Canada's Top Small & Medium Employers (2025) - Flipbook - Page 42
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CANADA'S TOP SMALL & MEDIUM EMPLOYERS (2025)
Jillian Harris and The Jilly Box spread the love
F
or Jillian Harris, a former
television personality and
social media influencer
who helped found two
small businesses, The Jilly Box
Inc. and Jillian Harris Design Inc.,
the secret of success comes down
to one word: love.
“My parents always told me if
you do what you love, you’ll never
work a day in your life,” says
Harris. “I find the same is true
as an employer. When you treat
your employees like you truly love
and care for them, it works out to
everyone’s benefit.”
Jillian Harris Design (JHD) was
established in 2009 as a way for
Harris to share her latest fashion
finds, recipes and DIYs with her
fans and followers. The Jilly Box,
co-founded in 2019 by Harris and
her long-time agent, Tyler Evans,
launched as a subscription box
company, offering a quarterly box
filled with a wide array of fashion,
food, home décor and other
products hand-selected by Harris
and her team. Both companies are
based in Kelowna, B.C.
The Jilly Box continues to sell
its flagship product on a quarterly
basis and has also introduced a
direct-to-consumer marketplace.
Through The Jilly Box, Harris
and her team are committed
to supporting sustainable and
ethically manufactured products
from local, diverse and inclusive
companies, including many
women-owned or family
businesses.
Both JHD and The Jilly Box
are focused on giving back to the
community. Employees are given
paid time to volunteer. As well, $2
from every subscription box is earmarked for local charities, raising
more than $1 million in donations
over the past five years.
In 2023, JHD and The Jilly Box
received B Corp Certification, a
designation recognizing businesses that exhibit high standards
of social and environmental
performance, as well as charitable
giving.
“We think about the social
impact in everything we do,”
says Rachel Howarth, marketing lead for JHD. “We prioritize
putting positivity and joy into the
world, which is something Jillian
frequently integrates into our
meetings.”
Atticia Grondin, senior marketing director for The Jilly Box,
concurs.
“Jillian is someone who is
empathetic and caring and that
is reflected in the team around
her,” says Grondin. “She’s created
a positive work environment and
values her team’s well-being. You
spend a lot of time at work, so it’s
important to be with people who
align with the same values and
enjoy where they work. Our team
members really care about the
business and take pride in what
they do.”
Harris says that when she
became an entrepreneur she
wanted to create the type of
company she would like to
work for. That led her to adopt
policies such as paid birthdays off,
personal days, bereavement and
compassionate leave, additional
paid time off at long weekends
and a $2,500 “baby bonus” for
new parents.
“JILLIAN IS SOMEONE WHO IS EMPATHETIC AND CARING
AND THAT IS REFLECTED IN THE TEAM AROUND HER.”
Jillian Harris, co-founder of The Jilly Box.
— Atticia Grondin, Senior Marketing Director
