Client Story: Marshall Technologii

Our monthly Immigrant Entrepreneurship Newsletter features some of the incredible immigrant entrepreneurs in Alberta that we support, like Daniel Mbewa, founder of Marshall Technologii. We spoke with Daniel about his journey as an immigrant entrepreneur in Alberta and his experience with Business Link.

Start somewhere is my business motto. Have faith and go for it, believe in your abilities. Have something for yourself, even if it is small. The worst regret is saying “I wish I knew”. It is better to be on the “I Tried” side of things.

1. What is your background?

Originally from Kenya, but Red Deer has been my beloved hometown ever since I moved here for an internship 10 years ago while completing a Bachelor’s Degree in Geographic Information Systems at Southern Alberta Institute of Technology (SAIT). With the SAIT degree under my belt, along with a Computer Science degree previously acquired in Kenya. I thought I would use my knowledge and skills to start something that would help my family, my Dad, the community, and generations to come.

2. Tell us about your business and what it does.

At Marshall Technologii, we help local businesses and organizations with affordable and effective mobile technology solutions to help them grow their businesses and organizations. These solutions are

3D Virtual Tours for retail stores virtual shopping, schools & daycares, real estate, etc.
Online food ordering system (happidealsorders.ca)
Mobile Apps for local businesses and organizations
Affordable website training, hosting, design, and maintenance

3. What motivated you to start your own business?

Financial security. And I was also looking for a way to support my Dad. As time went by, I also saw a gap where local businesses are not utilizing the mobile technology big business are using. Thus, I was keen on helping local businesses to access affordable mobile technology that is on par with what is used by larger competitors with tens of thousands of dollars to spend. As a result, Marshall Technologii was born in 2016.

4. What are you most proud of? What is your biggest success?

This was an amazing year for me and my family. I recently received the 2021 AC Awards Entrepreneur of the Year Award from Diversity Magazine.

My most recent accomplishment is setting up a mobile ordering system that has helped a popular local restaurant in Red Deer to become less dependent on costly third-party apps. Secondly, we recently added a 3D virtual tour service as a response to COVID-19 that has not only benefited real estate, hotels, and retail establishments in Red Deer but is also increasingly accessed by local schools (such as South Side Christian School) and daycare centers, particularly as pandemic restrictions have resulted in a greater demand for virtual onboarding. And thirdly, I am partnering with an immigrant-serving organization in Calgary to provide internships to newcomers and help them to integrate into Canadian society.

5. What has been your biggest challenge as an immigrant entrepreneur in Alberta?

In a society where people buy from businesses they know, it is tough to break through that. We do our best to put our products and services out there and network with as many people as possible so that they can know our brand and the value we provide.

6. What has been your biggest challenge in light of COVID-19? How have you had to pivot your business?

The lockdowns were tough, as local businesses were closed and thus our services were not needed that much until they opened it up. But the good thing is we were getting the businesses ready for the re-opening.

We didn’t really have to pivot that much; mobile apps and websites are becoming essential to some businesses and with covid-19 we started offering 3D virtual tours for local businesses and organizations to help with;

3D virtual shopping
Less in-person tours
Start amazing online virtual open houses
To help with their marketing strategy
Site presentation at seminars
Enhance new staff orientation procedure
And many more possibilities

7. What has the pandemic taught you about you and/or your business?

The pandemic has taught me a couple of things. First, is the importance of being patient and timing, with the services we offer not so many local businesses saw the importance of them until now, and we were able to help them transition.

Secondly, the importance of sound money management, to have money in the reserve for unforeseen circumstances.

Finally, the importance of community, coming together as a community of business owners and residents by helping local businesses to transition and staying afloat.

8. What advice would you share with other immigrant entrepreneurs in Alberta who want to start or grow their own business?

“Start Somewhere” is my business motto. Have faith and go for it, believe in your abilities. Have something for yourself, even if it is small. The worst regret is saying “I wish I knew”. It is better to be on the “I Tried” side of things.

Kobe Bryant said, “The biggest mistake we make in life is thinking we have time.”

Les Brown said, “If you fall, fall on your back. If you can look up, you can get up.”

9. How has Business Link/our Immigrant Entrepreneur Program helped you?

Business Link has been amazing, I have used their resources when I started, just to have an idea of what I needed. The webinars and most recently the Immigrant Entrepreneur Summit. These opportunities have helped me to connect with other entrepreneurs and put our business out there.

10. What’s coming up next for you?

I am looking to grow my business and be an integral part of my community as we continue to help local businesses. Employ new staff who share the same vision as me to help local businesses with mobile technology.

11. Anything else you would like to share?

Just wanted to let everyone know; In life, no one is coming to save us, we must be the ones to initiate what we want in life and thus the world will give it to us. And it all starts with our God-given mindset, change your mindset and your life will change.