Black to Business – Issue 60 – Spring 2015

issue

60

S U M M E R 2 015

A Family Tradition Paul's Food Factory Also in this issue:  Family Businesses  BBI Board of Directors  Successful Entrepreneurs

“A dynamic and vibrant Black presence within the Nova Scotia Business Community.”

Working with businesses.

Nova Scotia Business Inc. sells Nova Scotia businesses to the world and sells the world on doing business in Nova Scotia.

Talk to us about your next opportunity.

1.800.260.6682 www.novascotiabusiness.com www.novascotiabusiness.com/follow

Stronger People, Stronger Organizations.

Knightsbridge Robertson Surrette is committed to building great companies.

In partnership with our clients, we strive to enhance the talent pool in our communities by providing exceptional recruitment, career management and transition, and Human Resource consulting. By strengthening people we strengthen organizations creating competitive advantages, improving performance and achieving business objectives.

With over 60 professionals located in Atlantic Canada, we have the people and services you need when you need stronger people.

Jeff Forbes, Vice-President and Managing Partner, Executive Search

April Howe, Career Transition and Management Practice Leader

Allyson England, Consultant, Meridia

Micheline Daigle-LeBlanc, Senior Consultant

kbrs.ca I meridiarecruitment.ca I 1.866.822.6022

Black 2 Business is the official periodical of The Black Business Initiative Its goal is to support the BBI as it fosters a dynamic and vibrant Black presence within the Nova Scotia Business Community.

For Advertising Information, Rates, Submitting Story Ideas, Notices or Community Events, and for more Information, call: 902-426-8683 Published by: The Black Business Initiative Editor in Chief: Michael Wyse Design & Layout: Design North - Halifax Production by: Mirabliss Media Productions Cover Photographs: Corey Katz

The Black Business Initiative Centennial Building Suite 1201,1660 Hollis Street, Halifax, Nova Scotia B3J 1V7

Phone: 902-426-8683 Fax: 902-426-8699 Toll Free: 1-888-664-9333 E-Mail: bbi@bbi.ns.ca

www.bbi.ca

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Message from BBI

1

Message from NSBI

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COVER STORY A Family Tradition - Paul's Food Factory

3

Create a Culture

6

Linda Parris - Counselling the Community

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Don't Break the Bank

11

Downtown Nutrition

13

TRAILBLAZERS - BBI Board - Northern Region 15 CFIB - The Big Voice for Small Business in Nova Scotia

17

Marvelous Moo’s

19

Keeping it in the Family, Keeping it in the Community

21

OUT & ABOUT with the BBI

25

PEOPLE & BUSINESS ON THE MOVE

27

GoFullSteam

29

Highlight Reel Clothing

31

ASK AN EXPERT 33 Stage Coaching

37

REGIONAL SHOUT-OUTS

39

When is the right time to sell your business? 40 COMMUNITY & BUSINESS EVENTS 43

Mailed under Canada Post Publications Mail Sales Agreement no. 0040026687

C O N TENT S The Black Business Initiative (BBI) is a province-wide business development initiative committed to fostering the growth of businesses owned by members of the Nova Scotia Black Community.

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In 1996, the Government of Canada and the Province of Nova Scotia set up the BBI to address the unique needs confronting the Black business community in Nova Scotia.

9 13

The BBI and its broad scope of economic development activities is currently funded by the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA), Nova Scotia Business Inc. (NSBI), project funding, corporate donations, fundraising and commercial activity initiated across BBI's composite group of companies.

BBI Vision

19 31

The BBI focuses on supporting business starts, growth and business attraction to Nova Scotia.

The BBI also places priority on supporting Black owned firms to improve productivity, invest in strategic innovations and enhance regional and global competitiveness.

A dynamic and vibrant Black presence within the Nova Scotia business community.

BBI Mission

21

To positively influence the Nova Scotia business culture by promoting and assisting in the development of Nova Scotia Blackowned businesses.

2 ...

Message from BBI

Messages

Corporations (CBDCs). We are striving to expand our reach and impact through strategic partnerships focused on growing and strengthening the Black business base.

Michael Wyse, CEO, BBI and Cynthia Dorrington, Chair, BBI

A

dapting to change has been an ongoing reality as a rationalization and realignment of economic development programs and services takes place across Nova Scotia. In response, we have been diligently focused on enhancing our governance processes and are assiduously working to revise and align our internal policy and procedures frameworks. Internal efficiencies and streamlining are particularly important as we respond to a significant reduction in operating funds. Though this has been challenging, we are responding in an entrepreneurial manner – doing more with less and striving for strategic partnerships that will bring enhanced value to serving the Black Business community.

We are very pleased to have signed an MOU with the Nova Scotia Cooperative Council to enhance client access to a broader range of financial tools and resources. Signed on December 4, 2014, this new relationship has the potential to open doors and stimulate growth in the Black business community in a way that we have never seen before. "Black business owners need access to expanded loan services in order to develop their businesses and grow the economy," said co-operative council president and CEO, Dianne Kelderman.

"This agreement enhances access to those services for BBI's clients by linking them to working capital, lines of credit, and our Small Business Loan Program." Clients will also be able to access a mentoring program through the co-operative council's business network.

We are pleased to report that plans are underway to sign two additional agreements with the Halifax Partnership and the Nova Scotia Association of Community Business Development 1 ...

In another major milestone this year, Black Business Community Investment Fund Ltd. (BBCIFL) successfully completed its 11th share offering and initiated its single largest investment to date - $250,000 that leveraged $1.4 million in bank financing – we are investing in Black Business Success to create jobs and contribute to the economic prosperity of Nova Scotia!

ď ľ...we are investing in Black Business Success to create jobs and contribute to the economic prosperity of Nova Scotia!

Many in the community were contacted to provide input into a five-year review of BBI by its core funders ACOA and the former Department of Economic and Rural Development and Tourism.

We extend a sincere thank you to those who volunteered their feedback and time to participate. We very are pleased to report that the BBI was deemed to be relevant, effective and efficient in the services that it provides.

This in part is due to our ongoing commitment to active communications with key stakeholders to ensure that we remain responsive and aligned with their expectations. continued on page 7

Message from NSBI

Our mission is to support the attainment of the goals in the One Nova Scotia report by connecting with the many voices of our business community to discover the best ways to achieve results.

Laurel Broten, CEO, NSBI

A

s the president and CEO of Nova Scotia Business Inc. (NSBI), I’m excited to explore with you – the members of the Black Business Initiative, how we can work together – because Nova Scotia succeeds when its businesses succeed.

First, let me tell you a little bit about the role NSBI plays in building a strong, vibrant and growing Nova Scotia economy.

Nova Scotia Business Inc. is the business development agency for the Province of Nova Scotia. An arms-length crown corporation, we are led by a Board of Directors who are business leaders. They come from communities around the province and have backgrounds in many industry sectors.

Nova Scotia Business Inc. is focused on increasing trade and investment. We make evidence-based decisions to drive positive outcomes from the public dollars spent to benefit Nova Scotians, our families and our communities.

I invite you to take some time to read the Ask an Expert section of this edition of Black 2 Business Magazine, where we share some of my team’s expertise for businesses interested in exploring export opportunities.

We, at Nova Scotia Business Inc., are looking forward to building relationships with the businesses that make up the membership of the Black Business Initiative. Our goal is to gain input, get insight, gather information and ultimately start a conversation to learn how Nova Scotia Business Inc. can work with all businesses to increase export and grow investment in the province that we call home.

Laurel Broten, CEO, NSBI

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Cover Story

by: Michael Lightstone

A Family Tradition Paul's Food Factory

3 ...

Corey Katz

J

ennifer Sheppard was just a baby when the precursor to her family’s food manufacturing business was born.

Now she's the general manager of one of Cape Breton's premiere delicacies, The Pizza Burger. What makes it so popular?

Sheppard says it's a combination of things. “The smell of it is just amazing.

If you were in Halifax and heated up a Pizza Burger and someone from Cape Breton walked in the room, they would say: 'Who has a Pizza Burger?'”

The venture started in the 1980s when her father, Paul Price, sold sandwiches from the back of a parked station wagon.

As the years rolled by, the fledgling family business, Paul’s Food Factory, drove toward increased sales and expansion. It created jobs for dozens of Cape Bretoners over the years and picked up local business awards along the way.

The direct-store distribution business is home to the popular Paul’s Pizza Burger – millions of them have been sold since 1982 – and it’s also the workplace home of a Cape Breton family with a long history of entrepreneurship.

Jennifer’s father had a convenience store at the time she was born. He started making sandwiches at night for sale the next day. “Dad also had a friend who had a store in Sydney, so he started making a few extra sandwiches for him. And that’s how it all began,” Sheppard says.

Price closed his convenience store in 1986. Paul’s Food Factory became the new family business, selling such vacuum-packed goods as submarine sandwiches and pita-wrapped twisters.

Sheppard says Paul’s Food Factory currently has 12 employees – four of them are part-time workers – and one sales manager. Aside from herself and her dad, her husband, Bradley, and her father’s wife, Cindy Price, are all involved in running the family business.

Asked about the succession process,

Sheppard notes it’s been in the works for years. “Each year, my dad has given me more responsibility, and in 2010 the legal paperwork was filed for the transfer of shares. Bradley and I plan on dad’s full retirement and our first year as owners in 2017 when he turns 65,” she says. Sheppard adds that she would love to one day hand the business to her daughter, Ariah, who is now just two years old.

"For many family businesses, succession planning is a discussion item that remains materially unaddressed until very late in the game. When you plan to get into business you should also be planning your profitable exit,” says Mike Wyse, BBI's president and CEO. "Succession planning can be a great opportunity to work on maximizing company value and create a multi-generational institution that embodies the founder’s values and builds on their experience and the new skills that the next generation is bringing to the firm.˝ The 1990s saw challenges affecting Paul’s Food Factory, the most crucial of which was competition from near and far. Competitors included laid-off steel workers taking a stab at the sandwich business, area pizza shop owners and food firms from elsewhere in Nova Scotia and other provinces.

Some competitors lasted just three months, while others survived for much longer. Focused on high quality, consistency and reliable service, Paul’s Food Factory continued to lead the race for hungry customers. continued on page 5

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A Family Tradition continued from page 4

An advertising campaign in 2000, which involved the purchase of 30-second television commercials, helped the firm grow. In fact, sales grew quickly to $1 million the following year.

on growing the business. “Supporting youth entrepreneurship and giving back to the community is extremely important to me. Eventually, down the road, I would like to be involved again.”

The secrets to success at Paul’s Food Factory, Sheppard says, include providing quality products and service, maintaining accurate route schedules for drivers’ deliveries and remembering that content customers are paramount.

Young or old, fans of Paul’s Food Factory keep requesting their favourites, even when they move out of the province.

“We have people calling from Alberta, who grew up on our products and . . .

