From left to right: Alexis Sapera, Kelsea Shore, Brooke Joubert and Emma Chamberlain (missing from photo is Vanessa Hawkins) | Mik Horvath/MBC
This week in the community, myFM visited The Hiive Collective, a junction highlighting local women’s ingenuity and craft.
The Hiive’s operating space, located directly behind and attached to Ottawa Valley Coffee, provides its queens an opportunity to express themselves in their business ventures such as tattooing.
Alexis Sapera, owner and one of the two co-founders of The Hiive, said the collective’s creation was inspired by the challenges her mother faced maintaining a career when their family moved around the country to follow Sapera’s father’s military career.
However, challenge evokes innovation and Sapera saw a pattern in Canadian military wives.
The Hiive currently hosts two tattoo artists as well as two apprentices, however these artists are multifaceted and pour their passions into more than just ink.
For example tattoo artist of 16 years, Brooke Joubert, also owns the handmade artisanal craft company called Humble Beginnings.
The Hiive was first discussed as a concept between Sapera and the other co-founder, Vanessa Hawkins, about two years ago and their ideas finally came to fruition this May when The Hiive Collective opened its doors.
Sapera said helping out individuals with great ideas is a virtuous mission.
The Hiive, being a collective, is a huge advocate for community collaboration and Sapera said hosting a space for entrepreneurs to thrive is an amazing thing.
She said their goal is simple; to see women succeed and to be the guiding hand along the way.
The Hiive Collective is looking to get more involved with the area as they settle in, so don’t be afraid to pop in and say hi.
(Written by Mik Horvath)
