Small Business 2016

Celebrating Small Business Month 2016

THE FREE PRESS Thursday, October 20, 2016

BUSINESS MONTH

Celebrating Elk Valley Entrepreneurs October 16 to 22, 2016

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Celebrating Small Business Month 2016

THE FREE PRESS Thursday, October 20, 2016

Small business is a big deal

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n British Columbia, small business is typically described as a business with 50 employees or less. Small businesses are the backbone of the province. They represent 98 per cent of all businesses in BC, employ over 1 million British Columbians and account for 33 per cent of the province’s GDP. In BC and in Fernie, small business is a really big deal.

Fernie is fortunate to have so many small businesses compliment the steady engine of the resource sector in the Elk Valley. It is because of small business we have a diversity of dining and retail options available to us. Our light industrial and construction industries are full of custom builders and trades people that can complete any job. All of these small businesses are contributing to the economic success of our area and the province.

One of the great things about Fernie for small business, is that we are a supportive, local shopping community. From the recent business retention and expansion survey completed by the Chamber of Commerce, we found that 71 per cent of sales were made to locals. This support came up again, as local support was the community’s highest rated strength as a place to do business.

If so many businesses are small business, then it must be easy, right? Well, starting a small business usually means wearing many hats to begin with. You are human resource,

accounting, sales, marketing, and janitor all at once. With some success, you can start assigning these tasks or contracting them out. There are many administrative tasks that can keep businesses from making the sale and winning the customer over. Kudos to our businesses that have managed this. Because, success in business does not come from desire alone. I have a huge desire to swim every day to stay in shape, but it has probably been six months since I have been in the pool. Success in business will require work, planning, and execution.

My point is, we need to celebrate our small businesses that year-after-year provide us excellent products and services. We can celebrate the variety of offerings available to us because a business owner saw an opportunity to offer something unique, or to do something better, and started their own small business adventure.

October is small business month. We, in Fernie, in B.C. and in Canada, have a lot to celebrate. Whether you are employed by a small business or buying products and services from a small business, the owners are working hard and that should be celebrated.

Patty Vadnais Executive Director Fernie Chamber of Commerce.

The five do’s for successful businesses

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he 37th BDC Small Business Week takes place this year from October 16 to 22, 2016.

Organized by the Business Development Bank of Canada, the event’s goal is to ack­ nowledge the important contribution of Ca­ nadian entrepreneurs to our economy.

This special week offers a framework of activities across the country to help business people build their resources and learn more about running a business.

During the last edition of this event, some very interesting research was publicized from a study entitled “The Five Do’s and Don’ts of Successful Businesses.”

According to researchers, there are five im­portant do’s that lead to business success: 1. Innovate 2. Ask for outside advice 3. Have a solid plan and measure your pro­gress 4. Hire the best people and keep them engaged

5. Build strong relationships with your key suppliers There are also five main things to avoid when running a successful business: 1. Don’t rely on a small pool of customers — diversify 2. Don’t underestimate the importance of ef­fective financial management 3. Don’t leave contingency planning until it’s too late 4. Don’t ignore what’s happening in your market 5. Don’t wait too long to get help The BDC is a financial institution owned by the Government of Canada. It supports more than 30,000 SMBs (small and medium businesses) by complementing the various ser­ vices offered by private sector financial institutions. For the complete report of this study and to find out more about activities taking place in your area during BDC Small Business Week, visit www.bdc.ca.

We’ve got you covered!

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Celebrating Small Business Month 2016

THE FREE PRESS Thursday, October 20, 2016

4 strategies to help small and medium-sized businesses grow Did you know that in Canada, small and mediumsized en­terprises (SMEs) represent 99.8 per cent of all private sector businesses and employs 64 per cent of all private sector workers?

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o commemorate the tremendous contributions of these companies, the Business Develop­ment Bank of Canada (BDC) will be holding the BDC Small Business Week from October 16 to the 22. Thanks to a series of conferences, seminars, trade fairs and luncheons, some 10,000 business people across the country will have the opportunity to meet, socialize and establish important business connections.

SMEs are the driving force of our country’s economy, and as such, their growth and prosperity are of the utmost priority.

According to a study published by the BDC in October 2015, there are four main strategies that promote business growth.

1. Be customer-centric.

Understanding and satisfying the needs of your customers is without a doubt the most important key to success. This builds customer loyalty and allows you to attract new clients.

2. Build a winning team.

Hire qualified employees or train your existing personnel. This will allow you to delegate imp­ortant responsibilities and push your business’ limits.

3. Stay ahead of the pack.

Understanding the needs of your customers is one thing; being able to fill them another. Inno­vation is crucial in adapting your business to the needs and demands of your clients.

4. Invest to be the best.

Increasing production capacity by purchasing new equipment and improving efficiency by adopting new technologies are investments that are often necessary for a SME to grow.

It’s worth noting that other strategies — such as e-commerce, partnerships with other businesses and developing new markets — can also contribute to SME growth. For more information, visit our website at www.bdc.ca.

