Amy Armstrong: Shop Local CANADA Founder

Hi! I’m Amy, the founder of Shop Local CANADA. I started SLC as a way to make local shopping in Canada easy.

My inspiration came from shopping at local markets and when I’d run out of a product or want another one for a gift, I could never find the business or didn’t remember the name of the shop. So I created a space that you can easily search for products and shops.

Having one place, that’s curated and based on experience, to search for great businesses is what I set out to build when I launched Shop Local CANADA in 2017.

I’m so thrilled with the community of local shop supporters we’ve built and are continuing to build. It’s been quite the journey so far and I feel like we’re just getting started!

I’ve also been a small business owner and vendor at markets across Canada. I know what it’s like to be a business owner. Any extra help with marketing or exposure is always welcomed. I want to provide a space to help makers, artists, and shop owners get noticed.

Why is local shopping so important to you?

I grew up in a family of entrepreneurs so I know first-hand the impact that shopping local has on individuals, their families and communities as a whole. It’s really important for me to support local and do my part in helping Canadian businesses thrive.

Exploring local shops is also the thing I love most when I travel to new small towns and cities. It’s what makes up the heart of communities.