About.
Who is Beyond Buttons?
The Owner: Kylee Bakowski uses she/ her pronouns, is a Northern Ontario settler residing on traditional unceded homelands of the Anishinabek Nation people (colloquially known as “North Bay, Ontario”). Kylee self-identifies as a Caucasian, queer woman, who is childfree by choice, a proud pet parent, a survivor, and is open about her medication abortion experience. Kylee has an honours BA in criminal justice, a diploma in community justice services, and over seven years’ experience working with non-profit community organizations and partners. Kylee is currently a full-time Education Manager with a national pro-choice organization and engages in button making as a therapeutic creative outlet. Kylee is an ongoing learner who is constantly unlearning, and relearning. She welcomes new knowledge, recommendations, better practices, and being called in to do better.
The Team: This is a family operated business; Kylee’s mother, Darcylee, and sister, Oaklee, support her with designing, creating, making and attending Pop Up events. Kiera Uriarte is an artist, seamstress and close family friend who creates our plush catnip toys and hanging ornaments.
How did Beyond Buttons get started?
Beyond Buttons unofficially started in 2020 when a hobby met a passion. During preparation for an event, Kylee and colleagues were creating consent buttons. Feeling inspired, Kylee wanted to have some extra fun. She decided to create cheeky buttons for her and her friends that said what they really wanted to say and empowered them.
In 2021, Kylee continued to explore her button designing and making passion independently.
In 2022, Beyond Buttons became an official Ontario Registered Business for the sale of radical, run and inclusive buttons.
In 2023, Beyond Buttons attended its first Pop Up events; The Artisan Way Handmade Market and the Phelps Community Farmers Market.
In 2024, Beyond Buttons was awarded with the Canadian Choice Award in the Education & Advocacy category. The small, home-based, business continues to attend Pop Up markets or events. They have expanded to offer custom/ bulk orders, and event bookings.
What People Are Saying
“I’ve had this little one [cats against catcalls button] pinned in my car for a little over a year now and it’s still holding up strong! Still my favourite one :)”
— Megan
“My Paws Off Abortion Laws button is a great conversation starter and always gets positive feedback!”
— Liz
“It was important to me to see scarred chests on the Boob Variety button. I finally felt seen and validated.”
— Anonymous
“I LOVED the 2022 [Boudoir for Abortions] Calendar!!! I'm hoping that the calendar makes a comeback in 2024. I don't know a lot about abortions or the process because I have been fortunate enough to never need one, but this calendar taught me a lot about how important abortion rights are not just in Canada, but everywhere (and how our ideas about abortions may be wrong)! I was so proud to have the 2022 calendar in my house. Anytime a new person was visiting, or I was asked about it, I was so happy to explain what it represented and the amazing information with it. Even though 2022 is done, I have the picture part displayed in my bookcase because the information is so important and raises important questions and can start discussions. For a small amount of $25, it is really nice to know that something such as this is raising money for an important cause. Thank you, Kylee, and everyone involved for raising awareness about this issue. I'm looking forward to the 2024 edition!!!!”