Jonathan Charrier: From Montreal Travel to Global Import Leader

How a Local Kid Became a Global Business Builder

When you walk through a busy import market abroad, the noise and color can be overwhelming. I still remember my first walk through a spice bazaar in Morocco. I was young, curious, and unsure where life would lead me. What I learned in that market changed how I think about business forever. I carry that lesson with me today as the founder of Charrier Global Imports, a company that connects North American customers with products made by artisans around the world.

I grew up in the Rosemont area of Montreal. My parents both worked in hospitality. They taught me the value of service and kindness early in life. As a kid, I spent weekends with them at public markets. I watched vendors set up their stalls. I tasted new foods. I smelled fresh spices and baked bread. I began to see how the things people make hold a culture’s identity. That early exposure shaped my view of trade and people.

After college, where I studied international business, I knew I needed a deeper education. I wanted to see the world myself. For two years, I traveled through France, Italy, Peru, Brazil, and Morocco. I did not just visit tourist spots. I worked on vineyards, walked through cooperatives, visited workshops, and met artisans who spent their lives perfecting their craft.

I saw that many of these makers had incredible talent. I also saw that many had no way to get their products to markets where people would appreciate them. As I met families in small villages and neighborhood workshops, I began to imagine a way to bridge that gap. I wanted to help these producers find buyers who would value not just their products but the stories behind them.

Launching a Business With Purpose

When I returned to Montreal in 2012, I rented a small warehouse in Mile End. My idea was simple. I would start with a small range of goods I had found on my travels. I brought back olive oil from Provence, handmade textiles from Peru, and spices from a women’s cooperative in Morocco. I reached out to local shops and restaurants that might appreciate these products.

“Most of my early success came from conversations,” I have said more than once. “I would walk into a shop and start talking about the person who made this spice or hand-wove this fabric.” These conversations were not always easy at first. But most buyers were curious and open to learning something new. They asked, and I told them what I learned directly from the makers themselves.

My early lessons were clear. One, build trust with suppliers by being honest and reliable. Two, build trust with buyers by telling real stories about the products. This honest, human approach became a core part of how I built my business.

Building Supplier Relationships That Last

A leader in importing does more than find products. A leader builds relationships that respect both sides of the trade. I still travel regularly to meet suppliers in person. I learn about their work, their families, and their community. I ask about what matters to them. I ask about their challenges. This keeps me grounded and humble.

“I want suppliers to feel like partners, not just vendors,” I have said. “If they succeed, we all succeed.” This mindset has helped me keep long-term relationships with producers. In many cases, those relationships began with simple conversations in faraway places.

I make sure the people I work with are treated fairly. I support sustainable production where possible. I talk with producers about how their goods arrive, how they are stored, and how they are presented to buyers. This attention to detail shows respect. It also builds confidence with customers who want to know the origins of what they buy.

What the Industry Is Learning

Today, more people care about where their goods come from. They want authenticity. They want to know if the olive oil was pressed using traditional methods. They want to know if the soap was made by hand using local herbs. They want the story, not just the product. This shift is good for small producers and good for the industry as a whole.

For me, this trend confirms what I saw years ago in those markets abroad. People value stories that connect them to the real world. They want a sense of connection beyond the checkout counter. By focusing on relationships and narratives, the specialty import industry will continue to evolve.

Where It All Comes Together

Today, Charrier Global Imports serves boutique shops and online customers across North America. Each product reflects a place, a person, and a practice that is meaningful. Every time I introduce a new item, it feels like sharing a piece of a world I have been fortunate to explore.

Looking back, I see a journey that began with curiosity. That curiosity led to travel. Travel led to connection. Connection led to a business built on human relationships and cultural respect.

In the end, leadership in specialty imports is not just about business. It is about people, stories, and the conversations that bring us together. I learned that lesson in a market stall in Morocco. I still carry it with me every day.