We are excited to share our 2021 Excellence in Arts & Tourism Winner, Layla Butt (L’Anse au Claire, NL) for her business, Layla’s Labrador Art!
Here’s Layla’s story…
In the Beginning
Layla always loved crafting, and she’s proud of her L’Anse au Clair roots, so she began using sealskin in her crafts— and she’s careful to use every last piece of the sealskin to honour those roots!
According to her, “Layla’s Labrador Art is about the culture of Newfoundland and Labrador, sealskin can be used in many ways [. . .] many people have and still use it for warmth like making boots, mitts, coats.”
Why Entrepreneurship?
Layla began Layla’s Labrador Art because she loves making crafts, and because she is excited to make her own money! She really enjoys the opportunity to meet new people that her business provides her, and takes pride in explaining sealskin craft to her customers. Layla feels successful every day because every day she gets to do what she loves: create products with sealskin!
Making it Happen with Youth Ventures
Layla first started working with Youth Ventures in 2019 after she heard so many positive stories about other people’s experiences! She says that they helped her by promoting her business to help it grow.
What’s Next
The next step for Layla’s Labrador Art is to develop a website to showcase and sell all her products to a wider audience. Layla hopes also to design and create a whole new line of sealskin crafts. She says that sealskin comes in a wide variety of textures and thickness, so she works hard to know her material well and create perfect products for her customers!
Moment of Reflection
Layla encourages other artisans and entrepreneurs to persevere with this reminder: “it may seem like a long road when first starting your own business, the long hours that are required in making the products, but it pays off in the end.”
Layla’s Labrador Art seal skin products can be purchased on Facebook or via email.
Thank you for sharing your story, Layla – your Youth Ventures family wishes you all the best in everything you do in the future!
Stay tuned for the next Success Story. Until then, let’s keep Makin’ Lemonade!