Can you tell me a bit about how your business began?
We started Symplicity over 10 years ago with one goal: To help small business owners navigate their biggest challenges and evolve. We currently operate in Moncton, but our virtual capabilities have allowed us to work with over 500 businesses all over Canada and the world.
- Tell me about your business. What does your business do? What products and/or services do you offer?
Symplicity is a true partner in strategic transformation. Our groundbreaking 12-month Levership program was born from a critical need we saw in our clients: a structured, consistent rhythm to nail the execution of their business strategy.
We empower dedicated business owners, who tirelessly work in the trenches every day, to increase their profitability, streamline their workload, and foster customer success. Levership supercharges leaders’ understanding of their business’s complex financial engine, aligns their leadership team, and tackles operational problems in the right order at the right time.
We deal in theory; we dive into the gritty application of practical systems that have propelled businesses from modest $1M revenues to impressive $155M milestones. Our program is crafted to lighten the load of busy entrepreneurs, creating space and driving execution, ensuring their efforts translate into sustained growth and profitability.
Tell me a bit about your clientele, who are the people who use, buy or take advantage of your products and services?
Our clients are often hands-on practitioners who find the business side overwhelming. They’re eager to elevate their business but don’t know how without driving every step themselves. Many have tried coaching or training before, only to find that while theories are useful, putting them into action is a whole different game. We turn that game into a winning strategy.
How many staff do you employ? Full time or part time?
We are a small business just like our clients, operating with 21 employees. We leverage a handful of contractors to ensure we are always capable of delivering excellence to our clients, without being overloaded by full-time employees when business lightens (a balance we typically help our clients with).
Is your business involved in any community activities or organizations?
Absolutely! We’re deeply embedded in the Atlantic Canada community, collaborating with countless local small businesses across various sectors. As one of the top 10% B Corps worldwide, we’re proud of our commitment to positive impact. We regularly participate in community events like fundraisers. Engaging with our community is at the heart of what we do, ensuring we contribute to regional growth and resilience.
Can you tell me about one of the most rewarding experiences you’ve had while working for the business? Favourite customers?
One of the most rewarding experiences comes from helping business owners achieve their personal goals in relation to their businesses. It’s incredibly fulfilling to hear from our clients that they can now spend more quality time with their families and experience significantly less stress in their daily lives. Our favorite customers are those who transform their work-life balance and witness firsthand how our support has positively impacted their lives. This is exactly why we do what we do – to make a real difference.
- What are you most proud of in your business?
At Symplicity, we are most proud of our tangible impact on the community and the businesses we support. Our business model is designed to dedicate time to social sector work and to counsel the smallest micro-businesses seeking help. Beyond our B Corporation certification, we prioritize the triple bottom line approach: people, planet, and profit. We take pride in our ongoing commitment to environmentally sustainable practices with our partners. It’s incredibly fulfilling to know that our efforts contribute to positive change and sustainability in all our endeavors.
- Has your business won any awards?
Yes, Symplicity has been recognized with several prestigious awards. Our co-founder and CEO Matt Symes has received Atlantic Canada’s Top 50 CEO award for the past three years and was named Business Leader of the Year in 2020 by the Halifax Chamber of Commerce. Co-founder Mark Symes, was honored with the 2023 Canadian Forest Industries Top 20 under 40 award for his innovative contributions to the forest sector. Additionally, Symplicity has been awarded as one of the “Best Places to Work” in 2023 and 2024.
What kind of challenges have you experienced in your business and how were you able to overcome them?
Early on, we found ourselves stretched too thin, chasing multiple business goals at once. This lack of focus was a major hurdle. Recognizing the problem was the first step. We paused and took a hard look at our projects, prioritizing those critical to our long-term success. We revisited our financial models, engaged in deep conversations with ideal customers, and refined our pricing strategy. Through the triple C exercise—cut, control, and continuously improve—we zeroed in on our most profitable opportunities. By dedicating 90 days to a single focus area, we saw a significant boost in our bottom line. Ironically this challenge we faced at the start is a key area that we now focus on in our 12-month program.
What sets you apart from your competition?
What sets Symplicity and our Levership program apart is our commitment to being right there in the trenches with you. We don’t just offer advice; we roll up our sleeves and work alongside you to identify and overcome business obstacles. Our goal is to lift you out of challenges and set you on a path to sustainable success. With processes designed for quick, measurable results, 85% of our clients see a full return on their yearly investment within the first quarter. We’re here to empower you every step of the way.
What is the biggest risk facing your business or your industry?
The biggest risk facing businesses in any industry is keeping the main thing the main thing. It is so simple and so difficult all at the same time. Every day brings a flood of problems, challenges, and opportunities vying for attention. Our job is to help clients prioritize, create space, and drive execution. Ironically, we sometimes manage this better for our clients and partners than for ourselves.
What is next for your business? Any exciting projects you want to tell usabout?
We are thrilled to be expanding into some new US markets while still operating within our historical market, primarily Atlantic Canada. We will always be dedicated to growing the community and local economy in Atlantic Canada, and this expansion allows us to bring our proven methods to a broader audience while staying true to our roots.
How do you feel about the economy and opportunities in NB?
We are rationally optimistic about the future. We live in a beautiful part of the world that’s growing. New Brunswick will face the Silver Tsunami, the aging population, sooner than the rest of Canada. Our hope is to turn this perceived challenge into our biggest asset. Why not become the best in the world at aging wisely, with economic investments in businesses that promote healthspan? This could transform our region into a global leader in healthy aging and open up exciting new opportunities.
What is one thing you wish more people knew about your business?
We wish more people knew that we’re not just consultants; we’re true strategic partners. We’ve developed a unique way to connect strategy with execution, specifically for small and micro businesses. Our Levership program is designed to bring the best of leadership, management, and strategic execution to these businesses. We pride ourselves on working side by side with our clients, guiding them through changes and challenges. The results speak for themselves, with businesses thriving and growing sustainably. We’re really proud of the impact we’ve made.
What is the best advice you ever received as a business owner?
Our CEO, Matt, often references gritty biographies that reveal the survival aspect of success amidst constant change. He quotes Elon Musk’s notion of “staring into the abyss and eating glass,” capturing the harsh reality of business leadership. Matt also loves Phil Knight’s advice: “Let everyone else call your idea crazy… just keep going. Don’t stop.” Our co-founder, Mark, adds another perspective: “Nothing’s ever as good or as bad as you perceive it to be.” Together, these pieces of advice remind us to persevere and maintain perspective, no matter what comes our way.