With the uptick in calls they are fielding, StartUp Lloydminster says the business outlook is promising.
As small businesses navigate the challenges following the easing of restrictions, the local business incubator is ready with numerous programs to assist.
Executive Director Tess Wack says they have had lots of inquiries.
“People [who were] looking to either start that business idea that they had, and were holding off to see how things would go, or people who had existing businesses, they made it through, so how can we expand and pivot. It’s been busy here which is great. I think it has just raised the whole positive outlook and feeling of the whole community.”
Wack says their call volumes are twice what it was compared to the end of June last year and they are excited to see the potential that momentum brings going forward.
StartUp Lloydminster services include business coaching for new and existing operations.
“If you have a start-up idea and you haven’t launched yet; perfect. If you already have a business and you’re just needing some different supports and you want someone to bounce ideas off, we are here to support with that too. A few of our clients will come in and typically they do a business model canvas with our coach Holly [Andony], and that just helps them get clear on a lot of aspects of their business.”
Wack says the StartUp network allows clients to access not just funding support, but legal, marketing and accounting queries as well as mentorship.
Navigating online shopping, while still servicing a storefront is one challenge Wack admits that businesses are facing.
StartUp Lloydminster has community roots dating back to 2011. In 2018 they rebranded to join the StartUp Canada network.
Residents can visit their website and follow on the StartUp Lloydminster social media for updates.