Even with the country in lockdown, a number of Canadian entrepreneurs are plunging ahead with new ventures. Here’s just a few of those who are giving it a shot.
Even with the country in lockdown, a number of Canadian entrepreneurs are plunging ahead with new ventures.
Some are focusing their startup on issues related directly to the virus.
Others had begun to put business plans into action just before the pandemic hit, and it wasn’t possible to pull back.
Still others find that the new, challenging environment actually presents an advantage for their startup.
Here are some of their stories.
Virtual funeral services
Effie Anolik, 30, of Toronto doesn’t have a background in the funeral business. She worked for Shopify, the e-commerce platform, for four years. But when her father died two years ago, she was surprised that other than a website, the funeral home offered next-to-no online services.
“You have to go to the funeral home in person to plan a funeral,” said Anolik. “My family had to go there to process the credit card payment. It seemed like an interaction that could have happened online.”
She figured funeral homes needed new, consumer-friendly technology, and started a company to create back office software.
But this month she’s shifted gears, to go direct to consumers.
“Right now, families are really out of options, and don’t know how to move forward with some sort of gathering,” she said.
Her new company, PlanaFuneral.com, offers a free phone consultation to start, while other services range from $200 to $400. Those services include:
- Customized “virtual funerals” that include full event management, invites, and a recording of the online event.
- A slideshow or video of the deceased family member’s life.
- Hosting services for the gathering over Zoom, the conference platform.
- Consultation with family and friends who may want to give a eulogy or make a presentation.
- If there is to be a burial, it can be livestreamed so that family and friends can feel present.
In the few days since the company has been up and running, Anolik has heard from several potential clients — including someone in New York City who has been unable to arrange a cremation and wants help. She expects demand to increase and says her small team is ready to handle it.
She’ll have competition. Some Canadian funeral homes have started to organize virtual mourning services during the pandemic as well.
Nonetheless, Anolik is convinced her venture has a future, even when people are once again able to gather to pay respects.
“There will still be a need for virtual gatherings to bring everyone together,” she says. “Virtual gatherings can include guests who may have not been able to attend in the traditional sense, due to distance and cost.”
She intends to add other services to help bereaved families, such as assisting with the closure of bank accounts and social media profiles, as well as subscriptions and contracts that need to be cancelled.
“There’s a lot