Ventures & case studies

Real businesses. Real operators. Real markets.

Each venture below was conceptualized, designed and activated around a specific person and community. Some are operating today. Some are turn-key models you can license. All are proof the model works.

01 · Operating

Sweetfreeze

Mobile micro ice-cream — built for flexibility.

A mobile ice-cream micro-business designed around our daughter Emily's volatile medical and developmental needs. The product is the vessel; the real outcome is presence, connection and dignified income.

Built for

An entrepreneur with complex medical, developmental and social needs who thrives outdoors and in community.

Model

Lightweight mobile footprint, partnership-funded infrastructure, flexible scheduling tied to wellbeing, supported staffing model.

Outcomes

Income earned while living below poverty line
Daily community connection on the operator's terms
Replicable, turn-key model available to license

Visit sweetfreeze.ca →

02 · Past venture

Wags Cookies Ltd.

A social enterprise with bite — featured in the Official Grammy Award Gift Bags.

A cookies-for-dogs social enterprise built around inclusive employment for young adults with complex needs. A formidable product met real demand, with a mobile promotional vehicle that doubled as an awareness campaign.

Built for

Young adults with complex needs ready to participate in production, retail and public engagement.

Model

Retail partnerships, mobile pop-ups, media-driven brand strategy, inclusive-employment storytelling.

Outcomes

Featured in the Official Grammy Award Gift Bags (2021)
National media coverage and retail distribution
Public conversation shifted on inclusive employment

03 · In design

Carousel Coffee

Place-based pop-up hospitality.

A pop-up coffee and beverage concept that brings community together while creating hospitality and retail roles tuned to the operator's pace, preferences and place.

Built for

Operators who flourish in routine, hospitality and a defined sense of place.

Model

Anchor partnerships with existing venues, scheduled service windows, supported front- and back-of-house roles.

Outcomes

Predictable rhythm and supported routine
Shared infrastructure keeps costs low
Visible, welcoming presence in the community

04 · In design

RevivePickUp Co.

Garage-sale wrap-ups for a circular community.

A service business matching the demand for end-of-day garage-sale clean-ups with operators who love sorting, lifting, driving and helping neighbours close the loop.

Built for

Operators energised by physical work, problem-solving and visible community impact.

Model

On-demand bookings, neighbourhood routes, donation and resale partnerships, supported logistics.

Outcomes

Meets a real, recurring community need
Turns under-recognised strengths into paid work
Revenue diversification across pickup, resale and donation

05 · In design

The Christmas Stocking Co.

Curated, ready-to-hang stockings delivered to your door.

An online retail microbusiness offering prefilled, curated custom Christmas stockings for people of all ages. Customers choose from a range of themes and interests; stockings arrive ready to hang, beautifully assembled and gift-ready.

Built for

Operators who thrive in creative, hands-on work — sourcing, curating, assembling and packing — within a seasonal rhythm that builds toward a clear annual milestone.

Model

Direct-to-consumer e-commerce, themed stocking collections, supported sourcing and fulfillment, seasonal production cycle with year-round design and partnership development.

Outcomes

Creative, tactile work matched to operator strengths
National reach through an online storefront
Predictable seasonal arc with meaningful build-up and delivery

Want a venture like one of these — or one designed entirely around your person and community?

Talk to Alison