Victoria gets down to business
The rays of sunshine slicing through Wednesday morning’s cloud cover outside City Hall wasn’t just a sign that Victoria wasn’t quite ready to surrender to the region’s inevitable autumn downpours.
It also reflected a palpable spirit of optimism felt during the Small Business Provider Information Session, the first such event of its kind here, presented by the City of Victoria’s Business Hub.
It was a full house in council chambers, where dozens of business students, investors, entrepreneurs and aspiring small business owners assembled to learn more about operating a small business in Victoria.
“It’s kind of a one-stop shop for people who are looking to open a business, expand a business or people who already have a business and are looking for support regarding financing, loans or business networking,” explained Quinn Anglin, the city’s business ambassador.
Anglin, who ran her own downtown business for six years, the lifestyle store Nest and Cradle, assumed the position last year.
The main goal of the Business Hub, created as part of Mayor Lisa Helps’s economic action plan, is to make it easier for people to do business in Victoria and connect them with resources they require, said Anglin.
Thirteen local partners — including the Greater Victoria Chamber of Commerce, The Reger Group, Women’s Enterprise Centre and Community Micro Lending — shared their expertise after the mayor’s opening address.
Anglin said the Business Hub was formed in part to help people who are confused about the business and development process through City Hall, and to dispel misconceptions.
“Some people think we’re more of a business adviser, saying ‘I have an idea for a business. What should I do?’ ” she said.
It helps demystify issues such as zoning, permits and inspections, and explains the differences between getting a business licence at the municipal level, and registering your business.
“A lot of people also don’t understand how our municipalities work,” said Anglin.
“My first question is usually, ‘Where do you live’? Oak Bay Avenue? OK, you’ll have to go to Oak Bay’s [municipal] hall.”
A question that representatives of the B.C. Ministry of Finance revenue division often hear is: “Do I need to register for provincial sales tax?” outreach and public information official Jacquelline Roodbol said.
“Is my business considered a small-seller, and what’s the criteria?” she said at the ministry’s information table.
“We hear those questions all the time.”
Business Works for Youth coach Larry Earnhart was also on hand on behalf of Ethos Career Management Group to inspire younger members of the crowd.
“I’m going to turn youths into entrepreneurs!” is how he began his address, which detailed a program that takes individuals aged 15 to 29 through a six-month process of building a business plan.
“Usually you do this through pain and agony,” Earnhart said later. “We help people learn the pitfalls and overcome challenges and have better odds of having a successful business.”
Camosun College business administration and marketing student Jessica Hogg said the information session dealt with a number of issues she hadn’t thought about.
“I’m a hairdresser and my plan is to open my own salon so this is super-helpful,” said Hogg before she and classmate Breanne Cruickshank dashed back to school armed with business cards and brochures.
Kerri Milton, executive director of the Downtown Victoria Business Association, described the event as a useful tool to help accelerate downtown’s vibrancy.
“Small business is our bread and butter. It’s what really matters to any downtown,” said Milton.
“Our job is to help facilitate them through a difficult system, from getting business licences and permits to renovations.”
The DVBA also answers questions business owners ask about the impact of homelessness downtown. It participates in crime prevention through environmental design initiatives, she said.
“We provide guidance on things like better lighting and we’ll go in with police to see what can make your building safer, things that can make it difficult for people to break in.” Questions DVBA staff are most often asked include inquiries about the best locations — “how can we get people into our store?” — how busy certain areas are at different times of day, and marketing advice, she said.