Chenil de la fermière
There’s no more inspiring story than a “follow your dreams” story and that’s exactly the tale of doggy daycare ‘Chenil de la fermière.’
I met Isabelle, the owner/operator of Chenil de la fermière, when she moved to Toronto to complete her requirements on the path to becoming an actuary. After several years in the Big Smoke, Isabelle moved back to Quebec to continue her career in Montreal. Actuaries do well, wherever they are; however, Isabelle struggled with the mundane routine. On a daily basis, she just wasn’t doing what she really loved to do.
With well over a decade invested in the corporate world, Isabelle decided to uproot her life and shift focus toward her one true passion, caring for dogs. She sold her beautiful loft in Verdun and bought a farm in rural Quebec. Isabelle transformed one of the barns into a kennel where she houses up to 11 canines, or even a rabbit from time to time. It’s a far cry from big city life and that’s made Isabelle happier and healthier than she’s ever been.
HOW I HELP
Isabelle is all-in on her new experience. Even though she’s never been digitally inclined, Isabelle’s taken a hands-on approach to her web presence from day one. That’s why I chose to build Chenil de la fermière’s brochure website on the Squarespace platform. It’s an inexpensive, all-in-one option perfect for people with minimal digital experience who hope to update a website on their own.
I worked under Isabelle’s strict direction throughout the process. We set up the domain and hosting in Squarespace so she doesn’t need to juggle multiple vendor relationships. I suggested about a half-dozen template options that would work best for her business and the information she wanted to include on the site. I provided Isabelle with copydecks, one for each page/section. Using those decks as the site’s blueprint, Isabelle delivered the copy and images in an orderly and timely fashion.
Together we built a multilingual website that answers any question a pet owner might have when they leave their prized possession in Isabelle’s care. Customers can download all the required forms and make a reservation directly from the contact page. The site highlights the beauty of the grounds and the cuteness of Isabelle’s furry friends within its feature images and photo gallery. It’s all within a system I guided Isabelle through so she can update the site 100% on her own.
“Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference.”
THE RESULTS
The site came together in short order so it was available to present to local government officials as part of a small business grant application process. It worked—Chenil de la fermière’s application was a success! The grant money provided financial security which Isabelle certainly welcomed as she worked tirelessly to build a loyal customer base in her first year of operation.
Throughout that year the site attracted over a thousand unique visitors. 90% of that traffic came from within the Chenil de la fermière’s region in Quebec. Isabelle’s prospective customers found her business online and it translated into a kennel that operates at near full capacity throughout much of the year. It was an absolute pleasure to help Isabelle launch her passion project online and I’m proud to see her manage an online presence that truly is her own.
ARE YOU READY TO START YOUR PROJECT?
All first consultations are free! It’s time we start answering your digital questions.