Meet our Team!
Adam Sharanewych
Co-Founder & CEO
A Software Developer by trade, Adam co-founded Shop Makers with the original intent to build an E-commerce marketplace to service Canadian artisans. Upon his realization of the importance of Brick and Mortar for handmade, he quickly pivoted and opened the first Shop Makers location with Veronica in Gastown in November 2020, originally under a different name.
Passionate in building entrepreneurs and supporting artisans, Adam has grown Makers beyond that single Vancouver location, into 24 locations Canada wide and from a modest team of just 2, to now over 180.
To date, Shop Makers has generated over $60,000,000 in sales for our makers, and enabled hundreds to pursue their passions.With big ambitions, Adam hopes to grow Shop Makers to over 30 locations nationwide by 2027 and to eventually expand beyond our border to support artisans across the continent.
When Adam’s not working, you can find him skiing, golfing, or bird-watching (his newest favourite hobby) 😝
Veronica Kos
Co-Founder & Director of Marketing
Originally obtaining a Bachelors Degree in journalism, Veronica pivoted to the creative world of marketing in 2018 and has never looked back.
Co-founding Shop Makers with Adam in 2020, Veronica’s biggest passion is finding fun and innovative ways to promote the many talented local makers and artisans in the community.
Growing the Makers community from roughly 80 to now over 1400 artisans across 24 store locations, and with big ambitions to expand Makers across Canada, she hopes to continue to spread awareness and inspire Canadians to shop local, support small businesses & discover the incredible talent our nation has!
When not working, Veronica can be found skiing, surfing, swimming, or cozied up with a good book and a cup of tea!
Connect with Veronica online by following Makers on all our socials!
Katrina Jones
Head of Vendor Success
Katrina brings a rich mix of entrepreneurial, operational, and creative experience to her role at Makers.
A longtime maker and business owner, she has run a variety of small businesses since 2012. Katrina has also been actively involved in the small business community for many years. She has participated in, and helped organize, artisan markets and events throughout Vancouver. Her direct operational work with several small businesses further strengthens her knowledge of daily workflows and the behind-the-scenes systems that keep independent businesses thriving.
Before joining Makers, Katrina spent 11 years in the music industry specializing in project management. She’s led large-scale campaigns for clients such as TELUS to supporting grassroots, community-driven initiatives, sharpening the leadership, communication, and organizational skills she brings into her work today.
Katrina has been with Makers for 5 years. Having worked in both retail and corporate roles, she holds a unique point of view that balances both perspectives. For the past 3.5 years, she has been a part of the corporate team, supporting Makers through rapid expansion while staying closely connected to the maker journey.
Today, as Head of Vendor Success, Katrina oversees the vendor community across all Makers locations in Canada. Outside of work, she enjoys time with her husband, Adam, and their whippet, Zuzu.
Chris Sharanewych
President
As President at Shop Makers, Chris brings a wealth of experience and a proven track record of leadership & innovation.
As a founding member of ATG Pharma Inc., in his previous role as Vice President, Chris had an instrumental impact in driving the corporation’s transformation from operating within a garage to its establishment as one of Canada’s fastest growing manufacturing companies and a global market leader.
Chris has long been passionate about supporting and empowering entrepreneurs. While pursuing a Bachelor in Economics at Queen’s University in Ontario, Chris also founded the entrepreneurship club, which continues to operate today as a think-tank for young entrepreneurs to meet and collaborate on their business ventures.
Now, at Shop Makers, Chris is determined to leverage his expertise to propel Makers to new heights. He is dedicated to championing local artisans and providing them with the support, resources, and retail infrastructure they require to succeed in today's competitive market for small businesses. Chris's strategic focus on driving growth and innovation, combined with his passion for supporting entrepreneurs, makes him a valuable asset to the Shop Makers team.
Nadia Randall
Memberships & Payouts
Nadia has spent nearly two decades managing retail and wholesale operations at Canada’s National Ballet School, where she had the privilege of collaborating with manufacturers to develop innovative and healthier pointe shoes. Her work took her across Canada, helping both student and professional ballet dancers find their perfect fit.
After leaving Toronto to enjoy more time with family and nature in rural Eastern Ontario, Nadia is thrilled to be part of a growing company that supports talented artisans while staying connected to the arts. When she's not working, you can find her cultivating her country garden or spotting wildlife around her family property.
Janelle Tasker
Regional Manager - British Columbia
A lifelong lover of all things creative, Janelle has always been drawn to the arts, through theater, film, crafting, and music. With over 8 years of managerial experience in retail, wellness, and operations, she found her perfect fit at Shop Makers nearly three years ago, where she could lean into her passion for supporting people and small businesses.
As BC District Manager, Janelle is passionate about ensuring every store and team member feels supported, valued, and empowered to grow. Always wanting to bring kindness, understanding, and a little bit of humour to each interaction.
