Entrepreneurs asked about supports, services
Several Cape Breton University faculty members are asking people who have started businesses in Cape Breton what sort of services and supports were available to them as they launched their ventures.
Stephanie Gilbert, Dannie Brown and Kevin McKague from the Shannon School of Business are part of a larger research project involving five other Atlantic Canadian universities.
The local effort stems from a similar project carried out in the Halifax area about four years ago, Gilbert said in an interview last week.
“(The researcher) was trying to understand the nature of the support system or the ecosystem available for entrepreneurs in the area, so who they go to for help and support when they’re starting their business and who were the key supports in the community there,” she said.
“That information was of great interest to many different people — those in the entrepreneurial community, funding agencies especially, and support organizations for our entrepreneurs.”
For the purposes of this project, Gilbert said they are looking to speak with people who have started a business over about the past decade, so they can get a clear picture of the current climate.
“What we’re asking is for entrepreneurs to let us know — who did you go to for help when you were starting up your business and how did they help you.”
In particular, they are planning a blitz on Thursday, seeking to survey entrepreneurs at Doktor Luke’s and Starbucks in Sydney and Downtown Nutrition in Sydney River. Throughout the day, local entrepreneurs can meet with one of the researchers to complete a short 15-minute survey, also providing an opportunity for entrepreneurs to share their thoughts with the researchers.
“Are there resources that are being underused, what support organizations are being accessed, are any not being accessed, are entrepreneurs aware of what is available to them for support?” Gilbert said.
She added they’d also like to know if there are informal mentors offering their expertise to aspiring businesspeople. The survey will also be available online.
The survey was first rolled out last year but Gilbert said there were some issues with it so it has been revamped and it is fully mobile-friendly.
“This information that entrepreneurs are giving us will benefit them,” she said. “We can’t do much to improve the ecosystem until we understand the nature of it ourselves.”
It’s hoped that the study results will help inform provincial budget decisions and identify gaps that need to be addressed. It could also help determine how effectively support organizations are delivering their services, Gilbert said, and if not, how can that be improved. It’s also hoped that it will lead to additional future studies.