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D.D. Leobard Winery | Mr. Denis d'Eschambault

The Canada/Manitoba Business Service Centre (C/MBSC) is pleased to feature D.D. Leobard Winery, a successful Manitoba company that has become an award winning winery, with products available throughout Manitoba, Canada, and the world. We invite you to read Mr. Denis d'Eschambault's answers to our top exporting questions and learn what is takes to be a successful exporter!

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

Being export ready means you are ready to take an order, process it and deliver it to your customer. It takes months, sometimes years, to make it to this point. It also takes lots of money. I knew I was export ready when our company was introduced to a customer in Europe. In the following 2 years, we were able to ship our wines to these fresh new palates.


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

There are lots of resources available and different ways to learn about exporting opportunities. What better way than to visit the country you hope to do business with? I took a trip to Hong Kong. If you can't afford to travel, other ways I learnt about exporting opportunities included reading all materials I could and meeting with the experts. This meant conducting research online, visiting libraries, reading books, as well as working with various government agencies such as:

• The Canada/Manitoba Business Service Centre;
• Manitoba Trade and Investment;
• Manitoba Agriculture and Food;
• Agriculture Canada;
• International Trade Canada;
• University of Manitoba;
• Food Development Centre;
• Manitoba Food Processors Association;
• Farm Credit Canada;
• the Business Development Bank of Canada and more!!


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

One of the greatest challenges I found after becoming an exporter was the struggle to come up with all the inventory I needed. Also, finding your customers, who they are and where they live, proved to be a challenge. The biggest benefit, of course, would be larger shipments of inventory which resulted in more profit.


4. Can e-business help?

I am not involved in e-business. From what I hear, it could be worthwhile, but I would have to do my research first before getting started.


5. Can small business compete in International markets?

I believe small business can compete in international markets, but they need to be prepared. Do your research first and be ready for all sorts of challenges that may come your way. For small business, there are definitely greater challenges involved in the export game and it's a steeper climb as well. But, it could prove to be well worth it - just do your homework first.



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