For entrepreneurs Logan Hayman and Jeremy Becker, their motto is “When you want to create change, there is no time like the present.” Based in Kelowna and Victoria, Taste Locally offers decks of coupons to local establishments such as restaurants, wineries, and cafés.
The decks cost $25 to purchase but come with $300-500 in savings. There are no chain restaurants or “big” organizations involved – just small local businesses. According to Hayman, who is the co-founder and CEO, “This is a way of getting eyes and ears on the ground for these businesses with no up-front costs for them.”
Taste Locally came about in 2013 when Hayman, 27, and Becker, 17, met and realized they had similar passions for technology, local businesses, and the province of British Columbia. Originally from Germany, Becker is finishing his final year of high school in Kelowna; part of his grade for entrepreneurship class last year was his work with Taste Locally. Hayman, from Prince Edward Island, gained his experience in sales and marketing while captaining a 32′ sail/charter boat off the coast of Panama and Columbia for over a year.
Though their backgrounds and skillsets are distinct, Becker and Hayman make a good tag-team. They pride themselves on being as green as possible, and the decks are printed locally in British Columbia, continuing to give back to local businesses.
Taste Locally corresponds with local food bloggers to determine which restaurants would be the best fit. Through market research and on-the-ground investigating, Becker and Hayman whittle the restaurants down to the best.
Through much trial and error, Becker and Hayman have designed a sleek website, attractive decks, and an agency that helps businesses and individuals in the community. As a pro-local agency, Taste Locally strives to give back to the community; from every deck sold, five per cent of the net revenue is given to local food banks. With the recent B.C. teacher’s strike, Becker and Hayman chose to donate $7 from each deck sold towards single parents in Victoria and Kelowna.
When Taste Locally partners with sports teams and schools, $7 from each deck sold is given back to them. Taste Locally provides all the marketing material and booths in high-traffic areas around the city. They also give the team or organization the support and tools needed to execute successful and profitable fundraisers.
When asked about how business has been since 2013, co-founder and COO Becker said: “The bigger the risk, the bigger the reward.”
“There’s lots of ups and downs but we’re passionate and we’re spending our time doing what we love.”
For more information, visit:
tastelocally.com
