Jonathan Charrier is a Montreal-based entrepreneur who believes culture is best shared through the things people create. He grew up in the Rosemont neighborhood, surrounded by the sounds, flavors, and traditions that make Montreal unique. Weekend trips to public markets with his family sparked an early curiosity about food, craftsmanship, and where things come from. With both parents working in hospitality, Jonathan learned the importance of service and human connection at a young age.
He studied international business locally, but his education didn’t stop in the classroom. In his early twenties, Jonathan spent two years traveling through France, Italy, Peru, Brazil, and Morocco. He volunteered on vineyards, visited cooperatives, and spent time in small workshops with artisans. Along the way, he noticed a pattern. Many talented producers made incredible products but struggled to reach larger markets.
In 2012, Jonathan returned to Montreal and launched Charrier Global Imports from a small warehouse in the Mile End. He began with a carefully chosen mix of olive oils, textiles, and spices sourced directly from people he had met abroad. Growth came slowly and steadily, fueled by trust and word of mouth.
Today, Charrier Global Imports serves shops, restaurants, and customers across North America. Jonathan still travels to meet producers and stays closely involved in sourcing. His work reflects a quiet commitment to fairness, quality, and sharing stories that connect people across borders.
What is your typical day, and how do you make it productive?
My day starts early and quietly. I wake up around 6:30, make coffee, and sit by the window with a notebook. I don’t check my phone. I write down three priorities for the day. Not tasks. Priorities. If those three get done, the day works.
Mornings are for operations. Emails with suppliers in different time zones. Shipping updates. Reviewing samples. Afternoons are more flexible. That’s when I problem-solve, plan travel, or talk with retailers. Evenings are usually reserved for cooking or cycling along the Lachine Canal. Movement helps reset my thinking.
How do you bring ideas to life?
Ideas usually come from being close to the work. I don’t force brainstorming. I visit markets. I walk into small shops. I spend time with producers. When something feels right, I test it small. One product. One supplier. One client. If it holds up under real use, I build from there.
What’s one trend that excites you?
I’m encouraged by people choosing fewer, better things. There’s more curiosity about where products come from and who makes them. That shift supports small producers in a meaningful way, not just as a talking point.
What is one habit that helps you be productive?
Writing by hand. I keep notebooks for ideas, supplier notes, and reflections. Writing slows my thinking and helps me notice patterns. When I reread old notes, I often find ideas that needed more time.
What advice would you give your younger self?
I’d tell myself to stop rushing outcomes. Early on, I felt pressure to grow quickly. I learned that speed can strain relationships. Trust takes longer to rebuild than inventory.
Tell us something you believe almost nobody agrees with you on?
I believe growth is not always progress. Bigger can weaken connection. Staying small enough to care has protected my business more than any aggressive strategy.
What is the one thing you repeatedly do and recommend everyone else do?
Visit people in person. Screens don’t replace shared meals or long conversations. Most of my strongest partnerships were shaped at kitchen tables, not in meetings.
When you feel overwhelmed or unfocused, what do you do?
I organize something physical. A desk. A shelf. A storage area. Order in a small space often brings clarity back quickly.
What is one strategy that has helped you grow your business or advance in your career?
Limiting my supplier list. Instead of expanding constantly, I deepened existing relationships. That improved quality, communication, and trust on both sides.
What is one failure in your career, how did you overcome it, and what lessons did you take away from it?
I once added too many products too fast. Inventory piled up and cash was tied up. I scaled back, admitted mistakes, and refocused on fewer items. The lesson was simple. Focus protects everyone involved.
What is one business idea you’re willing to give away to our readers?
Create a rotating “maker residency” for retailers. Feature one producer deeply for a short time instead of spreading attention thin. It benefits both the maker and the customer.
What is one piece of software that helps you be productive? How do you use it?
Notion. I use it to track supplier notes, travel details, and product feedback. It works like a second brain.
Do you have a favorite book or podcast you’ve gotten a ton of value from and why?
The Art of Eating by M.F.K. Fisher. It reminds me that food is about people, memory, and care.
What’s a movie or series you recently enjoyed and why?
Chef’s Table. It shows patience and craft without rushing the story.
Key learnings
- Focus and restraint can protect long-term relationships and business health.
- Staying close to the source of work leads to better decisions.
- Testing ideas on a small scale reduces risk and builds confidence.
- Physical routines can restore clarity during periods of overwhelm.
- Sustainable growth often comes from depth, not speed.