Business Spotlight - Island-ish

Back in 2015, Island-ish opened its doors with a simple goal: make it easy (and fun) to shop local. Think Island-made art, handcrafted jewellery, and a curated lineup of BC-sourced goodies from skin care and teas to the kind of finds you didn’t know you needed… until now.

Fast forward, and Island-ish has become a go-to in Nanaimo’s local shopping scene. Equal parts retail shop and unofficial hype team, they champion local makers, celebrate the community, and yes, proudly point people toward the Nanaimo Bar Trail whenever the opportunity presents itself.

As part of our Nanaimo Business Feature Series, we’re chatting with local businesses to hear their stories, what keeps them here, and how you can support them.

What inspired you to start your business in Nanaimo?

Having lived here since we were in elementary school, we knew what kind of shop we wished we had that featured local artisans and other lines that suited our Island-ish lifestyle and kept talking about doing it.

When working at another store that no longer exists, I kept saying someone should make a Nanaimo Bar soap and other items that tourists and locals could take on their travels. After our father (who had been a local businessman for decades -Mad Man McKays) passed away after a long battle with cancer, we had the time and energy to decide to go for it as entrepreneurship was in our blood and our families were at a place it seemed like the right time. One of our first products we had made was Nanaimo Bar soap, which is still a top seller 10 years later.

Are there any positive specific customer stories or interactions that stand out to you that have taken place over the years?

We had a group of 4 women who had been friends for 55 years come in for their 60th birthdays and got matching silver wave rings that are handmade in Tofino by Pacific Alchemy. They were delightful and inspiring to chat with.

Another great customer story is how in 2020 we had to pivot online and thankfully we already had a website and social media following so we straight away offered “driveway drops” and porch pick ups for that first Easter and Mother’s Day gifts and so so many people in the community made purchases on there, even people from other provinces who wanted to send gifts to their family in Nanaimo and we had delightful interactions with people online as we packed up each order and delivered to people’s homes all over the city or had people come to our covered porch with a shower curtain across the door and we could connect people and share love and gifts during a tremendously difficult time while also helping our business survive. It was such a gift to and from our community that we will never forget.

There are so many memories, but one last one that stands out - we have many people visit while waiting for loved ones in the hospital, but one day we had one of our favourite creative Country Chic Paint customers come in when he was on a break from getting infusions in the hospital! He still had his gown and port in, but needed his paint for when he got home. We had a special chat and visit and encouraged each other, and of course we sent him with his paint and extras. We love this community.

What’s one thing in your store that’s a great gift?

Only 1–Locally Made Pottery Mugs

What are some of your favourite Nanaimo businesses?

That’s hard to fit in a short answer but All the locally owned restaurants: Black Rabbit, Breakfast Nook, Mahle House, Gabriel’s, Modern Cafe, Horang, Bodhi’s Bakery, & Haru BBQ of course at our village! Many others include, Flying Fish, Aura Hair and Rebel Rose Beauty, Quintessential, Van Isle Beauty Bar, Children’s Treehouse, Citrus Kids, Nanaimo Toyota, Charlie Brown’s Health Food, Drip Coffee, Good Life Juice, Rolling Dutchman Auto … I could go on and I’m going to regret missing so many! 

What would you say to someone considering starting their own business in Nanaimo?

It’s a mutual relationship, not just about selling but to really engage with your community. It’s all about building relationships, trusting your instincts and loving what you do and where you do it. 

How do you see your business contributing to the community in Nanaimo? 

We try to be a cheery and fun feast for the senses for all ages to browse and shop. We curate many local artisan lines with significant monthly sales that cycle through the Nanaimo economy in many ways. We shop at other local businesses ourselves. We regularly contribute to local fundraisers for schools, health care and other local causes close to our hearts. We try to be a fun and engaging, sometimes informative, part of Nanaimo’s online community, sharing other local interests and events as well as our own content on Facebook and Instagram. We have helped pro bono many other local businesses pivot to online sales since 2020 and coached them through how to use “Shopify” and learn how to use social media, and shared them even though we aren’t exactly young anymore and are constantly learning and pushing ourselves. We also personally and professionally work with and support many local charities. 

What do you love most about being a part of the Nanaimo business community?

The support from and for each other both on social media and shopping in store. It’s been a great place, especially over the last 5 years where we cheer each other on as we are better together. And of course, living in one of the most beautiful and creative places in the world we all have beautiful pictures and lifestyles to share.

Ten years in, Island-ish is still doing what it set out to do, making it easy to shop local, connect with the community, and bring a little piece of the Island home with you.

So whether you’re browsing for a gift, a keepsake, or something you definitely didn’t plan on buying (no judgment), this is one stop worth making.

Because in Nanaimo, shopping local just hits different.