Each year, the Small Business Centre of Barrie, Simcoe County and Orillia brings on board 20 businesses that are looking for assistance with starting, growing or purchasing a business. The Starter Company Plus program offers these entrepreneurs extensive training, mentorship, networking opportunities and the chance to receive a micro-grant of up to $5,000. Get connected to Barrie's business support network by taking the first step with the Starter Company. Eligible entrepreneurs can inquire about an application package at smallbusiness@barrie.ca.
One positive thing to come out of the pandemic was a renewed focus on the importance of supporting our local businesses and the value they bring to the community. This is right where business partners Tina Hercules and Desiree de Barros of Local Street Marketplace come in! Local Street is an online, locally focused marketplace that not only provides customers with a convenient one-stop-shop for all of their needs, but also provides new and up-and-coming businesses a platform and community from which to grow their enterprises. Their motto of Buy Local, By Local really speaks to the heart of what Tina and Desiree are building – a community of people supporting businesses and businesses supporting people, all with the goal of fostering and growing our community and keeping more dollars right here in our area.
With the growth in focus on buying local and supporting our community members, the Small Business Centre of Barrie, Simcoe County and Orillia has no doubt that Tina and Desiree will be having an impact on our community long after they graduate the Starter Company Plus program.
Read on to learn more about Local Street Marketplace.
What is your favourite part about being an entrepreneur?
Seeing our dreams and visions of supporting local businesses take shape. It took a lot to get the business structure in place and then even more to get it running. At the end of the day, we can say “we built this, we grew this” and many businesses have received value because of it. Also, the people and community are an enormous part of what we enjoy. Meeting incredible entrepreneurs and being part of a supportive business community have exceeded our expectations. Learning each other's stories, supporting one another and building friendships has been a privilege.
What inspired you to start a business?
We had the idea for so long, but we were not in the right place to move forward with it until 2020-2021. It started with me and my husband, and it grew legs as we talked about it more with family. We are a mother-in-law/daughter duo, and both of our skillsets and the support that we give to one another helped to make this small business dream a reality.
What services/ products do you offer?
For our customers, we offer an online local marketplace with a wide variety of products and services, making it easier to shop local and keep their hard-earned dollars in their local community. For local businesses that join the marketplace we offer the opportunity to open an online shop, one-on-one support, new product reviews, marketing and business resources. Overall, we offer a supportive business community where people feel supported rather than on their own.
Why is it so important to shop local?
Supporting shopping locally is what we do!! There is something so beautiful about participating in your community and feeling a part of it.
Shopping locally helps the talented people in your community thrive. When you shop local you help your local gems to keep doing what they do best and provide for their family!
It also helps to keep your dollars in your community. Almost $0.70 of each dollar spent in local communities remain there. Beyond contributing to local taxes, local businesses also make purchases locally whether for personal reasons or to obtain materials, products or services they need to operate, including local employment.
What is unique about your business?
Our community feeling. Many of our businesses comment on how they feel part of a community when they join Local Street. We truly believe in the success of each business and care about the people that join the marketplace. We want to hear their story and celebrate their wins.
Who are a few of your favourite vendors that you promote on your site?
This is a tough one! We have so many. We especially love the vendors that get what we are trying to do and promote us too!
What is your advice for small businesses who are looking at promoting their products?
Create or participate in networks and communities rather than viewing other businesses as competition. How can you help one another? It can be really powerful when complementary businesses work together to widen the visibility and build their businesses.
Also, it’s so important to reach out and ask for help when you need it. You can’t know and be good at everything. Seek out local business support and educational opportunities (like the Small Business Centre). Talk with other businesses - they have been where you are too. If needed, invest your dollars with the professionals who know how to do the more important business functions, but be laser focused with this - small budgets!
Take a moment to celebrate your wins and take time to reflect and learn when things don’t go as planned, but don’t stew in it. Keep persisting to determine ways to drive income while retaining your brand and business vision.
Finally, know your key target market(s). Research them and talk to them. Develop your marketing plan, brand (who you are), and invest in professional photography to present you and your business so that it is clean and on brand.
What do you see as the biggest pro for joining an online marketplace, as opposed to one of the in-person variety?
Canadians more and more are turning to the convenience of online shopping. Consumers are able to shop a wide range of brands, products and services. In fact, in 2020 Canada had the second highest growth rate in digital markets.
What do you hope to achieve through the Starter Company Plus program?
We are always looking to learn, improve and grow. This is such an exceptional opportunity to review and reflect on our business journey to date and learn how to improve Local Street's marketing strategies/plans and operational activities for future. Also, it’s an opportunity to expand our network by building new relationships with other local business owners. There is so much opportunity to help each other in many different ways.
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To explore Local Street Marketplace, click on to:
Website: www.localstreet.ca
Instagram: @localstreet.ca
Facebook: @localstreetmarketplace