“My father has told me since the beginning . . . that there are two rules in this business: Rule no. 1 – the customer’s always right.

Rule no. 2 – when you think the customer is wrong, read Rule no. 1 again.”

since the beginning . . . that there are two rules in this business: Rule no. 1 – the customer’s always right.

Rule no. 2 – when you think the customer is wrong, read Rule no. 1 again.”

Sheppard says: “We really do follow that fundamental principle. To be successful you have to always make your customer happy.”

Sheppard says growth plans for the business involve developing new recipes for its subs and sandwiches, and expanding the product line.

“We’ve branched out into pastries, meat snacks and candy,” she says. “We want to have a wider selection of products in each store to grow market share. That has been how we’re trying to grow our business, maintain and increase sales down the road.”

Born in 1981, Sheppard has no recollection of her dad’s early efforts at Paul’s Food Factory. But she does appreciate the long hours that family members put into the business. He is her dad but Price is a business mentor to her and Bradley, Sheppard says.

Sheppard also has an appreciation for the Black Business Initiative, especially with respect to helping youth interested in starting businesses. “I did sit on the BIJ board for a year,” she says. After a while, Sheppard felt she had to bow out to focus 5 ...

 “My father has told me

Students in Business Program (SIB) This program assists students between the ages of 15 and 34 who wish to explore the world of entrepreneurship. This program offers interest free loans up to $5,000, training, as well as ongoing support from a strong business development team.

they can’t get anything like that out there.

They call, and say: ‘Hey – can you ship out here?’” (At this time the business is not licensed to send its goods outside of Nova Scotia.)

As well, Sheppard said, Paul’s Food Factory personnel often get this question from wishful callers: “My mom’s heading out for a visit. Do you think she could stop in and grab some Pizza Burgers on the way out of town?”

This is all good news for Paul’s Food Factory as word of its products spreads to new markets and potential new customers. With Price mentoring and coaching Jennifer and Bradley as incoming owners, this Cape Breton business has all the ingredients to make it a continued family success!

Paul’s Food Factory

Jennifer & Bradley Sheppard 656 Victoria Rd Sydney N S paulsfoodfactory.com 902-562-4223

To learn how you can start and grow a business with BIJ and CBDC, contact:

paul.rukidi@bbi.ns.ca (902) 478-6476 @BIJammin

Create a Culture

by: Neville Gilfoy Publisher, Progress Magazine

"Personally, I’ve been the author of some wonderful cultures, as well as some pretty bad ones. In a business that has undergone many changes over the past 21 years, only in retrospect have I been able to see that when I had great cultures with the right people in the right positions, we were very successful."

- Neville Gilfoy

As a colleague recently said

it seems like “culture” is the word of the day. Only recently did the reasons behind why you should build a great organizational culture present themselves to me. In fact, it has become so apparent to me how important culture is to the success of a business or organization that it will become part of the Progress content agenda for the foreseeable future.

Great culture is how the best people are recruited and kept engaged in the growth of a business, and it’s the first rung on the ladder toward building a high-value organization, regardless of your title or status. It affects how you’re compensated for building, growing, and sustaining your organization.

It involves establishing core values and having everyone sign on to those values in order to determine desired behaviours and actions. It also involves accountability, responsibility, integrity, trust, and respect.

I’ve discovered that the leader’s actions and behaviours are important to an organization’s culture. As such, the leader has the option of developing a strong culture for which he or she will eventually be well compensated.

During the daily grind of running a business, you can forget about thinking of the specifics of how a culture gets established and sustained. And yet it’s process oriented and intentional, requiring focus, communication, and collaboration. Not all leaders are good at developing a strong culture, but it’s essential to success.

Personally, I’ve been the author of some wonderful cultures, as well as some pretty bad ones. In a business that has undergone many changes over the past 21 years, only in retrospect have I been able to see that when I had great cultures with the right people in the right positions, we were very successful. And when we had the wrong people and the wrong culture, we weren’t. Hindsight is 20/20, as the saying goes.

Having a strong culture means that everyone in the organization must be the right person in the right position.

It demands that core values are

understood, believed in, and completely committed to. That in itself presents challenges, because you’ll have some valuable employees who will have trouble adapting and staying true to the core values. It might surprise you to discover that the biggest challenge may be you. Not a pleasant thought, but it could be the case.

As your business grows and more value is built, you’ll pass through milestones.

At each one, how your business must be managed and taken to its next stage of growth change. That means management, core values, and culture all change. This concept needs to be understood and, more important, anticipated, then the change strategy must be executed.

It’s a challenging and difficult process, especially if it becomes apparent that you as leader may be the wrong fit.

This issue is deep and challenging, yet critically important to your organization and its success—nothing should get in the way of the growth and sustainability of your company’s culture. This will be one of the topics that Progress explores in the coming year.

Originally published in Vol. 21 No.8 of Progress Magazine. Reprinted with permission.

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Message from BBI continued from page 1

As part of a coordinated outreach effort, BBI’s Business Managers met with 125 Black business owners in the past year to listen and gain feedback on what BBI does well, what BBI could do more of, and how we as an organization can offer even greater value to their business development, growth and competitiveness efforts.

In addition, we are grateful to members of our Board who worked with staff to host seven community meetings in North Preston, Cherry Brook, Yarmouth, Amherst, Truro, Kentville and Cape Breton seeking to hear about the needs and wants of the Black business community and key stakeholders. In order to remain relevant and responsive we need to remain connected. That requires a two-way communication channel.

The business development community needs to be more actively engaged, hear your voice and understand your pain points. Unfortunately, the Black business community remains materially silent while being under-represented in almost every high-growth sector of Nova Scotia’s economy. The OneNS report calls for change. We need to be the change that we seek!

There are frequent reports indicating that Nova Scotia’s economy is poised for growth in 2015/16. BBI aims to work closely with its partners to assist Blackowned firms to further participate in the region’s economic prosperity. The OneNS report (www.onens.ca) calls for all Nova Scotians to be engaged and supported to live their economic potential. It calls for a 50% increase in new business starts and the number of firms exporting, an increase in African NS employment (entrepreneurs create jobs) and for enhanced efforts to support inclusion “of our own citizens in visible minority communities.” The need has been identified and the “how” is being explored. There is currently 7 ...

an abundance of discussion groups, consultative sessions and input models but we are not seeing a vibrant Black Business presence within the citizen engagement process. If we choose to remain absent from the discussion, then we will likely be under-represented in the remedial strategies and solutions.

The time to get involved is now! Talk to your Councillor, MLA, Member of Parliament and your local business development agencies – talk to BBI. We want to hear from you. We are working exceptionally hard to support you and help drive business success.

Your success is Nova Scotia’s success.

We need to work better together!

BBI will continue to remain aligned with the economic priorities of Government and strive to be a viable and cost effective contributor to the economic engine of Nova Scotia. On that note, a sincere thank you must be extended to ACOA, the former Nova Scotia Department of Economic and Rural Development and Tourism, the team at the Department of Labour and Advanced Education and our 11 MOU partners. The BBI Board and staff have achieved great success, built on the collaborative spirit and expertise of those with whom we partner.



BBI will continue

to remain aligned with the economic priorities of Government and strive to be a viable and cost effective contributor to the economic engine of Nova Scotia.

As many of you know, the Department of Economic and Rural Development (ERDT) has been a strong partner, providing core funding to BBI since 1996. ERDT has been downsized and renamed the Department of Business.

In this process, BBI has realigned with the team at Nova Scotia Business Inc (NSBI). As we look towards the upcoming year with determined optimism, we are very pleased to be joining the NSBI team. In collaboration, we will surely facilitate enhanced awareness and utilization of trade and investment programs, services and opportunities. As “the business development agency for the province,” the NSBI team is uniquely positioned to collaborate with BBI in fostering a “dynamic and vibrant Black presence within the Nova Scotia Business community.”

Cynthia Dorrington Chair, BBI

Michael Wyse CEO, BBI

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by: Carol Dobson

Linda Parris

Counselling the Community

Cyndi Cain

L

inda Parris has learned one of the most important rules of business – your clients have to know how to find you. She’s a social worker in private practice in Sydney and two years after she hung out her shingle, she’s developing a marketing strategy so that her clients can contact her. In her case, she’s doing it incrementally – by making sure she’s in the telephone book and listed in the online Yellow Pages.

“I have to get into the phone book,” Parris says. “Most of my clients come from companies that offer employment assistance programs on a referral basis. Sometimes I have people who I’ve counselled through these workplace programs and they 9 ...

want further help so they’ll pay me privately. In order to reach me, they will call some of the organizations that I’ve been associated with or some of the boards I’ve served on, and leave a message to be passed on to me.”

This is Parris’ second foray into private counselling. By day she works in mental health and addiction services at the health authority and her private services are offered after hours and on weekends.

Bring Your Business to a New Audience issue

60

Corey Katz

“I’m a generalist,” she says. “I’ll help with addiction problems, marriage counselling, family issues, mental health issues, workplace problems, grief counselling, and stress, among others.”

Parris is a proud native of Whitney Pier.

After she graduated from Holy Angels High School, she attended St. Francis Xavier University and then went on to earn a bachelor’s and master's degree in social work from Dalhousie University.

“I came back to Sydney for a year, almost 20 years ago, and have been here ever since.”

She says she’s had her private social worker’s license for approximately 17 of those 20 years and tried private counselling about a decade ago but let it drop. Now she says she’s a little older and wiser and has a firmer grip on what she wants to do with her business.

“I wasn’t as committed then as I am now.

Two years ago I decided that I would get out and do more private work.”

She does admit that starting your own business has a steep learning curve but a pleasurable one. One thing she has noticed is that it does sharpen your time management skills. She’s also learning about the administration that goes along with business ownership – especially now at tax time.

SUMME

“I’m still learning about the taxation ‘stuff’, but I’m balancing all these things out,” she says.

The key to her business is being able to assist her clients work through the problems and challenges that life is throwing at them. That requires the ability to listen, to watch for visual clues in terms of body language, to ask the right questions, and to help the person (or persons) come to conclusions that will help them move forward. It’s satisfying but she’s also realistic enough to realize that there has to be a good fit between the counsellor and the client in order for client(s) to be helped.

But in order to succeed, she admits people have to know how to find her.

She calls the phone book listing ‘baby steps’ and admits that the next step may be a web presence (although, she’s part way there as she can be located on the private practice page of the Nova Scotia Social Workers Association website nsasw.in1touch. org.) And then, as she says, if a client is looking for her, there is always Google.

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FALL 201 3

A Fam ily Trad it ion Paul's Food Factory

Also in thi s issue :

 Family Businesse s  BBI Boa rd of Direct ors  Succes sful Entrep reneurs “A dynami c

and vibrant Black pres ence

Also in thi within the s Issue Nov : a Scotia Busines

African Nov a Scotian

Realtors

s Commun ity.”

ADVERTISE in the next Issue of B2B

“A dynami c

and vibrant Black pres ence

within the Nova Sco tia Busines s

Commun ity.”

