Supporting Canadian SMBs
Q&A WITH TONY CHAPMAN
Host of the Award Winning Podcast Chatter that Matters, Inducted into the Small Business Hall of Fame
Small and medium-sized businesses are the backbone of Canada’s economy. What makes them such an essential part of our country’s growth and identity?
Destiny is a matter of choice not chance. With small businesses, Canada isn’t a servant to multi-nationals. Small business knits cultures together. Entrepreneurs overindex among newcomers to Canadian and Indigenous communities bringing fresh ideas, cultural nuances, and strong community ties. These businesses aren’t just economic drivers; they’re expressions of our identity and resilience.
With ongoing economic pressures from tariffs to rising costs, how can SMBs continue to adapt in this uncertainty?
Don’t worry about the global economy, circle your own economy. Build on your Canadian identity, make it easy for Canadians to support Canadians, and use technology to export digitally through the cloud. In addition, economic uncertainty rewards the agile. You either show resilience and make things happen, or you wonder what happened.
With so many digital tools and platforms available, how can SMBs use technology more effectively to reach and retain customers?
People buy from people, not faceless brands. Use technology to personalize and personify your business. Tell your story online, put a
face to your brand, and build relationships like you would in person. Digital tools are powerful, but authenticity is what drives connection, trust, and long-term customer loyalty.
How can local communities support SMBs?
Positioning is a start but to truly support SMBs, communities need action. Create incubators, foster mentorship, and partner with brands that are committed to small business growth. The towns that become real hubs are those that invest in people, infrastructure, and relationships, not just promotion.
What excites you most about the next generation of Canadian entrepreneurs, and what’s one piece of advice you’d share with them?
This generation grew up as digital natives — gamers, content creators, innovators. They see the world differently and gamify strategy. They are motivated by purpose not just profit. My advice is don’t fear failure, learn wherever you are, and don’t be imprisoned inside the status quo. What worked for your parents is not what will work for you.
How ShipTime Supports Canada’s Small Business Economy
and grow stronger.
Running a small business in Canada has never been simple. Entrepreneurs today face a landscape shaped by rising costs, shifting tariffs, evolving customs requirements, and increasing customer expectations. Once a straightforward operational task, shipping has become a critical factor that can influence profitability, customer satisfaction, and long-term growth.
ShipTime was created to help address these challenges. The Canadian logistics technology platform is designed to make shipping more predictable, efficient, and affordable. By connecting small businesses to discounted shipping from leading national couriers, including Canada Post, UPS, FedEx, Purolator, Uber, DHL, and more, ShipTime removes barriers that can stand in the way of growth. Its focus is on giving business owners practical tools that help them spend less time managing logistics and more time building their companies.
Tools that reflect small business realities
As global trade changes and consumer expectations rise, small businesses need shipping solutions that evolve alongside them. Many are managing logistics with limited budgets and small teams, where every decision about timing, cost, and delivery matters.
ShipTime’s ongoing development is centred on solving these real-world challenges. Paperless commercial invoicing helps reduce delays at the border, while built-in duties and tax calculators give business owners greater visibility before they ship internationally. Real-time rate comparisons
allow them to make informed decisions about which carrier best meets their needs.
For many, the ability to connect these tools directly to platforms like Shopify, WooCommerce, and BigCommerce reduces the time spent on logistics tasks and allows them to focus on their customers and growth.
Partnering to empower entrepreneurs
Partnership plays a key role in ShipTime’s approach. Its long-standing collaboration with the Canadian Federation of Independent Business (CFIB) ensures members benefit from reliable shipping solutions and advocacy on important issues such as postal disruptions and trade policy. ShipTime also partners with Costco, giving small business owners and Costco members access to discounted shipping and logistics tools that help them save money and operate more efficiently.
“Small businesses are the backbone of our economy, and their success is critical to Canada’s future,” says Austin Lewis, CEO and CFO of ShipTime. “Our goal is to provide them with the support and resources they need to adapt and thrive.”
and
“With recent postal service and supply chain disruptions, we’ve seen how important it is for
How One Company Is Delivering The Future For Canadian Small Business
Purolator is helping power Canada’s entrepreneurial spirit with its True North Small Business Grant Contest.
Ken Donohue
Small business is big business in Canada. Of the more than one million businesses in Canada, 98 percent are small enterprises, employing almost six million Canadians. They are a significant contributor to the country’s economic output, with more than half our GDP generated by small businesses. Despite these big numbers, small business ownership remains challenging.
