‘Always had a passion for sparkle’: Teen’s jewelry business takes off at Saskatoon expo

By keeping her business small through online sales and trade shows, 14-year-old Chanelle Chalazan says she can pass on competitive prices to customers. (John Flatters/CTV News)

The 2025 Saskatoon Family Expo was held on Saturday at Prairieland Park, with activities and entertainment for the whole family and dozens of exhibitors.

However, 14-year-old Chanelle Chalazan was in work mode.

For more than a year now, she has been designing and selling jewelry through her online business.

“I’ve always had a passion for sparkle, and I always loved jewelry,” said Chanelle Chalazan, owner of Chic & Charmed Boutique by Chanelle. “So one thing kind of led to another, and I just kind of started.”

Chalazan says her jewelry is made of 925 sterling silver, hypoallergenic and waterproof.

Inspired by her entrepreneur dad, Chalazan went to him for help getting started.

He instructed her to do some research on the industry before jumping in.

“She kind of took a liking to it,” said Wayne Chalazan, Chanelle’s father. “And it kind of took of for her, so she needed a little bit of help how to guide her to go certain ways. To get into business, to get contacts, and one thing led to another and it kind of led this way to where she is today.”

By keeping her business small through online sales and trade shows, this young businesswoman says she can pass on competitive prices to customers.

“That’s how we keep our prices the lowest in North America is having everything online,” she said, adding that the lack of a brick and mortar store helps limit her costs.

“I have a few girls from school that help me package items and get them ready, but we sell mostly at trade shows or online. Because we don’t have the store and we don’t have the rent or the workers to have to pay for, so we kind of have no overhead.”

Chalazan says while he offers helpful tips along the way, it’s his daughter doing the hard work.

“Every day she’s looking online; she’s trying to get better products, trying to get things that work better for her, trying to get more contacts,” he said.

As her business grows, she’s had to make some key decisions, like whether or not to try out for the business show Dragon’s Den.

“We were thinking about going to Dragon’s Den, we did inquire about it,” said Wayne. “She does not want to give any of her company away, that was her opinion. So we kind of went our own way.”

Chalazan hopes to continue expanding the business, including into the United States.

And she’s not worried about the impact of looming tariffs.

“No, we’re nickel-free,” she said.

With a 99 per cent average in school, dad says it’s ok for her to see where she can take her first business venture.

“She’s doing good in school right now so I’m not too worried about that right now,” he said. “And hopefully in the future this really blows up.”

Chanelle says her goal is to keep prices low so that everyone can afford nice jewelry, not just those with money.

“We want to support our customers and we want to share their confidence.”