From Cocktails to Clicks: Flourish and Bask's Digital Journey
Chantal Ingram founded Flourish and Bask to create a space where people could explore mixology and connect over drinks. By utilizing a $2,400 micro-grant from the Canada Digital Adoption Program, she improved her digital marketing, increasing web traffic and social media engagement. This boost helped her grow her business both online and in-store, continuing her mission to bring people together through the art of cocktail making.
Nothing quite compares to a room filled with laughter, good company, and a perfectly mixed drink in hand. That feeling of connection—of shared moments and effortless joy—is what inspired Chantal Ingram to bring her vision to life through Flourish and Bask.
A longtime lover of home entertainment and the art of cocktail making, Chantal wanted to create more than just a place to buy bar tools and ingredients. She envisioned a space where people could come together, experiment with flavours, and learn the craft of mixology in a way that felt fun, easy, and approachable.
After spending over a decade working in the non-profit sector, Chantal had already built a career around bringing people together. In 2021, she decided to merge her community-centric approach with her personal passions, launching Flourish and Bask as a hub for creativity, celebration, and community growth.
With thoughtfully curated tools, premium ingredients, and alcohol-free options, Chantal ensures that anyone—whether a cocktail enthusiast or a total beginner—can find something that excites them. Through hands-on workshops and lively community events, she’s turned Flourish and Bask into more than just a store; it’s a destination for those who love to learn, mix, sip, and come together.
Determined to expand her reach and build a stronger online presence, Chantal knew she needed to enhance her digital strategy. That’s where the Canada Digital Adoption Program (CDAP) came in. Through the CDAP program, Chantal connected with an E-Commerce Advisor who guided her through the process of accessing a $2,400 micro-grant. With this funding, she was able to invest in SEO optimization and advertising – Both key digital marketing strategies that transformed her business.
“From the time I began implementing changes to January 2025, I grew my Instagram following by 12.5%, which directly led to more foot traffic in the store through the holiday season. My website saw a 183% increase in active users, thanks to improved SEO and Google ads. I wouldn’t have had the time or funds to focus on these crucial growth areas without the grant.”
Referencing CDAP as the driving force behind this transformation, Chantal explained further – “I am also so grateful for the funding. It really gave my sales a boost through a slower-than-normal holiday season. I was able to drive traffic to my website and grew my social media following through target[ed] ad campaigns.”
With this new momentum, Chantal has been able to reach more customers, grow a thriving online community, and continue building the vibrant, fun-loving atmosphere that defines Flourish and Bask.
Overall, the CDAP grant played a significant role in helping Chantal enhance her digital presence, allowing her to focus on an area that is often overlooked but essential in today’s retail landscape. Reflecting on her experience, she shared, “It really is a great program. There is a lot to learn, but they are there to offer help where needed. It truly allows small businesses like mine the ability to focus spending on an area that is often neglected but is incredibly important for surviving in a digital world.”
Looking ahead, Chantal is eager to continue building on this momentum. “I want to continue to grow revenue through e-commerce, as an online presence is so important to retail right now. Even just having a website where customers can get a feel for your store is important.”
With a thriving business both online and in-store, Chantal is proving that amazing cocktails aren’t just about the perfect mix of ingredients—they’re about the people you share them with.
To learn more about Flourish and Bask, check out their website and social media accounts on Instagram and Facebook.
If you’re looking for resources to support your digital transformation or e-commerce journey business check out the DMS Resource Hub.
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.
