Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in a specialty store but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Laëtitia Damonsing, founder, and curator of Dodo Bazaar, located in Montréal, QC, Canada.

What's your business, and who are your customers?

Dodo Bazaar is a multi-hyphenate concept store that offers a selection of carefully curated vintage pieces, upcycled goods + sustainable interior design services. We are based in Montréal, Québec. I think my customers are cool souls that love fashionable aesthetic things but want to remain mindful of reducing waste and being sustainable. Win-win!

Tell us about yourself

Bonjour, my name is Laëtitia (or you can call me Laë Laë!). I am a 29 year-old Mauritian-Canadian, born + raised in Montréal, Québec. I am the founder + curator of Dodo Bazaar. I lived abroad for almost five years—Rio de Janeiro, Paris + Sydney—and have traveled quite a lot in my short lifetime. If I were to use three words to describe myself, I’d say: goofy, bubbly, and extra AF!

Amidst the pandemic, in June 2020, I founded DODO BAZAAR. At first, when I was asked this question, I would answer: I started all of it on a whim during the pandemic. But in retrospect, I have this deep sense of knowingness that this is what I was meant to do. For the longest time, I worked for the Canadian government, NGOs, and in social change. But during the pandemic, I took time to take care of my mental health (so key!), did a whole lotttaaaa therapy, and realized I was not being true to myself.

Being true to myself meant freedom, creativity, expansion, and connection. In other terms, being a full-time entrepreneur, being my own boss, CREATING, and self-actualizing.

What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?

I'd say building a community of like-minded individuals that value sustainability and circularity.

What's one of the hardest things that come with being a business owner?

Ouhhhhh, WORK-LIFE BALANCE, baby! As an entrepreneur, you feel like you can always do more. There is always something you can do to make your business grow. Unlike a 9 to 5, there's no real clocking off. Sometimes I think of it in my sleep! Hahaha! So, I try to be mindful of creating time for myself. I have a self-care routine and little rituals that allow me to disconnect truly. Advice to anybody (not just entrepreneurs): Please, please do not skip self-care; you deserve it!

What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?

  1. Find out what makes you vibrate higher daily. Then, find a way to monetize it.
  2. Remain true to yourself while running your business. Listen to your gut; it knows best.
  3. Be mindful of your mental health and take care of yourself FIRST. The rest will follow, I promise.

Is there anything else you'd like to share?

I'd love to tell you more about the brand's name and how I came up with it. My parents are from the Island of Mauritius, a small island in the Indian Ocean, off the Eastern coast of Africa. People do not know much about Mauritius, but they do know of the Dodo bird. Basically, the Dodo is our national symbol because it was endemic to our island (people also don't really know that). It is a symbol that comes back often in our literature and artwork. It is a recurring figure in our childhoods. It is basically our mascot, hahaha, it is everywhere: our coat of arms, banknotes, legal papers, etc. It is also used to promote the protection of endangered species by environmental organizations. Also, a Bazaar in Mauritius is the equivalent of a Souk in Morocco. It is a lieu of gatherings, exchanges, meetings, and discovery that stimulates all your senses. You can also find everything there - good food, artisan-made goods, local produce, street food, fashion goods, etc. In other words, the bazaar remains the "beating heart" of our culture. This being said, Dodo Bazaar is an ode to my roots, culture, ancestors, and who I am as a human being.

Where can people find you and your business?

Website: https://www.dodobazaar.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dodobazaar/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/laëtitia-damonsing-091611129/

If you like what you've read here and have your own story as a solopreneur that you'd like to share, then email community@subkit.com; we'd love to feature your journey on these pages.

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