For Advertising on page 9 Informationcontinued & Rates call: 902-426-2224 e-mail: bbi@bbi.ns.ca issue

58

issue

57 The Busi ness of Music

The Africa Music Ass n Nova Scotian ociation (AN SMA)

FALL 201 3

Also in thi s issue :

 Spiritual Leaders  Provincia l Politics  Succes sful Entrep ren

“A dynami c

eurs

and vibrant Black pres ence

within the Nova Sco tia Busines s

Also in thi

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Linda Parris Mental Health Consulting

issue R 2 015

“A dynami c and vibr ant Black presence within the Nova Sco tia Busines s

Commun ity.”

Realtors

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309 Charlotte St. Sydney, N S T: 902-578-0780

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Don’t Break the Bank

Leasing commercial real estate may seem simple, but overlooking a few factors could both cost you financially and cause missed opportunities.

by: Bill MacAvoy

type of their commute to and from work are moving targets. Some areas are on the rise, and some are declining at the expense of others. Look for sites that optimize car and foot traffic (retail), trucking (industrial), and employee access (office).

Clearly define your physical/financial needs. Space planners can help crafting size requirement; ceiling heights, building system capacities, and amenities should all be part of the decision. The inability to expand could force an expensive relocation mid-lease, and poor air quality and lack of convenient food and personal services can drive employees and customers away. Having a lender or capital source is key, since there will be some combination of fit-up costs, moving costs, and FF&E (furniture, fixtures, and equipment).

Is your lease up soon or are you starting a new business? If so, there are some

things you should consider in order to avoid the heartburn that often accompanies a renewal, relocation, or start-up. Leasing commercial real estate may seem simple, but overlooking a few factors could both cost you financially and cause missed opportunities.

One of the most basic elements of starting or maintaining a business is the physical space. That space conveys a message about your brand and company culture to the marketplace, plays a role in employee productivity, and can be a draw for new hires. Here are a few points to consider: 11 ...

Start early. Anywhere from 18 to 24 months before the end of your current lease term or the commencement date of the new venture, in fact. This gives sufficient time to analyze all potential options (even if they aren’t built yet), to allow for internal approvals as required, and to secure financing, plus it leaves plenty of time to negotiate. You don’t want to get into a sticky situation where you’re forced into a corner (perhaps literally!) because you’ve run out of time.

Study the geography.

Throw out conventional thinking about neighborhoods. Traffic patterns for clients and residences for employees evolve more rapidly each year. This means that where people conduct their retail purchases and the length and

Tap expertise. Landlords are generally honest and forthright, but keep in mind that they’re running a business and protecting their interests, so consider finding a commercial real estate advisor to negotiate your financial and nonfinancial terms. You’ll also need to hire a lawyer to review the lease contract.

Corral the chaos. Whether you dedicate an internal staff member or hire a certified professional to manage your project, many small details can disrupt your business if they’re delayed or done incorrectly. Draft a projectmanagement plan; it takes a number of vendors to set up, relocate, renovate, or expand a business or put a contract in place.

Bill MacAvoy is the managing director and owner of Cushman & Wakefield Atlantic, the region’s largest commercialonly firm. He can be reached by visiting www.cwatlantic.com.

Originally published in Progress Magazine.

Reprinted with permission.

2 01 5

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Thank you for Supporting

Business is Jammin’ The Business is Jammin’ Board and staff extend a sincere thank you to Knightsbridge Robertson Surrette and Meridia Recruitment for their engaged support, guidance and advocacy. We are grateful for your support of our efforts to foster the next generation of entrepreneurial leaders.

Your Support is Valued & Greatly Appreciated!

Knightsbridge Robertson Surrette and Meridia Recruitment work with organizations to strengthen their most valuable asset - their people - through recruitment, career management and transition, and HR consulting. With over 65 professionals located in Atlantic Canada, they have the people and services you need when you need stronger people. kbrs.ca | meridiarecruitment.ca | 1.866.822.6022 April Howe, CCC Career Solutions Leader Knightsbridge Robertson Surrette Jeff Forbes, CMC President & Managing Partner Knightsbridge Robertson Surrette

by: Chad Lucas

Downtown Nutrition

Healthy and Thriving in Sydney Wayne Miller, Owner

13 ...

Corey Katz

A

t Downtown Nutrition on Sydney's prominent Charlotte Street, customers can meet a host of needs in one stop: a healthy lunch, a coffee or a smoothie, an array of supplements, even a new hoodie. The common element for owner Wayne Miller is a desire to help people live healthy lifestyles and feel better about themselves.

“If I can improve the quality of health for people in my community, my island, my province, my country, I'm achieving my mission to make a positive impact on the people around me,” he says.

The native of Whitney Pier is especially happy to be making a difference close to home. His journey took him away from Cape Breton for more than a decade before he returned in 2010 and launched Downtown Nutrition in 2012.

After earning a Kinesiology degree at Dalhousie University and an Orthopedic Technician diploma from Cape Breton University, Miller went to work in the health industry in Halifax. But “working my butt off wasn't paying down my student loan,” he says, so he took a commission job selling physio and sports medicine equipment.

He decided to try his hand in the U.S., spending two years in Miami and selling to businesses throughout Florida.

A switch to the natural health products market led him back to Halifax in 2004 and then on to Manhattan in 2007. The Enterprise Cape Breton Corporation recruited him to help re-launch a pharmaceutical company on the island in 2010 after the original owner, Keata Pharma Inc., went bankrupt in 2009.

Miller was happy to be home, but within a year the new venture shut down and he was left looking for something else.

After selling to stores and businesses for years, he knew there was a strong market for health products. He decided to try the retail side and set up shop in a prime vacant spot in downtown Sydney.

When the doors opened in January 2012, “I basically started with a blender and a line of fish oils and flax,” Miller says.

Three years later, Downtown Nutrition employs seven people and offers a full menu, a variety of hot drinks and smoothies, and more than 40 different brands of supplements. The company also has a clothing line.

“I had to learn how to manage a business from the get-go,” he says. “I got my Masters of Business on the job.”

Miller says he sees plenty of opportunities to keep growing in the thriving health industry.

Miller discovered he had a knack for sales.

He logged 4,000 kilometres a month repping products for two companies, and one named him its Canadian salesperson of the year.

“We're like a Mom and Pop shop with aspirations to be bigger,” he says. “More and more people are seeking ways to improve their health without relying on medication. We're in a place where we

can help educate our customers and help them reach their goals, whether it's weight loss, building muscle, or finding products that are diabeticfriendly.”

Given his go-getter personality, Miller says one of his biggest challenges is taking his time and not expanding faster than the business can handle.

“For me it's having a long-term outlook, and understanding when things go wrong it's part of the learning curve,” he says.

“The challenge is to pace myself and remember that in order to succeed, you need a long-term plan and not just short-term goals. In the end, you’re going to be successful going at a pace that protects the business.”

That said, he would love to see Downtown Nutrition grow to other locations when the time is right. He hopes his story inspires others to dream big.

“I think in general, Nova Scotia is going to succeed based on entrepreneurs, people who know how to turn their ideas into something tangible that other people can use,” he says. “If you give value to somebody, it's going to come back to you.”

Downtown Nutrition

Wayne Miller Jr., Owner 390 Charlotte St., Sydney NS 902-577-1940 14 ...

Meet the Black Business Initiative’s

Board of Directors

Trailblazers

Northern Region

15 ...

I

n this issue of Black 2 Business, we’re looking at two of the BBI’s board members from the Northern Region. One is a veteran who's been involved with the board for a decade and a half. The other is a relative newcomer. But they have one thing in common – a belief that there are great stories yet to be told about the Black business community in this province.

Joe Parris Joe Parris’ day job is with the Canada Revenue Agency in Sydney, working in the taxpayer services division. He joined the BBI’s board ap p r o x i m a t e l y 15 years ago and served the maximum 10 years that an individual can serve on the main board. Now he’s a member of the Black Business Enterprises board (BBE), the CEDIF board, and is the chair of the Business is Jammin’ board.

“The commitment of the volunteers on the BBI’s boards has been wonderful,” Parris says. “There are many who’ve been around a lot longer than I have, people like Dr. Rudy Ffrench and Paul Walter, and they’re still involved. I also joke that we’ve ‘recycled’ some of our good people – like Mike Wyse, who’s been involved as a staff member, then board member, board chair and now as our executive director.”

He says the Business is Jammin’ program is one of the BBI’s great successes and sees much more potential to make the program grow. But, in order to do that, he says it’s the magic combination of funding and people.

15 ...

“When I look at the Hope Blooms program, I’m so proud of those kids and what they’re doing,” Parris says. “I’d love to see successes like that in every community in the province. We have tried similar gardening programs but they haven’t taken off the way it has in Halifax. It’s not a matter of money; it’s also having a strong volunteer base.”

Charles Sheppard Charles Sheppard is one of those volunteers. He’s been a social worker for 20 years, currently employed by the Sydney Victoria Regional School Board as its head of school services, and is presently involved at the school board with the transitioning of junior high schools into ‘middle’ schools. He also has a private social work practice.

“I’ve done volunteer work all my life,” Sheppard says. “One of the boards I was on was the Sydney Credit Union and was its first African Nova Scotian president. I’ve had a number of roles on the board, including secretary, vice president and president and am proud to say we have an asset base of $100

million. I’ve also been active with the Council on African Canadian Education, including serving as its chair.”

While he’s in the first year of his term as a BBI board member, he’s followed the BBI since its inception and is a big fan of the BBI summits.

“I’m a member of the loans committee and have spent the last year getting to know the various components of the BBI, such as Business is Jammin’ and learning about our fiduciary responsibility as an organization. It’s been very interesting.”

He’s proud of the BBI and its accomplishments over the past 19 years.

“We’ve done some really good things in the province that people don’t know about. We really have to celebrate what we have and tell our stories so that more people can be made aware of what can be achieved.”

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by: Nick Langley

The Big Voice for Small Business in Nova Scotia Small and medium-sized business is essential to the success and growth of the economy of Nova Scotia. SMEs make up 97 per cent of the private sector and 48 per cent of the province’s workforce. The Canadian Federation of Independent Business (CFIB) is the big voice for small business in Nova Scotia. CFIB has grown to become Canada’s leading advocate for small business, consisting of 109,000 national members, with 5,200 in Nova Scotia.

and there is strength in numbers. In the last year alone, CFIB has successfully lobbied the government:

CFIB is a grass-roots non-partisan organization. We have a one member, one vote policy. All of our advocacy positions are based upon the attitudes and opinions of our members. For over 40 years, CFIB has represented the interests of the small business community to all three levels of government and strives to be the most courageous, connected and influential business organization in the region.

CFIB listens, acts, and gets the job done for small business.

Our goal is to break down barriers to growth for Canada’s small businesses

CFIB provides business resource counseling services to our members.

