About the Founder – Celeste

My name is Celeste, and I am the owner and organizer of the Halifax Health and Wellness Show. I was born and raised in Nova Scotia and have been a lifelong entrepreneur, deeply rooted in community, wellness, and small business.

My career began in customer service while I was still in high school, working retail at Bedford Place Mall and later on Spring Garden Road at D’J’s Tannery (Her Shoes). I loved working downtown in the late 80s — the energy, the people, and the walkable city lifestyle made a lasting impression on me. To this day, my favorite place to walk is downtown Halifax and along the waterfront.

After high school, like many people, I questioned what I wanted to do “when I grew up.” I briefly explored nursing, but traditional schooling wasn’t the right fit for me. I’m self-taught, self-driven, and learn best by doing.

In the early 1990s, I opened a craft and gift shop in the Halifax Shopping Centre and soon began producing handcrafted candles and soaps. At the time, natural candle and soap making was still very new in Nova Scotia — and I’m proud to say I was among the early makers in the province. My products featured locally collected seashells, sea glass, sand dollars, herbs, and flowers. I sold at ACTS shows and wholesale gift shows across Halifax and the Maritimes, with orders eventually reaching Ontario, Quebec, British Columbia, and beyond. My candles were sold through Jennifer’s of Nova Scotia and many other craft and gift shops in Atlantic Canada and were even featured in Canadian Geographic Magazine.

I loved soap making — especially natural, goat’s milk, oatmeal, and olive oil soaps made without dyes or artificial ingredients. I was really interested in herbal infusions and essential oils, even way back then. If the internet had been what it is today back then, I may still be doing that work. My passion for natural products and clean living has always been part of who I am.

In my early 30s, I became a mother, and at 35 I founded Clutterbug Cleaning and Organizing Inc., which I’ve proudly operated for over 21 years. Today, I manage a team of around 20 staff, handling scheduling, administration, and day-to-day operations. Working from a home office has allowed me to build a business while maintaining healthy routines — cooking nourishing meals, taking yoga breaks, and staying connected to daily life. I work most days and often evenings and weekends when inspiration strikes, but I genuinely love what I do.

My interest in health and wellness has grown steadily since my mid-30s. I’ve practiced yoga on and off for over 25 years, and while I have no formal training, I am deeply self-educated. I care about what I eat, read labels, cook most of my meals, and prioritize whole foods. I now buy organic when possible and avoid preservatives, seed oils, and unnecessary chemicals. I also love skincare, spa experiences, and learning how to age well and care for ourselves inside and out.

About ten years ago, I began experiencing digestive issues. After many tests and appointments with no clear answers, I took matters into my own hands. Through research and elimination, I discovered intolerances to gluten and likely underlying gut imbalances. Cleaning up my diet changed everything. While I’ve always loved sweets, I learned moderation and now focus on nourishing foods that truly support my body.

In my 50s, movement continues to be important to me. I enjoy staying active and have recently embraced weight training, seeing real changes through consistency. Wellness, to me, is not about perfection — it’s about learning, evolving, and showing up for yourself.

The Halifax Health and Wellness Show was created from this lifelong journey. My goal was to build a community-based event that highlights local wellness businesses, Canadian-made products, and services that support the mind, body, and spirit. A place where people can learn, discover, connect, shop, and be inspired — together.

I also genuinely love decorating and creating beautiful spaces, and bringing each show to life visually is one of my favorite parts of the process. While I am the organizer behind the scenes, I am certainly not doing this alone. I am incredibly thankful for the amazing support of my family and team who help bring each wellness show to life. My husband, Jonny, keeps everything flowing with announcements throughout the event and provides constant hands-on support both during the show and throughout the preparation process. My brother, Greg, manages crowd control and works the door. Greg also handles all booth spacing and measurements, as well as venue layouts — a critical and time-consuming job that helps ensure the event runs smoothly and looks great. My son, Oliver, plays a key role with decorating, graphic design, and helping at the door. I’m also grateful for my niece, Virginia, and my sister-in-law, Susie, and friend Jass who warmly greet attendees at the door. Together, we make a great team, and I’m truly thankful for the help, support, and care they bring to every event.

Growth, curiosity, and self-care are values I live by — and the wellness shows are an extension of that philosophy. We hope that you come, enjoy, and experience the wellness shows as much as we enjoy planning, creating, and preparing them for you.