Braiding a Digital Future: JeRah Beauty Salon’s CDAP Success
JeRah Beauty Salon & Spa in Mississauga, Ontario, owned by Asmaou Balde, has become a local favourite, known for their exceptional hairstyling services and commitment to enhancing natural beauty. Asmaou leveraged the Canada Digital Adoption Program to enhance their business’s digital presence, driving significant growth through improved website functionality and strategic digital marketing efforts.
JeRah Beauty Salon & Spa, located in the vibrant city of Mississauga, Ontario, is more than just a salon; it’s a reflection of Asmaou Balde's passion and dedication to hairstyling. Originally from the West African nation of Guinea, Asmaou’s journey began as a teenager, styling friends and family's hair during Eid. After moving to Canada, what started as a side hustle to fund their college education grew into a full-time passion, eventually leading to the establishment of JeRah Beauty Salon & Spa.
With over 20 years in the hairstyling industry, Asmaou’s business stands out for its commitment to enhancing natural beauty through expert hairstyling and personalized care. In 2021, Asmaou expanded their business’s influence by partnering with Connecture Braids On Call Academy, empowering Black women in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA) to master braiding and natural hair care techniques.
Despite their business's success, Asmaou recognized the need to adapt to the digital age. The challenge was clear: JeRah Beauty Salon & Spa needed a stronger online presence to remain competitive and to continue growing. This included a website and an effective digital marketing strategy to attract and retain clients. The Canadian Digital Adoption Program (CDAP) offered the perfect solution to elevate their business to the next level. The CDAP program supports small businesses like JeRah Beauty Salon & Spa by providing access to digital expertise and a $2,400 microgrant to implement essential e-commerce solutions. For Asmaou, this was the ideal opportunity to enhance their salon's online presence and reach a broader audience.
Through the CDAP program, JeRah Beauty Salon & Spa received valuable support from an e-commerce advisor, who provided guidance on how to utilize the $2,400 microgrant effectively. Asmaou used the grant funds to improve the salon’s website, particularly by integrating a membership program and enhancing the booking page. The microgrant was also used to facilitate the development of a long-term digital marketing strategy, focusing on search engine optimization (SEO) and social media presence.
Asmaou noticed a quantifiable improvement in client engagement following these upgrades. Asmaou shares:
“The microgrant has been incredibly beneficial. I’ve seen more new clients finding us through social media and Google, which is a clear sign that our digital presence is growing”.
This newfound visibility has not only increased foot traffic to the salon but also strengthened the connection with their existing clientele.
The CDAP program's impact on JeRah Beauty Salon & Spa was not only limited to technical upgrades. It also provided Asmaou with the confidence to continue expanding their digital efforts.
“My experience with CDAP has been excellent. The support I received was responsive and thorough, making it easier to implement changes that are already showing results”, Asmaou added.
JeRah Beauty Salon & Spa’s participation in the CDAP program has set the stage for continued growth and success in the digital era. By leveraging the $2,400 microgrant, Asmaou has not only enhanced their salon’s online presence but also laid the foundation for sustained digital marketing efforts. Moving forward, these improvements are expected to drive further business growth, ensuring that JeRah Beauty Salon & Spa remains a go-to destination for beauty services in Mississauga.
For small business owners considering the CDAP program, Asmaou’s advice is clear:
“Go for it! This opportunity is a great way to improve your digital presence, especially for small and start-up businesses”.
Connect with JeRah Beauty Salon & Spa to experience their exceptional hairstyling services here and find them on social media for the latest updates, Facebook: JeRah Beauty Salon & Spa, and @jerahbeauty on Instagram, Tiktok and Snapchat. To learn more about the CDAP program, please visit here.
If you’re interested in exploring e-commerce opportunities for your business, CDAP may be the right opportunity for you. To learn more about the CDAP program, please visit here.
Digital Main Street was created by the Toronto Association of Business Improvement Areas (TABIA) with direct support from the City of Toronto. DMS is also supported by a group of strategic business partners, including Google, Mastercard, Shopify, Meta, Intuit QuickBooks, Square, Lightspeed, Ebay and Canada Post.
As part of the Canada Digital Adoption Program, the Government of Canada has partnered with Digital Main Street to deliver the Grow Your Business Online grant to small businesses in Ontario. The program offers eligible business owners a micro-grant of up to $2,400 to help with the costs related to implementing an e-commerce strategy and hands-on support from a network of E-commerce Advisors.
