Jillian Harris

Early Life and Design Beginnings

Jillian Harris was born on December 30, 1979, in Peace River, Alberta. Her early exposure to retail and product curation came from helping in her mother's gift shop as a child, where she developed an instinct for identifying items that spark joy. This foundational experience informed her later career in design and product selection. Harris began her professional interior design work while employed at Caban, an interior goods store, where she started offering design consultations to clients.

Her talent attracted the attention of Scott Morison, the co-founder of the Canadian restaurant chain Cactus Club Cafe, who hired her to design his restaurants. In 2024, Harris admitted online to her followers on Instagram that she never formalized her interior design credentials. Morison later re-hired her as the designer for his new chain of restaurants, Browns Socialhouse. This work helped establish her reputation in commercial interior design before she began her television career.

Reality Television Career

Harris's entry into reality television began in early 2009 as a contestant on the 13th season of the American series The Bachelor. She competed against 24 other women for the affection of Jason Mesnick, ultimately finishing as the second runner-up. Later that same year, she made history by being selected as the star of the fifth season of The Bachelorette, becoming the franchise's first Canadian lead. On her season, she chose Ed Swiderski, and the couple became engaged, though they ended their relationship in 2010.

Following her stint on The Bachelorette, Harris expanded her television work into design and hosting roles. In 2010, she served as a designer on the American series Extreme Makeover: Home Edition. The following year, she headlined the Calgary Home + Design Show as part of the HGTV presentation. In 2012, she hosted the first season of the Canadian series Canada's Handyman Challenge, which aired on the W Network.

From 2013 to 2019, Harris appeared as the designer on the Canadian series Love It or List It Vancouver. The show aired on the W Network in Canada and on HGTV in the United States under the title Love It or List It Too. In each episode, Harris would redesign a family's home, competing against real estate agent Todd Talbot to convince the homeowners to keep their renovated property rather than sell it and move. In 2016, she made a cameo appearance on the first season of The Bachelorette Canada to counsel star Jasmine Lorimer. Harris and her partner, former professional snowboarder Justin Pasutto, starred in their own four-episode documentary series, Jillian and Justin, which premiered on the W Network in June 2017.

Business Ventures and Entrepreneurship

Beyond television, Jillian Harris has built a substantial business portfolio centred on lifestyle, design, and community support. She launched her e-vintage webstore, Charlie Ford Vintage, in 2013. Her most significant entrepreneurial achievement is The Jilly Box, a quarterly subscription box service she founded in 2019. The company has grown into a B Corp-certified, multi-channel marketplace that supports Canadian, women-owned, and purpose-led small businesses. Each seasonal release of approximately 20,000 units regularly sells out in under 24 hours, accompanied by a lengthy waitlist. By 2026, the business had generated millions in revenue for small businesses and donated over one million dollars to roughly 80 local and national charities.

Harris has also collaborated with numerous brands to create fashion and lifestyle collections, including partnerships with Smash + Tess, Joe Fresh, and Canadian Tire. She runs an online educational platform called Jilly Academy, which offers courses on brand strategy, influencer marketing, and content creation for entrepreneurs. In 2019, she co-authored a plant-based cookbook titled Fraiche Food, Full Hearts with her cousin Tori Wesszer, published by Penguin Random House Canada. A second cookbook, Fraiche Food, Fuller Hearts, was announced subsequently. Her team, which grew to 26 employees by 2026, has been recognized for helping build a corporate culture that led to the company being named one of Canada's top employers and fastest-growing women-led businesses.

Products and Collaborations

Jillian Harris's business model focuses on curation and collaboration rather than manufacturing her own product lines. She has developed a reputation as a tastemaker whose endorsement can significantly boost sales for featured brands, an effect often compared to the 'Oprah Effect'. Her primary vehicle for featuring products is The Jilly Box, whose seasonal themes, like the Winter 2026 'Hearth Box', are inspired by emotions such as warmth and nostalgia. The box contains a curated selection of items from various small businesses. Harris has established long-term collaborative relationships with several brands, including a notable decade-long partnership with the clothing company Brunette the Label, which she admires as a fellow Canadian and women-owned business. Other collaborations have included creating fashion collections for major retailers, and her team is actively exploring new product categories for The Jilly Box, including a planned men's box. The company also operates a growing e-commerce site that allows Harris to support local makers whose production volumes may not meet the demands of the subscription model.