The backing small businesses need If a thriving economy and Canada’s prosperity relies on the growth and success of small businesses—and it does, then supporting them is the answer. As a proudly owned and operated Canadian business for 65 years, Purolator, one of Canada’s leading integrated freight, package, and logistics providers delivers vital support through its True North Small Business Grant contest, which is now open and offering its largest-ever funding to assist Canadian small businesses. The grant helps businesses scale
by improving operations, accessing new market opportunities, and increasing brand visibility, which expands their impact in communities across Canada.
“Canadian small businesses are showing remarkable strength, as they navigate increasing economic and political challenges. Purolator has always been committed to helping businesses move forward, and our True North Small Business Grant Contest is one way we’re doing even more,” said Stacey Cummings, Director, Marketing, Purolator. “This year, we’ve increased our support to amplify the impact of entrepreneurs whose work helps shape vibrant communities and strengthen Canada’s economy.”
Creating positive change
Five Canadian small businesses will each receive $25,000 in cash and $500 to ship with Purolator. Two of the grants will be reserved for Purolator customers. Additionally, 33 finalists and 12 nominators will each receive a $500 gift card. The deadline for nominations is November 5, 2025.
How the City of Kawartha Lakes Supports Small Businesses
Kawartha Lakes is home to over 6,800 businesses, and the municipality boasts a strong, supportive business community. Many entrepreneurs today face rising costs, talent shortages, and the pressures of scaling in competitive markets, along with the dilemma of staying close to the GTA for clients, suppliers, and talent while balancing affordability and work-life balance.
Kawartha Lakes offers the best of both worlds.
Located just 90 minutes northeast of Toronto, the City of Kawartha Lakes is also home to around 80,000 year-round residents (a number projected to grow to 117,000 by 2051) and 30,000 seasonal residents. Each year, the city welcomes over 1.6 million domestic tourists, who flock to the area for its stunning natural environment, outdoor and waterfront recreation, cottage-country lifestyle, cultural attractions, and local food.
Building a thriving, diverse local economy Kawartha Lakes provides resources and supports to attract new businesses and support growth. Whether business owners are looking to launch a startup or to scale up, expand, and grow, they benefit from the city’s booming business community and robust support system.
“Moving my business to Kawartha Lakes has been a game-changer for business growth and work-life balance,” says Graeme Barrie, owner of Netmechanics. “The local business network is incredibly supportive. There’s always someone willing to connect you with the right resource or opportunity.”
“When I co-opened my first coffee shop, the local support and strong business network helped us blossom and even open a second location within just two years,” says Dara Bergeron, co-owner of Kindred Coffee Bar.
First Indigenous Biomass Future Inc., a 2023 True North Small Business Grant Contest recipient knows first-hand the benefits of support for small businesses.
“Purolator’s commitment to investing in small businesses through the True North Small Business Grant is the kind of support that helps businesses like ours grow with purpose and continue to create positive change in our communities,” said Melissa Minks, the company’s President. “If you know a small business making a meaningful difference for Canadians, nominate them— it’s a chance to bring awareness to the impact they’re having every day.”
Purolator has always been committed to helping businesses move forward, and our True North Small Business Grant Contest is one way we’re doing even more.
Purolator’s True North Small Business Grant Contest began in 2021. Including this year’s grant funding, almost half a million dollars has been awarded to small businesses and members of their community.
Whitby is Open For Business: Explore the Potential
With ready access to industrial-ready land, transportation, skilled talent, and concierge support, Whitby is the ideal spot to site your business. Anne Papmehl
If growth is your goal, Whitby should be your next move. Situated about 40 minutes east of Toronto in the centre of Durham region, the Town of Whitby offers advantages and resources to businesses looking to start up or expand.
“One of our greatest assets is our geographical location,” says Elizabeth Roy, Mayor of the Town of Whitby. “Our access to the 400-highway series and GO Transit system makes for easy commuting for workers and residents and direct market access for businesses.”
Whitby’s diverse and growing talent pool is driving growth across the manufacturing, health care, professional and scientific services and retail trade sectors.
“As a region that’s tied into the energy and nuclear sectors through Ontario Power Generation (OPG), our local post-secondary institutions like Durham College are modifying their programs to train students for STEM professions so employers have ready access to a highly skilled workforce,” says Roy.
As one of Canada’s fastest growing communities Whitby is committed to enhancing and growing its infrastructure, facilities, and services. In partnership with the Whitby Chamber of Commerce, Downtown Whitby Business Improvement Area (BIA) and Invest Durham, the Town of Whitby provides a range of services and supports to businesses of all sizes.
Whitby provides a thriving ecosystem of resources for entrepreneurs and innovators to develop and commercialize. For builders, Whitby’s Concierge Program is available to help streamline the plan approval process for eligible land developments, while the Community Improvement Plan offers financial incentives for building improvements within the two downtown cores.
