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Read time: 3 mins
Hello from Canada!
Yep, we’re writing to you this week from our country of birth, and of maple syrup š„.
With Canada Day just around the corner (1 July), the energy here is good.
We've got our flags up, and looking forward to watching the fireworks with the kids & their grandparents tomorrow.
And it’s got us thinking…
Canada has a brand, and people love it.
Especially right now, with Mr. Trump’s “51st state” talk, there’s been a wave of renewed Canadian pride and solidarity.
Which raises a couple of big questions:
What makes people rally behind a brand?
And what can small business owners learn from 'brand Canada'?
Here are our reflections, so you can take a little inspiration from Canada’s birthday and apply it to helping your business grow.
3 THINGS CANADA GETS RIGHT ABOUT BRAND LOYALTY (AND WHAT YOU CAN STEAL FOR YOUR BUSINESS)
1. Kindness builds connection
Canadians are known for being polite, helpful, and thoughtful.
And yes, we might be biased.
But it’s part of our culture, and it’s something people around the world associate with us.
In business, the same idea applies.
Kindness isn’t fluffy.
It’s smart. It builds trust.
It looks like:
- Following up when you say you will
- Listening (properly) before you pitch
- Creating space for questions without judgment
- Saying thank you (personally, and like you mean it)
Clients stay loyal when they feel respected, seen, and taken care of.
You don’t have to be perfect, just human.
Consistent kindness goes a long way.
2. Be proud of what makes you different
Canada leans into its identity:
The maple leaf. The Mounties. Hockey. Tim Hortons. Poutine.
We think Canada’s pretty unique, and shines brightest when it doesn’t try to be the US.
When it doesn’t apologise for being itself.
Your business needs that too.
Ask yourself:
- What do you do differently from others in your industry?
- What do your best clients appreciate most about you?
Maybe it’s your calm approach. Or your direct honesty. Or your obsessive attention to detail.
Whatever it is, lean in.
Clients don’t fall in love with generic.
They fall in love with the things that make you you.
3. Adversity builds pride
Canada leans into its identity.
The maple leaf. The Mounties. Hockey. Tim Hortons. Poutine.
We think Canada’s pretty unique, and shines brightest when it doesn’t try to be the US.
When it doesn’t apologise for being itself.
The same can go for your business.
When you face competition, pricing pressure, or copycats, it’s easy to get discouraged.
But it’s actually a chance to double down on who you are.
Use those moments to:
- Clarify your unique value
- Stand tall in your message
- Reconnect with why you’re proud to do things your way
Don’t shrink. Don’t scramble to match the noise.
Get sharper, more confident, and more you.
Bottom line:
So, as we head into Canada Day, here’s our invitation:
Take a moment to reflect on your brand.
Ask:
- How does it make people feel?
- What does it stand for?
- Would your clients rally behind it, if they had to choose again today?
Because real loyalty isn’t just about service or price.
It’s about identity, trust, and the kind of experience people feel proud to be part of.
And if you need help building a business that clients are proud to work with, get in touch.
We're here to help (after the fireworks š).
Speak soon,
Lynne and Steve
TLDR:
- We’re in Canada right now, and in the lead-up to Canada Day, brand loyalty is on full display.
- What makes Canada so loved are the same qualities that build loyalty in business.
- Be kind. Be proudly different. And let pressure make you stronger, not smaller.
- Clients don’t just stay because you deliver, they stay because they connect with who you are.
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