The Kindness of Strangers

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Last week I listened to an interview of Andrew Oliver of Oliver & Bonacini on Leading Through the Crisis. It is an excellent interview – have a listen to really understand the impact of the pandemic on the Canadian foodservice industry.

E20. Leading through Crisis

Andrew also mentioned the many good things that he has seen including the loyalty of his team and the kindness of their customers. For example, one of their not-for-profit clients rescheduled an event to next year but insisted on paying in full now “because you’re likely struggling a bit”.

I echo Andrew’s sentiments. Here at Prairie Girl, I am taken aback on a daily basis with the commitment of our team to make it work, and the willingness of customers to drive downtown for their orders even though they are not yet working in their offices.

Beyond team and customers, a huge gift from another company came recently when we were selected to participate in the Local Marketing Grant Program of Postmedia (The National Post + many other publications).  This  generous program gave us a choice between 4 free ads in the Weekend section of The National Post or a matching grant for digital advertising.

We chose the free ads – likely worth many thousands of dollars!- and the first one, attached here, runs Saturday.

So shout out to Postmedia and to the other companies and people who are being compassionate these days to local businesses…..some days it really keeps us going.

About the author

Jean Blacklock

Jean opened the popular Prairie Girl Bakery in the financial district of Toronto in 2011. She owned and operated the business until it closed in 2021 as a result of the pandemic’s impact on downtown Toronto. Read more about her background in commerce, law, and entrepreneurship here.

By Jean Blacklock

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