Join us for our Nurture Fall Retreat November 20-23, 2025
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Facilitated by: Shannon Ruzgys, mixed media artist
Found at: @modernwandererco
Working with: botanicals and florals, vintage textiles, dye, fashion, ancestry and lineage
Hi, I’m Shannon. I started this business is 2019 with my sister Hailey, we taught ourselves how to sew on our late grandmothers sewing machine and we started making scrunchies. Since then I have branched into using variety of mediums such as sewing, screen printing, and natural dyeing.
I aim to offer one of a kind upcycled and vintage pieces that are accessible to everyone. Always changing with the seasons of nature and the seasons of my life.
Inspired by nature, my late grandmothers, and my spanish ancestral roots. Everything I do is rooted in a deep love of the environment and a connection to the nurturing energies that created me and continue to nourish me.
My dad collects vintage stereos and music memorabilia, I collect vintage clothing and fabrics. My mom makes a community everywhere she goes, I try to do the same.
Modern Wanderer at its core, is connected to the past, whether that be through my use of vintage textiles, or my connection to those who came before me. I aim to go back to a simpler time, when our clothing was made to last from fibres that came from the earth.
A love for mother earth is woven into every garment. I hope you love and cherish it the same way I do.
Together, we explored the intersection between the natural world and our personal stories with natural botanical dyes.
Facilitated by: Ekta Maheshwari, Chef and Fermenter
Found at: @arth.toronto & @gulpfiction
Working with: seasonal Spring produce, cultures (food) & culture (ancestry)
I’m Ekta, a dreamer, learner, and foodie at heart. As the solopreneur, chef, and owner behind Arth, I’ve built a beautiful connection with my community in Toronto through farmers’ markets, workshops, and supper clubs. My food is an honest reflection of my journey—from where I started to where I stand today. Moving continents while transitioning careers has been a defining part of my personal journey, as well as my culinary creations.
I am passionate about exploring flavours. Inspired by the seasonal gifts and the depth that fermentation brings, I’m dedicated to bringing seasonal, fermented, and Indian flavors to my cooking—sharing food that is as intentional as it is delicious.
A former bread baker with a deep love for grain diversity (and diversity in all aspects of life), my culinary journey has taught me to be more thoughtful, not only in my food and sourcing but also in the way I approach my life. I see food as a lens through which I learn about the world, and finds immense joy in sharing these lessons with others.
Together, we explored sensory themes of harvest, culture, fermentation and activism, creating our own batches of rhubarb kimchi that held the spirit of what we’d like to ferment in our own lives.
Facilitated by: Cassandra Bradshaw, Certified Aromatherapist and Holistic Skin Therapist
Found at: @calmdownclub
Working with: breath, scent, carrier oil, memory, organic essential oils
I’m Cassandra, a Certified Aromatherapist and Holistic Skin Therapist working in mid-town St. Catharines, ON. I have a compassionate and trauma-informed practice that weaves physical, emotional and energetic healing modalities into magical bespoke treatments & experiences.
I am a highly sensitive, empathetic and feminine being that prioritizes rest and time to care for myself so I can do this beautiful work. I do not succumb to hustle culture, instead I value flexibility and spaciousness in my days. I honour the nature of my offerings, which require deep presence, time, energy, and integration. I do not rush— I work slow, with intention and great care for myself and my clients. I am radically shifting my mindset and lifestyle by working this way, and I feel deeply grateful to have the privilege to do so.
I am honoured to hold a safe space that acts as a respite amidst stress. The stories that have been shared with me over the years all hold a special place in my heart, and I am deeply grateful for the genuine connections and exchanges made. I have been working in the personal care industry for over 10 years and it has mostly taught me this— you never know what someone is dealing with under the surface.
It is a passion of mine to guide others in embodying their fullest most authentic self so they can find more joy, health and connection in their life.
Together, we used our senses, our stories and our intuition to create custom scents inspired by where we’d like to go next in our lives.
Captured by: Stephanie Pellett, photographer and business coach
Found at: @stephpellett & @stephpellettphoto
Working with: digital photography
Hi, I’m Steph. I’m a photographer and business coach for thoughtful entrepreneurs.
With my photography, I try to capture candid moments of true joy & connection, whether I’m documenting your creative business, a fun event, or a couple in love.
In business, my goal is to make your business more sustainable, more expansive, and ultimately more fun for you by streamlining your systems, supporting your business strategy, and helping you prioritize your self-care. My podcast, Slowpreneur: Business without the Busy, aims to spark conversations about new ways of living and working that support and honour our humanity.
In my spare time, you can find me reading romance novels and spending time with my dog Bruno (preferably simultaneously!). I also love swimming, exploring beautiful cities, and going out for tacos and margaritas.
