b'VOX POPall the growth opportunities that wereAURORA HEAT, INC.out there in the world. We decided fromBrenda Dragon,that point forward to control our growthPresident & Founder, by building strong business pillars thatwww.auroraheat.caset us up for success.Designers and manufacturers ofNow, were constantly looking at waysreusable hand, foot and body to expand our company and get ourwarmers made from fur and steeped brand out locally around Turtle Islandin traditional Denesuline traditionsand internationally. For instance, weof keeping warm in the Far Northparticipate in opportunities such as Pow Wow Pitch, which celebrates and high-lights Indigenous entrepreneurs. This opportunity has allowed us to makeFacebook, Instagram and Google ads connections for new points of sale andtargeting U.S. regions. increase traffic on our website from international locations. We also invested in expertise that made Aurora Heat the first-page Another key exporting step has beenresults for online search terms like establishing strong courier relation- best reusable hand warmers for ships that allow us to ship large quanti- people searching online from the U.S. ties, even on pallets, to meet the salesThen, on top of that, we started writing demand. We realized that a lot of newblogs and being more active on our customers were coming from the U.S.,social media pages to keep our name so by making our website more acces- out there and attract U.S. retailers. sible by adding U.S. currency when anT here wasnt really a significant firstToday, our export sales are primarily American resident was shopping onlinestep in my exporting journey. It was with us, we increased our opportunitiesa combination of smaller steps that gotB2B through our online store. Selling to export. Aurora Heat to start selling in the U.S.to the U.S. hasnt been that difficult, and allowed our exporting businesseither; its only meant keeping track of Thanks to the growth of MINI TIPI overto grow.sales tax based on the various states. the last year, were getting closer to ourIt also helps that we use Shopify for goal of one day being the largest blanketIf I had to trace it back, Id say oureCommerce and OrderCup for fulfil-company that uses authentic Indigenousexporting started when we conductedment as our online retailing platforms designs while maintaining a strong rela- an ad test in the U.S. market usingto benefit from commercial shipping tionship with our artists through ourFacebook and Instagram. That test wasrates through Canada Post. That royalty program. We are always lookingsuccessful, and we used that data tobeing said, were actively looking to at ways to enter new markets and areget about $20,000 in funding from thereduce postage costs from our remote very excited to see where our productsCanExport SME program. Then, with thatNorthern community (Fort Smith, will end up over the years. funding, we invested more ad spend intoNorthwest Territories).TThhee L Leeaaddeerrss i nin R Raailiwlwaayy M Maainintetennaanncceeaanndd C Coonnsstrtruucctitoionn S Seerrvviciceess A Accrroossss C CaannaaddaaRERMEMCACN iAN is cs ocmommmittiettd ed to bto buiuldilidnig png posoistiivteiv, re, resepsepcetcfutflu, al, nad snd susutsatianianbalbe lre erlealtaiotinosnhsihpis wps with ith Looking for a career in the rail industry? Looking for a career in the rail industry?InIdnidgiegneonuosu cs ocmommmunuintiietise.sO.uOru fro fcoucsu issios no np rpormomotointign ge memplpolyomymenetn ot poppoporturtnuintiietsie, sp, rper-ee-memplpolyomymenetnt www.remcanprojects.com/careerswww.remcanprojects.com/careers tratrinaiinnign, ga,n adn bd ubsuinsiensess vse vnetnutruerse os ro pr apratnrtenresrhsihpisp tsh trhoruoguhg hco cmommmunuintyit ey negnagagement.gement.CCOOMMPPETETITITIVIVE ERREWEWAARRDDININGGCCUUTTTTININGG-E-DEDGGE EPAPAIDID CCOOMMPPENENSSAATTIOIONN WWOORRKK EQ TTRRAAININININGGEQUUIPIPMMENENTTAboriginal BUSINESS REPORT39'