An app developed in Greater Sudbury to help local businesses goes nationwide

The Sudbury-developed Chamber Perks app, which helps local businesses and consumers alike, has been picked up by a national audience.

At an age when most people are winding down into retirement, Karen Hastie of Sudbury is starting a new professional chapter in her life.

“After a 32-year career, I wasn’t ready to just sit and become a retiree,” Hastie said.

“I’ve always been passionate about small business, and the opportunity came along to work with the Greater Sudbury Chamber, and we created this app and tested it in 2022. And I got inspired and excited to continue working with it.”

She is the founder and CEO of the Chamber Perks App. The free app gives users the inside scoop on discounts on local northern businesses like Twiggs and MIC in Sudbury.

Connect with businesses

And from a business perspective, it also allows for marketing and advertising companies to easily connect with some of the chamber businesses.

“It’s been well-received from all levels,” Hastie said.

“Consumers love the idea of being able to save money and supporting Canadian businesses, and Canadian chamber businesses now get to showcase their company, not just locally in their own community, but now it can be seen across Canada.”

“So if businesses are looking for new customers, new vendors, and new suppliers, it’s easy to find them on the app,” she added.

Marie Litalien, president and CEO of the Greater Sudbury Chamber of Commerce, said the app is available to all of its close to 900 members.

Litalien credited Hastie and the chamber’s board of directors as the driving force behind the app.

“So it’s a partnership, really, and an indication and of the partnership between the chamber of commerce and local business,” she said.

Dave Russell, the owner of Twiggs Sudbury location, said he expects the app will be a success “nationwide.”

Fun and important

“I think that’s fun and important for local businesses to grow and grow together,” Russel said.

Twiggs is one of the top businesses on the Chamber Perks App as they have been a member since the first adaptation in 2022.

“I think that’s just an indication of the innovation,” Litalien said.

“And of the quality of new ventures that we have here in the community. The chamber is very supportive of those. We always will be. And we love working with Karen and promoting the app to our members. It’s of great value to them.”

Hastie said it has been exciting to watch the app grow in popularity.

“An app that started in Sudbury, intended to be used here, and then we got some interest from other chambers across Ontario, and now we are coast to coast in over 58 cities,” she said.

“We have over 20,000 businesses featured on the app and 1,900 perks available for anyone to download and take advantage of -- and support Canadian chamber businesses.”