Imagine waking up from a dream with a business idea. You peel back the layers, the fog shrouding that dream dissipates and, in three short months, you91裸聊视频檙e running a successful business.
It may sound like a fable, but for local export advisor Amber Pich茅, it91裸聊视频檚 a reality she91裸聊视频檚 seen come true time and time again.
91裸聊视频淭here91裸聊视频檚 a surprising number of entrepreneurs in the Thompson-Okanagan region who wake up with an idea that balloons into a viable business almost overnight,91裸聊视频� says Pich茅, Thompson-Okanagan Export Advisor, Export Navigator.
The provincial Export Navigator program supports entrepreneurs with free advice from export specialists and helps entrepreneurs determine export readiness and develop strategies. Export Advisors also help businesses with everything from product development to marketing, financials, networking and logistics.
91裸聊视频淥ur unique market breeds passionate entrepreneurs who excel at finding success in an evolving business landscape,91裸聊视频� says Pich茅.
June Alexander, owner of Sugar Free Please, embodies this type of emerging entrepreneur.
When Alexander started baking healthier treats made without sugar and gluten, she had no intention of running a business. The former interior designer loved making her sugar-free baked goods on the side. But, after selling out at farmer91裸聊视频檚 markets across the Okanagan, Alexander knew she had tapped into something bigger.
91裸聊视频淚 had no idea how many people out there ate a restricted diet like me,91裸聊视频� says Alexander. 91裸聊视频淭here was this whole silent world of people out there trying to avoid sugar.91裸聊视频�
From humble beginnings as a lineup of delicious snacks sold at Okanagan farmer91裸聊视频檚 markets, Sugar Free Please has grown into a successful business with products available on shelves in local markets and retailers. Alexander quickly moved operations from her home kitchen to a commercial space in Kelowna. And, during peak business times, her team swelled to as a many as eight employees.
That91裸聊视频檚 when she met Pich茅. With the help of Pich茅 and the Export Navigator program, business skyrocketed with Sugar Free Please more than doubling its revenue in 2021.
91裸聊视频淵ou don91裸聊视频檛 know what you don91裸聊视频檛 know, and as I began working with Amber, she filled in gaps that existed in my knowledge because I was not coming from a grocery or manufacturing background,91裸聊视频� says Alexander. 91裸聊视频淪he had a lot of insight into that world that I did not.91裸聊视频�
Pich茅 works with select business across the gamut of industries to help them expand their product or services to reach new markets beyond B.C.91裸聊视频檚 borders. And for Pich茅, Alexander91裸聊视频檚 story of fast success is more common than people think.
In five short months, Kamloops rancher John Hollstedt turned his idea for a ground-adjustable support system for pole-mounted solar panels into a business with domestic sales projections nearing $1 million in his first year. Hollstedt reached out to Pich茅 to help realize the potential for JH Solar Systems and is now scaling as the pair navigates interprovincial and international exporting.
91裸聊视频淚 love helping these entrepreneurs improve their business operations in the areas of marketing and business development,91裸聊视频� says Pich茅. 91裸聊视频淚t91裸聊视频檚 powerful to see others realize their dreams. I91裸聊视频檓 grateful that I get to be part of the process.91裸聊视频�
For Armilla Tech91裸聊视频檚 Lance Heron, the idea for a new product actually did come to him in a dream: wearable football technology that empowers instant play-calling from the sidelines. Within a few short months of having his dream, the military veteran and football coach had a prototype.
91裸聊视频淢ost people can91裸聊视频檛 believe we created an entirely new system in such a short time,91裸聊视频� says Heron, who quickly expanded beyond his home market in Salmon Arm with sales as far as Mexico and leads in Japan.
91裸聊视频淎mber has been amazing and put us in touch with border brokers to help us bring Armilla Tech to international markets. She91裸聊视频檚 introduced us to people, helped us with our pitch, put us in contact with potential manufacturers, and started conversations with Canadian trade commissioners to really help us get out there and showcase our product.91裸聊视频�
Through Export Navigator, Pich茅 helps entrepreneurs tap into new markets every day.
91裸聊视频淲hen entrepreneurs are getting started, even inter-community exporting can feel like a big step. These small steps are a great way to see what91裸聊视频檚 possible while building confidence in yourself and your business. It91裸聊视频檚 so inspiring to see entrepreneurs like June, Lance, and so many of my other clients turn their dreams into successful businesses,91裸聊视频� says Pich茅.
91裸聊视频淭he reality is that you can export without me. A lot of companies export without using the Export Navigator program. But the purpose of the program and the reason why I like to work with clients one on one is to help make the process easier. We navigate the export process together as we work to bring your product, your service, your dream to new markets.91裸聊视频�
To learn more about Export Navigator, book a free expert consultation with Pich茅, Thompson-Okanagan Advisor. Contact Pich茅 via email at amber@exportnavigator.ca or 1-250-869-5323. Limited spots are available.
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