Manitoba Chamber of Commerce
Issue link: http://publications.winnipegfreepress.com/i/1372684
SPRING 2021 11 I want to be an extension of your team in supporting your business every step of the way. Expert advice and trusted solutions is what you can count on from me. Brent Norton, Westoba Business Relationship Manager, Winnipeg Office: 1-877-937-8622 ext. 8346 brent.norton@westoba.com MADE HERE MEET YOUR MAKERS Supporting small business — and small people Manitoba makers who have been selling wares since October 2018 out of the Made Here shop in the Richardson Centre Concourse got an e-commerce site in 2020. Kyle Romaniuk, principal at Vantage Studios — which collaborated on the Manitoba Chambers of Commerce rebranding in 2017 — says Made Here (madeheremb.com) began with a small display at the Vantage print shop in the Richardson Centre. The Richardson family learned Vantage was selling goods on consignment, with 10% of sales going to children's charities, and soon afterward, the family made a location across the aisle from the print shop available for retail space. Made Here met its goal of raising $20,000 for charities in its first year, dividing the funds between The Dream Factory, Snowflake Place, Art City and Junior Achievement Manitoba. In 2020 and 2021, Made Here is directing all funds to The Dream Factory. Romaniuk says the money will have a greater impact on a single charity and The Dream Factory, which grants wishes to sick kids, is close to his heart. Thirty-five years ago, when he was a sick kid himself, the organization made his dream of swimming with dolphins come true. "We have a lot of kids who need to dream. With COVID, a lot of those dreams have been put on hold," he says. While the physical shop had to close for a time during the pandemic, Vantage turned to its in-house experts to create an e-commerce component for the shop's website. Shoppers can cruise the site for T-shirts, art prints, jewelry, beard balm, home decor and much, much more. Many items make ideal souvenirs of Winnipeg and Manitoba, and Made Here has created curated gift boxes for special occasions and for corporate giving. ■ Pay them a visit at madeheremb.com.