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Morrissette Institute for Entrepreneurship

Accelerator Profile: Tyson Kielt and Tanner Ferreira of T&T Local

Oct 28, 2025

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T&T Local is a sales and distribution agency that helps local alcohol brands grow in Ontario’s competitive hospitality market. The venture operates on a consignment model, moving product through strategic sales, logistics, and high-impact events. From warehousing to mobile bar service, T&T Local bridges the gap between craft producers and licensed venues, driving visibility, velocity, and revenue.

 

What drew you to entrepreneurship?

Tyson: Growing up I watched my dad and his journey through entrepreneurship as built multiple restoration businesses. Seeing his drive and passion for his work has really motivated me to pursue a journey of my own. I have always wanted to be an entrepreneur, although I was never certain of the business or industry. This opportunity arose at the right time in my life, and I decided to jump in.

Tanner: After studying business at university, I was always intrigued by how I could turn an idea into something tangible of my own. Growing up, sports played a major role in shaping who I am — they taught me discipline, leadership, and the importance of teamwork and perseverance. Those lessons naturally carried over into how I approach business and entrepreneurship today.

After graduation, I spent time in Europe, where I was exposed to different cultures and ways of operating, which broadened my perspective even further. Tyson and I quickly found inspiration from those experiences and began brainstorming how we could build something of our own — a business model that not only benefits us, but also positively impacts the people we work with and the clients we serve.

 

What problem are you solving, and what is your unique approach?

We solve the problem of market access for local alcohol producers who struggle with sales, logistics, and promotion. At the same time, we help licensees access unique, local products without the usual sourcing headaches. Our unique approach combines consignment-based sales, warehousing, and mobile event services, giving brands a full-service partner to drive velocity and giving venues a reliable source of high-quality, local offerings.

How did you come across this problem, and why did it appeal to you?

While living in Germany, we noticed that most restaurants proudly served a range of local alcohol products; it was part of the culture. Back in Ontario, we saw the opposite. Most venues carried the same mainstream brands, and local products were hard to find. We realized the problem wasn’t quality, it was access. So we set out to build a streamlined way for licensees to source a variety of local alcohol brands under one umbrella, making it easier for them to offer something unique, and easier for local producers to get into the market. This business appeals to us because it blends entrepreneurship with tangible impact, helping local makers grow their brands while shaping the drinking culture in the region. It’s fast-paced, relationship-driven, and rooted in hospitality, giving us the chance to build something visible and valuable.

What are you hoping to accomplish for your start-up at the Western Accelerator?

Through this accelerator, we are aiming to tighten our operational flow and build a clearer, more scalable path to growth. Right now, we’re doing a lot — sales, logistics, events, warehousing, and while it works, we know there’s room to streamline processes, reduce friction, and optimize how our team and systems function day to day. We want to refine the backend — from CRM and inventory to communication and invoicing — so we can scale without bottlenecks.

What is the biggest lesson you've learned so far during your time at the Western Accelerator?

So far, the biggest insight we’ve gained from the accelerator is that we're not leveraging technology enough in my operation. We’ve been getting things done, but a lot of our processes are still manual, fragmented, or overly reliant on people rather than systems. Whether it’s tracking sales, managing inventory, scheduling deliveries, or following up with clients, there are clear opportunities to automate, integrate, and optimize. We’ve realized that by not fully utilizing the tools available, we’re leaving efficiency, scalability, and data insights on the table.