Laura-Jean started her own clothing line, Fresh Baked Goods, in 1994. Although she would have rather hid out in the studio making stuff, she quickly realized she had to learn a LOT about business to keep her dream of having her own line alive. Facing these challenges and conquering them proved to be fun, and as she saw the business building, she was hooked. Her business model expanded to include a retail store, and then a second.
At this second store, the collective concept was born in 2000. Laura-Jean took on “roommates” (other local designers who made a complementary product to hers) to help share in the work and expense of the store. She quickly took on the role of mentor, helping her store “roommates” see how they can improve their product to build stronger businesses.
Over the years, Laura-Jean became more and more interested in helping designers learn how to build their businesses, and the mentorship became more involved. She also built systems that designers could plug into, and saw how working together toward the same goal created amazing results!
In 2010, Laura-Jean started to compile this information into a 12 chapter comprehensive workbook and Fresh Collective University was born! Along with this came a new focus and expansion plan. Now the Fresh Collective formula is part of the business model, offering designers step-by-step education and guidance as they build their business with us.
Laura-Jean is absolutely in love with her business! She loves working with the designers who join up, and throws her heart (and head!) into every project. Infinitely creative, energetic, inspired, positive and open, she is ready for all the challenges running a business tosses at her, and she faces them head on. Her attitude is that problems bring opportunity and her positive spirit is injected into the culture of Fresh Collective.
She lives in Parkdale in a big old house with her husband (musician/producer Steve Singh) her son Dexter and their dog Jeffy.
