The challenges of the pandemic have taken its toll on so many businesses. Many small and medium sized businesses have had to pivot, shut down or limit their resources causing ripples in communities across Canada. However, it has also sparked a new movement to support local.
Being such a vast and diverse country, we are proud to be Canadian and supporting local businesses is a huge part of our mission.
Small and medium sized businesses make up over 99% of the Canadian economy, employing more than 10 million people!
Statistics Canada
The roots of Chit Chats’ history began with supporting local businesses and helping entrepreneurs achieve success. Derek Nolan, our founder, kept this close to his heart and truly loved helping others.
Today, Chit Chats continues to keep this spirit at the forefront. Supporting local is at the very heart of why we exist. The trend against big box retailers paves the way for a growing movement to nurture and support our communities by buying local.
We see an increasing number of online sellers through Etsy and Shopify showcasing handmade goods. When the pandemic hit, so many small businesses relied on their hand crafted items to support themselves. But in many cases, sellers had to completely pivot their businesses online. Last year, Ali Haberstroh saw a need to bring greater visibility to these sellers and created Not Amazon, a website to support local businesses.
Not Amazon is designed to connect you to your community by helping you shop through exclusively small businesses. Providing the most we can, while taking as little as possible, in order to build a new kind of community.
Ali Haberstroh
How Chit Chats helps #SupportLocal
While shopping locally can have its perks (free pickup), many retailers have also opened up their businesses to the online world. And with a greater reach online comes the headaches of shipping! We know shipping in Canada is expensive and that’s why Chit Chats can help you.
Our mission continues to focus on helping Canadian entrepreneurs live their dreams. Our platform provides a solution to help take the pain out of shipping so that you can focus on your business. With low-cost fully tracked shipping options, Chit Chats reduces shipping costs by up to 74%. With options to ship locally within Canada, to the U.S. and worldwide, expand your customer reach and ship your products without breaking the bank.
Get Involved
Chit Chats has seen and been fortunate enough to be a part of so many of our clients’ success stories. As part of our ongoing mission, we want to share some of our favorite #shoplocal merchants. Bookmark our blog and be sure to follow our social media channels where we will spotlight local businesses. We’ve been inspired by so many of our clients and want to share the love.
If you want to share your story or be considered for an upcoming spotlight drop us a line at social@chitchats.com.