Alissa Assu transitioned her love of sport as a former athlete to a career with the Indigenous Sport, Physical Activity & Recreation Council (ISPARC), helping to improve the health and well-being of BC’s Indigenous people. When the pandemic shifted her role online, she was no longer engaging with the community and felt something was missing. She transitioned from a career in sports to curating a wellness and lifestyle boutique that focused on amplifying the voices and stories of BIPOC families and other talented Canadian artisans.
In 2020, West Coast Wildflowers opened in Campbell River, offering high-quality, locally-made products for families, including apparel, jewelry, home decor, artwork, and more. On her entrepreneurial journey, Alissa and her partner Cody Assu also invested in RavenSong Soap and Candles to reconnect with plant medicine and Indigenous knowledge while embracing a mentorship role to learn and share the cultural stories behind the brand.