Hearterra- Working to Inspire Healthier Ways of Living
By: Karli J Walker
Angela de Geus (Left) Jody-Lynn Rebek (Right) - Co-Founders, Hearterra
Welcome to Hearterra, Sault Ste. Marie’s refillery, located at 112 March Street. Co-founded by Angela de Geus, Brittany Miller and Jody-Lynn Rebek, Hearterra's journey began on July 10, 2021. Initially operating entirely online for the first four months of business during the COVID-19 pandemic, the store opened to the public on October 16, 2021.
Driven by a shared dream of establishing a sustainable way to shop for household and self-care products with minimal waste, Angela and Jody transformed their passion for environmental preservation into an outstanding venture. Despite the challenges posed by COVID-19, co-owner, Jody-Lynn Rebek said “I felt better doing something than not doing something, even though it was scary at times.”
At Hearterra, utmost consideration is given to the quality of ingredients used in the products, ensuring that all ingredients have less impact on the planet. The store actively collaborates with local businesses to offer locally made high-quality products and has even worked with these businesses to replace any ingredients that may fail to meet their company standards. Rebek firmly stated, “I will not sell a product I won't use,” exemplifying their unwavering commitment to providing eco-friendly options that prioritize the well-being of the water and land. Hearterra carries with them a forward-thinking philosophy when it comes to their product selection, “we’re trying to think seven generations ahead. What’s the land and water going to look like when we use and dispose of this” said Rebek.
Hearterra seeks to challenge the traditional notion that harsh chemicals are the pinnacle of cleaning effectiveness. Instead, they hope to educate the community that there are eco-friendly alternatives to the harsh chemical cleaners people often use. “There are other ways we can do things that won’t harm the planet but still do the job we need these products to do” Rebek stated. Notably, Hearterra offers a variety of products such as cleaning-grade baking soda and 12 or 20 percent cleaning vinegar which are great and effective alternatives to conventional chemical cleaners.
To inspire and encourage the business community, Hearterra has introduced a small business program, designed to incentivize businesses in the community to adopt environmentally friendly practices. The program aims to motivate small businesses to embrace sustainability and ‘Green-up’. With their small business program, Hearterra offers assistance in making necessary changes for a more environmentally conscious future. Businesses that participate and embrace the change will be recognized and honoured for making a genuine difference. In recognition of their own impactful contributions to the community’s well-being, Hearterra has received awards for their outstanding work, such as the Clean North Award which they won in 2022.
The owners hope to continue fostering positive change for a healthier, zero-waste lifestyle and a cleaner future. Recognizing that perfection is unattainable, co-owners Angela and Jody would like to encourage everyone to visit Hearterra and experience the transformative possibilities firsthand. “If we all work together, we really can make a huge impact,” Rebek emphasized. Hearterra is committed to expanding its business hoping to in the near future offer workshops to teach their customers useful skills and introduce more sustainable and healthy ways of living. As a new business venture, Hearterra also is generating employment opportunities within the community. To explore their products and services, please visit the Hearterra website at https://hearterra.ca or stop by their store.