Manage and grow your social media community
We are The Social Gourmet. We stand out because we provide a hands-on approach to social media you just can’t find anywhere else. Our work is grounded in our passion for community and our love of social media. Put them together and you’ve got a strategy that keeps your business engaged, active, and consistently reaching goals.
Nestled in the heart of Niagara’s wine country, The Social Gourmet is a boutique social media management company that provides solutions tailored to your business’ needs and goals. We work in and around the community with small and medium-sized businesses. Whether you already have an online presence or you need to start from scratch, we’re here to make sure your business grows and prospers.
For businesses that want to grow but don’t have the time to nourish their online presence, we have social media management packages that we can tailor to your needs. We’ll build a custom plan that works for your business. You sit back while our social media marketing agency takes the reins to lead your company to the next level.
WORK FOR YOUIf you just need a nudge in the right direction, we’re here for you. Tell us what you need or where you need guidance and we’ll create a customized strategy for your business, then show you how to make it work for you. We become your partner, working with you to establish a winning brand presence online.
WORK WITH YOUWith goals of building and maintaining a social media presence, Creative Campbellville came to us in May of 2017 and we built an instant connection! With shared goals of helping small businesses grow, we knew instinctively what Creative Campbellville needed.
With creative writing, marketing content strategy, and research-based copy being their specialties, we utilized these elements, along with their strong community involvement and passion for cross-promoting their clients, to build their online community on a daily basis.
Rising Star Performing Arts has been bringing the joy of dance and performance to Waterdown and Flamborough for more than 30 years. Established in 1987, Rising Star has built a solid reputation for quality instruction in the Waterdown area, yet were looking for some guidance to help them streamline their social content.
The team at Rising Star approached The Social Gourmet specifically, as they knew we were in a unique position to assist them with their social media, having seen the work done by Peggy Harnock in marketing her own studio successfully on social media. Our Plan Development service for Rising Star will include organizational tools, such as content calendars and research databases, as well as on-site training to help them utilize their in-house photography for extended reach and engagement on their social networks.
Bill Culp Productions is Canada’s premium producer of musical tribute shows, with theatrical performances across Canada, the USA, Europe and Australia. Company founder Bill Culp has enjoyed a very successful, international career in show business that has spanned more than 30 years.
Our work for BCP includes the ongoing, daily management of their Facebook page, as well as dozens of targeted ad campaigns each month, for tribute shows in a variety of geographic locations. With such exciting shows to promote, BCP’s engagement rates continue to grow, and our team is regularly responding to over 5000 questions, comments, and messages each month. This is an exciting account to manage and we are thrilled that Bill has chosen The Social Gourmet to help him build and expand BCP’s online musical community.
The Lincoln Chamber of Commerce, in Beamsville, Ontario, came to us with a unique challenge. While their Executive Director was quite tech-savvy and willing to manage their social accounts, they understood that time was a valuable asset.
Determining that effective management of their social accounts would take 5-10 hours each week, their Board of Directors decided that outsourcing their social media management was the most effective use of time and assets.
We took on this role for the Chamber in the Spring of 2018 and saw significant growth and engagement while working with them for the following year. During our time creating content for the Chamber, we established consistent growth each week. Their Reach and Engagement numbers showed that enhancing their social media presence became yet another way for them to connect their members with their wider community.
A client of The Social Gourmet since our inception, we have been managing Jerome’s professional Facebook and LinkedIn presence on an ongoing basis since March of 2016. With a busy schedule and mortgage clients in the Hamilton, Burlington, and Waterdown areas, Jerome needs to ensure that his social media platforms maintain a consistent, personalized presence.
We work closely with Jerome to ensure that his daily content reflects both his business goals, his personality, and his strong ties to his community.
In business for close to 20 years, Retail Design Group has only recently added social media to their marketing strategy.This family-run business, specializing in retail and pharmacy design and construction, has been working with The Social Gourmet since September of 2016.
Our goals for Retail Design Group are to provide their social media community with updates and information about current and past projects, as well as to share family-friendly events in their local area. With a strong personal connection to the autism community, awareness, education, and support for autism-related causes also play a large part in their online content.
Spurr HVAC has been servicing the heating and cooling needs of both commercial and residential customers in Hamilton and the surrounding area for more than 10 years.
