Many of the items we use and consume daily—from cleaning products to produce—come in a package. And while it might seem like a small thing, over the course of a day, week, or month, that’s a lot of packaging material that simply goes in the garbage, never to be seen or thought about again. 

For Kate Pepler, the amount of waste she was producing just from the everyday essentials was not just cause for concern, but the inspiration she needed to create meaningful change and engage her entrepreneurial spirit.

After graduating from Dalhousie University with a double major in sustainability and environmental science, along with a minor in marine biology, she found herself feeling anxious about the future.

“The term ‘eco-depression’ is common now, but that’s definitely what I was suffering from,” says Kate. “I had just spent five years studying all the ways that humans are causing harm to the environment. After graduating I didn’t really know what I could do to make a difference or how I could create positive change.”

Kate had been reading about zero-waste lifestyles and trying to change her own habits but was challenged by a lack of options when it came to low or zero waste options in Halifax. Recognizing the opportunity to create a more environmentally friendly shopping option, Kate opened The Tare Shop, Halifax’s first package-free store in October of 2018.

As for what brought her to CUA, it came down to shared values and the importance of community.

“I joined CUA because I wanted to bank with somebody whose values aligned with my own. CUA is very community-minded and that appealed to me,” says Kate.

For movement-based business like the Tare Shop, it’s not just about providing package-free options, it’s about building a community of individuals who also share a passion for living a low-waste lifestyle. Having a safe space where that community could gather and grow has been a big part of the Tare Shop’s success, which is why having a financial institution who also understands the power of community was important to Kate.

It’s something that’s obviously important to a lot of other people too—in January 2021, the Tare Shop opened a second location on Portland Street in downtown Dartmouth.

“Having more than one location was always a goal of mine,” says Kate. “Downtown Dartmouth always seemed like the next right step, it’s such a vibrant community. Obviously opening a second location during a pandemic has come with its share of challenges! But a lot of folks have reached out and said how grateful they are to be able to continue to shop low waste when it hasn’t been an option everywhere else.”

And CUA was right there beside her providing support, guidance, and financial services to make Kate’s dream of a second location a reality by offering flexible, solutions-focused thinking to support her business.

There’s no question being an entrepreneur and small business owner comes with its share of benefits, but it can also be a challenging path to take. Having the right partners by your side can make a huge difference.

“My advice for somebody starting a business would be to find something you’re passionate about that contributes back to society. Especially today when inequities are so glaring, it’s really important to be thinking about how your business can create change in your corner of the world,” says Kate.

Ready to make a difference with your business? CUA’s commercial banking services can help, get in touch with us today to get started.

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