Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Josee Regimbald. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Josee, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. If you could go back in time do you wish you had started your business sooner or later

If I could go back, I honestly think I would have started **Ottawa Bloggers sooner**—but at the same time, I also believe it began exactly when it was meant to.

The idea for Ottawa Bloggers came from being deeply involved in the local content creation space myself. As a content creator and social media manager, I was constantly connecting with businesses, events, and other creators in the city. Over time, I started noticing a gap: there were so many talented creators in Ottawa and so many amazing small businesses, but there wasn’t always an easy way for them to find each other or collaborate in a meaningful way.

At the time I started Ottawa Bloggers, I was already balancing a lot in life. I’m a mom of three and running my own social media management work, so entrepreneurship wasn’t new to me—but building a community platform felt like a bigger vision. I wanted to create something that didn’t just highlight local spots, but also supported creators and helped small businesses grow through authentic storytelling and social media.

Looking back, starting sooner might have meant I could have grown the community earlier and connected even more creators and businesses over the years. But I also know that earlier in my career, I may not have had the same experience, confidence, or network that I have now. Those things ended up being really important in shaping Ottawa Bloggers into what it is today.

Starting when I did meant I had already built relationships in the community, understood the social media landscape better, and knew the type of value I wanted to bring to both creators and businesses. That perspective made it easier to build something intentional rather than rushing into it.

So while part of me wishes I had started sooner just to see how far it could have grown by now, I also truly believe the timing worked in my favor. Every step of my journey—being a creator, managing social media for businesses, and connecting with the local community—helped shape Ottawa Bloggers into what it is today.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

My name is Josee, and I’m the founder of Ottawa Bloggers—a local platform and community dedicated to connecting content creators with businesses across Ottawa and surrounding areas.

My journey into this space really started with my own love for content creation. I’ve always been drawn to photography, videography, and storytelling, especially when it comes to sharing everyday experiences, local discoveries, and family life. Over time, what began as a creative outlet on social media grew into something more meaningful. As I started working with businesses and managing social media accounts, I realized just how powerful authentic content can be for local brands.

Through those experiences, I also noticed a gap in the local creator space. Ottawa has so many talented content creators and so many incredible small businesses, restaurants, and experiences—but there wasn’t always a clear bridge connecting the two. Many businesses wanted help with social media or influencer marketing but didn’t know where to start, and many creators wanted opportunities to collaborate locally but didn’t always have access to those connections.

That’s really where the idea for Ottawa Bloggers came from. I wanted to create a platform that supports both sides—helping businesses gain exposure through authentic content while also creating opportunities for local creators to collaborate, grow, and build their portfolios.

Today, Ottawa Bloggers focuses on a few key things. We help businesses promote their brand through social media campaigns, user-generated content, and creator collaborations. We organize creator experiences such as restaurant features, events, and local campaigns where multiple creators work together to highlight a business or destination. We also help brands simplify the process of working with influencers by coordinating the creators, content, and campaign strategy.

At the heart of what we do is storytelling and visibility. Many small businesses have amazing products, services, or experiences, but they struggle to consistently show up online in a way that feels engaging and natural. We help solve that by creating content that feels authentic, relatable, and shareable—content that resonates with real people instead of feeling overly promotional.

I think what really sets Ottawa Bloggers apart is the community aspect. It’s not just about posting content; it’s about building relationships between creators, businesses, and the local community. Because I’m also a creator myself, I understand both perspectives. I know what businesses are hoping to achieve with their marketing, but I also understand how creators work best and how to create collaborations that feel genuine and beneficial for everyone involved.

One of the things I’m most proud of is seeing those connections happen. Watching a small local business gain exposure, seeing creators support one another, and building a network where people collaborate instead of competing is incredibly rewarding. Ottawa has such a vibrant local scene, and being able to help highlight it is something I truly love.

What I want people to know about Ottawa Bloggers is that it’s built on authenticity and community. My goal has always been to create something that supports local businesses while empowering creators to grow. Whether someone is a brand looking for creative ways to market their business or a content creator hoping to work with local companies, Ottawa Bloggers is designed to bring those worlds together in a meaningful way.

