Sometimes it’s not even about the skill. It’s about the heart behind what people do. That’s really what this list is about. I don’t waste my money on anything that doesn’t feel intentional, and everyone here has made me feel cared for in some way. From beauty to wellness to the everyday self-care stuff, these are the locals who show up with genuine energy and real love for their craft. Most of them are right here in Durham, ON, and every single one passed my ‘yeah, I’d definitely go back’ test.