How it works
What we are creating
We are creating a local online marketplace to help small businesses sell their goods and services, make it easy to shop, and contribute to the Kingston community. This marketplace will allow convenience of choice of in-store pick up, local delivery, or shipping.
We are helping small businesses and communities capture some of the local online sales that are going elsewhere, by making it convenient to shop local, online and have the choice of in-store pick up, local delivery or shipping.
Who we collaborate with
We collaborate with any/all local small businesses that are seeking additional methods of gaining and creating customers. Businesses that sell from home, storefronts or strictly online. Businesses who sell food, products or goods or services can be part of our SLK family.
We also seek partnerships with Chambers of Commerce, Digital Main street programs, Economic Development Corporations and city, provincial and federally funded small business support programs.
We welcome any organization of programs that is interested in helping local small business succeed in the new digital era of commerce. By joining our website, you are helping your community discover, support and buy locally.
Why we do it
We want to give small businesses a fighting chance in the online community which is made up of large marketplaces, making it difficult for small businesses to compete. Large online marketplaces make it hard for small businesses to compete in today’s online economy.
1.8 billion People now make purchases online, mostly from non-local websites, because there is no easy way to discover and buy online from businesses that already exist in their own communities.
We want this to change and want communities to find, support and keep their online dollars local.
Marketplace Platform
Marketplaces help to expose customers to many products and businesses at once, and a local marketplace highlights only local businesses and products. Shoppers spend more money online through marketplace websites than regular e-commerce websites.
Guided Selling Support
We know there are many ways to sell online and that can be overwhelming. We have streamlined the process and have made it easy for you to sell online with our simplified website, knowledgebase resources, and seller support.
Business Flexibility
Each business can utilize the platform in the best manner for their business. As a Website: Businesses have their own shop with just their products listed inside. E-Commerce: Sell products, services, virtual products, events, and more online. When a business receive orders, the buyer can chose local pick up, shipping, and delivery options.
Lead Generation: Shoppers can inquire about any item in the marketplace, helping to convert more shoppers into customers.
Local Customers
As a fully functioning e-commerce marketplace, customers can purchase products and services directly on the website, all while having access to browse business information, custom services, upcoming events, and more.
Shop & Buy Local Online
Save time and find great local products. No longer will you have to visit every storefront or website of businesses in your community to find what you are looking for. You will be able to shop and buy from many local businesses right in the comfort of your own home. No store hours, we are always open!
Orders Fulfilled the Way You Like
Choose the order fulfillment the way you want it, with options from in-store pickup, to delivery, to shipping, or instant download – get the products on your terms.
Keep Money Local
When you shop local, you are contributing to the economic growth of your own community.
About Us
Shop Local Kingston started when our Support Local Giveaway site received tremendous positive feedback from the community and local businesses. We started to explore some current gaps and after consulting with several business owners, we discovered that a large number of businesses were struggling to create, tend to their social media and manage their online stores.
Lets face it… business ownership is hard and people start businesses because they find a niche and passion for some thing. Seldom are they business development and marketing experts. They need some support to get to the next level. Seldom are they also great at marketing and business evolution and they need support. We provide free support to local businesses though our efforts with SLG and wanted to continue that support by building a multivendor marketplace with a build-in delivery app. This helps local small business with their online presence, marketing and social media and bring a new method for delivery to the table that also provides sustainable jobs to students and locals seeking opportunities to earn extra cash.
Our mission is simple:
Help as many local small businesses with marketing, social media and online sales and take the stress out of organizing local deliveries. Keeping costs incredibly low and utilizing our success SLG platform to drive traffic and awareness to any business that is part of the SLK family.
Meet Our Team
Tim O'Hara
Founder
As a registered nurse, Tim has been a dedicated helping professional for over 24 years. He is also the CEO of a local agency that supports the needs of vulnerable populations and the co-owner of two local service-based businesses.
Tim is passionate about all initiatives that promote and support local businesses and is an active member of the charitable community, Rotary Club of Kingston and the Queen's School of Nursing.
Jackie Wright
Social Solutionist
Jackie is a Digital Marketing professional with a passion for building connections and communities. With an advanced diploma in Advertising and Marketing Communications and more than six years of experience in digital marketing with Good Life Marketing, Jackie brings a wealth of expertise to SLK. Using an inbound marketing approach, she is dedicated to bridging the gap between consumer needs and business solutions.
Jackie's commitment to creating positive change extends far beyond her work in digital marketing. She is a firm believer in the importance of wellness in the workplace and strives to foster environments that support the physical, emotional, and social well-being of everyone around her.