•

Holding the provincial business tax rate at 3%,

•

The creation of a Department of Business and a new office to reduce red tape, and

•

small

Working with other partners to stop phase two of the OH&S regulations.

CFIB is currently working for small business on the following issues: •

Municipal taxation,

•

Environmental taxation, and

•

red

tape

and

Interprovincial trade and red tape.

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This provides businesses with valuable information that can save them time and money on a variety of issues such as human resources, compliance regulations, OH&S, taxation, permits and licensing, credit card and debit services, among others.

Small business owners are truly the backbone of the Nova Scotia economy.

As the Ivany Report correctly observed, our future is in the growth of the entrepreneurial sector in Nova Scotia.

Businesses know what they need to succeed better than anyone, which is why CFIB seeks our members’ opinions on the issues that are important to them. We understand that you assume a great deal of risk to start your enterprises and keep them going, and we are committed to your success.

Nick Langley is CFIB’s Director of Provincial Affairs, Nova Scotia. CFIB represent 5,200 small and medium-size businesses in Nova Scotia and 109,000 in all sectors across Canada.

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Keep your investment dollars in Nova Scotia where they help your community grow.

Black Business Community Investment Fund Limited (BBCIFL) BBCIFL was born out of the need to provide capital to Nova Scotia Black-owned businesses possessing the potential to grow, show profitability and the potential to create jobs for Nova Scotians.

In the past 10 years, over 100 Nova Scotians have invested in excess of $745,000 in BBCIFL, thereby contributing to the creation of more jobs for Nova Scotians as well as the sustainable prosperity of our great province. Fifteen investments worth close to $1.5 million have been made to date.

At no other time in Nova Scotia’s recent history has there been such optimism and potential for real economic growth and prosperity.

On behalf of our investors, we at the BBCIFL are seizing this momentum by financing local Black-owned businesses with high performance potential, helping them to compete on the world stage.

We believe in the enterprising nature of Nova Scotians and their ability to create wealth for themselves and their stakeholders.

Call (902) 426-4281 to find out more about the success stories the BBCIFL has invested in.

18 ...

by: Abena Amoako-Green

Marvelous Moo’s Brad Miller’s New Business Venture is Marvelous Brad Miller, Owner

19 ...

Corey Katz

I

n order for ice cream to legally be called that, it must contain a certain amount of fat and solids as specified by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency. This is what distinguishes ice cream from ice milk. And this is something Brad Miller learned after assuming ownership of Marvelous Moo's Premium Ice Cream about one and a half years ago.

“I was surprised at what I found out doing my research,” he says. “All the years I’ve been going into DQ I thought I was eating ice cream and I wasn’t.”

He adds that if you look carefully at the menus and names of certain popular products that appear to be ice cream, you’ll see that most don’t say the actual words ‘ice cream’ because they don’t meet the criteria.

Marvelous Moo’s Premium Ice Cream does meet the criteria and in Miller’s opinion, “it’s the best ice cream on the market.” Some of his bigger customers say Marvelous Moo's is comparable to quality brands like Häagen-Dazs ® or Ben & Jerry's ®‎. The ingredients are all Canadian and come mainly from Ontario and some from Quebec and New Brunswick.

The ice cream manufacturing company was started in 2001 in Sydney, Nova

Scotia. When the former owner was going to close the company down Miller decided to step in.

“I figured it was an excellent product – I’ve known the company and product for a long time. I knew that it could do very well and I thought I could breathe new life into it.”

As owner and operator, he says no two days in the plant are routine. He is responsible for packaging design, payroll, accounting, inventory control, pallet configuration receiving, and anything else required in between.



... I’ve known the

company and product for a long time. I knew that it could do very well and I thought I could breathe new life into it.”

“You have to always be putting something new on the market. You have your core products but things do get tired and you have to change them around and get something new just to keep your product line attractive and exciting,” he says in the middle of ice cream cake production and making samples of a new ice cream product for a promotional photo shoot. Research and development is an ongoing part of the job as well. Six staff members handle production sanitization and cleaning of the facility.

It is to Miller’s benefit and that of the company that he has 20 years of experience in manufacturing under his belt. Prior to taking over Marvelous Moo’s, Miller saw similar challenges and much success operating a cheesecake manufacturing company.

“My first company I started from nothing working in my kitchen and I expanded it to earn seven figures in annual revenue.” Relationships that he built through these years of experience have been an additional benefit in the continuation of Marvelous Moo’s Premium Ice Cream.

Miller says that customers enjoy the rich quality of Marvelous Moo’s ice cream and that it is homemade. He enjoys the ice cream and the work regardless of how hectic it can get.

“It's what I know. I really enjoy it. It’s a challenge and it’s rewarding to watch it grow and have a share in making it grow.” Marvelous Moo's Premium Ice Cream Cakes are sold in Sobey's throughout Atlantic Canada and some Foodland stores -- an impressive 125 in total!

“I’ve been blessed with wonderful kids who can carry on the business when I’m away without conflict. When I’m not there, I know it’s in great hands,” says Smith.

Marvelous Moo’s Premium Ice Cream

Brad Miller, Owner 358 Keltic Dr., Unit 2B, Sydney NS 902-322-4217 20 ...

Keeping it in the Family, Keeping it in the Community by: Michael Lightstone

"Succession planning

is a complex and challenging process for families that involves discussions many would rather avoid...�

- Albert James Rowe School of Business, Dalhousie University

21 ...

There are certain commercial enterprises that will probably never die, due to our age-old needs and desires, or they might take a very long time to do so.

Cape Breton resident Raymond Boateng operates a family-run company he hopes will be one of them...

Established in 2012, MKB Consulting is a 21st-century outfit helping technologically-dependent customers in a highly computerized world. The principals, Boateng and his wife, Alicia, are being kept busy and eyeing potential growth.

Corey Katz

His Sydney-based MKB Consulting Inc. is a provider of onsite and offsite information technology services. The husband-and-wife business employs eight people, four of whom are fulltime staffers, and serves clients in the Atlantic region.

Raymond Boateng, MKB Consulting Inc.

“One of the challenges is staying relevant and being unique,” Boateng, 33, said.

There are a lot of competitors out there.

Boateng said. He added his company does not have alliances with any major information technology vendor, “to keep their recommendations strictly based on what we think is best” and not linked to the promotion of IT products.

shop after the business day ends, Boateng said he and his wife have a self-imposed curfew. “Usually, on the weekends, we try not to do any work.

And after 7 o’clock (during weekdays), we pack it up.”

MKB Consulting draws on the skills of the two spouses: Boateng manages the technical side of things and his wife oversees the administrative end of the business. It’s been a great experience so far, he said.

A former freelance contractor, Boateng said he sought advice last year from the Black Business Initiative regarding a business loan. “They pointed us in the right direction, as far as (potential funding sources) that would be able to assist us.”

“One of the things we’ve tried to do is just be unique enough that people would require our specific service,” Boateng said. In essence, he said, MKB Consulting focuses on systems analysis work.

Also, the Black Business Initiative supplied Boateng and his wife with information about a provincial government program that reimburses firms a percentage of the payroll cost of hiring new graduates from a Nova Scotia university. “And we are going to apply to take advantage of that program,” he said.

BBI has partnered with Halifaxbased Dalhousie University to offer a $10,000 business program scholarship to an African-Nova Scotian graduate student. The University offers valuable resources to family-owned firms in Nova Scotia through its Centre for Family Business and Regional Prosperity.

According to the Centre, close to 80 per cent of businesses in Canada are owned or operated by families.

“Basically, you call us and we take a look at what you have and what your problems might be, and then we provide . . . solutions to those problems,”

Regarding the challenges of working in a family business, where it can be tough to stop doing tasks and talking

Also, one out of two people employed in businesses in this country works for family enterprises, according to the Centre.

However, only 30 per cent of family businesses in Canada are passed on continued on page 23

22 ...

Succession planning is “a complex and challenging process for families that involves discussions many would rather avoid,” said Albert James, who has researched family businesses and teaches at the Dalhousie’s Rowe School of Business. Having said that, he noted research has shown the issue remains extremely important for many family business operators.

James said a 2003 study of Canadian family businesses found succession and post-succession planning were among “the five most pressing concerns” cited by those in the research cohort. He added that the Dalhousie Centre is in the process of conducting a research project on Nova Scotia’s family businesses.

An assistant professor of family business and strategy, James suggested that new businesses and new family businesses are continually being created. They are the heart of the economy and maintaining and growing them are ongoing concerns for owners.

Truro-area contractor Colin Gero has seen his small business grow since founding it in 2005. His work, which includes renovation jobs and new construction, sends him to indoor and outdoor sites 12 months a year. Gero said he doesn’t have to advertise because word-of-mouth recommendations and repeat clients are helping to strengthen his company’s bottom line.

“I’m not too worried about the competition in the region," said the 29-year-old Bible Hill resident. He’s the sole proprietor of Colin Gero Carpentry, and he and one full-time employee appear to have all the work they can handle.

23 ...

Lou Gannon

to a second generation. As few as 10 per cent of such firms are handed to a third generation. (Centre for Family Business and Regional Prosperity, Dalhousie University).

Colin Gero, Colin Gero Carpentry

“It’s actually good, because my phone doesn’t ring off the hook,” he said.

“But the work is still there, and I’m not doing quotes (for potential customers) endlessly just to try to get jobs. I’ve built up clientele.”

His interest in carpentry started in childhood, said Gero, and it reached a certain level during his junior high school years. “I would build stuff and dad would sell it to people at his work.” Gero said he graduated from a post-secondary carpentry program in 2005.

Looking back, Gero said the Black Business Initiative was a fine resource when he was a younger entrepreneur.

“I’ve gone to a couple of courses they had on running a business. It has been extremely valuable.”

According to KPMG, the multinational professional services corporation, there are advantages to running a family business but also challenges.

Key benefits include financial rewards, a loyal labour pool of relatives and the lasting legacy the business provides.

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In Cape Breton, past family operations have included those owned and managed by members from diverse communities, including the AfricanNova Scotian community. Some of these establishments include restaurants, retail shops, electrical service businesses and food manufacturers, like Paul’s Food Factory.

also mindful of the next generation, and aids young entrepreneurs through its established training and development program.

Jennifer Sheppard, daughter of the food factory’s founder, Paul Price, said her family business caters to customers only on Cape Breton Island. It was a conscious decision to refocus their three-decade-old Whitney Pier business on that region of Nova Scotia, she said, after offering their food products across the province for a few years.

Sheppard said she’s served on the board of directors for Business Is Jammin’, a registered charity, and found the experience worthwhile. “So I was familiar with BBI, and I learned a lot just from sitting on the (BIJ) board for a short time.”

Sheppard knows the Black Business Initiative strives to help Black-owned enterprises do well. The organization is

BBI’s Business Is Jammin’ program had 1,205 fresh-faced participants in 2013-14.