How did you build your audience on social media?

Building my audience on social media happened very organically over time. I didn’t start with the goal of growing a large following—I started because I genuinely enjoyed sharing moments from my life, discovering local spots, and creating content through photography and video. What began as a creative outlet slowly turned into something more meaningful as people started connecting with the content and engaging with it.

In the beginning, I focused on sharing things that felt real and relatable. As a mom and someone who loves exploring the city, I would post about local businesses, restaurants, family-friendly activities, and everyday moments. Over time, people began following not just for the places I was sharing, but because they connected with the perspective and storytelling behind the content.

Consistency played a big role in growing my audience. I showed up regularly, experimented with different types of content, and paid attention to what resonated with people. As social media evolved—especially with the rise of short-form video—I leaned into creating reels and video content that felt natural and engaging. I also made it a priority to support other creators and local businesses by sharing their work, collaborating, and building genuine relationships within the community.

Another important part of building an audience was focusing on value rather than just numbers. Instead of chasing followers, I tried to think about what would actually help or inspire someone who came across my page. Whether it was introducing people to a new local restaurant, highlighting a small business, or sharing a fun experience in the city, the goal was always to create content that people would find useful or enjoyable.

For anyone just starting to build their presence on social media, my biggest advice is to focus on authenticity and consistency. You don’t need to have everything perfectly figured out before you start. Some of the best growth comes from experimenting, learning what works, and improving along the way.

It’s also important not to compare your journey to others too much. Social media can make it seem like everyone else is growing faster or doing everything perfectly, but every account grows differently. The most successful creators are usually the ones who stay consistent, develop their own voice, and genuinely enjoy what they’re creating.

Finally, remember that social media is about connection. Engage with your audience, respond to comments and messages, and build relationships with other creators and businesses in your community. Those connections often become the most valuable part of the entire experience, and they’re what help turn a social media page into a real community.

Can you talk to us about how your side-hustle turned into something more.

Ottawa Bloggers actually started as more of a passion project than a formal business. At the time, I was already working in social media management and creating content myself, so sharing local spots, businesses, and experiences online felt very natural to me. What started as simply highlighting places I loved in the city slowly began gaining traction as more people started engaging with the content and businesses began reaching out.

In the early stages, it wasn’t something I planned as a full business model. It was more about building community—connecting creators, supporting local businesses, and sharing great experiences around Ottawa. But as the audience grew and more brands became interested in collaborations, I realized there was an opportunity to turn it into something bigger.

One of the first key milestones was when businesses started approaching me directly for partnerships. That was a turning point because it showed me that there was real demand for authentic, locally focused content. From there, I started structuring collaborations more intentionally—creating content packages, organizing creator experiences, and helping businesses get exposure through multiple creators instead of just a single post.

Another important milestone was building a network of local creators who wanted to be part of the community. Instead of everything being centered around one account, Ottawa Bloggers started evolving into a platform that could support multiple creators and give businesses broader reach through collaborative campaigns. That community aspect became one of the most rewarding parts of the journey.

As things continued to grow, I began developing more structured offerings for businesses—such as content creation, social media campaigns, and influencer collaborations. These services made it easier for brands to work with creators and gave them a clear way to leverage social media marketing in a way that felt authentic rather than overly promotional.

Over time, the side hustle naturally evolved into a much bigger part of my professional life. It allowed me to combine several things I love—content creation, social media strategy, and supporting local businesses—into one platform. Seeing it grow from a simple idea into something that connects creators and brands across the community has been incredibly rewarding.

What makes the journey especially meaningful is that it continues to evolve. Social media is always changing, and so are the opportunities for creators and businesses. Being able to grow alongside that while continuing to support the local community is something I’m really proud of.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://website.beacons.ai/ottawabloggers
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ottawabloggers/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ottawabloggers/

Image Credits

Dental: Blac Chariot Media
Print : Élysée Marie Photographie