A new campaign to help local artisans and small businesses

By Miranda Monahan

Tourism Windsor-Essex Pelee Island has launched a new campaign to help local artisans and small businesses.

The campaign is called W.E. Made It and is an online resource which highlights goods produced by artisans and small businesses.

Lionel Kernerman is the manager of product development at TWEPI.

“Over the last year, Tourism Windsor Essex Pelee Island looked at ways to increase visitation and economic spending amongst tourists in the region. Through research, we have found a localized, authentic experience is the most memorable and motivational for visitors,” said Kernerman.

“Beyond our EPIC Wine Route, Barrels, Bottles & Brews Trail, and W.E. Heart Local, another layer of local is through makers and artisans – hence the W.E. Made It campaign was created.”

Qualifications to join the program are creative and original work, good which can be sold to consumers such as food, clothes, furniture and jewelry, presented to the public in a professional way and sold at affordable prices.

Businesses and artisans who qualify for the program will be able to promote the program through flyers, sharing on social media using #WEMadeIt and a window sticker.

Shannon Dyck is manager of the Windsor Small Business Centre.

“Many small businesses struggle with cash flow at start up, or early years. Marketing is usually one of the first things to get cut in order to make ends meet,” said Dyck.

“Providing our small businesses an opportunity to advertise for free is only a win-win situation for everyone.”                                      

Businesses who have already signed up for this program include BB Branded in Windsor, From Our Hands to Yours Gift Shoppe  in Belle River, Gibson Gallery in Amherstburg and Peekabloom Baby, which is only online.

The program is still open for businesses and artisans to join. Membership is free. Sign up can be done on yqgmade.ca. More information can also be found there.