b'VOX POP BUSINESS BEYOND BORDERS: INSIGHT FROM INDIGENOUSh a t w a s Wt h e m o s t i m p o r t a n t EXPORTERS s t e p i n t h e i r e x p o r t i n g j o u r n e y ?By Matthew BradfordManyIndigenousbusi- MINI TIPITrisha Pitura and Mlanie Bernard, nessesfindopportuni- Foundersties beyond their localwww.minitipi.caA women-owned company that markets. Deciding to sell acreates small batch quality goods product or service abroadfor home and family, including eco-friendly blankets, shawls and mittens can be a tricky step to take,with authentic Indigenous designs but its one that a number ofCanadianCouncil for Aboriginal Business (CCAB)membersare makingtoexpand their footprint. AboriginalBusiness Report recently asked five CCAB members to shareWe were approached not only by buyers thefirststepsoftheirS ince we started MINI TIPI in 2016,from Canada, but we also met one weve always tried to participate infrom Switzerland. exportingjourneyandmultiple markets by looking for ways to increase our exposure and connect withWe then started building a relationship relay the insights theyvenew customers. Our first experience withwith that international buyer, which gathered along the way.exporting outside of Canada happenedled to an opportunity to wholesale our after we attended the 2019 One of aproducts in a storefront in Switzerland. Here are their responses. Kind Show in Toronto, which is one ofThrough that partnership, we started the largest markets in North America.learning how to position ourselves for 38A CCAB PUBLICATION2023'