By Norma McDougall

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e are celebrating another good year at the Sparwood Chamber. The success of our business community, and what we can do to support business and community, is the focus, always, of The Sparwood Chamber of Commerce. Our business community was challenged with our economy this past year, but as always, has come through it, and never missed a beat with their support of our Chamber of Commerce.

Our membership numbers are great, and our networking events all sold out and were very well attended. Thank you in part to our business sponsorships, member attendance, and you, our community. A highlight of our spring was our celebration of Mining Week. Tours were full out of the Visitor Centre and the luncheon brought together the entire valley. It is our chance, as a chamber, to celebrate mining, and what it means, and does, for our communities.

The Chamber also helped in numerous events to celebrate Sparwood’s 50th, and 30 years since our Titan truck was brought to our community. Congratulations to you both! We have welcomed close to 55,000 folks so far this year to our Visitor Centre,

and we are sure another 20,000 that stop in the off hours. This year we have placed tourism boards in Titan park, plus two new electronic I-Touch kiosks, that assist tourists with what Sparwood and the whole Elk Valley has to offer, plus gives our business community a chance to advertise. One kiosk remains in the centre and the second travels between the campground, Rec Centre and advertising events in Calgary. Tourism is becoming a large part of our valley and our Chamber is ready and welcoming!

October is the month we celebrate our business community. Please help us by nominating businesses and employees that best serve our community. Nominations for business awards close Oct. 21 and the whole community is invited to the Visitor Centre on October 26, for a free reception and award presentations. Please join us and help celebrate our business community and non-profit organizations. Community Christmas Party is Saturday, December 10, the whole community is welcome! Make it an “awesome staff party” or a night out with friends. For more information, on the Sparwood Chamber, Membership and events please stop at the Visitor Centre call 250-425-2423, or visit our website www. sparwoodchamber.bc.ca.

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Sparwood Chamber Update at a glance

Kitchen always open

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Infinitea Is About To Have Its

4th Birthday

Patio & ive L Music

Over the past 4 years - over 450 live music performances, approximately 180 roast dinners, over 5000 housemade chai teas and countless moments of creativity, connection and imagination....

New Summer Menu Serving Lunch Dinn er Infinitea!

Happy & Birthday Located 5th St.until downtown Fernie Patio Lic enced on Noon 10pm Located on 5th St downtown Custom Tea Ice-Cr eam

Bill Bennett

Proud supporter of Small Business in our Communities

Kootenay East Constituency Office 100C Cranbrook Street N., Cranbrook, BC V1C 3P9

Phone: (250) 417-6022 Toll Free: (866) 417-6022 Fax: (250) 417-6026

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Supporting our local business “stronger together” Chamber Business Awards Presentation - October 26 Still accepting nominations!

141 Aspen Drive ~ 250-425-2423

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Celebrating Small Business Month 2016

THE FREE PRESS Thursday, October 20, 2016

Fernie Chamber of Commerce thanks all its members, large and small, for their community support

Fernie Rentals

Nevados

First Choice Realty

Show your thanks to businesses supporting the community by shopping with a chamber member today. Look for the sign.

2% Realty East Kootenay Inc 6:8 Photography A&W Align Surveys Ltd Alpine Cougar Log Chalet Alpine Lodge Fernie Alpine Toyota Alpine Trails Mountain Community Amundsen Electric Angela Morgan Inc. Ann’s Independent Grocer Apex Power & Automation Ltd. Barkside Pets Best Western Plus Fernie Mountain Lodge Big Bang Bagels Birch Meadows Lodge B&B Black Pine Builders Inc. Boardstiff Snow and Skate Boston Pizza Brecan Building Supplies Ltd Bridge Bistro Buds & Blooms Canadian Tire Canyon Raft Company Capasiti Consulting Causeway Bay Sparwood Hotel Cinch Homes City of Fernie Claris Media Clarkson Contracting Ltd. Clawhammer Letterpress and Gallery Coal Town Goods College of the Rockies - Fernie Campus Columbia Basin Alliance for Literacy Columbia Copiers Business Machine Experts Community Futures East Kootenay Cook’s Electrical Service Ltd Copper-Tip Plumbing & Heating CP Catering Crumbs Cakery & Café Delyea Art Desk + Chair Office Solutions Dominion Lending Centres East Kootenay Mortgage Down to Earth Excavating Ltd. Dr. Karley Denoon, N.D. (Naturopath) D’s Drywall East Kootenay Community Credit Union East Kootenay Motel Ltd. East Kootenay Plumbing & Heating LTD East Kootenay Realty Edge of the World Boardshop E-KNOW Elevation Industries Elk River Guiding Company Inc. Elk River Mountain Homes Elk Valley Bookkeeping Elk Valley Denture Clinic Ltd. Elk Valley Electric Elk Valley Employment Centre Elk Valley Family Chiropractic Ltd. Elk Valley Hospice Elk Valley Painting & Decorating Elk Valley Pizza Shoppe Elk Valley Precision Carpentry Evolution Health and Fitness Eye of the Needle Gallery F.I.R.E. - Fernie Inspire the Race to Empower

