A Kelowna entrepreneur launched an app last summer designed to help local businesses get their products and services in front of targeted shoppers. However, some seemed to miss the point that the app was designed for locals to support locals.

JC Rathwell, the former business owner of Kelowna Cruises, wanted to create an all-in-one advertising platform to help local entrepreneurs grow their business. He launched of 2020, but this month he has rebranded to iSupport Local, to really focus on who the app was designed to target.

The app aims to get businesses91裸聊视频� products and services in front of local consumers using features normally only offered by Amazon, Google or Facebook, for a fraction of the cost.

91裸聊视频淚t helps the little guy, the entrepreneur, the small businessman; it levels the playing field between them, against the block stores and the big boys,91裸聊视频� Rathwell said.

For shoppers, the app allows them to search for products and services from local businesses, create a notification for what they want to buy and receive deals or specials.

91裸聊视频淚f someone goes to Google and types in shoes, it91裸聊视频檒l take them to EBay, Amazon; we want Sassy Shoes and other local shoe stores to come up.

91裸聊视频淚f you91裸聊视频檙e looking for bicycles, you91裸聊视频檙e looking for a chiropractor, massage places, it91裸聊视频檚 all locally owned stores.91裸聊视频�

There are more than 3,000 businesses in the iSupport Local database, most of which are located in the Okanagan. Kelowna was the first city to test out the app last year, since that time five other cities across the province have logged onto iSupport Local.

Business owners simply have to claim their store and begin adding products for free. Local businesses can also promote themselves and have unlimited access to features on the app at an affordable price, said Rathwell.

Sassy Shoes was one of the first businesses in Kelowna to test the app.

91裸聊视频淚t was very inexpensive to jump on board, and the upside, I would argue, is immeasurable,91裸聊视频� said Jim Armitage, co-founder of Sassy Shoes alongside Bonnie Schadeck.

Armitage said the app has boosted both their connections with new clients, and their exposure in the community.

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READ MORE: 91裸聊视频楢mazon of the Okanagan91裸聊视频� comes to South Okanagan

jen.zielinski@bpdigital.ca
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