IKEA gives exposure to Brandon business
Advertisement
Read this article for free:
or
Already have an account? Log in here »
We need your support!
Local journalism needs your support!
As we navigate through unprecedented times, our journalists are working harder than ever to bring you the latest local updates to keep you safe and informed.
Now, more than ever, we need your support.
Starting at $15.99 plus taxes every four weeks you can access your Brandon Sun online and full access to all content as it appears on our website.
Subscribe Nowor call circulation directly at (204) 727-0527.
Your pledge helps to ensure we provide the news that matters most to your community!
To continue reading, please subscribe:
Add Brandon Sun access to your Free Press subscription for only an additional
$1 for the first 4 weeks*
*Your next subscription payment will increase by $1.00 and you will be charged $20.00 plus GST for four weeks. After four weeks, your payment will increase to $24.00 plus GST every four weeks.
Read unlimited articles for free today:
or
Already have an account? Log in here »
Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 17/07/2024 (628 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.
Bowerbird Stays, a Brandon-based rental property business, has received international attention courtesy of Swedish furniture giant IKEA.
Bowerbird Stays co-owner Robin Sneath told the Sun the recognition highlights the potential for small businesses in Brandon, especially in the downtown area, to achieve global acclaim.
“I was very proud when Bowerbird Stays’ photos began appearing on various IKEA websites, including those for Canada, Sweden, Germany and Australia,” she said. “It’s gratifying to see our business, based in Brandon, recognized as world-class. I hope it inspires other small business owners in Brandon to realize they don’t need to leave to achieve success and that our community has much to offer.”
Bowerbird Stays co-owner Robyn Sneath. (File)
Downtown BIZ executive director Emmy Sanderson said the recognition demonstrates that businesses operating in downtown can achieve significant success.
“This is a wonderful accomplishment and highlights how business can, and does, exist successfully in our downtown,” she said in an interview. “The business is one of our downtown destinations, and the Sneaths have set an example for other entrepreneurs of what can be created when you combine the character of our historic downtown with an appealing business or service.”
Sneath said the process started when IKEA launched a global initiative two years ago aimed at featuring small businesses as part of its “IKEA for Business” program.
The Winnipeg IKEA store, she said, was familiar with Bowerbird Stays due to its regular purchases for furnishing rental properties and recommended the local business to IKEA’s national and global teams.
“We had an exploratory Zoom call with IKEA’s team from all over Europe. They were initially interested in Bowerbird Stays, but when I mentioned our clinics, they decided to feature both businesses,” she said.
Following the call, Bowerbird Stays submitted photos of their properties to IKEA and the “aesthetic appeal of these properties impressed the IKEA team,” who then arranged for a visit to Brandon, she said.
“A team from Sweden spent eight days exploring and photographing Bowerbird Stays’ properties, as well as their clinic and spa in Brandon,” she said. “Our team had the opportunity to participate in the shoots, which was a fantastic experience. Even our dog got to be a model.”
Beyond Brandon, Sneath added, Bowerbird Stays has expanded its presence to Calgary, Regina, Winnipeg and Steinbach, with the headquarters and executive team still based downtown.
» aodutola@brandonsun.com
» X: @AbiolaOdutola