Jonathan Charrier did not set out to build a fast-growing company. He set out to understand how things are made and why that matters. Over time, that curiosity became a career rooted in patience, trust, and global connection.
Growing up in Montreal’s Rosemont neighborhood, Charrier was surrounded by variety. Languages mixed on the street. Food from many cultures filled local markets. Weekends often meant walking public markets with his family. He watched how people chose ingredients. He noticed where things came from.
“Those markets taught me to slow down and look closely,” Charrier says. “You learn a lot just by paying attention.”
Both of his parents worked in hospitality. Service was not a concept. It was daily life. That early exposure shaped how he later thought about work, relationships, and responsibility.
Education and the Start of a Global Perspective
Charrier studied international business at a local college in Montreal. The classes gave him structure. Travel gave him direction. In his early twenties, he decided to see how global trade worked on the ground, not just on paper.
He spent two years traveling through France, Italy, Peru, Brazil, and Morocco. He volunteered on vineyards. He visited cooperatives. He spent time in small workshops with artisans.
“I kept meeting people who were incredibly skilled but invisible outside their region,” he says. “That gap stayed with me.”
He noticed how often quality did not equal access. Many producers made exceptional goods. Few had pathways to broader markets. The idea that would later become Charrier Global Imports began to form, slowly and without pressure.
Learning Restraint Before Building a Business
During his travels, Charrier filled notebooks with names, samples, and observations. He learned which partnerships felt right and which did not. He also learned that not every opportunity should be taken.
“Not every good product should be exported,” he says. “And not every opportunity deserves a yes.”
That mindset became central to how he would later build his company. Restraint was not hesitation. It was intention.
Founding Charrier Global Imports in Montreal
In 2012, Charrier returned to Montreal and rented a small warehouse in the Mile End. He launched Charrier Global Imports with a narrow focus. The first products reflected his travels. Olive oils from Provence. Peruvian textiles. Moroccan spices sourced from a women’s cooperative.
There was no big announcement. Growth came quietly.
“I focused on doing a few things well,” he says. “Consistency builds trust faster than scale.”
He worked with suppliers he already knew. Relationships came before expansion. Retailers responded to the care behind the products.
Early Growth and a Lesson in Focus
As demand grew, Charrier tested his limits. At one point, he added too many products at once. Inventory slowed. Cash was tied up. Some supplier timelines were strained.
“That was a turning point for me,” he says. “I learned that growth without focus creates stress for everyone involved.”
He reduced the catalog. He recommitted to fewer partnerships. The business steadied. The lesson stayed.
Building a Career on Ethical Sourcing
Today, Charrier Global Imports serves boutiques, restaurants, and online customers across North America. Charrier remains closely involved in sourcing. He travels regularly to meet producers. He values long conversations over quick deals.
“You can’t build trust on spreadsheets alone,” he says. “Time matters. Presence matters.”
For him, ethical sourcing is not a label. It is a daily practice. It means listening to feedback. It means adjusting expectations. It means walking away from deals that do not align.
“Every product carries a story,” he says. “If you rush it, you risk losing the meaning.”
A Grounded Routine Behind the Work
Charrier’s days begin quietly. Coffee. A notebook. No phone.
“If I write down three real priorities, the day stays manageable,” he says.
Mornings are spent on operations and supplier communication. Afternoons focus on problem-solving. Evenings often include cooking or cycling along the Lachine Canal.
“Movement clears my head,” he adds.
What His Career Shows About Bringing Ideas to Life
Charrier does not describe his work as disruptive. He describes it as deliberate. His career shows how ideas, when tested slowly and built with care, can last.
“Bigger is not always better,” he says. “Sometimes staying small enough to care is the advantage.”
In an industry often driven by speed, his approach stands apart. By focusing on relationships, restraint, and consistency, Jonathan Charrier has built a career shaped by intention rather than urgency.
“I never wanted to build something loud,” he says. “I wanted to build something that lasts.”
Peyman Khosravani is a seasoned expert in blockchain, digital transformation, and emerging technologies, with a strong focus on innovation in finance, business, and marketing. With a robust background in blockchain and decentralized finance (DeFi), Peyman has successfully guided global organizations in refining digital strategies and optimizing data-driven decision-making. His work emphasizes leveraging technology for societal impact, focusing on fairness, justice, and transparency. A passionate advocate for the transformative power of digital tools, Peyman’s expertise spans across helping startups and established businesses navigate digital landscapes, drive growth, and stay ahead of industry trends. His insights into analytics and communication empower companies to effectively connect with customers and harness data to fuel their success in an ever-evolving digital world.