Of these, 191 attendees were from the Sydney and Glace Bay region.

At Paul’s Food Factory, a handful of young people are getting a close look at the workings of a family operation.

Four high school students are employed there part-time, Sheppard said, doing

shifts alongside the company’s full-time staff.

By most accounts, there’s a distinct difference between running a family business (or working for one), and toiling in the private sector for a large organization or smaller firm. It comes down to family ties and family values, according to KPMG. For Boateng, an additional benefit to running a family company is being your own boss. “Now I kind of understand why employers do some of the things they do,” he said with a laugh.

“I enjoy setting the tone and the direction of where the business is going to go,” said Boateng. “To me, it feels like this is where I’ve always been meant to be.”

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Out with &theAbout BBI

CANADIAN BLACK GOVERNMENT LEADERS SUMMIT June 7, 2015

25 ...

A group of dignitaries at the Canadian Black Government Leaders Summit Community Reception.

Liz Mandishora, Financial Advisor TD Canada Trust Paul Rukidi, BIJ Manager Fund Development and Tina Murphy, Manager, Community Relations & Marketing TD Canada Trust Atlantic Region

17th ANNUAL AFRICAN NOVA SCOTIAN MUSIC AWARDS & SHOW March 7, 2015

Jason Bruce (J-Bru) (centre), receiving the BBI Development Award for his work with Youth Exploring Creative Outlets (YECO). Presenting the award are Wallace Smith Junior and Cynthia Dorrington, Chair, BBI

Ed Matwawana (formerly with the BBI), receiving the Design North Heritage Award for his years in the music Business. Presenting the award are Dan O'Brien, Design North and Cyndi Cain.

Brent Williams, receiving the DBDLI Lifetime Achievement Award from Ed Matwawana and Jeremiah Sparks.

Keont'ĂŠ Beals, receiving the ANSMA Emerging Artist Award from Jorden Sparks (JRDN).

25 ...

Michael Wyse, CEO, BBI; Cynthia Dorrington, Chairperson, BBI; Rodger Smith, Regional Business Development Manager, BBI.

Gary Brinton

8th AFRICAN HERITAGE MONTH CELEBRATION GALA Sydney, January 30, 2015

ASIA (of Asia& NuGruv) performing at the Celebration Gala

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This is your invitation to join an exclusive community of business owners and leaders. The most well informed, well connected, and influential network in the region. People just like you.

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Become a member of Face to Face2 For more information contact Carole Bell at cbell@progressmedia.ca or 1.902.494.5818

26 ...

People & Business on the Move

Congratulations to the winners of this year’s 17th Annual ANSMA Awards.

This year’s theme was "Celebration of Our Own," and gave recognition to past and present members of the African Nova Scotian community, including Maurice Ruddick, one of 19 miners who survived the Springhill Bump in 1958.

Rapper J-Bru picked up the BBI Industry Development Award for his work with youth in the Black community. Reeny Smith won the award for artist of the year and Ed Matwawana was presented with the Design North/ ANSMA Heritage Award for his many years of hard work in the music industry. Another notable award winner was Keont'é Beals, a Grade 12 student at Auburn Drive High School who won in the emerging artist of the year category.

Congratulations to Rev. Wallace Smith and Mrs. Frances Smith on their 50th wedding anniversary. They were feted at a celebration in North Preston on March 21.

Halifax Regional Police participated in the morning service at Cornwallis Street Baptist Church on March 22 to mark the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination. Participants in the service included Chief Jean-Michel Blais and Const. Shaun Carvery, HRP’s Diversity Officer.

On Friday, March 27, 2015, the Black Ice Hockey and Sports Hall of Fame Society unveiled its new Black Sports wall display in the new sports and recreation area within the Black Cultural Centre.

Craig Smith was the guest speaker and Cecil Wright performed the emcee's duties. The new display was featured on that day’s edition of “Live at Five” on CTV. The Upper Hammonds Plains Community Development Association is pleased to announce that Shirley, Melvina, Sherlene, and Gina Jones were selected 27 ...

for the 2015 Family Volunteer of the Year Award (Recreation Nova Scotia). The awards ceremony and luncheon were held on April 7, 2015 at the Westin Hotel in Halifax.

Halifax District RCMP held a Community Consultation for the communities of Lake Loon, Cherrybrook, North Preston and East Preston at the Black Cultural Centre on March 23.

‘Towards the Elimination of Racism’ featuring The Nova Scotia Mass Choir, RCMP Choir, Mi’kmaw and African Drumming Fathers & Sons, Youth Poetry and Song, and Inspirational Words by Jeff Ward, from the Membertou Heritage Park, was held at the Black Cultural Centre on March 21.

The talents of Juanita Peters as a playwright were showcased at the Alderney Landing Theatre in Dartmouth with the presentation of “I M Possible”. The play featured Walter Borden, Gilbert Downey, Cory Bowles, and Sean Koppel as members of a family who leave their Weymouth Falls home for life in the ‘Boston States’. Communities, Culture and Heritage Minister Tony Ince praised Peters before the opening show, which ended with a standing ovation. “I’m so proud we have somebody in our province who can get these stories out there.” – The Chronicle-Herald.

Black Halifax: Stories from Here, part of the TD Then and Now program showcased the talents of African Nova Scotian poets, writers, performers and videographers in the creation of a narrative that featured Halifax’s stories, allowing participants to make connections between the past and present. It

was held at the Maritime Museum of the Atlantic in early March and featured the works of George Elliott Clarke, Sylvia Hamilton, El Jones, Afua Cooper, David Woods, Valerie Mason-John, Quanda Johnson, and Jacob Sampson. The legacy of the project will be 14 videotaped stories about personalities, landscapes, and events that have enduring meaning, both for African Nova Scotians and for the broader community.

at Government House” in February.

These are evenings presented by His Honour Brigadier-General The Honourable J.J. Grant reflecting the culture and heritage of this province in one of the province’s most historic buildings.

The Black and Immigrant Women’s Network hosted its second annual event to recognize International Women’s Day at the Maritime Museum of the Atlantic. Sylvia Hamilton read her poetry during a presentation entitled And I Alone Escaped to Tell You at the new Halifax Central Library in late February.

Once: Africville Stories a play written and directed by David Wood, is a collection of true stories narrating the lives, adventures and events of Africville residents over the past century. It was presented at the Halifax Central Library in early February and featured Jayla James, Nathan Simmons, Jacob Sampson (actors), with musical performances by Tracey Grouse, Kaleb Simmonds (vocals), and Owen Lee (accompanist).

The 25th Anniversary of the Indigenous Blacks & Mi’kmaq (IB&M) Initiative was marked by a symposium – Reflections on the Donald Marshall Jr. Inquiry – and the Next 25 years of Justice for our Communities, at the IB&M 25th Anniversary Gala Dinner, on March 6, 2015 at the Westin Hotel.

The Black Hockey League held its annual commemorative Coloured Hockey League game on February 20, 2015 at Cole Harbour Place.

The McConnell Library in Sydney celebrated Black Heritage Month and the first Nova Scotia Heritage Day on Thursday, February 12, with a party of gospel music and short talks about Viola Desmond, the civil rights icon. Eddie Parris and the Inspirational Singers performed, and author Wanda Robson spoke about the life of her sister Viola.

Cindy Cain and Sgt. Craig Smith were featured at two separate “Evenings

On February 12, Sgt. Craig Smith and Dr. Wanda Thomas Bernard were part of a stellar lineup at Tedx MSVU held at Mount Saint Vincent University.

“Black Mosaic” a concert celebrating Black History through music and storytelling, featuring Jeri Brown, Linda Carvery and Ladies in Blue, along with Walter Borden and students from Amherst High School was held in Amherst on February 13.

Congratulations to Theresa Halfkenny of Amherst who was honoured with the Paul Harris Fellowship Award by the Amherst Rotary Club for her work in the African Nova Scotian community and the town as a whole through her efforts as a town councillor, and volunteer with the AME Church and Autumn House.

She received the award as part of the club’s 80th anniversary celebrations, which featured retired Senator Donald H. Oliver as the guest speaker.

The community of Whitney Pier was recognized by the federal government when it announced the designation of

the Development of Whitney Pier as an event of national historic significance in February.

On Hockey Day in Canada, in February, three Nova Scotia hockey players - Percy Paris, Darrell Maxwell and Bob Dawson were recognized for breaking new ground on the ice as members of powerhouse Saint Mary’s Huskies teams in the late 1960s and early ’70s.

The Secret Codes, quilts created by the Vale Quilters based on drawings

by David Woods and representing the historic quilts used to guide people escaping via the Underground Railway were on display at the Museum of Industry in New Glasgow in February.

Congratulations to Archbishop Vincent Waterman, of the St. Philip’s African Orthodox Church in Whitney Pier on being awarded this year’s Tom Miller Award for Human Rights from the Cape Breton Regional Municipality.

Congratulations to Rev. Dr. Joyce Ross on being the first woman to be ordained in the history of the East Preston United Baptist Church.

Soprano Measha Bruggergosman explored her roots in Cameroon on a 90-minute VisionTV special entitled “Songs of Freedom”. The NB-born singer is now living in the Annapolis Valley and is expecting her second child this spring.

Laurence Hill’s “Book of Negroes” was broadcast on CBC and BET this winter.

The production, filmed partially in Nova Scotia, was riveting and spectacular in its storytelling.

Congratulations to Michael Duck on being inducted into the Junior continued on page 29

28 ...

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Achievement Business Hall of Fame.

He was honoured at a gala dinner at the World Trade and Convention Centre later this spring.

A piece of this province’s history fell victim to Mother Nature’s wrath in March with the collapse of a sawmill in Upper Hammonds Plains. The Whiley Mill was built by freed slaves, the ancestors of owners Franklyn and Curtis Whiley, in the 1800s. It was the first mill built in Upper Hammonds Plains and was still a thriving business until just a few years ago. It was one of the longest serving Black-owned businesses in the country, operated by seven generations of the family.

29 ...

The Canadian Black Government Leaders Summit, hosted by co-chairs Hon. Tony Ince, Nova Scotia Minister of Communities, Culture and Heritage and Hon. Michael Coteau, Ontario Minister of Tourism, Cultural and Sports, together with Black government leaders from across Canada was held June 8-10, 2015 in Birchtown, NS at the newly opened Black Loyalist Heritage Centre. They came together to discuss national and international opportunities to highlight the accomplishments of African-Canadians during the United Nations’ Declaration of the Decade for People of African Descent (2015-2024) and Canada’s 150th celebration in 2017, with an emphasis on developing Black Youth leadership.

In Deepest Sympathy Deanna Smith, a former resident and an instrumental plaintiff in a $34 million class action against the Nova Scotia Home for Colored Children, died of cancer in Truro in late March. Smith, 49, had been battling breast cancer for some time.

