Annie Rong

2025 Young Adult Honouree

Richmond Hill is very well known for its beautiful trails, parks, outdoor amenities and protected spaces.  Annie Rong wants to keep it clean and beautiful for generations to come, and is helping to make a difference, one bag at a time.

Growing up in Canada and wanting to make a difference environmentally, there are lots of small things we can all do to make a difference.  During the pandemic, Annie switched to reusable cloth bags in place of plastics and a small ripple of change was sent out into the Universe.  It felt good.  It made sense.  It was an opportunity to lead by example for others her age.  Any age.

Annie is the second generation of her family to be born in Canada.  She is very grateful and aware of the community and support that was well-in-place by the time she arrived.  Her earliest memories of sharing and giving are with neighbours and nearby friends – exchanging plants, meals, recipes, loaning garden tools, and sharing the bounties of everyone’s proud little gardens.  

You’ve heard the adage of “filling your cup” as in  making time for activities that replenish your reserves, reduce your stress, and give you a sense of well-being, but have you heard of FILL YOUR TOTE?  In 2022 when single-use plastics were officially banned, Annie felt invigorated with validation and inspiration to take her tote carrying commitment a step further and added her own personal and unique flair to each and every bag.  She began making clever and custom reusable bags for others to use, enjoy and feel great about.  Her artful creations not only make a distinguishing mark within her community with impactful statements and visuals, she’s also helping others to leave a far less distinctive mark on the planet, while encouraging thought, conversation, connection and community with her wares.

Combining her love of business, art and environmental stewardship, in 2023 Annie applied for (and received) the Ontario government's Summer Company program, which granted her $3,000 in start-up funds.  Not afraid of cold, hard sales, she put her blood, sweat and time in at various local markets and the Richmond Hill Ribfest, Hillcrest Mall and even selling at the Canadian National Exhibition.

Her entrepreneurial spirit earned her the 2023 William F. Bell Young Entrepreneur Award, a singular honour she won’t soon forget, awarded by Mayor David West of Richmond Hill and family of former Mayor William Bell.  Family and community pride are abundantly behind this young woman.

Quite recently, a soulful decision was made by Annie to focus more on sharing her concept with people, businesses and organizations she’s already supporting.  It’s been a TOTE-ALL game-changer!

Annie was very inspired to design and create a custom tote specifically for Project Blaze, a local program that educates and empowers young women to consider a career in Fire Services.  The idea was very well received and the bags are a very warm reminder of what’s possible for each of us.

Listening to her heart and concentrating more on the community she already knows and loves, she’s been able to create mindful products and awareness where it matters most to her and grow her business with meaningful, long-term and ongoing professional relationships that fill her own….totes.

“Having enough is a blessing – sharing it is a joy.” – Annie Rong