Outside of work, you’ll likely find her at markets with friends, traveling and exploring new places with a coffee in hand, cooking, or curled up at home with a favourite movie or book.
For Janelle, being surrounded by such talented and creative individuals every day is both inspiring and a privilege. The uniqueness and joy that each day brings is a part of what makes being a part of the Makers journey so exciting"
Nikola McDermott
Marketing Manager
Passionate about storytelling and community, Nikola brings 6+ years of social media and marketing experience to Makers. With a background in personal training, she transitioned into marketing to follow her love for creativity, connection, and impactful storytelling.
As someone who has always loved art, crafting, and creating, working at Makers feels like a natural extension of who she is. She thrives on crafting engaging content that celebrates the incredible talent of our makers, sharing their stories, and connecting them with a wider audience.
Whether she’s developing compelling posts or dreaming up new campaigns, Nikola is driven by bringing Makers’ mission to life in a way that feels authentic, community-first, and creatively inspiring.
When she’s not championing makers, you can find her on an early morning run (currently training for her first marathon!), catching up on Real Housewives, or soaking up the sun at the beach with her golden retriever, Florence.
Nicola McGarr
Head of Operations
Having moved to Canada from Ireland in 2019 and now a dual citizen of both countries, Nicola is thrilled to be part of a growing company with a wonderful mission of supporting talented, homegrown artisans.
Nicola's career journey began in the world of music, where she earned a Bachelor's Degree in Commercial Modern Music, and evolved into the dynamic field of workplace operations and experience. Her focus is on creating thoughtful, well-run environments that empower teams to do their best work. Over the years working in the gaming and tech industries, she has built a strong foundation in project management, event planning, cross-functional collaboration, and vendor management. She has also completed 250 hours of yoga teacher training, maintains a dedicated personal practice, and teaches occasionally; that same energy (thoughtful, attentive, and people-focused) guides how she shows up at work.
Outside of work, Nicola loves having a laugh with friends and family, going to yoga classes, running along the seawall, trying new craft beers at local breweries, going to gigs, and doing arts and crafts and petting dogs!
Lianne Rymer
Head of People & Culture
Lianne brings over 15 years of experience across high-growth startups and well-established organizations, but what really matters to her is finding the right fit. She does her best work when a company’s mission and values truly align with her own (which is exactly what she found at Shop Makers!).
As our Head of People & Culture, Lianne is the heartbeat behind the team experience. She’s all about making sure the same care, creativity, and intention we pour into supporting our Makers is felt internally across every role and every location. She helps shape a workplace where people feel seen, supported, and set up to grow. Lianne is especially passionate about building a culture where creativity, belonging, and growth aren’t just ideas; they’re part of the everyday. The goal? Making Shop Makers not just a place to work, but a community people are genuinely excited to be part of.
Outside of work, Lianne is all about good company, fresh air, and finding joy in the little things - whether that’s testing out a new recipe, exploring somewhere new, or hanging out with her dog. She may not claim the title of “Maker” just yet, but you’ll often find her getting inspired at markets and workshops.
Sabrina Rahemtula
Vendor Success Manager
Passionate about building strong relationships and positive experiences, Sabrina brings over 10 years of customer service and managerial expertise to her role. She is dedicated to supporting her team and helping vendors succeed every step of the way, always showing up as a reliable advocate in their corner.
Inspired by her love of crafting and creativity, she brings a thoughtful and engaging approach to every interaction, striving to make each experience both supportive and meaningful.
Outside of work, she enjoys crafting, collecting unique trinkets, following Formula 1, and journaling. She also loves spending time with her loved ones and her dog, Luna.
Wenny Chiu
Operations Enablement Manager
Wenny brings a strong background in hospitality, retail operations and entrepreneurship to her role as Operations Enablement Manager at Shop Makers.
She began her career in the restaurant industry, spending 10 years as a front-of-house manager where she supported daily operations and new restaurant openings. She later transitioned into retail, building another decade of experience across apparel, eyewear, skincare and telecommunications, with a focus on store operations, staff training and team development.
As a small business owner creating eco-conscious dog grooming products, Wenny brings a unique, firsthand understanding of the vendor journey - an experience that ultimately led her to Shop Makers.
Today, she focuses on building training programs, operational systems, and store opening frameworks that support consistency, scalability and strong team performance across all locations.
Outside of work, you can find Wenny going on adventure around the city with her dog, Pepper; and she is also a passionate foodie who loves exploring different cuisines and discovering new places to eat!
Jodi Ng
Marketing Coordinator
Jodi is a recent graduate from the University of Waterloo with a degree in Global Business and Digital Arts, where she developed a strong foundation in marketing, design, and brand strategy.