Our work with Spurr HVAC included a full refresh and relaunch of their Facebook and Instagram feeds, social strategy, and ongoing social media management. We’re excited to watch this team continue to grow their business through the addition of social media.
Founded in 1955, St Paul’s United Church in Oakville is a mixed, intergenerational congregation who believe they have something for everyone, and are always open to new ideas. Their purpose is to feed the mind, body and soul.
With a goal of expanding their following both in and out of the church, we worked closely with St. Paul’s Minister and Communications Committee to ensure that their “All are Welcome” message is loud and clear to everyone that visits. Our work included a full refresh and relaunch of their Facebook and Instagram feeds including custom graphics, branding, and ongoing shared social media management.
Beyond Montessori is an urban-based, eco-award winning school in St. Catharines, whose goal was to increase their connection with parents and the wider community through social media.
We spent several hours on-site with teachers and school administrators to better understand their environment and their philosophies, before moving ahead with building the social media plan for this unique client. A full tutorial session was provided upon completion of the plan, to ensure they were well-equipped to move forward with it and achieve their desired results. A newer (larger!) school building is now required to house this growing Montessori community.
Include Me is a unique business that requires a unique social media plan. With services that include personalized planning and support for individuals with developmental disabilities, mental illness, or dual diagnosis, Include Me needed a specialized plan to share their goals and accomplishments with their online community.
The Social Gourmet worked alongside Include Me to develop a social media marketing plan and posting schedule that allowed them to increase their exposure in the community, and boost engagement with their existing followers. We are thrilled that the team from Include Me has approached us again, as their business goals have changed and their social strategy is in need of a refresh.
Arrowhead Coaching and Facilitation Solutions is a relatively new business, and they’re eager to hit the ground running when it comes to their social media presence.
Our team was excited to move forward with building a social media marketing strategy for Arrowhead that included content databases, platform audits, comparative analyses, and content strategies that will assist them in working toward their goal of establishing themselves in the GTA and Niagara coaching landscape.
Our work with the DCCA in the summer of 2017 coincided with celebrations for Canada’s 150th! This small, community organization, in partnership with Woodbine Entertainment, was chosen as hosts for the 2017 RCMP Musical Ride Cross Canada Tour.
The Social Gourmet was brought on board to design, implement, and manage the Facebook ad campaign for this exciting 2-day event. We were able to optimize their modest advertising budget to ensure this patriotic event was a sell-out!
Arnott-Wood Wealth Advisory Group is a Burlington-based wealth advisory firm that specializes in responsible investments. Their belief is that “responsible investing is a proxy for building better quality – in your portfolio and in the world.”
Industry-related regulations and compliance are a key factor in the marketing of a wealth advisory firm, and this daunting task is why many wealth advisors steer clear of social media. We were confident that our team could effectively navigate these unique challenges, and are very proud that Arnott-Wood Wealth Advisory Group has entrusted us with the ongoing management of their social media presence.
Community Living – Grimsby, Lincoln and West Lincoln provides person-centred services that support people living with intellectual disabilities. Their vision – “Celebrating individuality through boundless opportunities.” Community Living – Grimsby, Lincoln and West Lincoln approached us for a customized social media marketing plan.
After several on-site meetings, we determined that this organization has a very capable in-house Admin team, with excellent social media skills. What they needed was an organized, targeted, streamlined plan, that would help them reach not only their wider community, but potential volunteers, employees, and donors. Our Plan Development for Community Living will provide this team with the organizational tools they require to take their social media community to the next level.
Sometimes you just need a boost, and that’s exactly why Compassionate Body Pilates came to us. This well-established Pilates studio was undergoing a geographic transformation, and we were brought on board for a short-term contract to help increase their exposure in the Niagara Region when the business was relocated from Markham to St. Catharines.
J.A. Turner Associates is a Canadian-based, full service immigration organization, headquartered in the Niagara region. We have recently been invited to work alongside Jennifer Turner and her team to research and develop an efficient and effective social media marketing plan for this unique business.
Our Plan Development service will include posting schedules, content calendars and source content research, the development of a content database, as well as a one-on-one tutorial session to ensure this team is well-equipped to carry out their plan, and build their social media community.
