In conversation with Mississauga entrepreneur, Chidinma Akaniro, owner of Dgytal.

1. What does your company provide/do? 

At Dgytal, we provide digital solutions to help businesses create impactful online presence. We build high-performance websites and e-commerce stores that drive growth and conversion for small businesses in Mississauga and beyond. 

2. What inspired you to start your company?

My inspiration for Dgytal came from a local African grocery store in Mississauga. I was chatting with the owner, and she shared how growing competition was crushing their sales. Around the time, I read a study showing that over 70% of Canadians shop online. The store had zero digital presence. I realized so many incredible local businesses were getting left behind in the digital world so I decided to start Dgytal to help local businesses expand their reach and grow their sales.

3. What's been the most impactful lesson you've learned being an entrepreneur?

Flexibility is key. As entrepreneurs, we often start with great plans written down, but the real world and the market ultimately dictate what is valued and what customers are willing to pay for. The ability to listen to your audience and pivot quickly is critical.

When I started Dgytal, we initially focused on marketing services. While the value of marketing was clear, the willingness to pay for it was much lower than expected. We pivoted to website design, which allowed us to address the core issue of small business visibility more effectively while also ensuring the sustainability of our business. 
4. How do you unwind?

I love swimming and walking before the world wakes up. It helps me clear my head and energizes me for the day ahead. I also love spending time with my family. I have a three-year-old daughter who loves painting, so we paint often.

5. What succinct advice do you have for aspiring entrepreneurs?

Focus on execution. Bring something to the market and let the market guide you. The feedback will help you improve it.

6. What are your goals for 2025? 

Our primary goal is to scale our business significantly. We plan to hire more team members to increase our capacity and better serve our growing client base. We also plan to establish a new office space to improve our team’s collaboration and synergy. 

7. How did the Mississauga Starter Company Plus program help you start or expand your business?

The Starter Company Plus (SCP) program helped Dgytal in many ways. Our biggest win was that the amazing mentors that guided us to refocus our service offerings to something more sustainable. Our client base and revenue shot up once we pivoted. The $5,000 grant helped us invest in critical software subscriptions we needed to run the business.
I met so many amazing entrepreneurs and learnt about Idea Mississauga and the wonderful programs they have for entrepreneurs. 
I am so thankful to have been a part of the Starter Company Plus program.

dgytal.com