Local businesses are integral to the fabric of communities across Canada. They help support the local economy, create jobs, give back and help bring communities together. I admire the resilience of small businesses through these last few years. 2023 will be the year that small businesses continue to thrive both online and offline. Industry research shows that nearly a quarter of small businesses in Canada was started in the last two years, and we know that small businesses have adopted digital tools throughout the pandemic, and many new businesses are digital-first.
As businesses plan for 2023, I encourage them to lead with their brand, be creative, and create a community around that brand. Building a strong business and brand is a culmination of every touchpoint people have with you.
It’s essential to help business owners embrace their creativity, allowing them to connect with customers online and offline. Digital tools enable businesses of any size to reach the customers that matter most to them. From video to messaging to branded content in partnership with content creators, each activity can open new doors for driving sales and building a brand in the process.
Combining the art of creativity and the understanding of digital tools can enable businesses to drive success. By testing and learning with creative audience targeting and measurement, businesses can experiment, innovate and make strategic decisions based on real data. In 2023, we can expect businesses that have found a home online to experiment further — combining the art of creativity with data science tools — ultimately discovering the strategies that work best for them.
To support businesses as they begin or optimize their digital journeys to build their brands and drive business impact, we have multiple resources to take advantage of. From learning more about our tools, taking our online courses, and staying up to date on the latest best practices, we hope that business owners and teams can gain the creative and digital skills to grow their businesses in 2023 and beyond. I am optimistic that 2023 will be an incredible year for Canada’s small businesses, and I look forward to seeing how they incorporate a creative approach to their strategies.
Andrea Van Leeuwen
Canadian Country Marketing Director and Head of North American Strategy and Operations at Meta
Andrea is a global business leader with 20 years of experience in building and inspiring teams to transform organizations, deliver brand equity & purpose, and unlock growth in new markets. Andrea builds and drives the strategic direction and leadership of a rapidly growing advertising business as a member of the Executive Leadership team. She is known for bringing creative thinking to find new inspiring ways forward, rather than sticking with legacy methodologies.
