A Different Approach.
What makes us different? We’re not consultants. We’re down-to-earth small business owners. Just like you. And we’ve got lots of stories and experiences to support our 20+ combined years of helping towns, businesses and organizations be successful. Oh, and we make learning fun. Get ready for energy!
We launched Your Town Rising in 2018 to be different with a unique approach to community-building. More than 60 small towns across Manitoba and Ontario have hired us and are embracing our inspiring message that real and sustained revitalizaion begins with what you have RIGHT NOW.
We bring our unique boots-on-the-sidewalks approach to your main street. We listen, learn and see the gaps, possibilities, and opportunities and then present tailored paths forward for your town.
LESLIE FOURNIER | Placemaking, Public Art, Vibrancy
An entrepreneurial spirit and love of exploring led Leslie to create Streets Alive in her downtown core. This unique placemaking program brings public spaces to life with interactive art and activity. The Streets Alive story has been featured in national publications and Leslie has been recognized as Citizen of the Year and Business Woman of the Year for the impact and success of these projects. She speaks to BIA’s, tourism groups, cultural summits and economic development conferences on how to attract visitors and shoppers with creative placemaking. As a small town retailer for over 15 years, Leslie understands the challenges faced by local businesses and the increasing importance for every community to create a strong, vibrant sense of place.
GREGG McLACHLAN | Idea Generation, Community-building, Marketing
Gregg’s background is many years as an award-winning journalist, filmmaker, and speaker about social media and community-building marketing. He has been a featured speaker at economic development conferences, tourism summits, government conferences, environmental conferences, annual general meetings, and more. Twelve years ago in the woods in a village of 150 folks, Gregg founded an online national business that has become the largest service of its kind in Canada. He did it all solo. Gregg’s expertise is in idea-generation, shoestring marketing, storytelling, and doable community-building that helps your town learn how to tell an amazing story and gain attention. He loves spotting the gaps and seeing opportunities and possibilities in small towns.
Gregg
Leslie