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Saskatchewan: A Web of Business Successes
Web Site Helps Rural Businesses Reach Larger Market
Improving Opportunities for Francophone Entrepreneurs
Francoboutique.ca
Regina, Saskatchewan
www.francoboutique.ca 
Francophone entrepreneurs in Saskatchewan can now sell their products anywhere in the world, thanks to a company that had guidance from the Conseil de la Coopération de la Saskatchewan (CCS).
Francoboutique.ca, launched by CCS in August 2005, is a uniquely Canadian web site that enables entrepreneurs to market their products globally in French, English or Spanish.
Saskatchewan's only French bookstore, the Bouquinerie Gravel Bookstore in Gravelbourg is one of more than 70 businesses whose products have been made available to a much wider market through francoboutique.ca.
Cyber Café Creates E-learning Opportunities On-Reserve
Ochapowace Cyber Café
Ochapowace First Nation, Saskatchewan
The Ochapowace First Nation never imagined its cyber café business venture would contribute to the creation of Southern Saskatchewan's first on-reserve e-learning centre. They approached the Aboriginal Business Service Network (ABSN) in 2004 with a small plan and it grew.
The relationship with ABSN led to a partnership that is benefiting the entire community. The partnership-between the Ochapowace Adult Learning Program, Marieval Enterprise Center Inc. and Carlton Trail Regional College-created an e-learning centre that uses the café's high-speed Internet connection to provide access to a variety of certification programs.
Successful Web-based Firm Opens Complementary Retail Outlet
The Kinnairds sell more than 60 different pipe band supply products to international markets.
Kinnaird Bagpipes & Reeds
Saskatoon, Saskatchewan
www.kinnairdbagpipes.com
Rauncie and Rob Kinnaird built one of Saskatoon's more unique web-based businesses. It moved to a new level, opening its first retail outlet in October 2006, with expert advice from Women Entrepreneurs of Saskatchewan (WE).
Kinnaird Bagpipes & Reeds Inc. - a retail and wholesale pipe band supply company-began when Rob, an avid piper with a mechanical engineering degree, had trouble keeping a cane bagpipe reed moist in Saskatchewan's dry climate. The Piper's Pal was his innovative solution, and that product has been followed by about 60 more.
Today, more than half of Kinnaird's products are sold in the United States and the United Kingdom.
Rural Manufacturer Covers the North American Market
Cornerstone Coatings International Inc.
Bruno, Saskatchewan
www.cornerstonecoatings.com
Over the past seven years, Saskatchewan entrepreneur Murray LeComte increased his product line from four, to nearly 10 times that number. Despite his rural location, he now sells in markets across Canada, the U.S. and Mexico. Having the Sagehill Community Futures Development Corporation just a mile down the road has been a bonus for him.
The company, Cornerstone Coatings International Inc., manufactures and wholesales coatings for concrete, stucco, gypsum and decorative concrete. LeComte says the market research support provided by the local CFDC has been essential in finding market niches where the company can successfully compete.
In 2005/06, the Western Canada Business Service Network provided 31,804 information services and 267 loans totaling $11 million to Saskatchewan entrepreneurs.