LIFT Startups
A new way to market and network your local Vancouver Island business!
To find out how you can win see LIFTlocal.ca
Did you know that for every $100 you spend at a local business, $46 is recirculated back into the local economy?
That’s one of the reasons LIFT is focused on local entrepreneurs and creatives: your businesses are the best way to achieve long-term economic stability and resilience in our Vancouver Island communities.
That’s why every month we celebrate local by giving away prizes for Instagram “selfies with local business.” It’s easy to play:
How LIFT businesses benefit
Think of this as an easy way to generate social media content about your business. Some tips:
Photo: © Karen McKinnon / mckinnonphotography.com
Jayesh Parmar is the Founder and CEO of Picatic, an online ticketing and events solution that includes a new product, Movement, aimed at community changemakers and non-profit organizations doing good work in communities around the world.
Jay talked to LIFT’s Hans Peter Meyer about Picatic, Movement, and about himself. Check out the podcast to find out about Jay’s favourite books as a child, what he’s reading now, the smartest thing he’s ever done, his favourite place to eat – and more.
Note: Jay is a mentor to LIFT and is one of the inspirations for our success.
FMI about Picatic see Picatic.com.
FMI about Movement see this link to the Picatic blog.
Find more LIFT Podcasts on our blog – or subscribe via iTunes.
Marshall Property Services offers property maintenance and moving services, including junk removal and deliveries – and more. Owner Spencer Marshall describes his market as people “looking for someone to give [their] property the care it deserves… We enjoy serving our community with a happiness guarantee because that’s what it’s all about. Coming home to a tended home feels amazing!” Spencer put his business “on deck” in Winter of 2018. Find out more about these services at marshallpropertyservices.ca (for reviews, see the Facebook page).
LIFT: What inspired you to start Marshall Property Services?
Spencer: [There’s a need for quality home and property services in the community. I have the skills and the tools to provide the service. I also believe that running my own business is also a way to get the freedom and flexibility I need to be with my family when it counts, while my kids are young.
LIFT: What was your “ask” at your BizOnDeck workshop?
Spencer: How to make odd jobs a full-time business.
LIFT: What were the three biggest takeaways (and subsequent actions) from your BizOnDeck?
Spencer: Get a content-filled website going, offer special packages and discounts, and know my value!
LIFT: What actions have you taken to follow up on these takeaways?
Spencer: The website is up and under construction (see marshallpropertyservices.ca). We’ve been making and sharing more videos and content. And, in a big step towards business sustainability, the feedback we got on what we’re offering gave us the confidence to raise rates for the spring and summer seasons.
LIFT: Has putting your business “on deck” helped grow your business?
Spencer: Yes. It helped me pop a major comfort bubble that was holding me back. With the encouragement of the participants, I now feel a lot less stress, have better time management, and I am finally out of survival mode!
Spencer: Right now we are deep into spring cleaning. That means getting moss of the roofs, skylights clean, roofs blown off, gutters cleared, soffit/siding hand washed, and the sidewalks and driveways pressure washed. We are also offering exterior/interior painting. Marshall Property Services is a one-stop shop to get your property looking cared for!
LIFT helps entrepreneurs, small business owners, and non-profits grow. To put your business or project “on deck” please fill the blanks in this form. Or call HPM at 250-792-1408.
Ready to join a dynamic community of entrepreneurs who are hustling the help to grow businesses on Vancouver Island? Be in touch!
In this podcast James Flawith.tells us about Lil Worker Safety Gear. In second part, James answers questions about himself: being an entrepreneur, what he considers to be his smartest choice in life, his favourite books as a kid, what he’d do with $1M to support entrepreneurs, and his favourite place to eat in the whole world.
James has been nominated and selected for several business-related awards in recent years (Comox Valley Chamber of Commerce, Vancouver Island Top 20 Under 40, Startup Canada Awards), for good reason: he’s an inspiration for many of us who are trying to make a difference in our communities. Thanks, James!
FMI about Lil Worker Safety Gear see lilworkersafety.ca. You can also find them on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.
Lil Worker Safety Gear is a LIFT member.
You can find more podcasts with Vancouver Island entrepreneurs, and resources to grow your business on the Island on our blog here. You can also subscribe via iTunes.
Ready to grow your business? Join us!
Amy Robinson is a social entrepreneur – and the founder of LOCO BC, an NGO that does research, education, and engagement to support local businesses in BC communities.
In this podcast, LIFT’s hpm asks Amy about LOCO BC, about the #BCBuyLocal campaign, and about Amy Robinson the social entrepreneur.
FMI see locobc.com.
To subscribe to LIFT Podcasts visit iTunes.