Week 1
The world needs good news and local businesses need our support. MT+Co. CEO and Co-Founder Rob Miller has taken time over the last few weeks to share some positivity on social media by highlighting businesses that are doing great things and that deserve recognition.
#caremongering
#bcbusiness
#flattenthecurve
DAY 1
LEGENDS HAUL.
Like many people, I’m concerned about the impact of current events on our community - families, elders and people with compromised immune systems (like me - I’m diabetic). I’m also concerned about the impact on the amazing businesses that knit us together, keep us employed and make our communities liveable. I’m taking time over the next few weeks to share about some local businesses that are doing great things and that deserve our support.
Today, meet Legends Haul and my friend Craig Sheridan, who normally deliver quality meat to restaurants and stores but are now delivering to Lower Mainland households who are worried about food security or who want to avoid the grocery store.
DAY 2
AMPERSAND DISTILLERY.
Today, meet Ampersand Distillery, who is using their award winning distillery (full disclosure - we’re relatives) to produce alcohol-based hand sanitizer for community organizations who need it.
DAY 3
THOUGHTEXCHANGE.
Today, meet Thoughtexchange, who is making their crowdsourcing platform available for free to organizations to host important team conversations about the implications of COVID. I’ve had the pleasure to have been introduced to the tool in the past and was impressed by it.
DAY 4
MINDFIELD GROUP.
Today, meet Mindfield Group, led by my good friend Cameron Laker, who builds innovative recruitment process outsource solutions for hourly workforces. Mindfield is inviting any business or not-for-profit who happens to be seeking applicants in these tough times to post jobs for free on their platform and access its network of over $4 million job seekers. This couldn't be more timely as I saw reports today that employment insurance applications have grown exponentially in the last two weeks. Great to see Cam and the Mindfield Group doing their part to help keep people employed and putting food on the table.
DAY 5
SCIENCE WORLD.
OK, I’m cheating today because Science World is more of a not-for-profit than business, but it’s the weekend so I’m sure it’s fine. And Science World is up to good things. Are you like me, under lock down at home with the little terrors and looking for something better than Paw Patrol to keep them occupied? Science World has quickly transformed their website into DYI Science-World-at-Home resource centre for desperate parents. Thanks to my buddy Nolan Charles, (board member of Science World, Councillor for Musqueam and mediocre golfer) who has been calling all his contacts to spread the word. Nice to hear your voice and nice work Nolan!
DAY 6
TRUCKIN TIRES.
This one is fun because even though I’m isolating it brings me back to my home town of Fort St. James and to an old friend I haven’t seen in person for a couple decades, back when we both used to be in better shape and better looking (or at least so we thought). Meet Truckin Tires and its owner Jim Schwentner (a good Fort boy) who take care of all of your tire needs in Prince George. Jim’s helping out his neighbours by offering 50% off labour to health care workers who need their tires changed (we need them to get to their jobs). Thanks Jim - you’re a beauty.
DAY 7
VANCITY.
Today, meet the folks at Vancity, who have whipped up a clever investment instrument to make some money AND do some good in the community. The Unity Term Deposit has a 12-month return of 3% and puts invested money to work in the community supporting the people, small businesses and non-profits that are most affected by the social and economic fallout of COVID-19.