TikTok recognizes London, Ont. LGBTQ+ business as a Canadian favourite
TikTok has recognized London-based LGBTQ+ business, Rainbow Certified, as one of Canada’s favourite brands on the platform for 2022.
The business was created in December 2019, but according to its co-founders, it really became their “lockdown baby” when the COVID-19 pandemic hit a few months later.
They create and ship Pride merchandise, like stickers, pins, shirts and Christmas ornaments.
“Businesses small or large usually carry some kind of Pride merchandise throughout June because it’s Pride month,” explained Sarah Couvillon. “But then those kind of products typically go away throughout the rest of the year.”
Rainbow Certified aims to fill that gap.
“We wanted to create a business that celebrates Pride in our community every single day,” said Rachael Newby.
In the early days, they were excited if they got a single order in a week. These days, however, they’re filling five to 10 orders a day.
“Did we really just get an order from Sri Lanka?” joked Couvillon. “Like how did someone from there hear about us?”
They attribute much of their growth to TikTok, where Rainbow Certified has amassed more than 40,000 followers in the last year.
“It just gives us all a chance to get involved and see what the LGBT community wants, and just celebrate Pride and the aspects of why we do it,” said Newby.
Their entire operation is run out of their London home right now, but they are hoping to eventually have a storefront.
Dozens of retailers across North America, and even a couple in Europe, now carry their merchandise.
Couvillon and Newby haven’t been able to leave their day jobs to fully commit just yet, but the plan is to transition Couvillon to that role sometime in the New Year.
“Definitely been a challenge at times,” said Newby. “But in possibly the best way, because we’ve seen each other’s strengths and weaknesses.”
“We’ve been stuck together 24/7 through lockdown, created a business, and we both work from home,” added Couvillon with a chuckle. “I think it’s safe to say our relationship is very solid.”
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Trump confronts repeated boos during raucous Libertarian convention speech
Donald Trump was booed repeatedly while addressing Saturday night’s Libertarian Party National Convention.
This type of screen time has the worst effect on kids: experts
According to some experts, there is one type of screen time that is continuously excessive, and it's having a severe effect on our children.
Family of toddler found dead at small-town Ont. daycare no closer to answers after year of investigation
A year has passed since two-year-old Vienna Irwin was found on the property of a home-based daycare in small-town Ontario, but her family says they are no closer to answers of what happened that day.
Grayson Murray, two-time PGA Tour winner, dead at 30
Two-time PGA Tour winner Grayson Murray died Saturday morning at age 30, one day after he withdrew from the Charles Schwab Cup Challenge at Colonial.
Humboldt Broncos crash victims and families react to decision to deport truck driver
The family of one of the victims of the Humboldt Broncos bus crash in 2018 says they are 'thankful' for a decision by a Calgary immigration board to deport the driver of the truck involved.
Fatal plane crash reported near Squamish, B.C.
The Transportation Safety Board of Canada has confirmed it is working with local Mounties and the BC Coroners Service after a plane crash near Squamish, B.C. Friday night.
'God forgives but we don’t': Loud outburst from stabbing victim’s family during sentencing hearing
An emotional outburst in a London, Ont. courtroom Friday disrupted the sentencing hearing of a woman who pleaded guilty for her part in the death of 29-year-old Mohammed Abdallah.
Three dead after vehicle plunged down a 100-foot embankment in Shediac, N.B.
Three people have died after a vehicle veered off the road in Shediac N.B., Friday morning.
Appeal denied for Edmonton soldier accused of trying to kill her 3 children
An Edmonton woman found guilty of trying to kill her three children has been denied an appeal.