Trash Pandas Innovation & Design co-owners Skylar (left) and Kristen Walsh (right) (Photo courtesy of Scott Roblin)

By Scott Roblin

Starting Up

New start-up businesses trying to weather uncertain market

Jun 10, 2020 | 5:35 PM

MEDICINE HAT, AB – Re-opening an established business amid the COVID-19 pandemic can be challenging enough, let alone trying to launch one from the ground up.

That’s what a handful of local entrepreneurs are trying to do this summer however, looking to move into the marketplace with new business ventures.

Count Kristen and Skylar Walsh in that group, as the married couple is branching out to launch Trash Pandas Innovation & Design.

The idea began as a school project while Kristen attended the visual communications program at Medicine Hat College.

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That project launched the possibility of moving into product development and graphic design full time, something she and Skylar have jumped fully into in 2020.

“Overall, it’s very surreal,” said Kristen. “To be working on this project for the last year and a half as a school project to now it becoming a reality has been an amazing experience.”

Launching a new venture during a period of uncertainty like the pandemic has provided a number of logistical challenges for the couple such as lining up the framework of their operation.

“Trying to get a business bank account or starting up the business and doing the paperwork for that, it’s a little bit different because we can’t do that in person,” said Skylar.

They’ve been able to launch their first product, an instant coffee alternative for those without the use of a coffee machine called ‘Coffee Pops.’

This comes after a cash injection of over $10,000 received from Medicine Hat College’s annual pitch competition which is helping the Walshes wade through the financial troubles that the pandemic have posed.

“We can actually move forward with production, we can move forward with buying the materials that we need to get to make it a reality,” said Kristen.

Over the last few months, the pair have debated whether or not to enter the marketplace this summer due to the risks associated with beginning a small business, let alone in the midst of a global economic shutdown.

While the financial support has been invaluable for Trash Pandas, so too has been the advise and guidance they’ve been able to receive from like-minded businesses who have been around the block.

“It’s been a little bit challenging,” said Kristen. “We had to take it step by step, doing lots of research into what should be our next move going forward. And then asking our peers, people that we know in the business community and getting their support and feedback based on what we could do next. That was super helpful for what to do.”

On top of the professional challenges, they’ve also been trying to carve out time with their two daughters who are learning at home with local schools closed.

There’s still plenty of work ahead for the Walshes with marketing their business the top priority in drawing in as many customers as possible off the hop.

Skylar admitted it hasn’t been the easiest decision starting their company in such an uncertain time, but believes they’ll be better for it in learning to adapt economically.

“I think it also helps us adapt to what’s going to be maybe the new economy and the new ways that we’re going to be doing business,” he said. “Be it through online platforms and pivoting in that direction, I think it does give us a leg up that this is how we’re starting.”

The first run of production of ‘Coffee Pops’ is set to get underway in the near future, while the pair are hoping to build out into more videography and graphic design.