SMALL BUSINESS, BIG RETURNS
Small Business is the Foundation of the Local Economy
The Truro & Colchester Chamber of Commerce celebrates the local small business community all year long by sharing news about its accomplishments, while offering resources to support it and advocating on its behalf.
However, every year we look forward to Small Business Week in October when we really shine a light on our local businesses and recognize many that are outstanding leaders in the community.
Small and medium- sized businesses are driving the economy in our rural municipalities and town. They are owned and operated by people who are committed to doing business in the region, pouring their energies into growing a client base while expanding offerings to meet consumer demands.
The Chamber has planned an entire week of activities, along with our partners and sponsors to celebrate the vibrancy of the local business community.
One of the many challenges some businesses continue to face is staff shortages. In some local professions, there are more vacant jobs than people with skills to fill them.
The Chamber recognizes the importance of educating youth on job opportunities in this area, as well as the benefits of being an entrepreneur.
The Chamber’s Youth Committee will showcase a number of these opportunities by offering a one- day Live & Work event on Friday, Oct. 20 from 12 to 5 p. m. The rallying point will be the Truro Farmers’ Market , 15 Young St., but businesses all over town and in the county are opening their doors.
This will allow businesses to participate in an initiative to build the vibrancy of our region and reach out to our future workforce. The purpose is to bring attention to our community offerings and build a competitive awareness to assist youth in securing employment and developing an attractive lifestyle here. We welcome businesses of all kinds, big and small, to join us in showcasing the local opportunities.
To participate, businesses are asked to register with the Chamber as a Live and Work location willing to open their doors to visitors on the event day. We ask that someone be available to greet visitors at their location between 12: 30 and 3: 30 p. m., as well as to answer questions about the job opportunities in their field of work.
Event tour participants will carry a Live & Work event passport capturing as many locations as possible to qualify for prize draws.
This new event is one of several the Chamber is hosting during BDC Small Business Week from Oct. 16 to 20. A Women in Business Breakfast will be held on Oct. 16 from 8: 30 to 10 a. m. with guest speakers Miriah Kearney, Founder and CEO, My Home Apparel and Stephanie Jones, Owner, McDonald’s Restaurants. This event is offered to all business women in the community at no cost thanks to the generous sponsorship from Grant Thornton and BDC. Registration is required.
On Oct. 17 Patterson Law’s Truro Business law practice group will present Building Business Success in partnership with the Truro & Colchester Chamber of Commerce. This event will bring together key business leaders to both celebrate this area’s economic success and provide business owners at all stages with tools to build a foundation for sustainable growth.
Using a panel presentation format led by professionals and other business owners, each session provides practical advice for concrete examples identifying best strategies for success for any entrepreneur. This event will be held from 11 a. m. to 2 p. m. at the Marigold Cultural Centre. There is no charge for this event and a complimentary lunch and refreshments will be provided.
RSVP by emailing treidmunden@pattersonlaw.ca
The panel discussion themes are navigating successful business transition from generation to generation, leveraging technology for success, smart growth, impact of proposed tax changes on small business, attracting top talent and protecting your business assets.
The chamber’s annual Small Business Awards luncheon will be held on Oct. 18 at the Best Western Glengarry recognizing several outstanding local businesses. This year’s guest speaker is Heather Coulombe, of The Farmer’s Daughter Country Market in Whycocomagh. She will speak about the businesses innovative jobs for land solution to finding new employees to fill their needs.
On Oct. 19 a member’s networking night will be held from 5 to 7 p. m. at the Marigold Cultural Centre.