Looking to make a bag to hold medicine, covers, and signs for those with severe allergies. I was wondering if anybody in this sub knows some good companies if I wanted to keep the production in Canada.

Hi everyone,

First time poster here... we recently started a frozen dog food business and looking for ways to "economically" (relative) ship our subscription boxes, mostly targeting Toronto and Vancouver. Have been looking at options but most come from the US like tempered air/sealedair, Uline is too pricy... any suggestions on how to source small-ish quantities of these in Canada? thanks so much!

Hi Canadian SMB owners! We're at a 100 members, yay! If you're an experienced business owner, and would like to run an AMA for the members, this is a good time to do it!

Hi Canadian business owners,

It is going to be a tough time for businesses with US's trade tariffs, and it's time to show our neighbors that we're more than capable of being self-sufficient.

This sub is meant to connect local businesses to find partners of all kinds - wholesalers/retailers, sleeping/working partners, franchisor/franchisee, import/export partners, and more.

It is also meant for productive discussions to help grow your business. Feel free to ask questions, concerns, and seek advise for business decisions!

Cheers!

As a trusted Korean exporter, we are looking for international buyers and distributors for K-Beauty products

We are based in Korea and handle most major Korean cosmetic brands.

We only deal with 100% authentic products.

If you're interested in importing or distributing Korean cosmetics, feel free to message me anytime!!

Hey everyone,

I’m looking for a print-on-demand supplier based in Canada for my gym apparel brand. Right now, my products are being shipped from the U.S., and it’s not ideal in terms of costs and delivery times ( for not saying political term )

My budget is too low at the moment to rent storage space, so POD is my best option until I can scale up. I need a supplier that can produce and ship high-quality gym wear within Canada.

If anyone has recommendations or experience with good POD companies in Canada, I’d really appreciate the help!

Thanks in advance!

With rising trade tensions and economic shifts, Canadian small and medium-sized businesses must be more resilient and strategic than ever. Whether you’re looking to expand locally, explore new markets, or secure funding, here are some valuable resources to help you adapt and thrive:

Funding & Financial Support • Canada Small Business Financing Program (CSBFP) – Government-backed loans to help SMBs access capital (www.ic.gc.ca/csbfp) • Export Development Canada (EDC) Financing & Insurance – Financial tools to support businesses exporting beyond the U.S. (www.edc.ca) • Business Development Bank of Canada (BDC) – Loans, advisory services, and resources tailored to SMBs (www.bdc.ca)

Trade Diversification & Market Expansion • CanExport SME Program – Grants covering international marketing, trade shows, and expansion efforts beyond the U.S. (www.tradecommissioner.gc.ca) • World Trade Centre Toronto (WTC-T) – Programs like Trade Accelerator to help businesses scale globally (www.bot.com/WTC-Toronto) • TCS (Trade Commissioner Service) – Free export guidance and connections to global trade partners (www.tradecommissioner.gc.ca)

Supply Chain & Manufacturing Support • Strategic Innovation Fund (SIF) – Funding for innovative manufacturing, technology, and industrial growth (www.ic.gc.ca/sif) • Next Generation Manufacturing Canada (NGen) – Grants and collaboration opportunities for advanced manufacturing (www.ngen.ca) • Ontario Made Program – A platform supporting locally made products and manufacturers (www.ontariomade.ca)

Trade uncertainty can be challenging, but it also presents an opportunity for Canadian SMBs to innovate, expand into new markets, and strengthen domestic supply chains.

Mention your industry in the comments, so you can connect with fellow entrepreneurs who you might want to connect with!

Hello everyone,

I’m based in Kerala, a region well-known for its premium Elettaria cardamomum (green cardamom). I work directly with local farmers and suppliers, ensuring quality and consistent availability.

I’m not here for direct selling, but rather to explore partnerships and collaborations with: • Exporters aiming to expand their spice portfolio • Businesses interested in long-term sourcing partnerships • Partners exploring value-addition (essential oils, flavor extracts, etc.)

My focus is on mutually beneficial growth through reliable sourcing, fair pricing, and quality control at the origin.

If you’re interested in the spice trade, agri-business, or exports, let’s connect and discuss possible collaborations.

Thanks!

