Articles

5 summer marketing strategies for small businesses

Summer’s on the horizon, but it’s not the time to put your marketing efforts on hold. Depending on your industry, this season could bring more traffic, or a noticeable slowdown. Either way, staying visible can help you stay competitive while others check out. With people spending more time outdoors and local tourism picking up, summer…

Word-of-mouth marketing strategies for SMBs

Although digital transformation has brought us a variety of new marketing channels and tools, word-of-mouth marketing hasn’t lost its relevance. In fact, it’s arguably still the most powerful marketing tool out there. Word-of-mouth remains the most trusted form of marketing – with 92% of consumers trusting reviews and recommendations from their friends and family over traditional media.…

Simplify your funding experience with Self-Checkout

We’re always looking for ways to enhance your funding experience and make managing your finances easier. That’s why we’re excited to introduce a new online feature to our customers: Self-Checkout, the most convenient way to obtain additional funds when you need them. Available in your MyPortal online account, this addition allows you to review, accept, and…

Financial literacy: A key to small business success

Financial literacy is something that’s often overlooked by entrepreneurs and small business owners. Today’s business landscape is more competitive than ever, so understanding the fundamentals of budgeting, cash flow management, and financial planning can make the difference between success and failure. Being financially literate can give you the knowledge you need to make informed decisions,…

7 tips for effectively managing summer temp employees

Summer is in full swing, and for many business owners, this means managing interns and other temporary employees. These workers can present unique challenges due to their limited experience and different motivations compared to year-round staff. As a manager, you know a one-size-fits-all approach doesn’t work, especially with seasonal workers. So, here are seven actionable…

How to benefit from summer tourism in Canada

Summer in Canada is a vibrant time, filled with warm weather, fun festivals, and a surge of tourists eager to explore everything our country offers. For small businesses, this presents a golden opportunity to capitalize on increased foot traffic and boost their revenues. Here are a few strategies small businesses can use to capitalize on…

Discover two new ways to renew funding from your MyPortal account

If you’re a Journey Capital customer, you know about our quick and convenient online financing services. And now, obtaining more funding for your small business has never been easier. We recently launched two all-new ways to get more financing for your business. The first is our Self-Requested Renewals feature, which allows qualifying customers to request additional funding,…
Customer Reviews

The art of managing customer reviews

Suppose a new restaurant opened in your neighbourhood, wouldn’t you look up reviews of their business online before trying it out? Nowadays, online reviews are an integral part of the customer journey. As consumers, our decision to try out a new restaurant, book a hotel, or purchase a product is often influenced by the opinion…

Should you incorporate your small business?

It’s the age-old question for small business owners: to incorporate or not to incorporate? Incorporation may have seemed like a distant dream when you started your business, but as your business grows and evolves, you may find yourself considering this option more seriously. It can be tempting to put off this decision, but the truth…

Top trends affecting SMBs in 2023 – Part 2

Small businesses face a unique set of challenges in 2023 when it comes to staying ahead of emerging trends. With limited resources and a constantly evolving marketplace, it can be difficult to know where to focus your efforts. However, staying on top of the latest trends can be crucial to the success of your small…

Top trends affecting SMBs in 2023 – Part 1

Over the past few years, small businesses have faced an enormous set of challenges, undergone an incredible amount of change, and have had to practice adaptability to new emerging trends. Unfortunately, there’s no reason to believe this will subside anytime soon, as the Canadian economy is set to face a mild recession. Still, small and…

Valentine’s Day: A Holiday for SMBs

While it has evolved over the years, Valentine’s Day still holds a special place in hearts across the globe. For small businesses, it’s mostly seen as a great opportunity to boost sales. In fact, over the last 5 years, Canadians spent an estimated 3 billion dollars on February 14th. Whether it’s through creative marketing campaigns,…

Understanding personal & business credit

When it comes to managing your finances, understanding the difference between personal and business credit can help you make informed decisions about your business and ensure that you are making the best use of your resources. Good personal and business credit scores are vital for any small business owner to access the financing they need.…

A small business guide to podcasts

It seems like everyone is starting their own podcast these days. They’ve gone from a niche market to mainstream in only a matter of years – and with good reason. As of January 2023, there are over 5 million podcasts with over 70 million episodes between them. Canadians are giant consumers of podcasts, with more…