With plenty of quality schools, recreation opportunities, two downtowns, a lively waterfront, and diverse affordable housing options, Whitby also offers a great quality of life; it’s an exceptional place to live, work, and explore.
The City of Kawartha Lakes offers an ideal environment for small businesses to grow and thrive.
Tania Amardeil
Graeme Barrie Owner, Netmechanics
Elizabeth Roy Mayor, Town of Whitby Dara Bergeron Co-owner,
This article was sponsored by City of Kawartha Lakes
This article was sponsored by the Town of Whitby
SMALL BUSINESSES, BIG IMPACT:
Entrepreneurs Are Key to Our Economy
Beyond grit and big ambition, Futurpreneur-supported small business owners have a secret edge: a dedicated mentor, along with loan financing and resources.
Janis Nixon
It’s a multi-billion-dollar question. Small- and medium-sized businesses generate the lion’s share of Canada’s GDP, employ the most people in our country and are the engines of prosperity in our communities. Canada’s future depends on their success. So, how can we boost their survival rate, especially in today’s uncertain economy?
“There’s no magic bullet,” says Karen Greve Young, CEO of the national non-profit Futurpreneur, which helps aspiring entrepreneurs ages 18–39 to start or buy a business. “But after working with thousands of young entrepreneurs across Canada, it’s clear that one unique part of our offering has a huge impact on founders’ success: mentorship.”
Futurpreneur’s proven model: loan financing with mentorship
Since 1996, Futurpreneur has supported more than 20,000 entrepreneurs in launching over 15,600 businesses spanning every province and territory. New data shows that 80 per cent of Futurpreneur-supported businesses are still operating beyond the critical five-year mark — a survival rate 27 per cent higher than the national average.
Greve Young attributes this high success rate to her organization’s distinct combo: loan financing with mentorship.
Today’s market is crowded, and competition is fierce. I think Futurpreneur’s volunteer mentors give our entrepreneurs a real edge in succeeding despite these challenges.
“Entrepreneurs can have all the ingredients necessary for success — a solid business plan, financing and, of course, steadfast determination — and yet still not make it, especially if they’re young and just starting out,” she says. “Today’s market is crowded, and competition is fierce. I think Futurpreneur’s volunteer mentors give our entrepreneurs a real edge in succeeding despite these challenges.”
Small commitment, massive impact
That’s because Futurpreneur’s 2,200-plus volunteer mentors are themselves experienced entrepreneurs and senior business leaders.
They come from all industries and backgrounds, drawing on their many career lessons learned to counsel young entrepreneurs on everything from sales and marketing to business development and expansion. With a commitment of only two to four hours a month for up to two years, they offer incredible business impact for a relatively small investment of time.
Beyond advice, mentors also offer critical network connections, help entrepreneurs navigate complex systems and support their work with suppliers. Most
importantly, they offer a calm sounding board when their mentees are facing doubts.
“Let’s face it, we’ve all been there and wished we had someone to ask whether we should take that risk or make that decision,” says Sherri Carlson, a Futurpreneur volunteer mentor since May 2019. “Futurpreneur has given me the chance to be the mentor I wish I’d had.”
Carlson says she’s advised 10 mentees over the years and is thrilled whenever she sees her advice pay off. “What could be more gratifying than knowing you helped someone build a business that employs people, generates income and supports families?” she says. “We need more madein-Canada businesses like these.”
Carlson also acknowledges it’s a win for her, too. She’s learned new skills in mentorship, honed her communication skills and expanded her professional network by connecting with Futurpreneur’s other volunteer mentors.
Made-in-Canada businesses are making Canada stronger
If a recent RBC poll is any indication, the demand for Futurpreneur’s mentorship with loan fi nancing is set to grow even further. The annual RBC Small Business Poll found that 59 per cent of Canadians now aspire to own a business, a new peak for this country.
According to the poll, eight in 10 Canadians believe small business ownership is a viable way to earn a living, and Futurpreneur is ready to help make that happen, whether it’s by helping entrepreneurs start a new business or buy an existing business.
“Entrepreneurship has always been firmly embedded in the Canadian psyche, and recent global events have lit a new fi re under Canada’s aspiring entrepreneurs,” says Greve Young. “The companies we’ve supported already contribute $9.4 billion annually to Canada’s GDP. As more young Canadians look to build their future by building — or buying — local businesses, that figure is only going to go up.”
The good news is that all Canadians can contribute to this important movement, even if they aren’t entrepreneurs or mentors themselves. As more Canadians choose to buy Canadian, their actions drive economic prosperity for all — just when it matters most.
Futurpreneur provides young entrepreneurs with loan fi nancing up to $75,000 to start or buy a business, plus up to two years of one-on-one mentorship.
