Calgary Chamber of Commerce

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THE RIGHT CONNECTIVITY PARTNER HELPED THE BRO’KIN YOLK PRIORITIZE ITS CUSTOMERS

Brothers Jeff and Gil Carlos grew up knowing they wanted to be entrepreneurs, and in 2015 they made that dream a reality with their restaurant The Bro’Kin Yolk. Even the name of the business tells a story: “Bro” for the brothers who run it, “Kin” for the family atmosphere they foster, and “Yolk”…well, they love eggs. Fast forward six years, The Bro’Kin Yolk now has over 100 employees with three locations in Calgary and a new location in Edmonton. Like many small-medium business owners, Jeff and Gil were impacted by the pandemic, having to pivot with new restrictions and guidelines to keep their business running. “For us, it’s not just about the food, it’s about bringing people together, so when we had to close our doors and move to serving our customer online, it was definitely not something we felt prepared for,” says Gil.

Ready or not, The Bro’Kin Yolk’s online orders more than doubled in the early days of the pandemic, which required them to upgrade their internet connection, and invest in strong in-store WiFi and network security tools. And when doors opened again, managing capacity became their top priority. “Our waitlist system is probably one of the more trusted systems in our company,” says Gil. “We train our team on the actual accurate wait times, so if we tell you your wait time is 45 mins, you’re getting in at 45 minutes.” Being able to use the Call Queue feature with Shaw Business’ SmartVoice changed everything for the team. “We use it for our waitlist system—we didn’t have a queue system before,” says Carly Mckenzie, the regional manager who’s been with the company since day one. “It allowed us to help more people in a shorter time span.” With COVID-19 restrictions in place, The Bro’Kin Yolk, like all other restaurants, had to do away with their traditional menus in favour of a QR code that customers could scan on their mobile device to access the restaurant’s menu. For the brothers, this made offering reliable WiFi through Shaw Business’ SmartWiFi in the restaurant that much more important. “We’re asking our customers to use their phones and their data when they’re with us in our restaurant. Being able to provide them with WiFi means they don’t need to use their data to order from us,” says Gil. Adapting new business technologies and practices to rebound from the pandemic is not unique to Jeff and Gil. According to a September 2021 Abacus survey of small business leaders commissioned by Shaw Business, 73% of businesses say that being connected and using technology tools has helped their business adapt their operations during the pandemic, and 80% said that they are now in a better position to compete and thrive because of those tools. “The ingenuity shown by small businesses during the pandemic was incredible. We saw our customers across the country – from shops and restaurants to local charities – integrate new technologies to completely redefine how they interact with their customers,” said Katherine Emberly, President, Shaw Business. “Most importantly, we’re seeing these customers leverage the benefits of this technology to digitize their business, find efficiencies in their operations and help keep their data safe, which will help them stay competitive as our communities reopen.”

The Bro’Kin Yolk, Signal Hill Location. Credit Ambedo Agency.

A trusted relationship like that gives Gil and Carly confidence when they embark on opening a new location. “We’re very happy with Shaw Business,” says Gil. “Whenever we go into a new location, one of the first questions we ask the landlord is what provider they use.” They’ve even asked properties they had their eye on to make the switch. “We couldn’t run without Shaw Business,” says Carly.

HOW SUPPLY CHAINS STOLE CHRISTMAS

And how supporting local can make this season’s gifts truly one-of-a-kind

With unprecedented traffic jams at major shipping ports, a grounded container ship causing backlogs on the Suez Canal and retailers forced to charter their own smaller vessels to bypass log-jammed ports, we saw early indications supply chain issues would have far-reaching impacts, influencing what’s under the tree this year and shaping consumer habits well into 2022.

The usually hidden logistics of transforming raw materials into products and getting them from the factory to store shelves has become more visible to consumers, and the weaknesses of our just-in-time supply chains exposed like never before. Economists caution there will be fewer toys on the shelves, electronics in stores and clothing on racks. Cost of goods is likely to see an uptick too, with increasing inflationary pressures, labour challenges and shortages caused by – you guessed it – supply chain issues. The reality? Chances are high the in-demand product you seek this holiday season may be stuck on a boat or in a shipping container into the new year. And if you are lucky enough to get your hands on that perfect gift, it may end up costing more than you budgeted.

SILVER BELLS AND SILVER LININGS

Local businesses have done what they can to respond, placing large orders much earlier than usual. Retailers are investing hardwon dollars to stock up on inventory to prepare for what they hope will be a lucrative holiday season. It bears repeating: these businesses have endured nearly two years of struggle. Most have needed at least one form of government support – from wage subsidies to programs that ease the burden of fixed operational costs. In addition, difficulties hiring and training workers through the past 20 months has exacerbated the challenges that, when combined, create a perfect winter storm, impeding the ability to turn a profit and keep people employed. The good news is there are great ways to thrive in this season of giving while supporting the local businesses that have struggled. This holiday season, give a gift that makes a real difference: invest in your local economy, help keep your neighbours employed and favourite businesses open – and ensure the thoughtful gifts you choose for your loved ones arrive on time. Here are some ideas for how you can buck the supply-chain blues and support local this holiday season: Experiences, experiences, experiences! You don’t have to look hard to find a wealth of unique and memorable experiences in Calgary – which can often be the perfect gift for the hard-to-please person in your life. From ZOOLIGHTS at the Calgary Zoo to comedy and entertainment acts like Chelsea Handler at the Jack Singer Concert Hall, local experiences for all interests and ages are at your fingertips.