• The Jilly Box subscription service (launched 2019)
• Charlie Ford Vintage e-vintage webstore (launched 2013)
• Collaborations with Smash + Tess, Joe Fresh, and Canadian Tire
• Jilly Academy online courses
• Cookbooks: Fraiche Food, Full Hearts (2019) and Fraiche Food, Fuller Hearts
• Planned men's subscription box category

Personal Life and Public Image

Jillian Harris resides in Kelowna, British Columbia, with her family. She began a relationship with former professional snowboarder Justin Pasutto, and the couple got engaged in December 2016. They have two children together, a son named Leo and a daughter named Annie. Harris and Pasutto married in August 2025. In June 2018, Harris, Pasutto, and her cousin Tori Wesszer appeared in the music video for Aaron Pritchett's song 'Worth a Shot'. Harris has cultivated a deeply loyal public following, which she attributes to maintaining trust and authenticity by turning down partnerships that do not align with her values. She actively involves her team in community service, providing paid time off to volunteer at places like food banks and the community farm Helen's Acres, which she regularly joins. Her public persona extends to sharing personal interests, such as her family taking piano lessons together and her evening routine of having a bath by candlelight to unwind. In 2026, she was honoured as a Women of the Year Entrepreneurial Leader, recognizing her impact on Canadian business and community giving.

Philanthropy and Community Impact

A core tenet of Jillian Harris's business philosophy is a commitment to giving back. The Jilly Box operates with a strong philanthropic mandate, having donated more than one million dollars to approximately 80 local and national charities by 2026. This focus on community support is integral to the company's B Corp certification, which recognizes businesses that meet high standards of social and environmental performance. Harris encourages her customers to support small local businesses, framing purchases as contributions to positive community outcomes. The company institutionalizes volunteerism by giving employees paid time off to participate in community service. Harris leads by example, regularly volunteering alongside her team at organizations such as food banks and Helen's Acres community farm. This emphasis on purpose alongside profit has been a significant factor in the company's recognition as one of Canada's top employers. The charitable donations and support for small makers represent the key metrics of success for Harris, who has stated that increasing profits by creating her own products is less appealing than creating a model where 'everybody wins'.

Questions about Jillian Harris

How did Jillian Harris become famous?

Jillian Harris first gained fame in early 2009 as a contestant on the 13th season of the American TV show The Bachelor, where she finished as second runner-up. In mid 2009, she made history by being selected as the star of the 5th season of The Bachelorette, becoming the franchise's first Canadian star. Her television career expanded with roles as a designer on Extreme Makeover: Home Edition and as the host of Canada's Handyman Challenge. She further solidified her profile by appearing as the designer on the Canadian TV series Love It or List It Vancouver between 2013 and 2019.

What is The Jilly Box?

The Jilly Box is a quarterly subscription box service founded by Jillian Harris in 2019. It is a B Corp-certified business that curates and sells boxes containing products from Canadian, women-owned, and purpose-led small businesses. Each seasonal release, such as the Winter 2026 'Hearth Box', typically sells out its 20,000 units in under 24 hours. The company has generated millions in revenue for small businesses and has donated over one million dollars to charity. It has evolved into a multi-channel marketplace supporting local makers.

Where does Jillian Harris live?

Jillian Harris lives in Kelowna, British Columbia. She moved there and established her business headquarters in the city. She shares her home with her husband, Justin Pasutto, whom she married in August 2025, and their two children, Leo and Annie. Much of her lifestyle content and business operations are based out of her Kelowna residence.

Is Jillian Harris a certified interior designer?

Jillian Harris has built a successful interior design career without formal certification. She began her interior design career while working at Caban, an interior goods store, which inspired her to begin giving design consultations. She was hired for significant commercial projects, such as designing restaurants for the Cactus Club Cafe and Browns Socialhouse chains. In 2024, she admitted online to her followers on Instagram that she never formalized her interior design credentials.

Who is Jillian Harris married to?

Jillian Harris is married to Justin Pasutto, a former professional snowboarder. The couple got engaged in December 2016 and have two children together. They starred in their own documentary series, Jillian and Justin, in 2017. After a long engagement, Harris and Pasutto were married in August 2025. The couple appeared together in a 2018 music video for Aaron Pritchett's song 'Worth a Shot'.

What awards has Jillian Harris won?

In 2026, Jillian Harris was named a Women of the Year Entrepreneurial Leader. This award recognized her success in transforming The Jilly Box into a sellout success story that has generated millions. Under her leadership, her company was named one of Canada's top employers and one of the fastest growing women-led businesses by the Globe and Mail. These accolades highlight the company's culture and performance.

Sources and further reading

• Jillian Harris (Wikipedia)
• Jillian Harris, Your Haven For Love, Family & Lifestyle (jillianharris.com)
• How Jillian Harris built The Jilly Box into one of Canada's ... (bcbusiness.ca)

Checked by the Yadude Books desk. Last updated 2026-10-26.