Made in Canada Matters

As we close the doors on this phase of Clippo, we look forward to new projects and adventures with all of you. We hope you will stick around and check on the blog every now and again, and we hope you tweet us, too. Let's face it... Clippo's my third baby and I'm not likely to give either of my kids up, so it's not likely I'll wander too far from the business, either. What I can tell you is that I am really excited about spending time with my kids and focusing on new things.

One such project is my passion for all things Canadian. The reality of a business like this is that the competition is stiff. Our products aren't rocket science - anyone can make them. The charm of Clippo is that we offer handmade goods that are made well and are unique ideas. All it takes is a little time, a glue gun, sewing machine, and some raw materials. I've decided that over the coming months, we'll be doing tutorials on the products, teaching you all how to make them just like we did. And I'll even be sharing my top-secret vendors for the raw materials. For many you don't have to buy THAT much material, so making your own stuff is really just a few moments of time!

I will also be addressing the craft industry as a whole over the coming year. There will be a book, that I vow.

What started as a craft I made in my spare time turned into a successful business for me, and it gave me the unique opportunity to look into the retail world in a way most people will never have the chance to do. Did you know that stores generally make 100% profit on things they sell? Did you know that most juvenile products are represented by sales people who sell directly to the stores, and that those sales people take another percentage (often 10% or more)? And that distributors take even more? I'm going to open the world to you so that if you're considering a business like this, I can help you navigate the waters. And I encourage you to ask questions! I can help you.

And here's where my true passion comes in: Never once did we outsource the manufacture of our products to another country. Many other accessories companies are selling you products using the line, "Designed in Canada". Do you know what that means? Quite often that means the owner sits down at their computer and chooses selections for styles from any number of Chinese manufacturer websites. For pennies. And then tells you that they are "designing" in Canada and glosses over the "Made in China" part. 


Hair clips can be bought for less than 5 cents from Chinese manufacturers and are then sold to you for $4+ per pair (more often closer to $8/ pair). There are Canadian manufacturers who would happily make these, so why aren't they being hired? Because they cost too much. Why aren't local people being hired? Because they cost too much. The bottom line is that outsourcing to China means huge profit margins. (stay tuned and we'll post some of the vendors from China so you can see what we're talking about) Wouldn't you at least like to know whether you're buying an imported good or a handmade in Canada good?

Are the factories where those products are being made treating employees fairly? Are the materials safe? Are they using child labour? You don't know, and chances are, neither do the companies selling you those products. It's up to us as consumers to ASK. I'm the first to admit that I buy things at the dollar stores, but at least I know what I'm buying. And I'm paying dollar store prices.


We paid $10/hr to start for our products to be made. Our longest-time staffer made closer to $12 (or more, actually) per hour for making what are essentially craft items. We think it was well worth the money to know that our manufacturing was done in a safe environment, giving work to Canadians who wanted or needed it. 

Made in Canada matters.

We hope you think so, too.