Durham Region Technology Meetup Group

### Do It In Durham x 1855 x Raji Kalra

### How to sell your products to natural health food retailers in Canada

Introduction: Understanding the natural health products industry landscape.
Market Overview: An exploration of the current state of the natural health product industry in Canada, highlighting trends, challenges, and opportunities for emerging brands.
The Importance of Distribution: Discussing the role of distributors in the success of natural health products, emphasizing how they connect innovative products with the market.
Navigating Market Entry Complexities: Educational insights on the challenges new brands face entering the market.
Leveraging Warehousing and Logistics for Growth: Exploring warehousing solutions and logistics as foundational elements for brand growth, with a focus on education around best practices in product storage and distribution.
Marketing in the Natural Health Sector: Insights into effective marketing strategies tailored for the natural health market.
Building Retailer Relationships: Teaching brands how to establish and nurture relationships with retailers, ensuring their products successfully reach the shelves and ultimately, consumers.
Preparation Checklist: Outline the essential steps and considerations for brands looking to make an educational entry into the market.
OnDeck Program for New and Emerging Brands: Introduction to the OnDeck program by ONFC, a trusted leader in Canada’s natural health product distribution services.

### Speaker Bio

Raji Kalra, a dynamic retail marketing expert with 15 years of experience in digital services, has been instrumental in revolutionizing the retail experience for brands and retailers alike. His journey began in 2008 when he launched an innovative in-store digital signage network within Whole Foods Market, which soon extended to 30 top health and wellness retailers across Canada, mirroring the OnDeck program's commitment to amplifying brand visibility in the natural health sector.
Raji's academic background, with a BA from Laurentian University in Sudbury, Ontario, and a Master’s degree in Business Law from Bond University in Queensland, Australia, has equipped him with a unique blend of creative marketing strategies and a keen understanding of legal intricacies, much like the comprehensive approach OnDeck offers to navigating the market. His expertise not only in marketing but also in creating valuable connections within the retail industry positions him as a forward-thinking leader, paralleling OnDeck’s mission to empower new and emerging natural health brands to score big in the market.

### Do It In Durham x 1855 x RainSpark Media

"Engage & Connect: Building a Social Media Community for Your Business"

Actively engaging as a business on social media will create community which is key to business growth. Join us for this training where a social media marketing expert, business owner, and marketing professor will share the secrets of community-building on social media. Learn how to connect with your audience, foster interaction, and create a loyal customer base that champions your brand. By the end of this session, you'll have the tools and confidence to transform your social media presence into a thriving community.

Bio-
Melanie Pangan is the Owner and Chief Creative Officer of RainSpark Media Group Inc., a distinguished local digital marketing agency. Under her leadership, the company has earned multiple accolades, including Melanie's recent nomination for RBC’s National Women of Influence (2024). With over 20 years of corporate experience in national and global businesses before becoming an entrepreneur, Melanie brings a wealth of expertise to her role. She emphasizes the importance of clear, consistent branding across social media that creates an emotional connection, helping her clients stand out, be recognized, and be remembered online.

Melanie’s expertise has been instrumental in elevating businesses from digital obscurity to a prominent online presence, connecting them with their ideal customers & advocates. Whether her team is working alongside a company's existing marketing team to provide a creative, technical digital edge or offering full-service, white-glove marketing support, Melanie's approach delivers results. In addition to leading RainSpark Media Group, she is a respected marketing professor and resides with her family in the Durham Region.

Upcoming Workshop: The Essentials of HR
Are you ready to elevate your HR game? Join us for an insightful workshop designed for businesses at all levels, with a special focus on start-ups, small, and medium-sized businesses (SMBs).
What You’ll Learn:

• Must-Haves vs. Nice-to-Haves: Understand the critical HR components every business needs and identify additional elements that can enhance your HR strategy.
• Roles & Responsibilities: Gain clarity on your role and responsibilities as an employer or leader, ensuring you are well-prepared to manage your team effectively.
• Compliance & Risk Management: Learn how to navigate the complex landscape of employment laws and regulations to avoid costly fines and employment claims.

Why Attend?

• Expert Insights: Benefit from the knowledge and experience of seasoned HR professionals who will guide you through the essentials.
• Interactive Sessions: Engage in practical exercises and discussions that will help you apply what you learn to your own business.
• Networking Opportunities: Connect with other business leaders and HR professionals to share experiences and best practices.

Who Should Attend?

• Business owners
• Entrepreneurs

Corette Miller, Co-Founder ThryvX Consulting
Corette brings over 25 years of HR experience to corporations across Canada, the US, and the UK. Her clients at ThryvX HR span various industries, including hospitality, technology, healthcare, and more.
Corette is passionate about educating and partnering with employers, offering support from basic overviews to specific challenges. She is an experienced speaker, having presented on topics like ESA updates, Hybrid workplace, Values at numerous workshops, conferences, and webinars.
She has served as Vice President and President of the Whitby Chamber of Commerce and held leadership roles with Big Brothers Big Sisters of Southwest Durham and the BNI Chapter of Momentum. Corette was named the 2021 Business Person of the Year by the Ajax Pickering Board of Trade.