Square Empowers Canadian Cottage Country Businesses to Thrive

Haliburton, ON - October 11, 2018 - Today, payments and point-of-sale company Square announced the launch of Digital Cottage Country, a first of its kind initiative, helping cottage country businesses across Ontario’s Highlands modernize the way they run their businesses. A Small Business Roundtable was held today in Haliburton to spark discussion on the ways the Highlands can become a place where businesses and entrepreneurs thrive.

“I’m very pleased to see companies like Square, focusing on the needs of rural and cottage country businesses and supporting economic growth through the Digital Cottage Country initiative,” said Jamie Schmale, Member of Parliament for Haliburton-Kawartha Lakes-Brock. “I encourage more financial services, telecommunications and transportation companies to follow in these footsteps to address the needs of businesses in the region.”

With Digital Cottage Country, Square is offering independent businesses in Haliburton, Dorset, and Wilberforce the following tools and business support:
● Digital tools: Businesses can start taking card payments with a free Square Reader for contactless and chip ($59 value) and by downloading Square’s free Point of Sale app. By signing up online, businesses will also receive a fee-free card processing offer for the first $2,500 of transactions. With Square, businesses always pay a clear, low price for every sale with no commitments, monthly fees or long-term contracts.
● Digital workshops: Businesses can attend workshops to discover new ways to run and grow their business. The first workshop will take place on Tuesday, October 23, at 5:30 p.m. at The Community Room in Haliburton, ON.
● Digital sessions: The Square team will meet with businesses across the Highlands in the coming weeks. One-on-one sessions can be scheduled for advice about accepting card payments and using a point of sale to help make informed business decisions.

“Running a business is hard and we learned it’s even harder in cottage country areas that are highly seasonal, have unreliable internet connectivity, limited access to financial services, and where sales can happen just about anywhere,” said Cathy Vigrass, Head of Canada, Square. “Square levels the playing field for small businesses in Canada, whether they are in cities or lakeside areas. Our Digital Cottage Country initiative will make it easier to start, run and grow businesses in the Highlands.”

Square, together with MP Jamie Schmale, leaders in the Highlands small business community, and business owners, today discussed the challenges facing small businesses in the area and the opportunity created when tools, resources and support are in place and accessible.

“Seasonality is the biggest challenge for businesses in this area. There is a short window when cottagers are in town so sales during that time are important for the remaining months of the year,” said Tara Love, Square seller and owner of Chetolah Pottery. “The main thing I’ve learned in business is to know what your strengths are and get help with the things that are harder for you. Square has helped me incredibly with keeping track of my sales and understanding sales trends.”

Digital Cottage Country is open to all individuals and businesses in the Highlands area, from contractors to cafe owners, furniture makers to festival organizers, boat rental managers to breweries. More information about Digital Cottage Country is available online at digitalcottagecountry.ca.

Quick Facts:
● The Highlands area is largely comprised of small, independent businesses.
● Two-thirds of Square sellers in Canada (67%) are new to card payments, which shows there is still a lot of unmet demand for accessible payments tools in Canada.
● Nearly three-quarters of Square sellers (72%) are outside the 10 most populated cities in Canada.
● Hashtag: #DigitalCottageCountry

About Square
Square creates tools that help sellers of all sizes start, run and grow their businesses. Square enables sellers to accept card payments and also provides reporting and analytics, next-day settlement, and chargeback protection. Square’s point-of-sale software and other business services help sellers manage inventory, locations and employees; and grow sales. Square was founded in 2009 and is headquartered in San Francisco, with offices in the United States, Canada, Japan, Australia, Ireland, and the UK. Square operates in Canada through its wholly owned subsidiary, Square Canada Inc. More information about Square is available at square.ca.

Media Contact:
Square Canada, Inc.
press@squareup.com