Perky Cats: Bringing Handmade Characters and Stories to Life Through Textile Art

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.

At the ByWard Market Vendor Village, you will discover more than handmade creations. Behind Perky Cats is a story of creativity, storytelling, and a passion for designing one-of-a-kind companions that spark joy and imagination.

Founded by textile artist and designer Olesya Lebedenko, Perky Cats combines years of experience in textile art, character design, sewing, and storytelling into a collection of handcrafted fabric characters, each with its own personality.

"I started Perky Cats from my love for textile art, character design, storytelling, and handmade objects that feel personal."

Before launching Perky Cats, Olesya built her creative career through OlesyaLebedenkoDesign, where she created textile patterns, published sewing projects, designed fabrics, and taught workshops.

Perky Cats gave her a new way to bring all of those passions together.

Each handmade cat is carefully designed with its own expression, accessories, name, and story. Rather than producing identical products, Olesya creates collectible companions that invite people to form personal connections.

"They are not mass-produced. I see them as collectible little companions."

Moving to Canada in 2019 marked an important new chapter in her creative journey.

Arriving as a permanent resident from Ukraine, Olesya brought years of artistic experience with her, but building a business in a new country required learning an entirely new market.

She had to understand Canadian customers, business culture, and how to present her work in a way that resonated with local audiences.

After the full-scale war in Ukraine began in 2022, the importance of community became even more meaningful.

"It reminded me how much people need connection, support, and a place where their skills, stories, and work can still have a future."

Like many artists, one of Olesya's greatest challenges was learning how to transform creative work into a successful business.

Creating beautiful products came naturally, but pricing, marketing, presenting handmade work, and communicating its value required an entirely different set of skills.

She also worked to clearly distinguish Perky Cats from her broader design business, helping customers understand that each brand serves a different purpose while remaining connected through her artistic vision.

Through markets, pop-up events, and conversations with customers, she continues to refine how she shares the stories behind every creation.

One of her proudest moments has been watching visitors discover Perky Cats in person.

"People stop, smile, ask about the stories, and often find one cat that feels like theirs."

Those meaningful interactions remind her that every handmade character creates an emotional connection beyond the product itself.

Another memorable milestone came when she was invited to appear on CTV Your Morning Ottawa to discuss sewing for beginners, her workshops, and Perky Cats. After the interview aired, visitors began recognizing her at local markets and sharing how much they enjoyed her story.

The Immigrant Entrepreneur Canada Retail Incubator Program helped Olesya strengthen the business side of her creative work.

"I did not need more inspiration. I needed structure."

The program encouraged her to think strategically about branding, customer experience, pricing, storytelling, and product presentation while providing opportunities to network with fellow entrepreneurs.

Equally valuable was the sense of community she found through the program.

"Everyone is building something while also carrying a personal journey."

For Olesya, that shared experience created a supportive environment where entrepreneurs could learn from one another while growing their businesses.

Her advice to other immigrant entrepreneurs is to stay true to themselves while remaining open to learning.

"Do not make yourself smaller to fit what you think the market expects."

She encourages newcomers to build strong communities, ask questions, continue improving, and trust that their unique talents have a place in Canada.

At Perky Cats, every handmade character is more than a fabric creation. Each one carries a story, a personality, and a reminder that creativity has the power to connect people across cultures and communities.

Visit Perky Cats at the ByWard Market Vendor Village to discover handcrafted textile companions that celebrate imagination, storytelling, and the joy of handmade art.

Explore Perky Cats or stay updated on their latest projects. Visit their website or follow them on Instagram @perkycats_ to follow their journey as they continue creating unique handmade textile cat characters, bringing creativity, storytelling, and craftsmanship to life through every creation.

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