WEYBURN - There are more than 1.2 million small and medium-sized businesses in Canada. The BDC Small Business Week, which is held October 15 to 21, celebrates all the hard work and dedication of entrepreneurs in their communities.
Running a business has never been simple, but ongoing worker shortages, interest rate hikes and inflation are making it even more difficult. Many of our local businesses are still recovering from shutdowns and reduced hours that occurred during the COVID pandemic.
The best way to support the small businesses in our community is to shop local. The employers and employees at these businesses are important partners in the ecosystem that is our community.
Some say that small businesses are the backbone of our country and there are many ways that they benefit the community. Many of the local businesses give back by supporting local sports teams or community organizations, and most importantly provide employment for people in our community.
There have been many times when we have seen our business community rally together to support an event, or a local organization. Small businesses generally have tighter-knit teams and contacts within their community, which enables them to support important programs and services.
When a local community has a robust network of small businesses, it creates opportunities for other individuals in town as well. It is those small and medium businesses who actually end up attracting the larger companies and more well-known names to opening locations in that community.
Small business owners are also more likely to do businesses with local professionals they know and trust, which means an increase of demand for local professional services and opportunities new startups in a community.
As proven during the COVID restrictions, many small businesses will work hard to get their product to their client too. We had so many local business owners who offered curbside pickup, or delivery, when someone made a purchase. These local business owners actually care about their customers too, they know a lot of them by name, and many times know how to best find what they are looking for.
I overheard a conversation the other day about how, in the restaurant business, it is often common to get to know your customer so well that you know what they want to order as soon as they come in the door. You are not going to see that kind of recognition on a food delivery app.
Small businesses provide opportunities for entrepreneurs, jobs for neighbours and gathering places for communities. Remember to shop local, and support the businesses that are vital to our community!
