

How did you come up with the name Berg & Betts?
Emily (E): The name Berg and Betts is actually both of our maiden names. My maiden name is Betts and Jessie’s maiden name is Stjerneberg (so many consonants, I know!). Once we shortened it down to “Berg,” the name was a no brainer.How did you two meet, and what made you decide to be business partners?
Jessie (J): Mutual friends introduced us about four years ago after both of us had recently re-located to Edmonton for our husbands’ careers. Since we were both new to the city, we could really relate to each other and we've been great friends ever since. We didn’t seek each other out as business partners, rather it happened organically. I have a hands-on creative side and Emily has a fantastic eye for fashion and both qualities have proved themselves essential parts of Berg & Betts.What are your backgrounds?
J: My educational background is in Nutrition, but I’ve been creating my whole life. I was only in grade one when my mom taught me how to use her sewing machine and I would make purses out of any scrap material I could get my hands on. As long as I can remember I’ve made jewellery, sewed clothing and have generally had a DIY attitude. Making things with my hands has always made me feel the most like myself. E: Fashion has always been my way to creatively express myself. I grew up in Connecticut, only thirty minutes from New York City, and my time spent there definitely fostered my love and passion for fashion. I have my M.A. in Childhood Special Education and absolutely love teaching, but Berg and Betts allows me to tap into my creative side.Tell us about the beginnings of Berg & Betts.
J: It actually all started back in 2012 when we decided to hand-make a gift for our mutual friend’s birthday. I had never made a watch before but I had lots of scrap leather that was perfect for watch straps. One night we adventurously sat down with hammers, pliers, rivets, watch faces, leather–and wine–and after a whole lot of determination we had made three watches! Other than being totally proud of ourselves, we thought nothing of it until the watches attracted interest every time we wore them. It wasn’t until Emily sold her watch off her wrist to a girl at the gym that we knew we had to pursue the watches further.
Giving new life to otherwise leftover leather is a great idea. How did you get started using designer leather?
J: Watches require such a small amount of leather and something didn’t seem right about cutting up large hides of fine leather into tiny strips. Initially, we were scavengers at a local leather shop because after their leather sewing classes the students had scraps left over that they’d sell to us by weight. From there, we considered the unique designers we have right here in Edmonton and we reached out to ask if they would give their scraps to be re-invented into custom watches. So far, the response has been overwhelmingly positive, and we receive materials from Poppy Barley and local handbag designers. We have found that after designers spend so much time sourcing their gorgeous leather from all over the world, they don’t want to see it end up in a landfill! It’s so satisfying for us to know that we’re helping other companies reduce their waste.What do Berg & Betts customers love about your watches?
J and E: We appeal to women of all ages and personal styles. By offering products that range from designer accessories to timeless pieces, our customers love that they can find pieces that suit their style. The common thread, however, is that we consistently hear from our customers that they appreciate how our products incorporate materials that would otherwise end up in a landfill. Our favourite part about designing and selling the watches is that people use them to help define their personal style–we’re often caught off-guard and pleasantly surprised by their choices.