Local mortgage broker Debbie Viveiros is hosting her third annual Shop Local Holiday Giveaway contest with the aim of supporting more Bradford-based small businesses.
Viveiros has purchased an array of products from small businesses in town to give away in weekly random draws she hosts online through her social media accounts.
“Nothing is sponsored or donated, I buy everything!” she explains. “It’s important to make sure we’re doing our part to keep small businesses thriving.”
Viveiros collected over a dozen packages and products from a variety of small businesses based out of Bradford while providing the businesses with an opportunity to be featured online through the contest throughout November.
As well, each business will have its own ‘spotlight’ feature, compliments of Viveiros.
“As small business owners, we rely on the support of our community to help us reach our goals and live our best lives – it’s time to give back!” she says.
Viveiros is a small business owner herself and left the corporate world years ago to focus on her family and mortgage brokerage in Bradford.
She says this is the most important time of the year for small businesses to "make coin" before the year-end, and shares that many of her clients are self-employed, small business owners in the community.
“I’m making sure I do my part in the community – it’s a win-win!” she says.
Viveiros launched the contest this past week. This week's prizes include a one-hour massage from registered massage therapist Shanna Brander,
a cut & style from Angela Rego Beauty, a manicure/pedicure from Patricia’s Esthetics, a spa facial from Kaya Esthetics & Med Spa, and chocolate covered strawberries from Berries by Betty.
“The facials are epic and phenomenal!” shares Viveiros, who has become friends with many of the business owners she supports.
“I buy stuff from my clients – no rhyme or reason – my local favourites,” she adds. “I like the people, I like the gifts, and these are things I would support anyways because they are unique and fabulous.”
Viveiros shares that her own personal business success stems from word-of-mouth recommendations, friends, and the many fellow female business owners in town.
“It is for that sole reason, my business does well,” she says.
Viveiros is also a member of a Successful Women Always Networking (SWAN) group in Bradford.
As a mother of three daughters, Viveiros sympathizes with the many mompreneurs who have had to leave their jobs in the past year to be at home with their children during lockdowns.
She notes that many of her mom-friends pivoted to stay afloat and now is the community’s chance to support these new small home-based businesses.
“People are still feeling the effects of Covid,” she says. “People are looking for a way to leave the corporate world and focus on their side hustles which have allowed them to spend more time at home with their kids… so I say, let’s promote them and give them that business.”
To learn more about the contest, visit Viveiros's Facebook page here.