30 ...

by: Abena Amoako-Green

Highlight Reel Clothing Chance Simmonds , Owner

I

n 2013 Chance Simmonds created and launched Highlight Reel Clothing - a line that combines sportswear and urban wear.

"Highlight Reel" is a term commonly heard in the world of sports where highlights or key moments of an event or series are featured or highlighted.

The term inspired the name Highlight Reel Clothing, highlighting only the best when it comes to attire.

Owner Simmonds appreciated style from a young age. “Growing up I liked clothes a lot. I wanted to look fresh and fly.” He also witnessed the rise and popularity of Nova Scotia’s East Coast Lifestyle brand and thought that if they

31 ...

could do it, so could he. After all, people had been telling him for awhile that they liked his personal sense of style.

When asked why he decided to start his own business, Simmonds says: “I was inspired by my grandfather, Arthur “Arty” Jordan, who started his own business, Apex Cleaning Services, from nothing. Apex went on to become a very successful business for many years until Arty passed away. His company sponsored the hugely successful Apex Invitational Golf Tournament, held

annually in Truro for more than 40 years. “I learned from my grandfather that I could be my own boss, control what I do, achieve my dreams and be in charge.”

Going from idea to implementation began with designing a logo. His hoodies, t-shirts and caps carry a few different logos representing the Highlight Reel concept. Next, Simmonds invested in printing twelve t-shirts. After all of them sold he saw that there was a demand for his product. “I sold all those

Lou Gannon



"I learned from my

grandfather that I could be my own boss, control what I do, achieve my dreams and be in charge.” so then I’m thinking ‘Aright I’m going to actually do this for real’ so I ordered some more shirts and sweaters.” The Black Business Initiative’s ‘Business is Jammin’ Program loaned Simmonds $5,000 which allowed him to create the company’s website and online store.

As the sole operator of Highlight Reel Clothing Simmonds says that working alone can be a challenge and that he

hopes to bring other people on board in the future. In the two years that the business has been operating, the 23-year-old has learned some valuable lessons – the first one being the importance of quality. Simmonds was not impressed with the first shirts he produced. "When you washed them the color faded away. I couldn't have that. I have to get material that lasts for people."

The young entrepreneur also learned about research. “Research everything you do before you make an order," says Simmonds. "When I first started I would just find the first person and order from that supplier but now I research and find the best quality and people are satisfied it doesn’t rip or fade quickly or shrink.”

Simmonds says Daymond John, Kanye West and his father also influenced his business. “My father was a big influence on me because he is a hard worker; Kanye because of his fashion

sense and Damon John because he is the founder of the FUBU brand.”

Simmonds wants other young people to know they can start a business too.

“If you have a dream, go for it. Go hard for what you want to be in life and nothing will stop you.”

Simmonds attributes his business skills to growing up in a family business environment. “These days people have access to the internet where they can get a lot of information related to running a business. I am also very involved in the community. I connect to people and I learn from them as well.”



“If you have a dream,

go for it. Go hard for what you want to be in life and nothing will stop you.”

Highlight Reel Clothing has sold in Truro, Halifax, Toronto and the United States.

The appeal, says Simmonds, is in the colors and the quality. “I tried to go real crazy with the quality I got a real good supplier.” He encourages customers to keep visiting the current website and following him on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram at ‘highlightxreel’ for all three. A new website is on its way as well as new t-shirts and hoodies.

Highlightxreel Clothing Chance Simmonds, Owner 245 West Prince Street., Truro, NS 902-899-3636 highlightreel.official@gmail.com highlightxreel.bigcartel.com 32 ...

Ask an Expert

Community Engagement is the heart and soul of PR by: John Wedderburn, CM Communications

•

Listen to what the community wants and needs: When considering where to direct support, nobody knows better what matters to a community than those who live there. Communityrelevant sponsorships can generate goodwill, and provide an opportunity to grow awareness about your organization among your stakeholders. These could be artistic/cultural events, children’s or seniors activities, educational initiatives, local sports, architectural/heritage projects among many other possibilities.

•

Develop and maintain positive local media relationships: Good local media relations is vital in establishing strong, ongoing relations with the community at large. Get to know local reporters and work with them to create a relationship based on trust.

The more you work with local media, even during difficult, potentially negative times, the more amenable local media will be to covering your positive stories. Local journalists should also be involved where possible with company activities, particularly open houses, site visits, award ceremonies etc.

John Wedderburn Principal at CM Communications in Halifax with more than 15 years in the PR industry. He can be reached at: cmcomm@eastlink.ca

Community Engagement, or Community Relations as many organizations call it, is a key ingredient in any successful public relations program.

It is often stated that community relations is "public relations at the local level". In its simplest form, it is "having and keeping friends in the community."

When a company makes a commitment to the community(ies) it serves as part of its core business strategy, it not only positions the organization positively among its stakeholders but it also helps attract and retain top employees.

Community relations is not simply empty, one-sided philanthropy.

In today's environment of public wariness, gaining and maintaining public trust has become an on-going, top management concern for most businesses and organizations.

Community members and groups that populate a company’s operating area are essential to its operation. Employees live in the community and very likely grew up there. The company banks in the community. Municipal, provincial and federal governments set the parameters by which the company can operate in the community. • Successful organizations understand their responsibility to the community(ies) in which they are located. And, they understand that being a good corporate citizen is not something that can be done sporadically but rather is something that needs to be done consistently and visibly.

Community relations deserve serious discussion. Engagement in the community at the high level takes on two forms. The first, is about developing trust and two-way communications with community members, ensuring that anything your organization does that is community impacting in any way, is communicated openly and in a timely • fashion.

The second, is about giving back and supporting the things that matter most to your community. Here are a few basic principles to consider: •

Be a good neighbour: Be responsive to the concerns and the welfare of those with whom you share your community. Talk with your community members and seek their feedback when it involves operations that impact the community and communicate decisions impacting the community.

33 ...

Engage in reciprocal communications: Two-way communications positions an organization as concerned, engaged and genuine. Invite local figures to your AGM, open houses and celebratory receptions, for example. Anniversaries are another opportunity to celebrate. Organize tours and visits for local stakeholders and community members to see the company at work and see new developments.

Encourage employee volunteerism: Making donations to local causes is important but giving your staff the ability to join specific local groups and support local charities is a powerful thing. Communities benefit in immeasurable ways. Volunteers also put a human face on the company but perhaps, more importantly, employees that volunteer tend to experience greater job satisfaction, and improved morale.

What does it take to export?

Some points to consider in deciding if you are export-ready by: Pamela Rudolph, NSBI Pamela Rudolph, Trade Development Executive, Nova Scotia Business Inc. (NSBI) With extensive experience leading trade missions and making contacts in markets around the globe, Pamela Rudolph knows “a lot of people who know a lot of things.” She loves the challenge of connecting companies with strategic leads and helping new exporters gain confidence to enter new markets worldwide. Pamela is addicted to her job, and if you’re facing a trade puzzle you may be interested in getting her in the game.

When considering expanding your product or service to foreign markets it is important to first weigh the potential benefits of exporting against the potential costs.

While exporting can lead to an increase in sales, profits, and global competitiveness, it does come with certain challenges such as an increase in costs, competition, and commitment of resources such as time.

It’s important to assess your export readiness, and in doing so you may consider exporting if you have confidence in the following five areas: 1. Commitment – Developing sales in foreign markets does not happen overnight – nor should it. Entering a market too early can expose you to many risks including failure to deliver on promises, damages to your reputation, and financial losses associated with failed market entry. It is important to evaluate the commitment of your company as a whole before deciding to export.

2. Resources – Does your company have the necessary resources to adequately prepare and execute export operations? It takes at least one fulltime dedicated employee to conduct market research, market visits, and then follow-up on their findings. Your company must ensure that they have a thorough understanding of the new market including knowledge of testing requirements, packaging and labelling requirements, translation costs, etc.

3. Capacity – While one of the main benefits of exporting is increased sales, it’s important to be realistic when calculating your firm’s production capacity. Do you have sufficient staff and equipment to handle the additional sales? If not, do you have the capital necessary to expand and meet the increased demand? If your resources are currently stretched, be sure to factor in the changes that will need to be made to accommodate your international sales before committing to them.

4. Marketable Product or Service – Often, products need to be tweaked to meet the needs of different markets. Does your product or service meet the

safety standards of the new market or will it need to be adapted?

How will you facilitate warrantees or product servicing from a distance? Having an in-depth understanding of the needs of potential consumers and being willing to proactively adapt your product or service to suit those needs will help ensure that your new market entry is a success.

5. Market(s) – As you know, market research is a crucial element to achieving export success. To achieve this you will need to conduct thorough research in a variety of markets and select the one that is best suited for both your product or service and your company. The following websites are great starting points: a. The Canadian Trade Commissioner Service: www.tradecommissioner.gc.ca b. Export Development Canada: www.edc.ca c. Statistics Canada: www.statcan.gc.ca d. Industry Canada – Trade Data Online: www.ic.gc.ca/tdo These are just a few things to consider when getting export ready. Nova Scotia Business Inc. is dedicated to providing export and trade services to Nova Scotia companies and our team of Trade Development Executives is available should you have any questions about upcoming export and trade initiatives.

I encourage you to sign up for Trade Development News to stay informed about program updates and upcoming activities, such as trade missions, workshops, and other export and trade related events.

Contact Nova Scotia Business Inc. for more information: www.novascotiabusiness.com continued on page 35

34 ...

Influence global change through export opportunities with the World Bank Group by: Liesl Harewood Liesl Harewood , Trade Development Executive With a background in Law and Diplomatic Studies, Liesl Harewood, our “globetrotting liaison to everyone, everywhere”, has over seven years’ experience in business development, entrepreneurship, trade in services and trade facilitation. Born in the only English-speaking country in South America, Guyana, and raised on the Caribbean island of Barbados, Liesl studied in Europe and worked and lived practically everywhere else, so it’s not surprising that she has access to an extensive global network

Nova Scotia businesses have a unique resource at NSBI. Liesl Harewood is Nova Scotia’s only certified Private Sector Liaison Officer, or PSLO. Appointed by the World Bank Group, she helps Nova Scotia companies gain access to international financial institutions’ business opportunities, services and knowledge. In essence, she acts as a navigator.

We invited Liesl to talk about the PSLO network and her services.

What is the PSLO network?

The PSLO network is a business outreach platform which currently comprises 162 business intermediary organizations such as chambers of commerce, business and trade associations, and investment promotion agencies. It is managed by the World Bank Group. PSLOs work in 108 countries to foster trade and investment between countries, supported by four other international financial institutions (IFIs).

What does a PSLO do?

My main role is to: • provide information about IFI business opportunities • facilitate contact between local companies and the IFIs • organize consultations on development issues of interest to the private sector • provide information on IFIs’ knowledge resources and partnership opportunities.

Although I’m not the only entry point for Nova Scotia companies, I have “insiders’ knowledge” of the IFIs and the local business community.

