OUR STORY

Tammy & Justin here, nice to meet you :)

Wayward began with something completely different than the cocktail infusions you see before you.  It started from two Customs Officers who met and fell in love, got married and one of them had a giant beard.  Wayward for years was a beard oil line we curated with amazing scents and products we were madly in love with.  It was born when beard oil wasn't as big as it is now and naturally a dude with a massive beard was the perfect person to make and use the product.  Long story short due to a press release related to a drug seizure and the size of ones beard, it was frowned upon and they wanted to photoshop his face!  With it went the beard, the dream of men's faces being covered in wonderfully smelling oil and Wayward faded into the distance....but wasn't gone.

I need to keep my hands busy and I had a little bakery called The CakeHouse.  At this time we lived in Niagara and this little shop took off!  Discovering a talent and building an inspected kitchen in the basement it was apparent becoming a wedding cake designer was in the cards.  After the birth of our daughter our jobs, goals and aspirations changed.  Leaving all the fun stuff out of this story you can safely say I was better off leaving a place that was sucking the life out of me.  (If you want the whole story come find me at a market and I will gladly share lol)

During this time Justin was also facing a fork in the road.  He decided to swipe right and head off to Policing.  I retired and this brought us to the good ol' town of Norwood, Ontario, half hour from where I grew up plus all by best buds and Mom still here.  The CakeHouse was still in full swing however starting over wasn't my favourite thing to do while not having a proper place to work.  I think I have way more grey hair now....2 years later the shop was finished!  This was when Justin pulled out all his beer equipment and was ready to brew.  I made a joke about about distilling Gin and then quickly realized a better way.  I had a Freeze Dryer in the shop!  Forget the red tape with the LCBO!  we could use a less expensive spirit and make them amazing! 

I am obsessed with cooking, baking and all sorts of making.  so naturally this was easy for me.  I got creative (maybe too creative) but Wayward was also ticking a few boxes.  There was a problem out there.  Cocktails were on the rise but involved 19 ingredients per drink.  I was also a huge crafter but I had a few large machines kick the bucket and as the market was becoming saturated it became time to make a shift (always shift, stay ahead of the game) This glorious idea of incorporating ingredients that were created in in a super fun and pretty way was born!  Cocktail Infusions, Rimmer's, Garnishes and more.  Let's make entertaining easy.  Done.  Check.  

I had clearly LOVED our logo from Wayward and how it had a sophisticated edge yet not too masculine.  I added my love of watercolour and my flare for making a statement to the mix.  It was a perfect brand for our new cocktail infusion line.  I get so many compliments on it I knew it was the right choice!  From there we deep dove into the amazing flavour combos you see before you.  I get excited to create fun and unique products you won't see other places, The Husband taste tests and lifts stuff.  Dream team.  It's Magical.  

I will never look back.  People thought I was nuts walking away from what I did but let me tell you being home for Sunday dinners makes it all worth it.  Hope you enjoy Wayward as much as we do xo