Susan Drover
Founder/CEOSAM DesignSusan is Founder and Creative Director of SAM Design Inc., an award-winning interior design studio and curated retail showroom based in St. John’s, NL. Named one of House & Home magazine’s Top 100 Canadian Designers for the past 4 years, Susan’s work spans residential, commercial and hospitality design and has been featured nationally, including a 2024 House & Home cover featuring her own home.
She is also the founder of DWELL by SAM, a growing collection of design-led accommodations on Newfoundland’s east coast. As a designer and entrepreneur, she brings a unique perspective shaped by building a design and retail business from Atlantic Canada, where distance, freight, tariffs and changing supply chains demand creativity and resourcefulness. Her approach blends global design influences with Canadian suppliers, local makers and long-standing vendor relationships, grounded in the belief that great design is as much about how a space lives as how it looks.
The Realities of Sourcing in Canada: Navigating Limitations and Opportunities
Designers are under increasing pressure to source locally, but the reality isn’t always straightforward. Not everything is made in Canada, lead times
…Designers are under increasing pressure to source locally, but the reality isn’t always straightforward. Not everything is made in Canada, lead times can vary, and clients still expect access to global brands, especially at the high end. Even sourcin
…Designers are under increasing pressure to source locally, but the reality isn’t always straightforward. Not everything is made in Canada, lead times can vary, and clients still expect access to global brands, especially at the high end. Even sourcing through Canadian divisions of international companies can come with limitations around inventory, customization, and timelines.
This session takes a candid look at what can realistically be sourced i
Designers are under increasing pressure to source locally, but the reality isn’t always straightforward. Not everything is made in Canada, lead times can vary, and clients still expect access to global brands, especially at the high end. Even sourcing through Canadian divisions of international companies can come with limitations around inventory, customization, and timelines.
This session takes a candid look at what can realistically be sourced in Canada today and where designers may still need to look beyond. From appliances and stone to fixtures and specialty products, we’ll unpack the trade-offs between local and global sourcing, and how to make smart, strategic decisions that balance availability, budget, timelines, and client expectations.