What opportunities does the World Bank Group offer?

Most projects are in infrastructure, education, energy and environment. The World Bank publishes country profiles that outline the focus for each member country. The projects vary in size and some projects include Nova Scotia companies as part of the supply chain.

35 ...

Who can use your services?

Any individual or company based in Nova Scotia – and quite a few already do. I send out quarterly information on projects in the pipeline, including those that will be developed and launched for tender in the next six months to two years. This gives my clients time to establish relationships with the various agencies involved and to get themselves better known.

What services or programs does the PSLO network offer?

Worldwide, PSLOs and their business organizations host up to 150 business outreach events every year. The IFIs provide speakers and knowledge, and the PSLOs organize the local events.

Here in Nova Scotia we are quite active.

In 2014 some of our activities included workshops, education sessions and trade missions.

What advice would you give small and medium enterprises looking to work with the World Bank Group?

You can easily be overwhelmed trying to wade through the available tools and resources on your own. Reach out to a PSLO and other support organizations.

Consider hiring a consultant based in Nova Scotia with IFI expertise to create your roadmap. Keep going, and don’t be afraid to make mistakes. Once you get that first successful project, others seem to follow.

What’s the best thing about Nova Scotia that you want to share with the world?

The pace and familiarity of doing business here reminds me of the Caribbean, where I’m from. I like that some Nova Scotia companies are punching above their weight. We have some truly international firms that are influencing change across the globe.

How did you get involved in your line of work?

I wanted to use my legal degree and speak French and Spanish in my work.

After pursuing a Masters in Diplomacy, Law and Global Change in 2004, I worked in Barbados with the Coalition of Service Industries helping companies export across the Caribbean and into Europe. After that, I consulted on numerous European Union projects in the Caribbean. I moved to Canada three years ago and started at NSBI two years ago.

What’s the best thing about Nova Scotia that you want to share with the world?

The pace and familiarity of doing business here remind me of the Caribbean,

where I’m from. I like that some Nova Scotia companies are punching above their weight. We have some truly international firms that are influencing change across the globe.

The above content is an excerpt. To view the full article, related articles, and for trade and other opportunities please visit the Nova Scotia Business Inc. website at NovaScotiaBusiness. com.

Sign up for Trade Development News to stay informed about program updates and upcoming activities, such as trade missions, workshops, and other export related events visit: novascotiabusiness.com/tradenews

Nova Scotia Business Inc. (NSBI) is Nova Scotia’s

private sector-led business development agency. We help companies enhance their competitiveness through trade development, and business financing. We’re also responsible for attracting new direct investment to the province, driving the growth of Nova Scotia's economy. for more information contact us at: www.novascotiabusiness.com

36 ...

Stage Coaching

Making your business salable won't happen overnight, so give yourself plenty of lead time.

by: Wendy Brookhouse

15 % or more—with one supplier to get discounts or other benefits, it’s a good idea to evaluate whether those perks are worth the exposure.

Is a key employee responsible for most or all of the sales? What would happen if he or she left? Prepare a talent matrix where you map out the assets of each team member, then look at where each person could grow if he or she was properly trained and challenged.

Are all of your systems and processes documented? Could someone come in and be able to manage your business by following your process manuals? Is all of the information spread across numerous files or stuck in someone’s head (see the above point for key employees).

Congratulations,

savvy and experienced business owner! You have decided that your exit strategy will be to sell your business. Guess what—you aren’t alone. Over the next few years, many businesses in Atlantic Canada will be transitioning to new owners who are either a family member, a key employee, or an outside buyer.

After years of blood, sweat, and tears, you’re on the home stretch. The goal now is to maximize the value you’ll receive for all of your hard work. The first steps are to review your profits, cash flow, and expenses; enhance efficiencies; and make as many changes as you can on receivables to get revenue in the door faster. After that, you’ll need to consider a few more strategies that will help make your company even more salable: Is your business all about you? Your name is on the sign, your clients only want to

37 ...

deal with you, and the same is true of your suppliers. If the business is you, it isn’t very salable. A good way to test this is to go away for a week and not look at your email, make business calls, or worry about what’s happening. Did your business fall apart? If so, you might have some work to do.

Building your team, educating them, and empowering them will make all the difference. It might even decrease your stress level! This is one of the bigger items to resolve, and we talk to our clients about beginning with the end in mind. So if you’re thinking about selling, you need to consider how to make yourself redundant.

Are you relying too heavily on a single supplier or customer? If so, this adds to the riskiness of your business in the eyes of a buyer. What if the client leaves?

How hard would it be to replace it? If you do a great deal of business—say,

Do you have a defined unique selling proposition? Not yet? You need to compare your offerings with those of your competitors and consider what your clients want. How can you fill the gap in a unique and hard-to-replicate manner?

How can you layer more services on your current offering to provide more value?

As soon as you decide to sell, draft a plan to prioritize which elements you’re going to work on first. Discuss your thoughts with your advisory team (lawyer, accountant, financial advisor) to start the ball rolling.

Making your business more salable isn’t an overnight activity; it can be complex and take a few years. So give yourself plenty of time to do it properly.

Wendy Brookhouse is the president of Black Star Wealth Partners and creator of The Cash Flow Freedom Plan and Business Value Builder. Follow her @wendybrookhouse or connect with her by visiting blackstarwealth.com.

Originally published in Vol. 21 No. 07 of Progress Magazine. Reprinted with permission.

September 11, 2015 Grandview Golf & Country Club 431 Crane Hill Road, Dartmouth, NS

For more information contact us:

paul.rukidi@bbi.ns.ca 902-478-6476

t r o p p u S ! h p t l u e H ur Yo O 38 ...

New BBI Staff 

Thank you for your participation!

BBI hosted seven community meetings in North Preston, Cherry Brook, Yarmouth, Amherst, Truro, Kentville and Sydney. These meetings gave BBI an opportunity to hear the needs and wants of the Black business community and key stakeholders. Many of our business development partners also participated, further evidence of our commitment to collaboration and coordination of services for the benefit of local businesses. We will continue to engage as we strive to be more relevant, effective and efficient in our efforts to bring enhanced value to Black-owned business starts and growth.

 Congratulations

to president Elizabeth Cromwell and the board of directors of the Black Loyalist Historical Society on the grand opening of the Black Loyalist Heritage Centre, Birchtown, Nova Scotia, held on Saturday June 6, 2015. The new Centre represents the vision, commitment and effort of many and serves to inform and educate about an important chapter in African-Canadian history.

 Congratulations to Jonathan Duru of Aberdeen Bus Charter & Tours.

Jonathan recently received Utility & Review Board (URB) approval to operate a 21 passenger mini bus to transport visitors to local African Nova Scotian cultural and heritage locations.

This is great news for Jonathan and for African Nova Scotian cultural tourism attractions in the region. More visitors mean more business!

39 ...



Congratulations

to Samantha Parris (BIJ Board Member) for graduating from Dalhousie Law School and for receiving the Judge Sparks Award in recognition of her exemplary dedication to using her law degree as a tool for social and community change. Dalhousie University Law School will donate $800 to Business is Jammin’ in Samantha’s name. The BIJ Board and staff extend a sincere thank you to Samantha for her ongoing service and to the Schulich School of Law at Dalhousie University for your generous donation! We will continue to work hard to empower youth though entrepreneurship and celebrate the accomplishments of more individuals like Samantha!



Congratulations to the graduates of BBI’s first ever Metal Trades Industry Readiness Pilot Project. Four participants went on to successfully complete a Metal Trades Industry Readiness Pilot Project at NSCC. We are proud to report that Justin Vaillancourt and Romain Brooks were hired by Advanced Precision and Jason Howe and Kevin Hooks are gainfully employed with Cherubini Group. With great effort comes great rewards! You all have an incredibly positive future ahead!

Paul Enoch Rukidi

Business Is Jammin (BIJ) Manager, Fund Development.

BBI is pleased to welcome Paul Rukidi as the new Manager, Fund Development for BIJ.

Originally from Uganda, Paul is a young professional who recently graduated from Saint Mary’s University (SMU) with a Bachelor of Commerce degree. Paul grew up in Kampala but has called Halifax home for the past six years.

With a strong passion for innovation, he joined the SMU Information Technology Systems and Support Department, in his 2nd year as Telecommunications Audio/ Video support assistant. He then went on to volunteer as Vice President for the International Students Society and Performance Director of the Saint Mary’s African Students Society. In his last year of studies, Paul says he wanted to find a way to give back and help other students.

He took on the role of Vice President University Affairs with the Students Association, SMUSA. He then served as a student representative on the SMU Board of Governors, representing and advocating on behalf of students to the University and all levels of government.

“I can’t wait to work with young entrepreneurs-in-the-making to help them develop entrepreneurial knowledge and skills, while collaborating with our corporate partners to support and inspire our youth to pursue entrepreneurship.”

Welcome Paul!

When is the right time to sell your business?

by: Craig Maloney,

MBA, CA, CBV Partner, WBLI Chartered Accountants

Buyers greatly outnumber Sellers Currently there are many more potential buyers than sellers for profitable SME businesses. Potential buyers include:

According to a 2012 Canadian Federation of Independent Business (CFIB) study, close

to half of small and medium sized enterprise (SME) owners plan to exit their business in the next five years; a dramatic increase from the 2006 CFIB survey when one-third of businesses were in the same position. Another study shows similar statistics: 6 in 10 private companies in Canada will change ownership structures within the next decade. (CICA/RBC Business Monitor Survey, 2010).

The flood is coming, as baby boomers are approaching 70…

In 2010, more than 60% of SMEs were controlled by an owner aged 50 or older; thus, the number of business owners seeking an exit option is very likely to increase in the near future. (“The State of Entrepreneurship in Canada” Industry Canada. February, 2010.)

Business transitions in the past few years have been curtailed due to the following: •

The economic downturn of 200809 delayed the exit date of many SME owners.

•

SME owners are not clear on how to begin the process of transitioning their businesses.

People generally know how to sell a house; but selling a business is a much more complex process.

•

Business owners are struggling to identify successors who will maintain the legacy of the business and the culture.

•

Understanding what the business is worth and knowing what to do after the sale of the business.

It is important to have realistic expectations of the value of a business.

•

Entrepreneurs wanting a business that they can run, rather than being an employee.

•

Businesses that are looking to grow or diversify via acquisition.

•

Private equity groups seeking investment opportunities for businesses that they can actively manage, as opposed to public stock market investments. Further, private equity groups are ‘moving down market’ by seeking smaller companies to acquire.

The current level of buy-side demand should be considered in the decision of ‘when to sell’, as it is not likely to continue long term. The data shows that a mass transition of businesses should be occurring in the next few years.

What are your exit options?

Business owners need to transition their business in some form, at some point. There are four real options to exit: 1. Winding up the business is not an attractive alternative in most cases. Drastic events, such as health issues or death aside, proper planning should mitigate the need to windup a business.

2.

