Meet Manitoba's Featured Exporter

The Canada/Manitoba Business Service Centre is pleased to feature Ms. Heidi Reimer-Epp, General Manager of Botanical PaperWorks, a vertically integrated manufacturer of plantable paper that exports 85% of its eco-paper into the US and the UK. Botanical PaperWorks has been featured extensively in both Canadian and US media including on Martha Stewart Radio, as well as featured in the Martha Steward Weddings Magazine.

1. How do you know when you are export ready?

When we launched our company, Botanical PaperWorks, in 1997 and put our catalogue online, we received many inquiries from US customers. This interest in our product quickly forced us to get export ready, in order to profit from the client interest. We knew we were ready to begin exporting when:

• Our US catalogue was ready;
• We had a reliable, cost-effective way to ship our product to the US;
• We understood the customs regulations, and
• We had product styles and availability to meet our customers' needs



2. What resources did you use to learn about export opportunities?

We accessed information from a number of sources, including:

• The Canada/Manitoba Business Services Centre;
• The Women's Enterprise Centre;
• Our custom's broker, and
• My experience working in international marketing helped as well



3. What are the greatest challenges and biggest benefits of exporting?


CHALLENGES:It's challenging to cope with changing importation requirements and the variable requirements of different customs brokers. We have to be ready to jump through any hoops asked of us. It's also challenging to find ways of lowering shipping costs, especially when we're competing with domestic companies that are able to ship for $5 or free.

BENEFITS:Access to great sales is the biggest and most important opportunity for our company. The Canadian market is too small to support our business which manufactures the niche-market paper called "Plantable Paper" (paper embedded with seeds that grows wildflowers when the card is planted).


4. Can e-business help?

I strongly believe all companies need to be using the Internet. A company's website is the glue that holds all marketing efforts together, so e-business not only helps, it's essential.


5. Can small business compete in International markets?

Yes, small business can compete in International markets, especially with easy access to consumers via the internet. With savvy social marketing and Google search engine optimization, small businesses can connect with consumers and make sales without leaving the country.



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Previously featured Manitoba Exporters