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Business is popping for Windsor family company
The owner of a local, family-owned business has found a new revenue stream and greater efficiencies by embracing e-commerce during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Jeff Gamble, owner of What’s Poppin’ Popcorn Factory in Windsor, has been popping kettle corn by hand since 2007. Prior to the pandemic, the business generated most of its sales from hosting fundraisers and attending festivals and local events.
Their mobile trailer could be found at regional events such as Lasalle Strawberry Fest, Windsor-Essex Children’s Aid Foundation’s annual fireworks fundraiser, Wheels on Wyandotte Car & Motorcycle Show, Ruthven Apple Fest and Bright Lights to name a few.
“Our fundraising side of the business has helped dozens of non-profit organizations collect money from the sale of our kettle corn and other specialty popcorn flavours,” stated Gamble, adding, “In its simplest form the organization would collect orders from parents, neighbours, coworkers … and then we deliver the orders upon completion.”
At the onset of COVID-19 both sales streams ran dry with all festivals, events and major fundraising campaigns being cancelled for the year. Read More
Each month, the WindsorEssex Small Business Centre highlights clients and entrepreneurs that have recently opened their business. Want to to be included? Email SBC for more information.
Full List: Mamo Burger, Grand Cantina, Spago, Others Win 2020 Best Of Windsor Awards
windsorite.ca
Tourism Windsor Essex has announced the winners of the 2020 Best of Windsor Essex awards. Voting ran from February 3rd through February 23rd with the goal of putting together the most comprehensive list of the “best things to see and do” in the region. Read more
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It's time to move past reactionary tactics and think towards the road to recovery and the future of business. This webinar, presented by Matt Dunlop, owner of Mainstream Marketing, will help you create a solid strategy to get your business get back on track and ready to operate in the new normal.
Digital Main Street provides advertising support to local businesses in the cities and communities they serve to support their plans to reopen. The program has three components:
shopHERE powered by Google provides independent small businesses and artists with a quick, easy and no-cost way to get selling online right away. Through the program, volunteer website developers will provide businesses with over 17 hours of hands-on support to launch an e-commerce website using Shopify.
Digital Main Street is relaunching its Digital Transformation Grant program by providing 3,200 more grants of $2,500 each to businesses across Ontario beginning July 1, 2020.
Future-Proofing Main Street a program that assists businesses with identifying new markets, pivoting their business model, and developing and implementing a deep digital transformation plan.
Main street businesses that have traditionally relied on foot traffic to generate sales and attract new customers have been negatively impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. To help strengthen existing local businesses, the Town of Essex, in partnership with Essex Centre BIA and WindsorEssex Small Business Centre, are offering the Digital Growth Grant program to support businesses in the towns of Essex, Harrow and Colchester. The fund will provide 20 businesses with up to $1,000 each to assist with the implementation of activities and strategies directly related to creating or developing a stronger online presence.
The program provides advertising support to local businesses in the cities and communities they serve to support their plans to reopen. The program has two components:
A full marketing grant program to select businesses in the hardest hit sectors of our economy, including, but not limited to the restaurant, tourism and hospitality sectors
A match program whereby local businesses can apply for matching media investments from $500 to $15,000 to complement their new programs
Businesses can apply for the full marketing grant program or matching grant program at postmediasolutions.com/grant.
NEW Develop your COVID-19 workplace safety plan
Learn how you can create a plan to help protect your workers and others from novel coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19)
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