Jonathan Charrier is a Montreal-based entrepreneur and the founder of Charrier Global Imports, a company that connects Quebec and North American consumers with specialty foods, artisanal goods, handcrafted clothing, and wellness products from around the world. He launched the business in 2012 after years of hands-on travel and study in international trade.
Charrier grew up in Montreal’s Rosemont neighbourhood, surrounded by a mix of cultures, languages, and cuisines. Both of his parents worked in hospitality, which shaped his respect for service and long-term relationships. Weekend visits to local public markets introduced him early to global flavours, textiles, and craftsmanship.
After studying international business at a local college, Charrier chose experience over a traditional career path. He spent two years travelling through France, Italy, Peru, Brazil, and Morocco. During this time, he volunteered on vineyards, visited cooperatives, and met artisans working in small workshops. He saw first-hand how skilled producers often lacked access to larger markets despite the quality of their work.
That insight became the foundation of Charrier Global Imports. Starting from a small Mile End warehouse, Charrier built a focused catalogue that included Provençal olive oils, Peruvian textiles, and Moroccan spices sourced from a women’s cooperative. Growth came steadily through trust, consistency, and word of mouth.
Today, Charrier Global Imports supplies boutique shops, restaurants, and online customers across North America. Jonathan remains closely involved in sourcing and supplier relationships. He is known for treating producers as partners and for maintaining high standards across a diverse global supply chain.
Q&A With Jonathan Charrier
Q: You grew up in Montreal. How did that shape your career path?
Montreal played a big role. I grew up in Rosemont, which is a very mixed neighbourhood. You hear different languages on the street. You smell food from everywhere. My parents worked in hospitality, so service and people were always part of daily life. We spent a lot of weekends at public markets. That’s where I first became curious about where things come from and who makes them.
Q: You studied international business, but you didn’t follow a typical route after that. Why?
I felt that textbooks alone were not enough. I wanted to see how trade worked in real life. After college, I travelled for two years. I went to France, Italy, Peru, Brazil, and Morocco. I volunteered on vineyards. I visited cooperatives. I spent time in small workshops. Those experiences taught me more than any classroom.
Q: What stood out to you during those travels?
The biggest thing was the gap between quality and access. I met people making excellent olive oil, textiles, spices, and food products. The skill was there. The care was there. But many producers struggled to reach bigger markets. They didn’t have the contacts or the systems. That problem stayed with me.
Q: Is that what led to Charrier Global Imports?
Yes. The idea grew slowly. I wasn’t thinking about building a large company at first. I was building relationships. I listened to people’s stories. I learned how they worked. When I came back to Montreal in 2012, I rented a small warehouse in Mile End. I started with a very tight selection of products I knew well.
Q: What were those early products?
Olive oils from Provence. Handmade textiles from Peru. Moroccan spices from a women’s cooperative. Each item had a clear origin and a clear story. I focused on consistency and quality. Retailers need to trust what they’re buying. Word of mouth did most of the work in the early years.
Q: How did the business grow from there?
Slowly and carefully. I added products only when I understood the supply chain. Over time, we expanded into chocolates, teas, home goods, and wellness items. The key was not moving faster than our partners could support. Growth has to work for everyone involved.
Q: You still travel regularly to meet suppliers. Why is that important?
You can’t manage relationships from a desk forever. Visiting producers keeps things honest. You see changes early. You understand challenges on the ground. It also shows respect. These are not anonymous suppliers. They are people you rely on.
Q: How do you see your role today compared to when you started?
At the start, I did everything. Now my role is more about oversight and direction. I focus on sourcing, standards, and long-term planning. But I still stay close to the details. That’s where problems and opportunities appear first.
Q: What defines leadership in this industry for you?
Consistency. Fair dealing. Listening. Imports rely on trust across borders. If you break that trust, it spreads quickly. I believe leadership means protecting relationships, not squeezing them.
Q: Looking back, what lesson shaped your career the most?
That good business is built on understanding people. Products move, but relationships last. Everything I’ve done since those early travels comes back to that idea.
Q: And outside of work?
I like simple things. Cooking. Cycling along the Lachine Canal. Exploring restaurants in Montreal with my partner. Those moments keep me grounded and connected to why I started in the first place.
Read more:
Jonathan Charrier Montreal: Building a Global Import Business Through Trust, Craft, and Cultural Exchange