May 6, 2015 – British Columbia: Andrew Shepherd, Founder and CEO of Canada’s first sea salt harvestry, Vancouver Island Salt Co., will discuss his journey from selling at local farmer’s markets to scaling-up his operations to meet international demand at the Local Leaders monthly business mixer at Small Business BC in Vancouver on Thursday, June 4, 2015.
The event is part of Small Business BC’s Local Leaders series, in partnership with the Province of British Columbia and Yellow Pages, which runs from April to July. The series encourages the growth and development of local businesses by giving entrepreneurs an opportunity to network with and gain inspiration from local business leaders in the community.
“Through the Small Business Accord, we’re working to make B.C. the most small-business-friendly jurisdiction in Canada,” said Naomi Yamamoto, Minister of State for Tourism and Small Business. “Events like this support the goals of the Accord and inspire entrepreneurs by showcasing successful business owners.”
Founding Canada’s first sea-salt harvesting company in 2009, the 36-year-old former chef has positioned himself at the forefront of Canada’s promising sea salt industry. During his exclusive presentation, Shepherd will discuss:
Turning a Simple, Local Concept into a Successful Business
- Strategies for developing a unique product and selling it to your target market
- Creating and following a business plan to achieve market growth
- Exploring the journey from farmer’s market booth to retail shelves and international export
- Listening to your customer for new opportunities and product development
- Setting the standard for green environmental practice
“I started an industry to win a bet with a friend who challenged me to turn ocean water into salt, and in doing so I took hold of an opportunity,” said Shepherd. “I always talked about being an entrepreneur, so when I got my chance I knew I had to run with it. At Local Leaders, I hope the story of my business journey inspires others to take chance on a business idea.”
Between April and July, the series includes Vikram Vij, Owner of Vij’s, Rangoli and My Shanti (April 2); Brian Scudamore, Founder and CEO of 1-800-GOT-JUNK?, You Move Me and WOW 1 DAY PAINTING (May 7); Andrew Shepherd, Founder of Vancouver Island Salt Co. (June 4); and Tina Lee, CEO, T & T Supermarket (July 16). These presenters will cover important focus areas for small business owners, such as overcoming adversity, HR practices, scaling-up for international trade and succession planning.
“Launching and growing a business takes a lot of hard work, a solid business plan and a strong community,” says George Hunter, CEO of Small Business BC. “We’re delighted to open our doors to help entrepreneurs learn from successful business owners and discover the tools and resources paramount to achieving long-term success.”
The public and small business community is encouraged to join Andrew Shepherd on Thursday, June 4, 2015 from 5:30pm to 7:30pm for an evening of drinks and appetizers from Vancouver Island-based small businesses, networking and discussion. More information on the Local Leaders series can be found at http://sbbc.co/2015LL.
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Media Contact:
Mark Blendheim
Communications Manager, Small Business BC
Direct: 604-775-5607 | Cell: 604-339-4759
[email protected]
About Small Business BC
Small Business BC provides entrepreneurs with the information and guidance necessary to build a solid foundation for their business. Through a wide range of products, services, education and resources there’s a piece that fits with every business. No matter what stage or what skill level, when an entrepreneur finds themselves asking “How do I…?” Small Business BC is the one to call.
About Local Leaders
Local Leaders is a monthly mixer series hosted by Small Business BC, the Province of British Columbia and Yellow Pages, connecting small business owners with thought leaders and each other. This series fosters the growth and development of local businesses by giving entrepreneurs an opportunity to network with and gain inspiration from business leaders in the community. This series supports the goal of the Small Business Accord to help foster a progressive business culture and support current and future generations of small business owners across B.C.