Consider a gift that will encourage your friend or loved one to explore Calgary like a tourist. Gifting an experience of tickets to a local attraction like the Calgary Tower, Telus Spark Science Centre, or Contemporary Calgary is a win-win, giving your loved ones a chance to explore the best of Calgary and a great excuse to get out of the house while staying warm! The holiday season is a feast for the senses with an abundance of options to enjoy and explore the arts in Calgary. Alberta Theatre Projects launched its new season, Calgary Opera launches a new main stage season in January and Arts Commons offers plenty of giving choices for visual and performing arts experiences.

Musical mainstays like Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra and venues like MacEwan Hall and King Eddy have a variety of exciting acts coming up in 2022 for all ages and musical interests. And if you’re interested in adding some nostalgia to your gift, consider tickets to a seasonal classic from Theatre Calgary: A Christmas Carol runs until December 24. For the sports fanatic, experiences are plentiful. Tickets to the Calgary Flames, Stampeders, Cavalry FC and countless other local sporting events are a sure way to satisfy the sports fan in your life.

Give someone you love a night out worth talking about with tickets to live music or arts performance.

For the foodie, consider giving a unique culinary experience like dinner in the dark, served up by visually impaired guide servers, at Dark Table. For the beer connoisseur, a behind-the-scenes experience like a tour or tasting with Wild Rose Brewery is sure to satisfy. For the at-home chef, a hands-on experience with a cooking class from ATCO Blue Flame Kitchen or The Cookbook Co. Cooks will get the creative culinary juices flowing. Classes are tailor-made to help your aspiring chef sharpen their skills in a fun and interactive environment.

Help make a family’s day, and maybe even some treasured memories, with tickets to a local recreation centre or play place. A drop-in or monthly pass to family fun destinations like The Beach YYC, The Big Box, Flying Squirrel, B-Line indoor Bike Park are all great options to stay active, hone athletic skills and have fun during the winter months. For families with slightly older children, tickets to a unique site like The Hangar Flight Museum or Studio Bell National Music Centre are options that will mean hours of fun, learning and family memories. Another creative idea for families or couples: hire a local photographer like Photos with Finesse to capture a special occasion.

For the learner in your life, consider the gift of a class, course or workshop. Here are just a few of the options available right here in Calgary: •Winsport offers women’s mountain biking clinics and women’s group ski lessons •Neon Milkshake Art Studio gives hands-on instruction with adult drawing and painting classes •Calgary Climbing Centre runs specialized climbing programs along with private climbing lessons •The Apothecary in Inglewood has a variety of aromatherapy classes and workshops

Interactive and educational experiences like a local cooking class or skills workshop is a tailored, memorable gift for that special person on your list this year.

For those with fitness goals, consider introducing a new fitness experience like a subscription to Barre Body OnDemand from Barre Body Studio, a package of spin classes from a local studio like YYC Cycle or a trial membership to a fitness studio offering a variety of class options like CrushCamp.

BUCKING THE SUPPLY-CHAIN BLUES: FIVE MORE THINGS When it comes to matching an experience with each person on your list, Calgary businesses offer something for everyone. Along with unique and authentic experiences, here are a few other creative ways to switch up your holiday gifting routine: 1. Make a donation

Many non-profit organizations are suffering from declines in charitable giving and other challenges. Consider finding a local non-profit your friend or family is passionate about and make a donation in their name.

2. 100-mile challenge You may have heard about the 100-mile diet challenge when it comes to eating local, but this year could be a chance to borrow the idea to give local. Challenge family, friends and colleagues to a “buy-local” gift exchange, asking each participant to purchase gifts available within city limits. 3. Best of Calgary gift box For a thoughtful and personalized gift, consider putting together your Calgary-based favourites to share with a friend. From textile options like Local Laundry and HippoHug, to locally made goodies from Cococo Chocolatiers and Cookie Occasion, you’ll have endless options to create custom, one-of-a-kind local gift boxes. 4. Gift cards

If you can’t find that perfect gift, a gift card from a local business may be the right option this year. Gift cards can be redeemed throughout the coming months, and as supply chains are fully restored, give businesses a bit of extra time to fully replenish their inventory and welcome customers back to stocked shelves in 2022. 5. The gift of membership Consider a Chamber of Calgary membership or other association membership as a great B2B corporate gifting option. Benefits like member pricing for industry and networking events, membership discounts for products and services like office supplies and insurance, plus access to preferred pricing on employee benefits through the Chambers Insurance Plan are just some of the perks. An annual Chamber of Calgary membership is a gift that keeps on giving…all year long! The possibilities for unique Calgary experiences, products and services are nearly endless. So, if the shelves look a little bare at your favourite retailer and you are in need of some inspiration, consider giving a bit differently this holiday season. Knowing you’re supporting a local business is icing on the fruit cake.