WBE Canada: What is your most valuable piece of advice to other women entrepreneurs who are looking to supply large corporate or government organizations?
Stand by what you have built. IT IS NOT EASY...but you can, and ARE doing what you set out to do by starting your own business. WBE Canada: What is next in store for your business?
Kim: Being honest about your capabilities and which customer you are best suited for... large OEM’s or perhaps Tier 1 or Tier 2? Underestimating and overachieving leave a positive and memorable mark on your company, versus the other way around. Tier 1 and Tier 2 companies are also more flexible, and in some instances, easier to work with especially when it comes to their Payment Terms.
Tara & Shawna: Wonderkind is really excited to be on-boarding 15 new Makers from across Canada to our Women Who Wonder Maker Community. We have been working hard behind the scenes on Holiday21 with a special focus on Corporate Holiday Gift Guides. We are especially proud of bringing eco-friendly, Made in Canada options to our corporate clients who want to give gifts that people will both use and appreciate. **Wonderkind also fits nicely under many corporate Diversity and Inclusion mandates which is a bonus! Looking ahead to 2022....you will just have to sit tight and join our adventure....It’s going to be quite the ride in the Canadian Gifting World! #spreadwonderkind #giftingwithpurpose.
Tara Cochrane & Shawna Pereira Co-founders, Creative Directors Wonderkind
Nimi Nanji-Simard
WBE Canada: As a relatively new company in the promotional products field, you had the advantage of already being an on-line business when the pandemic hit in 2020. What advice would you give to other WBEs who operate virtually and are looking to grow their business in order to secure larger contracts?
Founder & Chief Scarf Lover NimiNimi Designs
WBE Canada: After starting out as a small entrepreneur, you are now selling your products in a large retail environment. What lessons have you learned along the way that would be helpful to other women-owned businesses looking to get their products on store shelves?
Tara & Shawna: We are always looking for an open opportunity. How can we adapt to make a large contract possible? Tara and I are constantly asking “Do large companies know who we are, what we do and how we can help them?” Reaching out and making genuine contact with decision makers has helped us enormously . The “Silver Lining” of COVID is that people are happy to make the time to get to know more about you and the services you offer. In terms of moral (which can be tough when the phone doesn’t ring for a while...) Keep the faith and continue to believe in yourself and your business. WBE Canada Magazine | Issue 3 | September 2021
Nimi: Lessons are daily and plentiful! Apart from website matters and technical support, I remain a one woman show, which means that the buck always stops with me! In terms of large retail, the landscape has really changed. It is no longer brick and mortar locations but the overall success of retailers’ online platforms that dictates demand. The risk and inventory 15
