Emilie Schmidt is the lovely entrepreneur, owner and creator of ReJar Zero Waste; a little store tucked away behind Main Street that offers high-quality and environmentally friendly products, without all the waste!  If you haven’t made it in there yet, you should put it on your list of places to check out.

I haven’t known Emilie personally for very long but we do have a lot of over-lapping friendships and relationships, typical of a small town.  Every time I’ve gone into her shop we’ve had a great little chat about life and what’s new. She provides excellent customer service and it is a great feeling as a consumer to know that I’m doing a small bit to treat our earth with a little more kindness.

Knowing a little about Emilie’s background, I know that she hasn’t had the easiest road but I also know that she has grown up with grace and endeavors to lead her life in a genuine, authentic way. I’m so pleased to have her at The Long Table and to give everyone a little insight into who she is.  

Welcome to table, Emilie!

How long have you called the Bulkley Valley home? 

I have called Smithers home my whole life. The valley always had this way of calling me back and forever will hold a special place in my heart.

What is one thing you’ve learned about friendship (or community)? 

Community support and friendship is sacred. It takes intentional acts and commitment in order for them to flourish and grow. A well-watered flower with lots of sunshine if you will. 

Without support of the ones who believe in us and push us, life would be a lot harder than it needs to be, community is everything.

What is one area you are growing in?

I am challenging myself and practicing being more mindful, with my time and with my actions. With every step I take I know I leave a footprint not only on this earth but in people’s lives. And the footprint I want to leave behind is one that is kind, accepting and always growing. 

What is one thing you would say to your younger self?

I would say it’s okay to struggle and hurt. Feel what you feel when you feel it and be present when it’s hard.  I was always frustrated that I wasn’t “healed yet”, feeling that my grief was “ugly” or “too much”. In that mindset I allowed myself to believe that pushing down the hard stuff was healing, a lie we often tell ourselves when it’s easier to shove it aside then to deal with it.

Who inspires you and why?

My inspiration is my father, Rick Schmidt.  He was not only an inspiration to me but so many who got the privilege to know him.  He gave me hope when he struggled to find it, and that is strength I cannot begin to understand.  He passed away when I was 16 after battling cancer on and off for 8 years. I will never forget the strength he had to keep fighting all the while holding his head high with grace.  The compassion he had for others and love for life stays with me and I am forever grateful for him.  He inspired me to fight the good fight, for him I will always fight. 

My other inspiration is my mom. She has lost, and she has struggled but found light through it all. She never gave up to find joy again and within that journey found parts of herself that had been buried for so long.  She inspires me to dream big, to be kind and to always strive for more. 

 What do you know is true, and how do you carry that day to day? 

What I know to be true is that all the tiny moments that make up each day matter, so hold tight and love hard because we don’t get re-dos. Our one life makes a difference, let it be a good one ♡