Feature Story By Rebecca Wright
Local
Stars
Shine Bright On Small Business Stage
A snapshot from “Neverland,” presented earlier this year by Windsor Dance eXperience Inc., featuring Michelle Robinet as “Tiger Lily”. Photo courtesy of John Chan.
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ctober is “Small Business Month” in Canada. It’s a time to recognize and acknowledge the contributions small business owners make to communities across the country. “Small Business Month underscores the importance of ensuring that we continue to support our entrepreneurs and evolve a continued culture of entrepreneurship in the Windsor Essex region,” states Sabrina DeMarco, Executive Director, Small Business Centre, a department of the WindsorEssex Economic Development Corporation (WEEDC; ChooseWindsorEssex.com). “As part of the WEEDC, the Small Business Centre uses this opportunity to let local businesses know how much we value their contribution to our local economy, and to provide them with opportunities to achieve success.” DeMarco notes that according to Statistics Canada, there are over 20,000 businesses operating in Windsor Essex, and the vast majority are micro and small businesses, with 85 percent having fewer than 10 employees. “Small business is truly at the heart of the economy in the region,” says DeMarco. “Each and every day, these hard-working entrepreneurs and business owners make enormous contributions to our local
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economy by creating jobs and generating economic growth that keep our communities prosperous.” Last year, the Small Business Centre received nearly 7,000 inquiries, conducted nearly 1,400 consultations with new and existing small business and hosted over 100 small business development workshops, which attracted over 5,000 participants, according to DeMarco. All of these activities resulted in the creation of 140 small business start-ups, 40 business expansions and nearly 450 new full-time jobs in the region. “Small business and entrepreneurship is the backbone of our community,” believes DeMarco.
Sabrina DeMarco and her team at the Small Business Centre are gearing up to present the “2nd Annual Small Biz Expo.” Photo by Rod Denis. B IZ X M A G A Z IN E • O C T O B E R 2 0 1 6
For small business owners, DeMarco says it’s imperative to do your research and learn as much as you can about the industry you are in and to stay on top of best practices and current market trends. “And it is really important for any business owner to understand and communicate what their value proposition is and to clearly and effectively market their brand message,” states DeMarco. “While many business owners are successful at this, far too many overlook the importance of strategically marketing their goods and services. This is an important aspect of running a business that cannot be overlooked, no matter the size of the operation and where the business is located.” There are plenty of resources out there to help, she adds, including resources available through the Small Business Centre, which can provide you with foundational support — access to training, mentoring and business advisory support — along the way. As part of the WindsorEssex Economic Development Corporation and in partnership with the Province of Ontario, the WindsorEssex Small Business Centre is presenting the “Small Biz 2016 Expo” (WindsorEssexSmallBusiness.com/expo) to showcase the diversity of small businesses from across the region. Approximately