Transitioning to family members is occurring, but it is less common. Only onecontinued on page 41

40 ...

When is the right time to sell your business? continued from page 40

third of family businesses are successfully transferred to the next generation, and a mere 13% are passed on to the third generation. (Family Firm Institute Inc.) 3. Transitioning to a management team is a good, viable option for many companies. A few factors are key to a successful MBO: •

The business has to be big enough to employ a capable management team.

•

The knowledge and relationships should be shared with the management team.

•

Management should actually purchase as much as feasible in order to have ‘skin in the game’.

4. Sell to an outside party, which includes entrepreneurs, other companies, and private equity groups. For owners, selling to an outside party is a very feasible and attractive alternative for quality businesses. Some owners will consider partial sale options that allow them to retain some ownership during a transition period.

Succession Planning is a Process, not an Event It is important to plan the transition process. An effective succession plan is put in place one to five years before the eventual transition of ownership.

It is too late to capture value or appropriately plan when a significant

health issue or significant business issue occurs. Still, close to 60% of business owners aged 55 to 64 have yet to start discussing their exit plans with family or business partners. Each transaction and business valuation is unique. Having good advisors can simplify the process and help make your business more attractive to prospective buyers.

Craig Maloney is a Partner at WBLI Chartered Accountants. Craig is heavily involved in servicing owner-managed businesses and professionals.

He specializes in business valuation and providing strategic business advice and corporate finance advice on M&A transactions. He has industry and functional experience in leveraged buy-outs, capital raising, divestitures and acquisitions. Craig has also provided strategic advisory services and pricing analysis for various companies. cmaloney@wbli.ca, 902-493-5430.

Originally published in ValueAdded@wbli.

Winter 2014. Reprinted with permission.

AU UNIQUE TOURISM TO EXPERIENCE. E

Cultural Assets of Nova Scotia: African Nova Scotian Tourism Guide

Come

walk the lands that were settled by people of African descent who came to the Maritimes—African Americans as enslaved labour for the New England Planters in the 1760s, Black Loyalists between 1782 and 1784, Black refugees of the War of 1812, as Jamaican Maroons who were exiled from their home lands in 1796, and as Caribbean immigrants to Cape Breton in the 1890s. The descendants of these groups are recognized as the indigenous African Nova Scotian population.

Today, some 300 years later, there are festivals and gatherings throughout the year that acknowledge and celebrate the vibrant, rich African Nova Scotian culture. The guide provides contact information, directions and details on community events throughout the province, making the African Nova Scotian experience a tourism destination to remember and revisit.

For copies of the guide please contact: Office of African Nova Scotian Affairs 902.424.5555 ansa_newsletter@gov.ns.ca Black Business Initiative 902.426.8683 bbi@bbi.ca https://www.novascotia.com/en/home/planyourtrip/travel_guides/default.aspx 41 ...

How Important Is Translation In Developing Opportunities For Your Business?

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Alianco has been a leader in the translation industry for nearly 20 years. We are an alliance of professional translators based in Atlantic Canada whose mission is to partner with translators across all four provinces of Atlantic Canada to provide high quality multilingual communications as well as efficient, friendly and affordable services to businesses and organizations.

With the fast-paced evolution of technology in the workplace and globalization, your business has to capture the attention of your network and potential clients world-wide and differentiate your offering from the multitude of services available. Setting yourself apart from others is critical if you are to remain competitive. For instance, having a website that

“AliancoDirect is your one-stop shop for all of your translation needs.”

Micheline Roy, Executive Director offers your products and services in multiple languages is an efficient way of attracting business from a larger pool of potential clients and to show that your business is keeping up with globalization trends and multilingual markets. By offering your services and products in different languages – regardless of the language - you are adding value to your menu of services and will avoid the negative repercussions of miscommunication about your company, its services and products. In addition, an accurate translation or language adapation demonstrates respect for your clients and their various cultures.

Over the past few years, Alianco has helped many small, medium and larger sized businesses and organizations in Atlantic Canada with their translation needs. This allowed these companies and organizations to better promote their goods and services - to communicate their value proposition and to become more visible and accessible. A professional translation will ensure that your business is clearly defined for your potential customers. Smart businesses know that professional translation is an important marketing tool for any organization wishing to expand and reach new horizons.

talented professionals. At AliancoDirect we translate everything from annual reports to advertising/marketing materials, technical and medical documents, legal documents, websites, and anything else your company requires. No matter what the size of your translation project, or the complexity, we have the knowledge and expertise to help you be a better communicator across many languages and cultures and become more competitive. We offer professional translation services in all languages including English, French, Spanish, Arabic, Chinese, Japanese, Italian, and far more.

For a limited time, AliancoDirect is offering the Translation Assistance Program which provides financial assistance to small and medium-sized businesses in the Atlantic Region who wish to translate their promotional and mareketing materials, including websites. Each successful applicant can receive up to 75% of the costs of eligible translation projects, up to a maximum of $8,000. Please note, that the translation projects must meet the minimum amount of $1,000 (approximately 4,500 words) to qualify.

A recent study of the impact of the Translation Assistance Program on the businesses who accessed this program revealed the following positive results: • The number of requests for products has increased between 38% (Website purchases) and 52% (on-site purchases).

• The number of requests for information in the translated language has increased between 31% (sales/promotional material) and 55% (training/ conference material).

• The number of orders in the translated language has increased between 17% (Website) and 38% (onsite).

• An overall increase in customer service satisfaction (31%) and an increase in market shares and/or new contracts’ (20%).

Next time your business or organization has translation needs – and that’s probably right now - do not hesitate, contact the highly experienced AliancoDirect team – directly. Just call or e-mail for additional information on all of our translation services: Micheline Roy, Executive Director 506- 753-3323 or micheline@alianco.ca

Our new AliancoDirect service is your one-stop shop for all of your translation needs. Through its broad network of certified translators, AliancoDirect has access to a resource of trained, experienced and 42 ...

June 17

Annual Lieutenant Governor Garden Party

Community & Business Events

2pm-5pm

43 ...

Their Honours, Brigadier-General The Honourable J.J. Grant, CMM, ONS, CD (Ret’d), Lieutenant Governor of Nova Scotia and Mrs. Joan Grant invite all Nova Scotians and visitors to Government House for the annual Garden Party. lt.gov.ns.ca/news-events/annual-garden-party

June 18

Black Business Initiative’s Business Summit & AGM 12noon - 7pm

Halifax World Trade and Convention Centre Keynote Luncheon with Entrepreneur Barb Stegemann: 12pm - 1:30pm CAMSC Supplier Diversity Panel and Meeting Marketplace: 1:30pm - 4:30pm AGM: 3:00pm to 5:00pm Networking Event: 5:00pm - 7:00pm www.bbi.ca/business-summit-2015/

43 ...

June 19

Funding Workshop for Business Evolution 9am - 2:30pm

Acadia University, Auditorium KC Irving Environmental Science Centre Learn about financial and other supports available to entrepreneurs and business owners in NS. Pre-registration is necessary.

RSVP by June 12. See link for further information.

RSVP to: Barb Baker barbara.baker@acadiau.ca Please pre-register as seating is limited

June 25

CBDC Bluewater Annual General Meeting and Networking Event 4pm - 5pm

71 First Lake Drive, Kinsmen Centre Lower Sackville, NS RSVP to: Lisa McArthur, 902 827-5564 or lisa.mcarthur@cbdc.ca

June 25

July 25

Halifax Partnership Launches the 2015 Halifax Index

September 10

The 7th Annual BEA Open Golf Tournament

The TOP 101 Companies Awards

Ashburn Golf Club 3250 Joseph Howe Drive, Halifax

The TOP 101 Awards congratulate the companies setting the pace in this dynamic marketplace we call home!

3:30 – 5:00 pm

Westin Nova Scotia Presented by Fred Morley, the Halifax Index is a definitive look at Halifax’s economic & community progress.

July 1

Canada Day

11am - 7:00pm

For more information and to register contact website: beaopen.theblackeducators.ca email: beaopen@theblackeducators.ca

July 24-27

Activities across the province

Africville Reunion Picnic

July 15

Africville, Halifax www.africville.ca

Build your Business on Tall Ship Silva

August 7- 14

6:30pm - 8:30pm

Enjoy a two-hour cruise on the Halifax waterfront! 15-Jul-2015, 6:30 PM 8:30 PM. Presented by ISANS and Halifax Partnership, learn and share networking strategies while you network with other business owners and business community members to build your business, your networks and share ideas.

For more information and to register contact :Immigrant Services Assoc. of Nova Scotia 902-423-3607

July 25 - 26

The New Glasgow Black Gala Homecoming New Glasgow, NS newglasgowblackgalahomecoming.com

August 7-8

The Apex Golf Annual Golf Invitational Tournament Truro, NS trurogolfclub.com

August 14 -16

For more information and to register contact website: www.progressmedia.ca/top101event

September 11 11:00 am - 8:00 pm

17th Annual Business Is Jammin’ Golf Tournament Grandview Golf & Country Club 431 Crane Hill Road Dartmouth,NS www.businessisjammin.ca

October 13

Preston Board of Trade 22nd Annual Celebration Banquet November 12

Halifax Chamber of Commerce Dinner 5pm -9:30pm

November 18

Women of Excellence Event

FITTskills: International Trade Management Conference

The 162nd Annual African United Baptist Association

Canadian Progress Club Halifax-Cornwallis Centre for Women and Business

The course content provides insight into global supply chain activities including production and inventory management processes and regulatory and security requirements.

Nova Scotia Business Inc. Halifax World Trade & Convention Center www.novascotiabusiness.com

First Baptist Church Truro, Nova Scotia www.auba.ca

BBI Holiday Networking Social

December 3

www.bbi.ca

To submit items for Community and Business events contact:

BBI @ (902) 426-8683; Fax: 426-8699 or email bbi@ bbi.ns.ca 44 ...

Sylvia Parris, CEO

Jocelyn Dorrington, Chair of the Delmore “Buddy” Daye Learning Institute (DBDLI) is pleased to announce the appointment of Sylvia Parris to the role of Chief Executive Officer with the DBDLI.

www.dbdli.ca

Congratulations!

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ABB (ASEA Brown Boveri), Centre for Women in Business, Halifax Chamber of Commerce, Johnson Controls, Nova Scotia Business Inc., Nova Scotia Power, Province of Nova Scotia, Royal Bank of Canada NS Association of CBDCs, CBDC Bluewater, CBDC NOBL, CBDC Yarmouth, CEED, Dalhousie University, Halifax Partnership, Entrepreneurs with Disabilities Network, Nova Scotia Co-operative Council, Preston Area Housing Association.

A special thank you to Scott D. Ferguson, President & CEO, Trade Centre Limited and Valerie Corkum, Sales Manager, Local & Regional Markets, Halifax World Trade & Convention Centre and their respective teams for their long-standing and ongoing support of BBI.

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