Prepping for Peak Season: How Sunshine Coast Small Businesses Can Capitalize on Summer Tourism
From ferry decks to forest trails, the Sunshine Coast fills up fast once the weather warms. Visitors flood in from Vancouver, Alberta, and beyond, eager for coastal views, local eats, artisan markets, and outdoor adventure.
But if you’re a small business on the Coast, here’s the secret: the businesses that thrive in the summer are built in the off-season.
If you want to be the spot people already have saved on their phones before they step off the ferry, you need to use the slower months—fall, winter, spring—to build visibility, grow your audience, and create content that lasts.
Here’s how to make the most of the off-season so you can absolutely crush it when summer hits.
1. Create Searchable, Local Content That Lives Year-Round
Tourists plan their Sunshine Coast getaways weeks (or months) in advance. They're Googling “best coffee shop in Gibsons,” “things to do in Sechelt with kids,” or “hidden beaches near Roberts Creek” long before they arrive.
Use the quieter months to:
Write blog posts like “3 Rainy Day Activities on the Sunshine Coast” or “Local Markets You Can’t Miss This Summer.”
Film simple reels or TikToks showing your space, your process, or your favourite trails nearby.
Update your Google Business Profile with hours, menus, and photos.
These little efforts build a big digital footprint that leads visitors straight to your door.
2. Grow Your Following While It’s Quiet
Want to be on someone's list of "must-visits" before they even arrive in Gibsons or Powell River?
Off-season is when you:
Get consistent on Instagram and TikTok. Post behind-the-scenes, seasonal specials, or “locals-only” moments.
Grow your email list with giveaways or downloadables (like “Best Beaches Near [Your Town]”).
Post in Sunshine Coast Facebook groups and use local hashtags like
#sunshinecoastbc,#coastlife, or#madeonthescoast.
Your goal: Be followed, saved, or bookmarked before summer ever begins.
3. Turn Your Story Into a Reason to Visit
People don’t just come to the Sunshine Coast for the scenery—they come for connection. That includes the stories behind the small businesses they discover.
In the off-season:
Share your origin story—how you started, what you make, and why you love this place.
Introduce your team or family in a casual, authentic way.
Use video to show your workspace, your products, or your view of the ocean, forest, or ferry lineup.
On the Coast, realness matters more than polish. Be local, be you.
4. Collaborate With Other Local Legends
From Tofino to Texada, BC tourism is powered by partnerships—and the Sunshine Coast is no different. Use the off-season to connect with other small businesses and build momentum together.
Here’s how:
Partner with local artists, food vendors, or tour operators for summer bundles.
Offer “staycation” packages with B&Bs or Airbnbs to attract early bookings.
Reach out to local magazines, blogs, or tourism pages to feature your business in spring content.
Collaboration is how a single shop becomes part of someone’s full Sunshine Coast experience.
5. Build Content Once. Reuse It All Summer.
Want to post consistently all summer without lifting a finger? Use the off-season to build a content bank.
Batch content like:
15-second reels of your shop, trail views, market days, or product prep.
Seasonal product shots or services displayed outdoors (on docks, trails, beaches).
Testimonials from happy locals or returning visitors.
Film in March, post in July. Make the algorithm—and your sanity—work for you.
6. Create Summer-Ready Systems Now
Don’t wait until June to scramble. Use off-season time to:
Refresh your signage, packaging, and business cards.
Set up QR codes that lead to your Instagram, menu, or online shop.
Train seasonal staff early, or document systems for onboarding help quickly.
The more you prep now, the more energy you can spend serving your dream customers this summer.
Final Thoughts: Summer is Short. Start Now.
On the Sunshine Coast, the busy season can feel like a sprint. But if you’ve spent your off-season building your digital presence, refining your offer, and getting seen—you’ll enter summer ready, visible, and in demand.
Whether you're selling fresh bread in Roberts Creek, running a surf shop in Davis Bay, or guiding kayak tours in Lund—visibility starts now, not in June.
Need help telling your story before the crowds arrive?
The Stoker Collective specializes in creating scroll-stopping content for Sunshine Coast businesses—video, photo, and content strategy designed to help you stand out in the feed and in real life.
📩 Let’s plan your off-season content strategy now so you’re ready to win the summer.