In 2017, Alex Campbell opened the Flying Squirrel Trampoline Park with the goal of providing entertainment and gymnastics education to children in Greater Victoria.

“Growing up, my parents never had the money to put me in gymnastics or other organized activities like hockey,” said Campbell, owner/operator of Flying Squirrel. “I opened my business because I really wanted to give kids the opportunity to be exposed to the concept of gymnastics and to experience the other benefits that trampolining brings, such as improved motor skills and a fun way to exercise.”

Like so many business owners, Campbell had to temporarily close his facility when COVID-19 hit last year. While this was an unwelcome change, he decided to make the most of his time by taking the Digital Marketing Bootcamp to develop his marketing abilities and help his business adapt to the adversity caused by the pandemic.

Campbell said, “With my business closed due to COVID-19, it felt like the perfect opportunity for me to grow my skills, increase my knowledge of the online marketplace and network with other local entrepreneurs.”

The Digital Marketing Bootcamp is a free program for small and medium-sized businesses and is part of the B.C. government’s $1.5-billion StrongerBC: BC’s Economic Recovery Plan, a plan that protects people’s health and livelihoods, while supporting businesses and communities.

At the guidance of leading industry instructors, Campbell enjoyed an eight-week program that involved daily online learning. He came out well-equipped to use his new digital marketing tools, such as search engine optimization and analytics.

Campbell was able to reopen Flying Squirrel in June 2020. He used his new skills to make sure his customers knew that his business was ready to welcome them back. Business picked back up upon opening, but Campbell had to temporarily close his business again in late November. While he remains excited to see his business buzzing again, the safety of his customers remains his priority and he understands the need to follow the orders that have been put in place by the provincial health officer.

While he waits to reopen, Campbell continues to market his business online and has sold more than $10,000 in gift certificates, which have been instrumental in getting him through these tough times. He also took his digital marketing skills one step further and set up an online contest to win Flying Squirrel gift cards. He also arranged a fundraiser for the Mustard Seed, a non-profit fighting hunger, so he could give back to a community that has given him so much.

“The program exceeded my expectations in all possible ways, and I recommend it to anyone that wants to learn more about online marketing,” Campbell said. “The Flying Squirrel Trampoline Park will be forever indebted to the B.C. government for its investment in our ongoing success and we are looking forward to a brighter future.”

Campbell wants people to know that his business is much more than a theme park. It’s a place where family and friends enjoy birthday celebrations and mark other important milestones. He sees the Flying Squirrel as a place where memories are made, and he looks forward to being a part of the community for a long time to come.

Ravi Kahlon, Minister of Jobs, Economic Recovery and Innovation, was elated to hear the benefits the course has brought Campbell.

“The bootcamp is meant to help owners and their teams find different ways to showcase their businesses,” Kahlon said. “Our StrongerBC plan is about finding innovative ways to help businesses bounce back from the pandemic with new strategies and tools. The skills obtained through the bootcamp will help businesses improve their visibility and safely reach new markets and consumers.”

Since November 2020, over 900 people have enrolled in the program to learn how to thrive as a marketer.

To register and for more information, visit Alacrity Canada: https://www.alacritycanada.com/online-digital-marketing-bootcamp/

Quick Facts:

• As part of StrongerBC: BC’s Economic Recovery Plan, government has invested $2 million to fund up to 2,500 seats in the Digital Marketing Bootcamp.
• The bootcamp is free for small and medium-sized businesses with one to 149 employees, and sole proprietors.
• To be eligible, a business must be B.C.-based and registered to do business in B.C.
• Enrolment is open until end of March 2021.
• Each seat has an educational value of $6,000.
• The bootcamp runs for eight weeks, covering 40 key topics offered by 10 expert mentors.

Learn More:

For more information on StrongerBC, visit: https://strongerbc.gov.bc.ca/