Small Business Month

2017

Small Business news in Canada

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Find resources to prevent injuries and improve safety and health in your workplace at safemanitoba.com Injuries prevented and lives saved that's the VALUE of SAFE Work S M A L L B U S I N E S S M O N T H - S U P P L E M E N T T O T H E W I N N I P E G F R E E P R E S S - T H U R S D A Y , O C T O B E R 1 9 , 2 0 1 7 SMALL BUSINESS MONTH OCTOBER 2017 View online at winnipegfreepress.com/publications By Jennifer McFee for the Free Press W e're all in good company when we celebrate the success of Manitoba's small businesses. This year, Small Business Week runs from Oct. 15 to 21, providing an opportunity to celebrate the success of entrepreneurs in our province and across the country. For Joelle Boisvert, director of the Business InfoCentre at World Trade Centre Winnipeg, it's an important time to reflect on the role that these small companies play in their communities. "Small Business Week is a week to celebrate our Manitoba entrepreneurs and their contributions to the economy," she says. "It has existed for more than 37 years through the Business Development Bank of Canada." Manitoba's small business community is thriving, Boisvert adds. "I like the idea that we're celebrating our small businesses, not just big corporations. The more we help our small businesses in Manitoba, the more they contribute to the economy," she says. "We notice here at the World Trade Centre that we connect a lot of small businesses to one another. We love having events for small businesses so that they can talk together about their challenges and their successes. On a daily basis, we help those small businesses to thrive and to go up that financial ladder of success." To kick off Small Business Week, the World Trade Centre Winnipeg organized a luncheon that took place on Oct. 16 at the Victoria Inn Hotel and Convention Centre. The event featured keynote speaker Duncan Stewart, director of technology, media and telecommunications research for Deloitte Canada. "At the World Trade Centre, we also have a variety of seminars on a daily basis. We've got a panel on business information for indigenous entrepreneurs and we've got another seminar about business growth and expansion," Boisvert says. "The Winnipeg Chamber is one of our partners here at World Trade Centre and they're offering a small business summit happening on Thurs., Oct. 19. They're inviting small business owners to listen to keynote speakers including staff from the City of Winnipeg who can answer red-tape questions." Boisvert notes that the World Trade Centre Winnipeg remains a resource year-round for businesses in the city and in rural communities. "We're there for them 365 days a year, but we like to highlight them for Small Business Week," she says. "World Trade Centre Winnipeg can help entrepreneurs to expand their business right from the start. We're here for all small businesses and the bigger businesses as well." Chuck Davidson, president and CEO of the Manitoba Chambers of Commerce, adds that small business is the economic engine that drives every province. "Small Business Week provides people with an understanding of the importance of the small business community in their province," he says. "If you look at most communities in rural Manitoba, the majority of them would most likely be considered a small business. They're absolutely critical in providing employment and supporting community initiatives. These communities simply couldn't operate if it wasn't for small business owners." With 71 chambers of commerce operating throughout Manitoba, Davidson says that most of them will likely host an event to recognize Small Business Week. "Events are going on at chambers throughout the province to shine a light on some of those success stories that are happening. It's always a good time to reflect on the importance of small business. Along with the recognition, we encourage people throughout Manitoba to support those small business operators or retail outlets in their community," he says. "We should all take a moment to give them a little bit of a thanks this week for the work that they do and the support that they give, such as supporting sports teams and initiatives in the community. In those ways, small businesses are really a vital part of every community." ❚ A TIME TO CELEBRATE Small Business Week celebrates the big role small companies play "I like the idea that we're celebrating our small businesses, not just big corporations. The more we help our small businesses in Manitoba, the more they contribute to the economy." - Joelle Boisvert, director of the Business InfoCentre at World Trade Centre Winnipeg MCC president Chuck Davidson.

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