When Kristi Cistaro identified a gap in Sault Ste. Marie's retail landscape for children's clothing fifteen years ago, she launched Stork + Bundle to meet this local need. Today, her business serves customers across North America through a successful eCommerce platform. Her journey, supported by digital transformation grants and local resources, offers valuable insights for businesses ready to expand their online presence.
The Digital Evolution
For local businesses exploring how to start an eCommerce store, the SSMIC offers comprehensive support through CDAP's two-stream approach. The Boost Your Business Technology grant provides up to $15,000 for digital consulting services and access to up to $100,000 in interest-free loans from BDC. Meanwhile, the Grow Your Business Online grant offers up to $2,400 specifically for eCommerce tools, alongside expert guidance from qualified eCommerce advisors.
This support begins with a free digital assessment tool, helping businesses evaluate their readiness for online operations. The program recognizes that digital transformation requires more than just technical solutions – it needs strategic planning and expert guidance.
Through CDAP, businesses can access professional consultation services to develop comprehensive digital adoption plans, ensuring their online presence aligns with business objectives. This structured approach helps entrepreneurs navigate the complexities of digital commerce while making informed decisions about technology investments.
A Proven Path to Success
Stork + Bundle's journey from brick-and-mortar to digital success began with recognizing a crucial gap in the local retail landscape. "There was really nowhere to shop other than some of the larger retailers," recalls Cistaro, who launched her initial eCommerce website in 2016. However, the first digital iteration proved challenging, with significant issues in inventory management and customer experience.
The turning point came through the Digital Transformation Grant program, which provided funding for a complete platform overhaul. The transition from WooCommerce to Shopify marked a significant improvement, integrating point-of-sale systems seamlessly with online inventory management.
The results were remarkable: within 60 days of launching the improved website, the business exceeded its six-month sales targets. Online sales grew from 10% to 20% of total revenue, demonstrating the impact of proper digital infrastructure and support.
This success has led to a significant business evolution – after 14 years of serving the community through their storefront, Stork + Bundle announced their transition to an online-only model effective June 1st, 2024, adapting to the evolving retail landscape while maintaining their commitment to customer service.
Maximizing Available Resources
The CDAP initiative represents a comprehensive approach to digital transformation, offering more than just financial support. Through the program, businesses gain access to a network of qualified eCommerce advisors who provide personalized guidance on platform selection, digital strategy and implementation – crucial expertise for businesses considering the shift to online-only operations.
The program's student placement component creates a dual benefit: businesses receive support from digitally-savvy young professionals, while students and recent graduates gain valuable work experience. These funded work placements help bridge the digital skills gap while creating meaningful employment opportunities in the technology sector.
For businesses seeking to modernize their operations or transition entirely to digital, CDAP provides a structured pathway to success. The combination of financial assistance, expert consultation and workforce support ensures entrepreneurs have the resources needed to adapt to changing retail landscapes.
Building Online Success
Stork + Bundle's experience demonstrates how proper platform selection and integration can transform business operations. The switch to Shopify's POS system eliminated previous technical challenges, allowing staff to manage inventory seamlessly – expertise that proved invaluable in their decision to move entirely online.
Local customers embraced the enhanced online presence, using the website for convenient purchases during their daily routines. As Cistaro notes, many clients now place orders while waiting in school drop-off lines, highlighting how digital convenience can strengthen local customer relationships even without a physical storefront.
The integration of digital tools also streamlined customer service operations. The new platform enabled automated order confirmations, shipping updates and inventory alerts, allowing staff to focus on maintaining the personal touch that made their brick-and-mortar location so cherished in the community.
Digital Growth Strategies
The measurable success of Stork + Bundle's digital transformation offers valuable insights for local businesses contemplating similar transitions. Their strategic use of grant funding focused on two key areas: professional website development and targeted social media advertising, both of which yielded significant returns on investment.
Through CDAP's digital advisor network, businesses can access expertise in emerging trends like mobile commerce and social selling, ensuring their digital strategies remain current and competitive in a rapidly evolving marketplace. This support becomes particularly crucial for businesses making the complete transition to online operations.
While announcing the closure of their physical store, Cistaro emphasized, "It's not goodbye." Their journey from a downtown storefront to a thriving online business demonstrates how digital tools can help preserve and even expand a business's community connections. As she wrote to her customers, "Over the years, our store has become a cherished part of the community," – a relationship that will continue in the digital realm.
As Cistaro advises fellow entrepreneurs, the resources available through programs like CDAP "can really help you isolate and identify where you need to invest your time and your resources." Her experience shows that with proper support and strategy, Sault Ste. Marie businesses can successfully adapt to changing retail landscapes while maintaining their distinctive northern Ontario character.