Poppy Barley is proudly a Canadian B Corp. We love calling Canada home. Everything we make is designed in Edmonton, Alberta and produced by our manufacturing partners in Mexico, Spain and Portugal.
Behind Poppy Barley is years of relentless hard work. With bold hearts, kindness and the support of our community, we’ve survived a lot. We’re braced for the potential impact of U.S. tariffs on our business and community. If the tariffs are imposed, we’re well-positioned–Canada’s free trade agreements with Mexico and the European Union mean our shoes, bags and knitwear remain duty-free for our Canadian customers.
Back in 2012, while trying to turn the idea for Poppy Barley into a business, we searched globally for the right manufacturing partner. We first reached out to the very few Canadian footwear factories that still existed but found the factories had all become completely vertically integrated (meaning they manufactured their own brand) and weren’t an option for us.
Finally, in Mexico, we found a factory that takes pride in its craftsmanship, pays fair wages, and has the complete supply chain we were looking for. We partnered with Lupita, a female owner of a small footwear factory. Together we created EverEase™, grew our businesses, and got to know each other’s families. (Funny aside: Lupita’s son Rene now plays in Leon, Mexico’s only hockey league after discovering the sport on a visit to us in Canada.)
Today, we partner with even more family-operated, quality-first factories in Spain and Portugal. Together we obsess over creating the best product and the perfect fit with sustainable materials. We love visiting our factories, sharing meals and becoming partners and friends.
When things get hard––pandemics, currency crashes, inflation, stolen shipments, supply chain disruptions––we dig in deeper with our partners to find solutions and support each other.
We thank you for supporting Poppy Barley. Your orders, your mentions of our brand and your messages fill us with courage and passion. Together, let’s fuel the dreams of Canadian businesses and support each other by choosing Canadian brands as much as possible.
While we have your attention, we want to share that we still believe in the same things––in business being a force for good, in feminism, and that there is strength in diversity, and strength in standing for what you believe, even when it is hard, or unpopular, or scary.
Whatever comes next, Poppy Barley is ready.
Onward together.
