Carla Brosseau and Evelyn Pollen are the faces behind one of qathet’s best-known products: the Pollen Sweater. From their storefront in Lund, the duo oversees the production and sale of thousands of sweaters each year, destined for chilly torsos as far away as Coober Pedy, Australia.
Pollen Sweaters consistently wins Powell River Living’s “Best Local Souvenir” award, and can be seen on board fishing boats and in place of suit jackets and cocktail dresses at local galas. In fact, a Pollen placket sweater over jeans is affectionately known as the “Lund Tuxedo.”
“I’m so grateful to be part-owner and manager of this business,” says Carla. “The lovely team and the well-designed product make my job easy (most of the time.)”
What’s your product?
Carla • Machine washable and dryable itch-free wool sweaters, toques and ponchos as well as silky cool bamboo ponchos.
Where did your idea come from? When?
Carla • David and Evelyn Pollen, my entrepreneurial parents, started Pollen Sweaters in 1986 shortly after our move from Sidney, BC. Ev, always a skilled seamstress, and Dave, a paramedic and boat builder, saw a niche market for a durable, low-maintenance wool sweater for the prevailing climate and work force of Lund and Powell River.
What kind of support did you receive?
Carla • This community! Early on, locals embraced the product and would come directly to my parents home to purchase. These days, it seems every out of town guest is brought to our Lund store. Despite application, Pollen Sweaters has never been given financial support – slow yet steady growth was the mantra!
Was it successful immediately or did it take some time?
Carla • At the beginning, Pollen had a staff of about four and we all worked happily in the factory space contained within my parents home. There are too many lovely details about staff and conditions to write about here but friendship, dogs and laughter have always been present!
What surprised you when you brought it to market? Did you make changes?
Carla • Over the years we have experimented with adding to the product line-up. Some items have stuck, but others have been discontinued because they either slowed our production or failed to please. The flagship sweater is still the most popular – the two button placket style. The “Franken” sweater – named for Dr. Frankenstein’s patch work monster, are incredibly popular and get people talking! This half price item commands a line up on the first day of the sale – always the second Saturday of April.
How has your business changed since it launched?
Carla • Dave and Ev put loads of up-front research into machinery and sourcing the right materials. We make pretty much the same product today – 33 years later. I became involved in 2004 when Dave became ill with fatal brain cancer. In 2005, Nancy, of Nancy’s Bakery and former knitter of Pollen Sweaters, offered an amazing retail location and business really picked up!
Who are your customers?
Carla • From humble beginnings at craft fairs, Pollen is now selling well from our own little retail shop in Lund, and to about 25 wholesale customers, including Jim and the gang at Marine Traders and a little shop on PEI. Website sales send the product around the world and corporate bulk orders and fishing lodges keep us busy year round.
How do you market?
Carla • I’m pleased to report that advertising in Powell River Living, as well as word of mouth drawing people to our website and store are our main marketing resources! Happy customers spread the word. We are also pleased to donate to worthy causes both outside of and within the community which creates goodwill!
Tell us the story of your biggest oops moment.
Carla • One that stands out is the time mom accidently added a ham sandwich to a batch of sweater pieces in the wash! Don’t try this at home.
Why do you choose Powell River as your base?
Carla • Because we live here and love it here. We repeatedly turn down offers from overseas facilities wanting to take over production. It might be cheaper but it might also cheapen the product. We may not be big but we are small! The store front in Lund and all the boat traffic makes even August a busy time of year for wool sweaters.
Who’s on your team?
Carla • We are now an incredible working staff of 15, (including my now free-range mother), in our rustic factory in the woods producing about 6,000 sweaters a year! Melise McKee, knitter and machine maintainer extraordinaire; Dagmar Hansen, seamstress and sewing production guru; Sara Wiltse, retail manager and customer relations darling; Barb Langmaid; Roni Budgell; Emily Jenkins; Emily Walz; Maree Lennox; Davina Bailey; Kortlynn Gesic; Shelby Behan; and Erin Lurkins – what a team! We are also very grateful to Charles Barton-Bridges, who developed software and touch screen controls and pattern storage for our “antique” knitting machines, as well as the ongoing improvement of said controls. Also grateful to Keith Neri who has fabricated parts, repaired systems and continues to offer incredible support. Website design and maintenance, and photo kudos to Allen Wallace and Anji Smith Fotos! Support from our valued bookkeeper Lisa Beeching as well as the patient advice and services from Lamont and Co. have been invaluable.
What advice do you have for others who want to make & sell stuff from Powell River?
Carla • Find people you trust and treat them well! 
Evelyn Pollen and daughter Carla Brosseau run Pollen Sweaters.
THE SWEATER THAT TAKES YOU FROM FISHING TO FLIRTING: Carla Brosseau with husband Ray and son Leo. Ray also makes stuff (paper, at Catalyst) and Leo was made in Powell River.
