Merchant Scoop: Cœur de Pion

The Moneris^® Merchant Scoop Series offers an inside look at Canadian businesses thriving in an ever-changing business landscape. Learn about how these entrepreneurs got their businesses off the ground and how they continue to maintain their success!

In this edition, we sat down with Christian Djohossou, the owner and designer of Coeur de Pion, to chat about his fashion boutique. With a keen eye for fashion since he was younger, his entrepreneurship journey started in Benin, where he opened his first store as a teenager.

Coeur de Pion, which directly translates to Pawn's Heart, started as philosophy. "It's a mentality of collaboration, like a pawn on a chessboard basically," he says. Since moving to Ottawa, Canada, over 15 years ago, he's been trying to merge this philosophy into the fashion world. He aims to make Ottawa more colourful by introducing African fabrics and patterns into streetwear. "I'm a big fan of geometry, which is one of the reasons why I clicked with the kente pattern."

As someone with a nomadic spirit, he prefers to run his business as a pop-up shop because it offers a chance to meet customers and build stronger relationships. Watch our full interview with Christian to learn more about this journey and the tools that helped his business grow.

If you’re looking to add colour to your winter wardrobe, check out Coeur de Pion. You can shop online or contact them to find information on their next pop-up shop.

Want your business to be featured in a future Merchant Scoop? Please contact us at [email protected].

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Moneris is a leading provider of payment processing solutions in Canada. Our blog is your go-to resource for insights into the ever-evolving world of payments. We cover everything from the latest industry trends and technologies to practical advice for businesses of all sizes. Our blog's mission is to spotlight small businesses and provide resources that help them succeed in today's economy. Blog articles are written by members of Moneris' in-house marketing team with support from internal product and industry experts.