A Mother’s Work: Building a Business & a Sustainable Future

There’s something inherently powerful about how mothers build homes, businesses, and communities. 

This Mother’s Day, we’re thrilled to shine a light on one of our remarkable local suppliers, Marie Hélène of Sewing and Bees. She’s not just the creator behind the beautifully handcrafted reusable goods you’ll find at Greenbriar—she’s also a mom raising two daughters while living a low-consumption lifestyle rooted in purpose and sustainability.

Marie Hélène’s story reminds us that motherhood and entrepreneurship don’t have to exist in separate lanes. In fact, for many women, especially those in the Greenbriar community, one fuels the other.

Balancing Bees, Bags, and Bedtime

Marie Hélène began her business while stepping back from a career in commercial photography to focus on raising her daughters. But as she says, “Creativity and entrepreneurship don’t have an ‘off’ switch.” 

What started as sewing reusable bags to reduce plastic waste quickly grew into a small, eco-minded enterprise embraced by her community. With her family pitching in on tasks from fabric selection to packaging, Sewing and Bees became both a livelihood and a lifestyle.

The balance? It’s fluid.

“Some periods prioritize work; others focus on family,” she says. Living simply, sharing one car, cooking from scratch, and minimizing consumption allows their family to ebb and flow with the seasons of life. For her daughters, watching their mom build something with her hands and heart offers daily lessons in problem-solving, creativity, and environmental stewardship.

Why Sustainability Starts at Home

For Marie Hélène, sustainability isn’t just a selling point. It’s a way of life, deeply rooted in her upbringing in the countryside where composting, gardening, and reusing weren’t trends—they were traditions. 

“To me, sustainability means caring for what we already have and actively reducing our consumption (yes, we can always do better!)—and, as a result, reducing our waste,” she says. 

That ethos flows into her products: beeswax food wraps, non-toxic cleaners, reusable kitchen goods. They’re more than items—they’re solutions born from lived experience. And by involving her children in this eco-conscious lifestyle, she’s shaping a future where thoughtful choices become second nature.

Even the bees on their property play a role. 

“Having them around us every day reminds us how everything in nature works together and why we need to protect it for the kids and generations to come.”

Simple Swaps, Lasting Impact

When asked for advice to fellow moms wanting to shop more sustainably, Marie Hélène offers practical encouragement: start with what you have. 

Swap paper towels for reusable cloths. Try beeswax wraps for snacks and leftovers. Involve your kids—it’s fun, and they learn that being green isn’t about sacrifice; it’s about care.

Her biggest tip? 

“It’s not about being perfect, but making progress — and don’t try to do it all at once. Every small change teaches your kids that their choices truly matter.” 

Whether it’s buying second-hand, choosing multipurpose clothing, or switching to natural cleaning products, every step forward counts.

Marie’s Mother’s Day Picks

We couldn’t let her go without asking for some Mother’s Day gift picks—straight from a mother, maker, and sustainability advocate:

• Fragrance Oils & Candles – “I adore all the fragrance oils made locally here in Calgary. My personal faves are Arctic Aura, Wandering Woods, and Snowy Summit. I use them in a nebulizer to refresh our home—instant mood lift!”
• Workshops at Greenbriar – “There’s something for every kind of mom. From soap making and cupcake decorating to ceramics and zero-proof cocktail classes, the experience is often the most memorable gift.”
• Gift Bundles – “The store has beautifully curated gift bundles that are always a hit. From refillable cleaning kits and body care to handmade kitchenware and local artisan soaps—Greenbriar makes thoughtful, sustainable gifting easy.”
  

At Greenbriar, we believe that every purchase is a vote for the kind of world we want to live in. 

Moms like Marie Hélène remind us that building a better future doesn’t always look like big gestures. Sometimes, it looks like sewing a snack bag, raising bees, and raising daughters—all with love, intention, and care for the planet.

Happy Mother’s Day to all the moms crafting a more sustainable world, one small choice at a time.