When Jason Parkes entered the wine industry, he was a musician looking for a day job to help fund repairs for his band’s broken vehicle. Some 20 years later, the winemaker and his business partner Graham Dell run several destinations in the Okanagan, serving up wine, cider and unique experiences to travellers looking for something a little more approachable and fun.
“We’re trying to create our own little world and having fun with it,” says Parkes. “It’s about adding a unique perspective to the B.C. wine industry.” And the partners have done so time and time again with their minimal intervention—old world winemaking available at their spaces The Hatch, Black Swift Vineyards, Crown & Thieves, and their cidery Truck 59, with a fifth location in the works. Each space has its own distinct personality, and it’s this atmosphere that has brought customers through the doors and kept them coming back.
Truck 59 offers handcrafted cider and a family fun property
Like many small-medium business owners, Parkes and Dell relied on their internet connection and WiFi technology solutions to support their business and connect their customers. When COVID-19 hit, having access to these technology solutions became even more critical in helping keep their business running. “With the pandemic, we were forced to shut down our restaurants and reimagine our retail operations. This meant adapting our retail set-up to be able to bring our point-of-sale system outside to continue serving our customers,” says Dell. “Having a strong, reliable outdoor WiFi connection was essential to this success.”
With Shaw Business’ SmartWiFi running through all their retail locations, they were able to meet their connectivity needs and transition their business to keep it up and running. “Internet and WiFi are the cornerstones of our business,” says Dell. “We’ve got mobile payment terminals, customers using the WiFi to look at menus on their phones, and we don’t have to worry about it. It just works.”
Adapting new business technologies and practices to weather the pandemic was not unique to Parkes and Dell. According to a September 2021 Abacus survey of small business leaders commissioned by Shaw Business, 73% of businesses say that being connected and using technology tools has helped their business adapt their operations during the pandemic, and 80% say that they are now in a better position to compete and thrive because of these tools.
“The ingenuity shown by small businesses during the pandemic was incredible. We saw our customers across the country – from shops and restaurants to local charities – integrate new technologies to completely redefine how they interact with their customers,” says Katherine Emberly, President, Shaw Business. “Most Importantly, we’re seeing these customers leverage the benefits of this technology to digitize their business, find efficiencies in their operations and help keep their data safe, which will help them stay competitive as our communities reopen.”
For Dell and Parkes, the increase in digital interactions with their customers through increased online sales made security a major priority for their team. “Our customers are trusting us with their data, and we owe them a responsibility to keep it safe and secure,” says Dell.
And with six websites, four locations, 50 staff checking emails and phones, and customers from all over the world logging in, Shaw Business’ SmartSecurity has given Dell and Parkes that freedom to focus on wine without having to worry. “Having the ability to grow our online business and know it’s protected allows us to operate freely.”
And should the unexpected happen, like a rare internet outage, Parkes and Dell’s access to Shaw Business LTE Backup will give them the peace of mind in knowing their operations are able to stay connected.
“It’s now more critical than ever for small and medium-sized businesses to be able to connect to their customers and employees while protecting their sensitive systems, and we understand how challenging implementing this new technology can be,” says Emberly. “As a connectivity leader and trusted advisor, we are here to provide connectivity solutions and expert advice to help SMBs navigate the challenges of the pandemic and help mitigate its impact.”
This personalized support and care was a major reason why Jason Parkes Customs chose Shaw Business to support their connectivity needs. “The customer service aspect is a big thing,” says Parkes. “It’s a testament to Shaw Business and its service and staff.”
Jason Parkes Customs employs 50 staff across its multiple locations
At the end of the day, making and selling great wine and creating unique experiences is where Parkes and Dell want to put their energy, and having the right services in place allows them to focus on their passions.
“It’s about having heart behind what you’re doing,” says Parkes. “Have confidence in beating your own drum and believe in your own ideas.”
Visit business.shaw.ca for more information about Shaw Business offers, products and services businesses of all sizes.