We are excited to have the opportunity to be working alongside The Kitchen Project, to assist them in developing a social media marketing plan that will match the excitement level of this quickly-growing, Halton-based business. Our plan for The Kitchen Project includes everything they’ll need to execute a fully optimized social strategy on multiple social networks.
The Kitchen Project is dedicated to designing your dream kitchen, whatever style that may be, and we’re exited to watch this team build and grow their online community.
We are very pleased to have the opportunity to be working with the team from Joshua Creek Tennis.
Our work for this established Oakville-based tennis facility includes the development of a full Social Media Marketing Plan, complete with organizational tools and on-site tutorial session. This plan includes everything their team will need to execute a fully optimized social strategy to ensure their continued success in the industry.
As a small business owner or self-employed professional, your social media presence is the online face of your business. No…
Here at The Social Gourmet, we believe strongly in nurturing connections with fellow small business owners, both online and off….
“There are moments when you meet people who will lead to magical things. Meeting Peggy was one of those moments. Her knowledge and dedication to growing small business is invaluable. Thanks for all that you do!”
- Michelle Finocchi, Finocchi at Pure Magic Vacations“Awesome workshop! If you get the chance to attend one I highly recommend it. Peggy knows her stuff, and her approach to social media is both professional and natural.”
- Jessica St. Peter, Brand Web Design“Having the time to post and be noticed on social media is important to my business, but I simply don’t have the time to learn about all of the strategies involved and/or find the most appropriate material. The Social Gourmet does everything I want it to, and more! Professional, idealistic, intuitive and flexible. I’ll never go anywhere else for my social media presence.”
- Jerome Christensen, Mortgage Alliance“Thanks to Peggy, we have a clear vision for our business and a Social Media Plan that will allow us to have a variety of information geared towards our present and future clients.”
- Melanie Hedden-Perron, Rising Star Performing Arts“A very productive morning was spent at your very informative workshop. Lots of useful and practical information was presented and discussed to help me promote my small business on Facebook.”
- Tammy Snow-Johnston, Tammy Snow-Johnston Fitness“After only a few weeks, I am extremely happy with Peggy’s ability to develop my social media presence. I should have called her sooner!”
- David Robinson, Robinson Real Estate“I just completed Peggy’s Facebook Foundations training session, and I highly recommend it. I got some misconceptions straightened out, made some important changes right there in the workshop, and left with a notepad scribbled with lots of ideas for how to go back to my office and start using our Facebook page as a tool for building great relationships.”
- Anna Murre, Lincoln Chamber of Commerce“Fantastic workshop! Many thanks from the Ward Hearing team! We’re looking forward to the next one!”
- Brian and Shannon, Ward Hearing Centre“The Social Gourmet has made a world of difference to my business! When I am tied up with my clients, The Social Gourmet is busy keeping me active and involved in the social media world. Highly recommend.”
- Karen Glancy, Right at Home Realty“In just the first week of implementing the plan The Social Gourmet created for me, I saw my traffic grow. Very professional, knowledgeable, and available to answer any questions and offer up support and guidance.”
- Jeannie Skeggs, Include Me Developmental Services“I heard Peggy from The Social Gourmet speak at a Company of Women dinner and she was fantastic. She provided great social media tips, suggestions, and wise ideas for putting an effective social media plan in place. I highly recommend her for anyone needing help getting their social media strategy figured out.”
- Ginny Arnott-Wood, Arnott-Wood Wealth Advisory Group“With social media being an integral part of the real estate world, we realized we needed a professional. Peggy was recommended to us and we soon realized she was the person for us. She has proven she has our best interest at heart and we highly recommend Peggy and her team.”
- Kim Robinson and Brenda MacGregor, Robinson MacGregor Group at RE/MAX Escarpment“The Social Gourmet has been critical in the creation and execution of our social media strategy. A consistent social media presence is simply not an option in our industry- it’s a necessity, and it would not be possible without Peggy.”
- Kimberley Fowler, Creative Campbellville“Peggy is a superstar with social media! She definitely knows what she is talking about and has a down to earth, relatable style when she is teaching people how to use the different social media platforms. I would definitely recommend her to business owners looking to better their social media pages! Thank you Peggy for all your guidance!”
- Kimberley Robb, RetroScripts