Toronto Stories
Adamson
Josh Adamson, an Australian- born strength coach, is committed to sharing his own journey and passion for fitness through his business Lift Corktown. His evolution within his personal and professional life has given him the knowledge and skills to change the lives of those around him through results based training. Through his career he has had the opportunity to coach and work with people such as Toronto’s own Shawn Mendes, DJ Unimerce and Mark McMorris. The people he has the pleasure of coaching are not only leaders in their fields they inspire Josh daily.
Bowen
A veteran of Toronto’s fashion scene, Bobby Bowen worked tirelessly for seven years as a stylist, building a name for himself and securing clients such as Jazz Cartier and Majid Jordan. He has added “editor-in-chief” to his titles when he co-founded BULLY, an emerging, Black-led editorial platform that focuses on showcasing unheard voices in music, fashion, and art.
Bautista
Inspired by Toronto’s vibrant creative community and co-founded by two first gen Filipino-Canadian sisters, Gabrielle Bautista owns Naked Beauty Bar with her sister Julia. Driven by values such as integrity and the desire to emphasize one’s natural beauty, the Bautistas’ beauty spot keeps clients coming back for eye-catching designs and their premium skincare products.
Hammell
Owner of Town Barber and Major Treat, Chris Hammell has built his brand on a reputation for quality service without the gimmicks. Providing polished, effortless and efficient haircuts, Town Barber has grown and established two successful shops in downtown Toronto. Unstopped by a global pandemic, Hammel continues to work hard out of a labour of love to run his business.
Knives - Krumper and Founder of SNKRBAE and ScrewfaceCapital Toronto. Knives is a lover of sneakers and a bonafide leader in the global Krump community. As a woman in two male-dominated spaces, Knives is unapologetic about who she is and is an inspiration to many women. Always repping Toronto, Knives is a tiny yet ferocious competitor and does not let gender or size stop her from battling fiercely. In 2020, she founded ScrewfaceCapital Toronto, a hub for Toronto krump dancers to push and keep street dance culture alive in the city. Knives also began Snkrbae, an online series that sheds a light on the women and marginalized groups who don't often get the recognition they deserve amongst the ever-growing sneaker community. She strives to provide safe spaces in both communities to allow women to achieve their goals and aspirations.
Joerin
Conor Joerin, the founder and owner of Sugo, uses Italian-American cuisine as a tool to create a sense of family and belonging. A true leader in the community, Joerin has not only built successful business, but also made it business priority to give back to the front lines and those in need during the pandemic. From the chequered red-clothes, to generous plates Sugo has become a staple in Toronto food and serves up the feeling of community and comfort one plate at a time.
Sunday
Specializing in UX/UI and digital art direction, Mike Sunday brings a distinctly Torontonian perspective to his work. Moving seamlessly across style, genre, and platform, he tells stories through illustration, photography, and graphic design that reflect his wide-ranging interests in art, technology, and style.
To Micaella Riche, basketball is everything. Having played competitively at all levels including national, NCAA level and professionally overseas, she has transitioned her passion for basketball into a successful career. Currently the Operations Manager at Lay Up and a national scout to identify elite talent across Canada, Micaella’s appreciation for the game is unmatched. Seeing first hand it’s ability to change one’s life, Micaella and the Lay Up team are a community-based, cost-free basketball program designed for children and youth of all skill levels to develop the skills they need both on and off the court.
Price
Rebeckah Price is a yoga and meditation practitioner whose goal is to create a more accessible and inclusive wellness industry. Her belief in everyone's right to resources and tools that enhance their well-being led to the creation of irise yoga + wellness, where for over a decade, she has provided a safe space for people of color and other marginalized groups to find their practice. As a wellness advocate and community activist, Price continues to promote the need for a shift who has access to wellness tools, so she co-founded the Well Collective where community members can learn about and share wellness tips to ensure that everyone has that best chance at rising in health.