Tak Yamada, co-founder of The Plant Based Workshop, believes that becoming plant based is the key to living an abundant life. When Tak and his siblings lost their father at a young age, they developed a relentless focus on health and wellness; this led the siblings to recognize the need for more diverse choices in the plant based world.
Tak and his co-founder and sister, Mayumi, opened The Workshop Vegetarian Café in North Vancouver in 2016. As they watched customers devour delicious meals, they aspired to expand their reach through conveniently packaged, quality cuisine. The Plant Based Workshop, consumer packaged vegan goods, was born.
Equipped with a range of ramen kits and frozen foods to share with the world, the family set their sights on exporting to the United States. As a small business with limited resources and expertise, they faced several challenges, however, with the support of Export Navigator, they were able to overcome export barriers. The Plant Based Workshop products are now available online and in stores across Canada, and the founders are equipped with a plan for how to enter the United States.
Venturesome veggies
Tak and Mayumi recognized a substantial opportunity for their business in the US, due to its large consumer based and high demand for quality goods. By entering this market, The Plant Based Workshop aims to increase sales volumes, diversify their customer based, and build their brand presence internationally.
One of Tak and Mayumi’s primary difficulties was navigating the overabundance of information related to export procedures. Identifying and accessing funding opportunities to support their export activities was also challenging, as the founders lacked the necessary knowledge and experience to effectively tap into these resources.
Tak and Mayumi learned about Export Navigator through a booth set up at a BC Food and Beverage event. Soon, the business owners were connected to their export advisor, Tracey Pham.
“Tracey has been instrumental in helping us implement our export plan developed through the Trade Accelerator Program,” says Tak. “They connected us with the relevant government organizations and assisted us in sorting through the plethora of information available.”
Participation in Export Navigator has offered Tak and Mayumi a clear roadmap, outlining the steps to successfully enter and establish The Plant Based Workshop in new markets.
“The advisors in the Export Navigator program understand the specific needs and challenges of your business. They can provide customized support, from market research to strategy development, ensuring your export plan aligns with your business goals and capabilities,” says Tak.
Working with Tracey, Tak and his siblings have participated in trade shows, allowing them to assess the demand for their products and gather valuable market insights. Tracey also facilitated networking with key groups and influential individuals, providing critical connections and support to drive the business expansion.
New growth
With their export advisor’s guidance, Tak and Mayumi started exporting outside of B.C., with their products available online and in stores across Canada. They now have their sights set on US markets, and with Export Navigator, they have a better understanding of the costs, have a prepared budget, and feel confident they can avoid premature entry and potentially expensive mistakes.
For Tak and Mayumi, one of the most significant advantages of working with Export Navigator is having a dedicated export advisor to guide them through the complexities of exporting.
“Instead of dealing with multiple agencies and sources of information, having a single, reliable point of contact streamlines the process, allowing you to focus on growing your business rather than getting bogged down by administrative hurdles,” shares Tak. “Export Navigator can make the entire exporting process more straightforward, efficient, and less stressful.”
