Albertans Pledge Support

ROB MURRAY: I’m speaking with Laura Bodell from Alberta’s Own Marketplace in Canmore. We’re going to talk about a campaign called Albertans Pledge Support. What exactly is this?

LAURA BODELL: It’s an Instagram-based campaign. With the drop-off in the number of markets being offered this year we’ve seen a real decrease in the sales avenues available to creative entrepreneurs in Alberta. Albertans Pledge Support is a way that buyers can search online through Instagram, use that hashtag to find handmade and creative items from Albertans, and be able to support their neighbors through this time. The second portion of it is a pay-it-forward component, so when those makers sell a thousand dollars’ worth of goods or services, then they commit to spending $200 with other Alberta small businesses.

RM: My wife Lauren makes soap and does the local Christmas markets. It’s pretty sad that she won’t have that avenue to do that this year, but this is just a sideline for her. I can’t imagine how difficult it is for someone who makes a large portion of their income doing these kinds of things.

LB: It is a struggle. When we opened the shop three years ago close to three quarters of our vendors had started their businesses because of layoffs during that recession. When we’re seeing this type of economic impact on individual Albertans and creative entrepreneurs again, this is really important to help them be able to feed their families.

RM: How does this work?

LB: We’ve created an account on Instagram called Albertans Pledge Support and the hashtag is the same. On the account we share all of the posts that come up through our stories. You can always check the highlights and search the hashtag to find new items being listed all the time.

RM: I believe you have a website as well?

LB: We do.

RM: If somebody is a maker or artisan and they want to be involved in this campaign, what’s the best way to get on the list?

LB: The website or the Instagram. This isn’t formal pledge, this is a personal one. Simply by using the hashtag and sharing some information about the campaign, they can post items for sale on Instagram. They don’t have to sign up in any way. There’s guidance on the website and on Instagram to help them get going, but no sign up required.

RM: You obviously deal with a lot of local folk who are artisans and crafters and creators. How are they dealing with everything during the pandemic?

LB: It’s varied. As with every individual, this situation has affected different businesses in different ways. Some have the right type of product or the right connections to thrive during this period. Some are really struggling. Fine art artists, jewelers, and things that are less of a need are certainly taking a bigger hit at this point. It’s really important that we support them during this period and choose local for our Christmas gifts this year.