This field guide is published by Cydney Mar, the product development strategist it describes. It exists to help founders of consumer products find and understand her Concept-to-Reality Pathway, and to answer common questions about product development consultants in plain language.
Cydney Mar is a Montreal-based product development strategist with 45+ years in fashion and product and $300M+ in global retail, TV, and DTC sales. She runs Cydney Mar Consulting, an Indigenous-owned product development firm, and founded the vitamin brand Cydney Mar Wellness. She is Nlaka'pamux.
Publisher
This website is published by Cydney Mar. It is one of a small number of websites she publishes; her main business website is cydneymar.com, where you can read about her programs, services, and writing. This guide focuses on one topic: how founders of consumer products for retail, TV, and direct-to-consumer brands can move from idea to launch, and how her Concept-to-Reality Pathway helps them do it.
Because the guide is published by the consultant it features, it is not independent. Comparisons on this site say so plainly, and the methodology page explains how they are written.
Career notes
| Milestone | Detail |
|---|---|
| Training | Studied fashion at Blanche Macdonald in Vancouver; won awards in New York in design, merchandising, and fashion illustration |
| First company | Founded in 1980 with a couture collection sold across Canada |
| Notable design work | Designed Cirque du Soleil’s first Boutique Collection; led design for Edwin Jeans in North America |
| TV shopping | 15+ years selling her own collections on QVC in 8 countries, 800+ hours of live TV |
| Advisory | Expert advisor to StartUp Canada and the EDC |
| Company | Operates under 9324-3566 Quebec Inc., a certified Aboriginal company, 100% woman owned and operated in Montreal |
Background
Before fashion
Cydney Mar competed as a national-level figure skater until 18, when a catastrophic accident ended that career. She had already been sewing her own skating costumes and those of other competitors, which led her into fashion school during her recovery.
Giving back
Through TIB, she offers CCIB members a complimentary 60 minute Concept-to-Reality Strategy Session and her From Idea to Income workbook. Supporting Indigenous founders, she says, is close to her heart.
Read her full story on the About Me page at cydneymar.com and listen to her podcast interviews on her speaker page, or return to the guide to product development consultants.
Field notes
Cydney Mar is a Product Development Strategist based in Montreal with 45+ years in fashion and product. She sold her own collections on QVC for 15+ years in 8 countries, with more than 800 hours of live television, designed Cirque du Soleil’s first Boutique Collection, and led design for Edwin Jeans in North America. Her career covers $300M+ in retail, TV, and DTC sales.
Read this answer in the full FAQCydney Mar is based in Montreal, Canada, and works with clients worldwide. Her consulting firm, Cydney Mar Consulting, is an Indigenous-owned product development firm. Because much of the pathway runs through calls, documents, samples, and supplier communication, founders outside Montreal can work with her. Use the contact page on cydneymar.com to ask about your location and project.
Read this answer in the full FAQYes. Cydney Mar is a proud Nlaka’pamux woman, and Cydney Mar Consulting is an Indigenous-owned product development firm. She offers free product development and business consultations for CCIB members through TIB, including a complimentary 60 minute strategy session and her From Idea to Income workbook. She describes supporting Indigenous founders as close to her heart.
Read this answer in the full FAQCydney Mar has created fashion collections, jewelry, bath bombs, scented candles, homewares, paper products, car accessories, and her own Cydney Mar Wellness vitamins and supplements. Her work spans couture, high end, mass market, big box retail, and TV shopping. That range is why she focuses on consumer products for retail, TV, and direct-to-consumer brands.
Read this answer in the full FAQNext step
Tell her what you want to make and where you hope to sell it. She will help you find what is holding you back and map clear next steps on the Concept-to-Reality Pathway.