Fernie & District Arts Council Fernie & District Historical Society Fernie Alpine Resort Fernie Arts Co-op Fernie Athletic Therapy and Rehabilitation Fernie Auto Parts Ltd Fernie Bookkeeping Fernie Brewing Company LTD Fernie Cardlock Fernie Central Reservations LTD Fernie Child Care Society Fernie Chrysler Fernie Complete Cuisine & Catering Fernie Creative Minds Preschool Fernie Ford Sales Ltd. Fernie Garden Centre Fernie Ghostriders Hockey Fernie Golf & Country Club Fernie Heritage Library Fernie Home Hardware Building Centre Fernie Lodging Company Inc Fernie Meat Market Fernie Mountain Bike Club Fernie Mountain Lawn Care Fernie Mountain Spirits Fernie Professional Firefighters Fernie Property Care Fernie Puppy School Fernie Real Estate Company Ltd. Fernie Rentals Ltd. Fernie RV Resort Fernie Snowmobile Association Fernie Wilderness Adventures Inc Fernie Wood Finishing Finning Canada First Choice Realty Foothills Silva Culture Inc. FR Rentals LTD Freshies Coffee Co Frida Restaurant Gather Dust Gearhub Enterprises Ltd Ghostrider Motorsports Ghostrider Trading Company Ltd. Giv’er Shirt Works Gloria Doehle Bookkeeping Goldstar Cleaning Services LTD GPI Chartered Accountants Graceland Builders Gravelle, Marian - Notary Public Grow Children’s and Maternity Haddad Financial Services Happy Cow Ice Cream & Desserts Healing Hollow Hempire Fernie Hospitality Associates Inc Hub International Barton Insurance IGS Value Drug Mart Interior Envy Intermountain Specialties LTD ION Integrity Consulting Inc. Island Lake Resort Group Inc. Isosceles Business Systems Inc. Jordan Earl Contracting LTD Josie Majury Design Keith Liggett Creative Services Kettle Black Bartending Key Advice & Services Kimberley Riverside Campground Knox United Church - Fernie

Koocanusa Lake Campsite & Marina Ltd. Koocanusa Publications Inc. Kootenay Signs Larsen & Whelan Enterprises Inc. Leffler Law Office Leppard Technology Solutions Lilac Media Lizard Creek Lodge LTD LK2 Loaf Bakery Lunchbox Lysenko Law Lysh Hair Salon Madera Ranch Majic Purdy Law Corporation McDonald Ranch and Lumber Ltd. McDonald’s Restaurant McElhanney Melanie G Wortley Inc. Mellow Management Minifie, Vincent CPA Mountain High River Adventures Mountain High Travel and Tours Mountain Ledger Mountain Park Resort Mountain View Dental Mow and Snow Land Care Ltd. NCL Installations Inc. Nevados Restaurant Newgate Sandy Shores Resort NonStop Ski & Snowboard Coaching Not Just Pizza Nufloors OCD Adventures Odyssey Clothing For Your Journey Old Nurses Residence B&B Oolichan Books Palata Painting Parastone Developments Ltd. Park Place Lodge Park Vacation Management Ltd. Patti’s Party Tent Rental Perfect Circle Management Phil Gadd Business Coaching Play it Forward Sports Therapy Polar Peek Books and Treasures LTD Powder Mountain Lodge Predictive Inspections Ltd. Quality for Less Furniture LTD R&K Contracting Bobcat Service Raging Elk Hostel Re/Max Elk Valley Realty Red Tree Lodge Rigby Built Construction Rigby Sign River City Woodworks Inc. Rockies Law Corporation Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory Rocky Mountain Optometry Rooftop Coffee Roasters Rotary Club of Fernie S2 Builders Ltd Salvation Army Sandman Inn Cranbrook Savage Marketing Inc Save-On Foods Schnell Carpentry Scotiabank Shred Kelly Music Ski Base

Snow Valley Motel & RV Park LTD Snow Valley Spa & Leisure Inc Snowy Peaks Trailer Court/RV Park Soar Cycle Studio South Country Services Ltd./Elk Ent. Southeast Contracting and Disposal Spa 901 Sparling East Medical Centre Sparrow for Hair Stanford Resort - Fernie Starbucks Coffee Company Stephanie’s Glass and Art Studio Sterling Detailing Subway Fernie Sukha Lifestyle Studio Super 8 Motel Tanglefoot Veterinary Services Ltd. - Fernie TD Canada Trust TECK Telus The Brick House The Castle on First The Chopstick Truck The Curry Bowl The Drive 102.9 The Fernie Academy Society The Fernie Hotel and Pub The Free Press The Green Petal Floral Design and Gifts The Guide’s Hut The Little Cabin Company The Quest Outdoor Sport Rentals Ltd. The Royal The Tipple Cold Beer & Fine Wines The Vogue Theatre Three Sisters Day Spa Three Sisters Quality Inn TJ’s Autobody Todd Fyfe Certified Business & Executive Coach Total Maintenance Services Tourism Fernie Twisted Timber Guest House Urban Settler Valley View Contracting VM Travel Adventures Wes’ Country Meats & Sausage Western Financial Group Westland Insurance White Ladder Painting Wildsight/Elk Valley Branch Will-o-bend Golf & RV Park Yamagoya Japanese Restaurant