New Ottawa built app helps small businesses back on their feet
Small businesses have had it rough over the last 18 months but there's a new Ottawa built app that wants to help get them back on their feet.
It promotes special offers in real time to people in the area that want to support local.
Nick Burden is the co-owner of the new Laugh Lounge Comedy Club in the ByWard Market. He wanted to attract a broader audience, turning to a new app.
"POPTikR definitely connects a lot of local residents with a lot of local businesses," says Burden. "Obviously, there’s a lot of foot traffic and tourists coming back into town, so we definitely want them to know what we’re all about. The ByWard Market hasn’t had a comedy club so POPTikR is just going to help us spread that word."
POPTikR is free and available to any business interested in getting more foot traffic in the door.
Consumers using the app can locate restaurants and shops in the area and businesses can post promotions and deals to attract them to their spot.
"To be a part of this app is to also get people included in all of the deals and promotions going on. To also get people in our area that may not know that the salon is in the condo building on the second floor. And get them to come in and shop or get their hair done or just stop by to say hello," says Jessica Thomson, manager at Salon Fiorella.
The pandemic hasn’t made owning a small business easy, and POPTikR’s founder and CEO Kamy Dhanoa says that's where the app comes in.
"So when you open up the app, it shows you the different pop-ups that are live right now as we speak," says Dhanoa. "People don’t know unless they walk inside. So what our app does, is it showcases and highlights, whether it’s hot merch, bundled gift packs, whatever. So that visually they can see and encourage people to explore local."
Dhanoa says she wanted to create something that gave all small businesses equal footing and not have to compete for search engine optimization, sometimes costing businesses thousands to be the top result.
"I like that it’s free," says La Bottega owner Pat Nicastro. "You know, we get asked all the time to be part of different apps and applications, and there’s always a cost involved. The nice thing about this one is there is no cost to the business. And we’re passing on the savings to consumers. It’s a win-win for everybody.”
The app can be used anywhere in Canada, making it great for tourists looking for new spots to visit. So far, it is getting good reviews by business owners here in the capital.
"You know, COVID kind of got rid of that dog-eat-dog world as far as small businesses go," says Burden. "And it shows that if we all work together, we can thrive together."
POPTikR is available right now on both iOS and Android devices.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Police arrest 3 Indian nationals in killing of B.C. Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar
Three people have been arrested and charged in the killing of B.C. Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar – as authorities continue investigating potential connections to the Indian government.
Five areas Canada's foreign interference commissioner says needs more investigation
Commissioner Marie-Josee Hogue released her interim report examining foreign election interference on Friday. Here are five elements of the issue that Hogue says she needs to further probe before she can make conclusions or recommendations.
Police officer hit by driver of fleeing vehicle in Toronto
York Regional Police say they are continuing to search for a suspect in an auto theft investigation who was captured on video running over a police officer in Toronto last month.
Why your airfare may be getting more expensive
Skyrocketing airfare prices are linked to heightened competition and rising food and fuel, according to the CAA.
TD worst-case scenario more likely after drug money laundering allegations: analyst
TD Bank Group could be hit with more severe penalties than previously expected, says a banking analyst after a report that the investigation it faces in the U.S. is tied to laundering illicit fentanyl profits.
New weight-loss drug Wegovy not a 'magic bullet,' doctor warns
As Wegovy becomes available to Canadians starting Monday, a medical expert is cautioning patients wanting to use the drug to lose weight that no medication is a ''magic bullet,' and the new medication is meant particularly for people who meet certain criteria related to obesity and weight.
Drew Carey is never quitting 'The Price Is Right'
Drew Carey took over as host of 'The Price Is Right' and hopes he’s there for life. 'I'm not going anywhere,' he told 'Entertainment Tonight' of the job he took over from longtime host Bob Barker in 2007.
Manitoba man sentenced to house arrest for keeping fishing tournament funds meant for Children's Hospital Foundation
A Manitoba man who pleaded guilty to keeping the funds raised from an ice-fishing fundraiser for the Children's Hospital Foundation of Manitoba has been handed a sentence of 18 months house arrest.
Funeral today for broadcasting legend and voice of 'Hockey Night in Canada' Bob Cole
A funeral is being held today for hockey broadcasting legend Bob Cole in his hometown of St. John's, N.L.