Meet Sarah Power, Founder of curated shopping event, INLAND

Sarah is the founder of INLAND, a Canadian fashion and apparel shopping event featuring 70 curated brands each spring and fall edition. An emerging influencer in the Canadian fashion landscape, Sarah has brought together over 400 labels and brands from Vancouver, Calgary, Montreal, Ottawa, Toronto and Halifax to showcase and sell their collections directly to shoppers. Focused on supporting local talent and domestic industries, 95% of all collections selected to participate at INLAND are made in Canada. Alongside her work with INLAND, Sarah has been a speaker and contributor for WEAR (World Ethical Apparel Round Table), Toronto Fashion Incubator, Fashion Takes Action, Shopify, Ryerson Fashion Zone, Seneca College School of Fashion and Dx3. Sarah is a devoted supporter of Canadian fashion and design.

My first job ever was… A paper route with the Brantford Expositor. I saved up to buy a Nintendo game system (the original with Duck Hunt) and decided very quickly that I really enjoyed working.

I decided to be an entrepreneur because… I was compelled to contribute to an industry I feel very strongly about in a way that wasn’t being done at the time.

My proudest accomplishment is… Launching and building INLAND to become something that is helping emerging designers to launch and grow their own businesses.

My boldest move to date was… Putting a $10K non-refundable deposit on a venue for the first ever INLAND, not having a single designer registered or knowing whether shoppers would even attend. 80 designers from Toronto and Montreal registered and nearly 1000 shoppers came out. I was so relieved!

I surprise people when I tell them… I used to be a Special Education teacher working with Autistic students.

My best advice to people starting out in business is… To do your research, and then do some more. Also, find a network, mentor or even just a business-buddy to chat with on a regular basis to keep things in perspective.

My best advice from a mentor was… o diversify the way I evaluate success and to always remain open and agile to pivot the business in ways I might not ever have thought.

My biggest setback was… Trying to do too much.

I overcame it by… Learning to identify what creates impact and to focus on strengthening the business for the long-term.

Work/life balance is… I admit, not something I’ve mastered quite yet, but a lifestyle I’m very much looking forward to. I sometimes think it will take me eventually having children to really put things in perspective in that way.

If you googled me, you still wouldn’t know… That I live in Hamilton. I moved here from Toronto 2 years ago with my now husband.

I stay inspired by… Connecting with people who do, design and create amazing things.

The future excites me because… The intersection of design, technology and entrepreneurship is allowing anyone to achieve anything, on the their own terms.

My next step is… To continue learning, expanding my network and setting new goals.