August 2025

From Montreal to Toronto: A road trip shaped by the people we met

From Montreal to Toronto: A road trip shaped by the people we met

Photography

Chanel Sabourin

Text

Marie-Pier Dorais

This past July, four members of our marketing team set out for Toronto with a clear purpose: to connect with the people who help The Unscented Company shine day after day, and to share the love in cafés, gyms, and restaurants along the way. Join us as we look back at the journey of Marie-Pier, Marketing and PR Manager; Vanessa, Content Creator; Catherine, Community Manager and Brand Ambassador; and Chanel, Photographer.

 

A tour true to our roots

Knocking on doors, striking up conversations, shaking hands (or giving a post-workout high five at six in the morning!) — this grassroots approach is part of our DNA. It’s how it all began for Anie Rouleau.

Today, even as our team and our reach continue to grow, we remain convinced of one thing: nothing can replace a true face-to-face connection.

The journey begins!

The van was packed to the brim: products carefully tucked into our signature white cardboard packs, merch handpicked by our Marketing Director Halina — whose eye for style could convince anyone to dress head-to-toe in TUC every day (thanks, Hali!) — and plenty of healthy snacks. Add in a couple of Starbucks stops and a lunch break, and the journey was officially underway.



Our first stop after rolling into Toronto was Leo’s Market, on the way to our Airbnb. That’s where we discovered both the joys (and the occasional headaches!) of underground parking, a running theme that would follow us through the trip.
Inside, the staff were warm and welcoming, and the late-day light poured in just right, giving us the perfect backdrop for our first shots. A promising start! 



We even managed to fit in a little shopping before heading to our home for the week.

Meaningful connections, one stop at a time

Before kicking off our whirlwind tour, we fueled up on caffeine at Larry’s Café, just a few steps away from our home base.



First stop: Nature’s Emporium. Their warm, enthusiastic team even jumped in for a little photoshoot! It was such a joy to meet everyone and connect.


With coffees and smoothies in hand (a classic move!), we headed to our second visit: Ambrosia. Their branded in-store accessories sparked our creativity — a clever way to extend their brand and strengthen ties with their customers.

Our last stop was Healthy Planet, where we tried a few dynamic shots… until we got a warning and were asked to stop the photoshoot for safety reasons. Oops!

This whirlwind tour gave us the chance to visit some of our Toronto retailers, better understand their day-to-day reality, and see firsthand how our shared values lay the foundation for strong, lasting partnerships.

Movement, connection, and kindness

Over these four days, we took the time to connect with the Toronto community through activities that truly reflect who we are. A special shout-out to The Good Space for hosting us for a pilates class and a product photoshoot in their beautiful studio; to The Breakfast Club Run Crew for a morning run that doubled as a mural tour; and to Barre3 for a strength-building workout and the chance to test our products on site. Three inspiring moments that let us move, share, and connect with people who, like us, champion kindness, inclusivity, and collective well-being.

We left with our hearts full, our legs a little sore (thanks, Barre3 💪), and our heads buzzing with new ideas.


Toronto stole our team’s hearts

Our stay wasn’t limited to store visits — we also explored cafés, restaurants, and local hot spots. From Buno Coffee to the iconic Bellwoods Brewery, and new discoveries like Tutto Panino, we were delighted by the warm welcome, openness, and unique character of each place we visited. Together, they form part of Toronto’s DNA: a city that’s vibrant, brilliant, and endlessly inspiring.



What we’re taking away

A brand’s impact can be measured by the strength of the connections it creates. Our products naturally find their place in cafés, restaurants, and gyms — and through these authentic encounters and real conversations, we saw just how important fragrance-free truly is to creating a pure, uncompromised sensory and taste experience.

And there’s no better way to grow our mission than to live it fully, out in the world.
Toronto, thank you for the love.

One thing is certain: we’ll be back soon!