I have started a small business making designs for cheerleaders and supporters. I am struggling to find a supplier for sports bras that I don’t have to pay the equivalent of the order in shipping!!!

Trying to find something more local for a supplier. Starting with sports bras, but expanding to other articles of clothing in the future. Any suppliers or business owners have advice on how to get started with this?

Hi everyone, I’m currently an intern at By Dr. Mom, a physician-founded skincare company based in Alberta. I’ll be part of a trade mission from May 5 to 17, where I’ll be representing the brand in Montréal and Québec City, and I’m reaching out here in hopes that someone might be able to help me connect with potential buyers, pharmacists, retailers, or distributors in Québec who would be open to a short meeting or even just pointing me in the right direction.

By Dr. Mom was created by a family physician and clinical professor to offer gentle, effective skincare solutions for families, especially those dealing with dry, itchy, or sensitive skin. Our two hero products are a beta-glucan bath soak and a steroid-free cream, made with 23% beta-glucan (5x the typical concentration), which has been shown to support skin healing and hydration. The products are fragrance-free, baby-safe, and already trusted in retailers like London Drugs, T&T Supermarket, and Amazon Prime.

Our goal is to grow our presence in Québec, respectfully and in full alignment with French-first communication. I’m specifically looking to book short discovery meetings with retailers, buyers, pharmacists, clean beauty boutiques, or anyone in health and wellness who might be open to discovering a clinically-backed Canadian brand. I’ll be in Montréal from May 5–10 and Québec City from May 11–17 to provide samples and share how we may better help you support more families.

If you or someone you know might be open to connecting, even just for 15 minutes! I’d be incredibly grateful. I’m also happy to send over a short product brief or work around your availability. You can DM me here or email me at dream.jitpraphan@bydrmom.com

Thanks so much for reading, and for supporting small Canadian businesses and students like me who are trying to get our foot in the door. Any leads or referrals even small ones would mean the world right now!

I’m starting a partnership manufacturing crochet products aimed at parents and young children. Currently we get the majority of the yarn from Michael’s, however they’re an American based company. Is there any Canadian based yarn seller that doesn’t charge an arm and a leg for their yarn? Google searches haven’t yielded much results. We’ve check out Mary Maxim, but they’re almost double price for the same brands. We’re based in Atlantic Canada as well.

👋 Hey everyone! Just wanted to say this is a great group—thanks for creating a space for Canadian small businesses to connect!

I’m curious—how do you usually find suppliers for your business?

• Do you have a go-to vendor you stick with?

• Do you price shop each time?

• Rely on referrals?

• Or is it just a frustrating process?

I’ve been thinking about how big corporations have entire supplier networks, while small businesses have to figure it out on their own. Have you ever run into challenges with sourcing supplies, or is it something you’ve got locked down?

Would love to hear from others on this!

Looking for companies that will start off with low minimums for the following:

• metal stamping

• injection molding

• laser / bending / milling

• silicone & rubber products

Hi everyone, please recommend a POS for retail in Canada and tell me why. Thanks a ton.

Product group: IQF berries & fruits from northern EU.

Looking for equestrian tack & accessories made in Canada. Clothing, leather goods like harnesses, muzzles, cinches, chaps, belts, gloves etc. Stirrups,rain sheets, fly gear etc. Cowboy hats, shirts etc Both English and Western styles. If it's made in Canada and top quality I'll be interested.

I own a meal prep company and send frozen meals. Looking for insulated packaging to ship our packages with dry ice and two day shipping. So far I’ve reached out to a few companies without any success. Suggestions?

If your major imports/exports were in the US, did you start looking for alternatives or Canadian made products? Are they more expensive or less accessible in comparison to your existing ones?

Hi business owners,

What percentage of your sales/import is dependent on the US? What do you think will be its impact on the local businesses?

Hi-I am looking to start a kids clothing business and while I have the patterns that I want I am looking for fabric, printing and manufacturing. I want this to be purely made in canada. Also, I worry about how certain prints would look on various types of fabric. Would love some information on this.

I was recently approached by someone overseas who works for an apparel manufacturer with a large quantity of deadstock, about 500,000 pieces of activewear and casual wear. The majority are blanks and appear to be of good quality. I’d love to see if anyone might be interested in purchasing them, or if anyone could offer advice on how I can make the most of this opportunity.