A NC Business Analytics student has launched a new website to connect Canadian communities with local vendors.
Janine Krasovskis (Niagara Falls) is the sole creator behind LocLd.ca. Through its multi-vendor platform, LocLd provides a one-stop shop for shoppers to access nearby vendors, artisans, farmers and small retailers. Customers can search local, buy local and support small businesses, and select to receive their items via shipping or local pick-up.
Vendors can choose from multiple selling options- like buy, sell or auction – while maintaining complete control of their shops on the platform – with the flexibility of arranging their settings and products to their satisfaction.
“As far as I could find, there isn’t something out there as unique and set up in as large of a scale as LocLd. The website is locally focused in all communities across all of Canada,” said Krasovskis. “It’s designed to support small businesses, retailers, farmers, and artisans by connecting them with nearby customers.”
Krasovskis was inspired to create the site early this year. Looking ahead to her own graduation this spring, she thought about how she could apply her skills to her own venture, while anticipating other small businesses emerging at the same as students complete their studies.
It was not a class project; she pursued LocaLd on her own time, using a collection of lessons and guidance she gained from her courses and professors.
Krasovskis began developing the site in January and worked on it in between lectures and assignments. She put many skills she learned in the classroom into action – from coding to gathering data for analysis, helping vendors with business development decisions. By February 7, she was ready to publish the site.
“I’ve been doing it all myself and a lot of the aspects I’ve learned, and am still learning, in my course have been implemented throughout,” she said.
It was no small feat, securing vendors and working out the kinks to get the site up and running, but her efforts paid off. She is content with the newly launched site and feels it will be beneficial to many users. And she continues to develop ideas for enhancing LocaLd in the future.
“I’m proud of what I’ve accomplished so far,” she said. “Seeing it take off and fly Canada-wide will be the ultimate reward.”
LocaLd marks a career change for Krasovskis, who decided to return to postsecondary education 24 years after graduating from the College’s Early Childhood Education (2001). After working in daycares then transitioning to grocery retail – where she became interested in management training – she made the major decision to go back to school.
“I felt it was time for change and progress my career down a different path, so I took a jump and enrolled,” she said.
Through LocLd, she prioritizes community-driven commerce with flexible pricing models, high quality curated products, and tools to help vendors succeed. With a focus on economic growth, Krasovski’s site strives to offer a streamlined, vendor-friendly experience to help businesses thrive in an online mass market of high fees and competition.
“That is my goal with LocLd; to support the success of the small businesses and their local communities,” she said. “It offers vendors all the tools they require, like no initial cost startup, providing a well trafficked platform for growth, visual exposure and a tri-level of business support through analytics packages and programs.”
Through LocLd, she offers vendors three levels of support as well as options to startup free and ‘pay per sale’ – a small percentage (to cover transaction costs). She also offers sellers lower-cost options in the form of monthly subscriptions.
“I believe in complete transparency so everything is posted on the site for full clarity,” she said . “The free subscription is the most popular thus far to date with the simple pay per sale/ no other fees.”
While the site is new, about 15 vendors have currently registered on the site. She looks forward to growing that number, and strives to raise the profile of local businesses, retailers, and farmers helping them succeed and thrive.
Nicole Nascimento, owner of Ingersoll-based Vintage and Collectables Plus, is among the first vendors to join LocLd.
“I am very glad that this website is available,” she said. “I have only just started and hope sales will start pouring in as I add items.”
“We are incredibly proud of Janine and her achievement in launching LocLd.ca. Her innovative approach to connecting local vendors with communities across Canada exemplifies the entrepreneurial spirit and practical application of skills we instill in our students,” said Evan DiValentino, Dean of Business and Environment. “We look forward to seeing the positive impact Janine’s platform will have on small businesses. Congratulations, Janine!”
School of Business Professor Nick Farnell applauded Krasovskis’ efforts.
“Recognizing the importance of data and digital transformation, Janine used her tech skills to quickly bring this together. From her description it was an opportunity to bring people together during uncertain times resulting from tariffs and other disruptions,” said Farnell.
Learn more at LocLd – Connecting Communities – Local Canadian for Local Communities
Business Analytics is a one-year graduate certificate program based at the Daniel J. Patterson Campus in Niagara-on-the-Lake.
