This month is an important one in the province if you are a business leader and more specifically, own or operate a small business.
October has officially been proclaimed Small Business Month in British Columbia, marking 30 years the province has celebrated the sector. Nationally, this week is Small Business week, where across Canada small business operators are being recognized.
According to the provincial government, there are about 384,300 small businesses operating in B.C. representing 98 per cent of all business in the province. Small business employs more than one million people and accounts for nearly 56 per cent of all private-sector jobs in B.C.
In a community like the Sunshine Coast, examples of small business are everywhere.
The gas station where you fill your car, the grocery store where you buy your groceries, the barber or beauty salon where you get your hair done, your doctor and dentist, the bakery or coffee shop where you stop every morning for that cup of Joe and a muffin to start you day off right - all examples of small business. Small business plays a vital role in our province, our country and our community.
B.C. leads the country in small businesses per capita, with 87.7 businesses per 1,000 people. Since 2001, small businesses have created 172,700 net new jobs for British Columbians - 10,800 in 2008 alone.
This month and this week when the spotlight shines nationally, is a great chance for people everywhere to recognize the significant contributions of small business and the great, young entrepreneurs that help to drive our economy in this community.
Imagine what the Sunshine Coast would be like without small business. Where would you get your coffee in the morning? Would you go off-Coast all the time to visit a doctor or a dentist? Probably not. With the country still recovering from an economic recession, supporting small business and shopping locally are more important than ever.
Coast Reporter presents our special salute to small business in today's edition. Be sure to support the businesses presented in that section and the others that make our community strong.
