Leah Sweed | No Mondays Pin Co.
| What’s the name of your business, nonprofit or project? |
| No Mondays Pin Co. |
| What city and country is your business, nonprofit or project located in? |
| Toronto, Canada |
| Describe your business, nonprofit or project, and the products and/or services you offer? |
| No Mondays Pin Co. (No Mondays), began as a cathartic outlet—a way to bring a spark of joy to the often daunting journey of adulting. Spearheaded by Leah Sweed, aiming to transform Mondays into a symbol of self-care and community rather than dread. Rooted in supporting Black artists, the brand targets Black Millennial and Gen Z professionals who prioritize work-life balance. We craft wearable art designed to inspire and uplift. Here, you’ll find pieces that spark joy, offer resilience, and bring a little brightness to your everyday life. This is not about whether we hate or love Mondays. This is about not letting the pressure that can come from a Monday consume us. We do not fear Mondays. We’re unbothered by them. No Mondays formed against us shall prosper. |
| Are you Caribbean or African, or of Caribbean or African descent? If you are, please tell us details. |
| I am of Carribbean descent. My father is Jamaican. My mother is Guyanese. |
| Do you think your Caribbean or African upbringing/heritage has impacted your work? If so, please explain how. |
| Absolutely! My Caribbean upbringing, especially being a child of “yardies”, is at the heart of my work with No Mondays Pin Co. (No Mondays), particularly in the creation of the our upcoming Stanley Hill collection. The collection celebrates the sayings, humor, and wisdom I grew up hearing, reflecting both the cultural pride and resilience passed down through generations. The name “Stanley Hill” is personal—it’s the street in Bristol where my father and his family lived after immigrating from Jamaica in the 1950s. This name not only honours my family’s journey but also speaks to the broader Caribbean experience of navigating new worlds while staying connected to cultural roots. It’s a collection that reflects the no-nonsense, humorous, and authentic spirit that defines No Mondays, and it aligns perfectly with our mission of making the 9-5 grind a bit more bearable through relatable, culturally resonant designs. At No Mondays, I aim to honour my heritage by sharing these cultural expressions authentically, while ensuring that my products respect and celebrate Caribbean culture. It’s all about creating something meaningful that resonates with others who also balance modern work life with the richness of their backgrounds. |
| How does your work positively impact culture + community? |
| My work at No Mondays positively impacts culture and community by promoting authentic cultural expression and encouraging a shift in how people approach the 9-5 grind through what I call the “No Mondays Mindset”. This mindset is about challenging the traditional workweek, finding humour in the daily hustle, and empowering people to crush their goals without sacrificing their dreams or identities. Through collections like the Stanley Hill collection (Fall 2024), which celebrates my Caribbean heritage, I incorporate culturally significant sayings that resonate with those from the African diaspora. By offering relatable and culturally rooted products like pins, magnets, and patches, I help others connect with their heritage while making the workweek a bit lighter and more bearable. The No Mondays Mindset promotes a world where we don’t just survive Monday through Friday, but inject humour, resilience, and authenticity into every day. Whether it’s through Caribbean sayings or playful reminders of office culture, my designs encourage people to embrace their roots while tackling the workday. Ultimately, No Mondays Pin Co. creates a sense of pride, representation, and belonging, positively impacting both culture and community by helping people proudly carry their heritage into their everyday lives. |
| What message of hope or inspiration would you like to share with other women in our community who are also pursuing their dreams? |
| To all the women in our community pursuing their dreams, I want to remind you that your journey is your strength. Whether you’re balancing a 9-5 job like I am with No Mondays Pin Co., or navigating the challenges of entrepreneurship, know that every step forward is progress, even when it feels slow. There’s no one path to success, and it’s okay to carve out your own, just as I’m doing with the Stanley Hill collection, which honours my Caribbean heritage and my family’s journey. My message to you is this: don’t small up yourself for anybody. Your ideas, your culture, your passion—they all matter, and the world needs them. Keep pushing forward, even when it gets tough, and remember that you have the power to crush your goals, not your dreams. The road may not always be easy, but it’s worth it, and your unique voice can inspire others along the way. Lastly, find joy in the journey, embrace your roots, and don’t be afraid to rewrite the rules to fit your vision. We are capable of greatness, and your dreams are worth every ounce of effort you put into them. |
| Link to Your Website (if applicable) |
| http://www.nomondays.ca |
| Links to Your Social Media Pages (if applicable) |
| https://www.instagram.com/nomondays.pinco/ |
| How should potential customers and persons interested in networking & partnerships contact you? |
| https://www.nomondays.ca/pages/connect |
| nomondays.pinco@mail.com |
