ALMA & Co: Jewelry Rooted in Friendship, Heritage, and Meaningful Connection

This story is part of the Immigrant Entrepreneur Canada Retail Incubator Program, presented by RBC and supported by Meridian.

The program provides hands-on retail experience and business training to help immigrant entrepreneurs launch and grow their ventures in the heart of Ottawa.

As you move through the ByWard Market Vendor Village, your attention may be drawn to a display of handcrafted jewelry: delicate, nature-inspired designs that feel both personal and intentional. Behind each piece is a story shaped by friendship, migration, motherhood, and a deep connection to heritage.

That story belongs to Mariana and Sarah, co-founders of ALMA & Co and one of the small businesses growing through the Immigrant Entrepreneur Canada (IEC) Retail Incubator Program.

Their journey began unexpectedly. "We became friends through our children," they share. "By a beautiful coincidence, both of our sons are named Noah." A simple connection in Canada grew into a close friendship, and along the way the two discovered a shared passion for artisan jewelry, pieces that carry meaning, story, and cultural depth.

From that spark, ALMA took shape: a business grounded in friendship and culture, and a way to stay connected to their Colombian roots while supporting women artisans back home and building a future for their families in Canada. "We wanted to create something of our own," they explain. "Something that reflected our values, creativity, and culture."

More Than Design

But ALMA is about more than design. "It's very important to us to uplift women and stay connected to where we come from," they share. "Supporting communities in Colombia makes us feel incredibly proud."

They work closely with women artisans, many of them older, highly skilled makers, whose craftsmanship and stories are carried into every piece. For Mariana and Sarah, it is also about visibility. "We want people here to see that artisans in Colombia are incredibly creative," they explain. "They are making so many beautiful things, and we want to share that with Canada, with the Ottawa community and beyond."

At the heart of the brand is legacy, the hope that their children will see what is possible when you take an idea seriously. "We want them to know that dreams are worth pursuing," they say, "and that you can build something meaningful from something small."

Building in the Margins

Like many early-stage entrepreneurs, their journey has come with real challenges, and the biggest has been finding balance. As working mothers, ALMA is built in the margins of their lives: in the evenings, on weekends, and in the quiet moments between family and work. "There are days that are not easy," they share. "But we believe in what we are creating, and that keeps us going."

There were practical barriers, too. With limited initial investment, they taught themselves everything from the ground up: online sales, importing, regulations, taxes, and marketing.

"We are still learning every day," they say. "We just take it one step at a time."

From Idea to Reality

That shift became real in a single, unforgettable moment. Recently, after months of preparation, their jewelry shipment finally arrived from Colombia. They spent an entire day organizing each piece and attaching ALMA tags. When they stepped back, they realized something powerful: ALMA was no longer just an idea. It was real.

Trust the Process

Today, ALMA continues to grow, grounded in heritage, intention, and community. And if there is one message the founders hope to share with other immigrant entrepreneurs, it is this: trust the process. "There will be difficult days, and moments of doubt," they say. "But you don't need to have everything figured out at the beginning. Keep learning, keep showing up, and keep believing in your vision."

If you are visiting during the ByWard Market Vendor Village, stop by Alma & Co to learn about each piece and experience them in person.

Explore Alma & Co or stay updated on their latest projects. Visit their website or follow them on Instagram @alma.artisanjewelry. Sarah and Mariana's story is an inspiring example of how friendship, motherhood and perseverance can lead to extraordinary achievements.

This story is part of the Immigrant Entrepreneur Canada Retail Incubator Program, presented by RBC and supported by Meridian.