Talk #1: "Rooted in Retail: Why Brick-and-Mortar Still Matters"

Discover the power of physical retail in an increasingly digital world. Join one of the founders and CEO of Makers, Adam Shar and a top Makers vendor, Titi Nguyen of Tikkhu, as they share how brick-and-mortar spaces create lasting customer connections, drive brand growth, and open doors for artisans in ways online sales alone can't.

Guests: 

Titi Fueston | Founder & Designer of Tikkhu Jewelry

Titi Fueston is the visionary behind Tikkhu Jewelry, a contemporary jewelry brand inspired by the natural elements and textures of the earth. Handcrafted in Edmonton, Canada, each piece is designed to elevate everyday style while carrying deep personal meaning.

Titi's journey with jewelry began during a transformative trek to Mount Everest Base Camp in 2015, where she collected stones with raw crystal glimmers that captivated her imagination. This experience sparked the idea for Tikkhu—named after her own name, "Titi," and "Khumbu," the Himalayan region where her creative inspiration was born.

What started as a pandemic side hustle has now grown into an award-winning jewelry line, recognized by British Vogue and Harper’s Bazaar UK and voted Edmonton’s Best Jewelry on Community Votes in 2023 and 2024. Tikkhu’s Archetype Zodiac Collection and Demi Fine Collection are fan favorites, offering minimalistic yet sentimental designs that connect with wearers in a deeply personal way.

Beyond jewelry, Titi is passionate about building community. Through Tikkhu Social Club, she fosters connections beyond accessories, bringing people together through engaging events like the upcoming Girl Math Academy at Felice Cafe.

For Titi, jewelry is more than adornment—it’s a way to tell stories, spark joy, and empower self-expression. Whether through gold-plated jewelry or eco-friendly hair accessories, she continues to explore new creative horizons, always seeking fresh inspiration from her travels and experiences.

Find her work at @tikkhujewelry and experience the beauty of pieces designed to be worn and cherished every day.

Adam Sharanewych | Co-Founder & CEO of Makers

A Software Developer by trade, Adam co-founded Shop Makers with the original intent to build an E-commerce marketplace to service Canadian artisans.  Upon his realization of the importance of Brick and Mortar for handmade, he quickly pivoted and opened the first Shop Makers location with Co-Founder Veronica in Gastown in November 2020, originally under a different name.

Passionate in building entrepreneurs and supporting artisans, Adam has grown Makers beyond that single Vancouver location, into 18 locations Canada wide and from a modest team of just 2, to now over 150.

To date, Shop Makers has generated over $33,000,000 in sales for our makers, and enabled hundreds to pursue their passions. With big ambitions, Adam hopes to grow Shop Makers into over 25 locations nationwide by 2026 and to eventually expand beyond our border to support artisans across the continent.

When Adam’s not working, you can find him skiing, golfing, or bird-watching (his newest favourite hobby). 

This session is perfect for market vendors, with valuable tips for anyone retailing or wholesaling products.

Date: Apr 24, 2025 | 12-1pm

• *By registering for the free mini-series, you agree to receive communications from SEEK Bespoke Market and Makers You can unsubscribe at any time.

Talk #2: "From Passion to Profit: The Path to a Thriving Creative Business"

Turning a creative passion into a sustainable business takes more than talent—it requires strategy, resilience, and smart decision-making. In this conversation, Makers’ Head of Recruitment & Merchandising, Katrina Jones and B.C. District Manager Janelle Tasker will share their knowledge and journey from working with their network of over 1000 Canadian vendors at Makers. They’ll be covering key topics like pricing for profit, scaling at the right pace, and avoiding burnout

Guests: 

Katrina Jones | Head of Recruitment and Merchandising at Makers

Katrina brings her 11 years of project management experience in the music industry to her work at Makers. Having overseen large scale projects from clients such as TELUS, to smaller-scale, community based initiatives, Katrina is ready to tackle any project of any size. 

Being a maker herself adds a layer of connection and authenticity to her work, as she’s experienced first-hand all of the thrills and pitfalls of running your own business. 

Katrina is Head of Recruitment and Merchandising, in her role, she oversees our vendors in all locations across Canada. 

When Katrina is not at Makers, she loves to spend her free time hanging out with her husband Adam and her whippet, Zuzu. 

Janelle Tasker | B.C. District Manager at Makers 

A lifelong lover of all things creative, Janelle has always been drawn to the arts, through theater, film, crafting, and music. With over 6 years of managerial experience in retail, wellness, and operations, she found her perfect fit at Shop Makers nearly three years ago, where she could lean into her passion for supporting people and small businesses.

As B.C. District Manager, Janelle is passionate about ensuring every store and team member feels supported, valued, and empowered to grow. Always wanting to bring kindness, understanding, and a little bit of humour to each interaction.

Outside of work, you’ll likely find her at markets with friends, traveling and exploring new places with a coffee in hand, cooking, or curled up at home with a favourite movie or book. 

For Janelle, being surrounded by such talented and creative individuals every day is both inspiring and a privilege. The uniqueness and joy that each day brings is a part of what makes being a part of the Makers journey so exciting. 


This session will provide real-world insights to help you build a business that lasts.

Date: May 22, 2025 | 12-1pm

• *By registering for the free mini-series, you agree to receive communications from SEEK Bespoke Market and Makers You can unsubscribe at any time.

Talk #3: "Marketing That Matters: Storytelling, Community & Sales"

Marketing is more than just social media—it’s about building a brand that resonates. In this session, Makers’ Marketing Director, Veronica Kos and Marketing Manager, Nikola McDermott will break down actionable strategies to help artisans improve their marketing, craft compelling stories, and foster a loyal community that drives sales.

Guests: 

Veronica Kos | Co-Founder & Director of Marketing at Makers

Originally obtaining a Bachelors Degree in journalism, Veronica pivoted to the creative world of marketing in 2018 and has never looked back.

Co-founding Shop Makers with Adam in 2020, Veronica’s biggest passion is finding fun and innovative ways to promote the many talented local makers and artisans in the community.

Growing the Makers community from roughly 80 to now over 1000 artisans across 18 store locations, and with big ambitions to expand Makers across Canada, she hopes to continue to spread awareness and inspire Canadians to shop local, support small businesses & discover the incredible talent our nation has!

When not working, Veronica can be found skiing, hiking, biking, …  basically enjoying any outdoor Vancouver activity!  (or accompanying Adam in searching for cool birds). 

Nikola McDermott | Marketing Manager at Makers

Passionate about storytelling and community, Nikola brings 5+ years of social media and marketing expertise to Makers. 

With a background in personal training, she transitioned into marketing to follow her love for creativity, community, and impactful storytelling. Now, she thrives on crafting engaging content that celebrates the incredible talent of our Makers, sharing their stories, and fostering connections with a wider audience. 

Whether developing compelling posts or brainstorming innovative campaigns, Nikola loves everything about bringing Makers’ mission to life.

When she’s not championing Makers' stories, you can find her on an early morning run (she even races half marathons!), catching up on Real Housewives, or soaking up the sun at the beach with their golden retriever, Florence. 

Date: June 26, 2025 | 12-1pm

• *By registering for the free mini-series, you agree to receive communications from SEEK Bespoke Market and Makers You can unsubscribe at any time.