A Family’s Journey to Christmas Joy

In a small town that had never seen snow and didn’t traditionally celebrate Christmas, Jerry and Linda began their journey. Growing up, Linda’s parents made angel tree toppers, a tradition she found fascinating. One day, she saw a photograph of her handmade creation perched atop a Christmas tree in a snow-covered North American home. The sight of her angel in such a festive, wintry setting sparked a dream within her—to live where snow blanketed the landscape and Christmas was celebrated with joy and color.

Fifteen years later, recently married but still yearning to fulfill her snowy Christmas dream, Linda’s journey led her to the mountains of Japan to study merchandising and design. However, it wasn’t until a vacation in Vancouver that her dream took full shape. The blanket of snow, evergreen scenery, crisp mountain air, and sparkling Christmas lights of Vancouver’s festival of lights captivated her. She decided then that this was the life she wanted to build for her family.

Without telling her husband, Linda applied for Canadian immigration, envisioning a life filled with snow and Christmas cheer. To her surprise, she was conditionally approved on the basis that she would start a Canadian business. This unexpected twist presented a challenge for her and Jerry.

Jerry, at that time, was content working in his mother-in-law’s thriving angel tree topper business and had no experience starting a business of his own. His focus was on providing for his pregnant wife and their one-year-old son, and the thought of moving to a new country, learning a new language, and starting from scratch was daunting. Ultimately, Jerry agreed to let Linda and the children move to Canada while he stayed behind to support them financially.

Two years later, Linda was exhausted from raising their two young sons alone. She called Jerry and expressed her need for him to be present in their children’s lives. Realizing the importance of family, Jerry decided to take the leap, leaving behind his comfort and financial security to reunite with his family in Canada.

As Jerry packed for the move to Vancouver, inspiration struck him: he could start a business selling his mother-in-law’s beloved angel tree toppers. This idea would not only fulfill the immigration requirement but also allow him to support his family. Within months of their reunion in Vancouver, Jerry and Linda founded Starlight Trading Company, perfectly named for their angel tree topper business.

Their first venture at the CGTA Edmonton Gift Show was a resounding success. Eager retailers flooded their booth, and by the end of the day, Jerry’s hands were raw from writing orders. That day, their fears of failure vanished, and Linda’s dream had finally come true. They had made it to Canada, together.

Twenty-five years later, Starlight Trading Company remains a testament to their dedication and perseverance. As a family-owned business, it has expanded into all things Christmas décor and even Halloween items. Starlight Trading is now the leading distributor of angel tree toppers in Canada, bringing joy to families across North America. With over 65 years of combined experience in Christmas wholesaling, Jerry and Linda still design the beautiful catalogue each year, while their sons, Peter and David, manage operations, accounts, and IT.

Understanding the roots of small businesses, Starlight Trading Company offers affordable prices to ensure that family-owned businesses, and others, can thrive. We believe in supporting families so they can create joyous holiday memories for generations to come. Join us in celebrating the spirit of family-owned businesses and ensuring that everyone can enjoy a Merry Christmas and a prosperous future.