With a passion for storytelling and visual content, Jodi brings a creative and strategic approach to her work, blending design, social media, and data-driven insights to help brands connect with their audience in meaningful ways. Prior to joining Makers, she worked in digital marketing and content creation, where she developed social content, supported campaign planning, and helped bring brand stories to life through thoughtful visuals and storytelling.
Having grown up deeply immersed in creativity, with a background in dance and visual art, Jodi has always been drawn to handmade goods and the stories behind them. She’s especially passionate about supporting small businesses and helping makers share their work with a wider community.
Outside of work, you can find Jodi feasting her eyes on fashion, books, and art, playing with her orange cat, Beanoo, or spending a little too long at the gym.
Claire Watts
HR Coordinator
Passionate about community building, art, and self expression, Claire finds joy in all things creative. Her time at Makers began in 2023 when she stepped into the role of Store Manager at our Gastown location in the heart of Downtown Vancouver. There, she had the privilege of working closely with our incredible vendors and staff. Fast forward to nearly 3 years later, Claire is a proud member of our People & Culture department, working as HR Coordinator.
With a deep appreciation for people and an unwavering belief that each individual has something valuable to bring to the table, Claire is committed to ensuring that every employee at Shop Makers feels heard, safe, and supported in who they are, and how they show up at work.
In her personal time, Claire enjoys working as a musician, painting, making jewelry, travelling, and spending time with her beloved friends and family. And of course, shopping local!
Tasha Parenti
Ontario Area Manager
With over 20 years of managerial and Area Manager experience in the Retail field, Tasha led top performing stores while building several company training programs and initiatives. Leading through positivity, she was invited to be a part Project Management, Environmental Impact & the Big Ideas Groups at her last company. Tasha believes in empowering people through knowledge and understanding, with a positivity-first mindset.
Honesty, compassion and a drive for humanity brought Tasha to Shop Makers. Knowing that people spend a great amount of time at our jobs, she looked for somewhere where all team members were given an opportunity to really feel that they can make a difference. A dabbling creator herself, Tasha loved the Makers ' mission to give small businesses a platform, and then was struck by the genuine nature of the Corporate Team, sealing the deal.
Always looking for new growth opportunities, she is never still, both at work and at home. Outside of work, you will find her embarrassing her 2 teenage boys with her silliness, sitting at the hockey arena, exploring the outdoors and hatching monarch butterflies. Oh, and you will never catch her without glitter!
Taira Doucet
Operations Coordinator
Taira joined Shop Makers in March 2026 after first discovering the brand as a customer and quickly connecting with its mission of supporting small businesses and creating a space for them to grow. Having always enjoyed visiting markets and seeing local brands come together in once space, Makers stood out in bringing a year-round market. Inspired by the community and mission, Taira jumped on the opportunity to join the team as Operations Coordinator.
With a diverse industry background across food & beverage, e-commerce athletic apparel, manufacturing and events, Taira brings a well rounded perspective to operations. A graduate from the University of Calgary, she spent several years in Alberta before returning home to BC, building a broad range of experience in both operations and marketing. She approaches her work with both creativity and structure and digging into challenges, finding ways to increase efficiencies and help keep everything running smoothly. She actively works behind the scenes in supporting the growth of Shop Makers as it expands into new communities.
Outside of work, Taira leans into her creative side by any ways necessary. She enjoys experimenting with different mediums like watercolour painting, crochet and junk journal collaging, to name a few, while always inspired to try new forms. She leans into trial and error with the mindset to learn from your mistakes. She loves finding thrifted treasures and up cycling or remaking them into something new.
Julie Roskin
Regional Manager - Alberta, Manitoba, Saskatchewan
Julie brings nearly two decades of experience in retail, customer service, horticulture, and manufacturing, providing a strong foundation in leadership, operations, and innovation.
Before joining Makers in 2023, she built a diverse career rooted in both artistry and industry. A former floral designer with a passion for plants, she also managed the propagation department for one of the world’s largest cannabis facilities.
Julie is known for building strong, lasting relationships and creating supportive, high-performing teams. Her leadership style is grounded in empathy, clear communication, and a genuine investment in the success of those around her.
Outside of work, Julie is an avid reader who enjoys sewing, painting, and travelling. She takes pride in being part of a team that supports the local arts community.
The rest of the team…
With 23 store locations, there are also 150+ store-front team members whose dedication to our local artisan community is integral to Makers. Our store managers & sales associates care deeply about helping support & grow our artisans’ small businesses - just take it from our many makers who are often raving about their connections with our staff. On top of that, our team members foster a positive, inclusive, and enjoyable work environment, making our stores a fun and inspiring place to work. Everyone wants to love where they work, and we all know that the people are the most important part. We’re grateful every day to have such an amazing team at Makers!