Since partnering with Export Navigator, Victoria’s Purple Rock Inc. has made remarkable strides in just six months. With trade missions, international conferences, professional development and new global connections, the company has added 15 new team members and is on track for a 130 per cent increase in revenue with half coming from exports.
Founded by Nicole Barlow in 2006, Purple Rock began as a technical editing service for geologists. Over time, it evolved into a document management firm specializing in historical geoscience data, built on Nicole’s passion for archival geoscience. The company’s mission is to bring decades of exploration work into the digital age, making it easier for today’s geologists to access and use valuable information in their search for mineral deposits.
“By starting with past research, geologists can be more targeted with field work, potentially lowering their environmental footprint and finding deposits more quickly,” says Nicole.
Now, with support from Export Navigator, the company is making connections and building relationships with new clients around the world and has taken advantage of several government programs in Canada to help break into new markets.
Seeking New Opportunities
After enjoying steady growth over several years, Purple Rock faced a slowdown in summer 2024 due to forest fires and decreased funding from governments. Understanding that diversifying her client base was necessary for the business to stay open, Nicole searched for support. She discovered the Trade Commissioner Service, which in turn connected her to Export Navigator.
“After reaching out to government services, an entire world of assistance opened to me, however, it was difficult to sort through all the information available, who to talk to, what to prioritize, and what made sense for my business,” says Nicole. “I was very fortunate to have Export Navigator to help ‘navigate’ us through it all.”
Digital Training to International Trade Missions
Working closely with Export Advisor Jason Seed, Nicole was able to examine all the programs available and prioritize those that would help Purple Rock diversify their client base and expand into new markets.
Keen to take advantage of every opportunity, Nicole and her team dug in. In just six months they achieved the following:
- Completed a subsidized digital marketing course
- Participated in the Trade Accelerator Program
- Developed an Export Plan
- Enrolled in the International Co-Innovation Action Plan (ICAP) through the National Research Council
- Applied for a EuroStars project
- Attended two trade missions
- Held meetings with international companies at a global conference
- Received 240 hours of support from AI Hub for in-house project development
- Received approval for the Mining 4.0 program from Groupe MISA
These initiatives have saved Purple Rock money while opening new doors and deepening international connections.
The company is now exploring partnerships with firms in the United Kingdom and Chile and has a potential contract underway Libya. They’ve also made valuable contacts in the Netherlands, Germany, Belgium and Jordan and are considering opening a European office to support their international work.
“The programs have connected us with experts, potential partners and clients, and supported Purple Rock’s growth as a company, both internationally and domestically,” says Nicole.
Reach Out
For Nicole, the benefits of Export Navigator are clear, and she believes every business should take advantage of the opportunity.
“Export Navigator only provides benefits to your company with no downsides. Without it, you are missing out on opportunities that you do not yet know about. With Export Navigator, you’re connected with a world of possibilities.”
