Today’s Notable Young Entrepreneur is the owner of one of Toronto’s top vintage boutiques, Bridge + Bardot, which has been visited by celebrities like Rita Ora and featured in some of Canada’s most respected fashion publications. We caught up with Gagan Bassi to find out where she finds inspiration and what advice she would share with other young professionals…
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WORK
1. Describe what you do in less than 140 characters. Go.
I source and alter vintage pieces to be sold on BridgeandBardot.com. Handpicked and curated, I aim to stock exactly what our customer wants.
2. What was the inspiration for your career route?
I studied Fashion Comm at Ryerson University and have always had a strong interest in fashion. I think that clothing holds a lot more power than most people realize, and I feel that fashion can empower them. I want to help people feel that way through my brand and my clothing.
3. What is the most memorable milestone in your career so far?
I think I’m still working on achieving that milestone. But the feeling of having our first customer leave the store with something they really loved is memorable for me.
4. Where do you see yourself in 5 years, 10 years, 20 years?
I see myself with Bridge+Bardot, expanding it further year by year. I want to be doing the same thing, just on a larger scale and improving as the years go on. I really hope to have a strong online presence within five years and am working on that currently.
5. Do you have any advice for other young professionals?
Stay focused on what you really want and go for that one thing. You can get distracted and other ideas can get in your head, but instead of spreading yourself out and trying to do everything at once, focus on your goal.
6. Do you support any charities? If so, which one(s) and why is it (or they) important to you?
Bridge+Bardot is actually in the process of creating a Bridge+Bardot fund, where a portion of all sales will be put aside to support local charities. Supporting and empowering women is something that is dear to my heart, so the fund would most likely go towards that.
7. What is one major challenge that you’ve had to overcome in your career? How did you overcome it?
There are daily challenges associated with running a business like B+B. The major challenge for me has been to develop my problem solving skills so that I can meet any challenge that arises. It’s important to acknowledge that each challenge and problem offer a unique lesson that will help me as the business grows.
8. What does the word notable mean to you?
Notable has many meanings. It can mean something as simple as popularity and attention, but it can also signify something of great quality and substance.
PLAY
1. Where is your favourite place to wine/ dine in your city and why?
I’d have to say Libretto. It’s my favourite pizza spot and there’s always such a great vibe. Being steps away from Bridge+Bardot, I find myself eating there a couple times a week. The staff is so amazing, they’ve even made me my favourite pizza that they’ve taken off the menu.
2. What’s the most visited website on your Internet browser? The most played song on your phone?
The most visited website on my browser is Arch Digest; I’m a sucker for unique home design. The most played song is definitely Furthest Thing by Drake.
3. Who’s one person you think everyone should be following on social media?
Honestly, I’d say North West, ha! She has to be my fav Kardashian, and her style is always on point.
4. What’s your favourite country to visit and why? And what’s the next one you plan on travelling to?
India is my answer to both. I love being there; it’s a place that really inspires me and feeds my creativity. I have a really personal connection to it because it’s where my parents were born and raised, so I think that’s part of why I have such a fondness for it. I’ll be travelling there this spring.
5. What gives you the greatest FOMO?
If I miss out on seeing a good movie with my siblings, I’ll never hear the end of it.
6. What’s your guiltiest pleasure?
Chocolate! I could eat a whole box of chocolate if it was in front of me right now.
7. What’s something you wish you didn’t spend so much money on? What’s something you wish you spent more on?
I wish I didn’t spend so much money on eating out, but it happens when you’re really busy and don’t have time to prep. I wish I spent more on pampering (nail salons, massages) myself, honestly. I can’t get myself to spend a ton of money on something that’s not going to last me a long time, so pampering always falls to the bottom of spending priorities – I’m kind of a scrooge in that sense.
8. And finally, what does success look like to you? Work, play, or otherwise…
Success to me is being happy with yourself and the life that you’ve created. For me this would also include achieving the goals that I have set out for myself. Once I have achieved those goals, then I think I can call myself successful. Success for me is more work-oriented and less play.
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