meeting new people. Maybe Till & Sia will come back as a small pop-up store in uptown in few years? Who knows? The world is our oyster and anything is possible.