POWERING GROWTH OCTOBER 19-25, 1997 Small Business Week° BUILDING SUCCESS a A Small Business Week Message Thanks to their unrivaled ability to create jabs, innovate and capitalize on opportunities, small businesses are being credited with fuelling Canada’s economic growth and marking out a new paih to prosperity. Based on the most recent available statistics, small businesses generate over 40 per cent of economic output and create the majority of new jobs in Canada, Indeed, the. most essential force in today's economy is small companies—otten in knowl- edge-based and exporting industries—because they have the potential for the quick growth that can transform them into industry leaders. It is based on this reality that the Business Development Bank of Ganada chose the theme for Small ‘Business Week® ‘97, Powering Growth, Building Success. As the theme suggests, the time has come for Canadian entrepreneurs to take advantage of every opportunity for growth. This includes, of course, growth opportunities outside of Canada’s borders. With the export of goods and services valued at $25 billion annuaily, many are ‘Small Business Week already poised to meet the challanges of the global business environment armed with ideas that are often daring, innovative processes and an ability to reach out te foreign markets. The Business Development Bank of Canada understands the importance of recognizing the potential of small businesses and in helping them to effectively compete in a dynamic new econamy. In fact, the Bank has continued to play a significant role as a lender, an investor and business advisor, in finding better ways ta support small business growth. From October 19 to 25, | invite you to attend some of the many Small Business Week activi- ties that will be-held. across the country..l.would also like to thank the Canadian Chamber of Commerce, Scotiabank, the Export Development Corportion, IBM Canada, as well as other provincial and local sponsors, for their support of this event. Francois Benudain President and Chief Executive Officer Business Development Bank of Cannda A History of Celebrating Canadian Entrepreneurs For the past 17 years, the end of October has come to mean something special to small busi- ness owners across the country, and to the Business Development Bank of Canada, It has come to be a time when the Bank -- with the help of national and local co-sponsors --have organized Small Business Week). While this one-week celebration of entrepre- neurship attracts tens of thousands of small businesspeople, its origins are somewhat more modest. The story begins in British Columbia in 1979 when the Bank's Lower Mainland branch- es (Vancouver, North Vancouver, Vancouver East, New Westminster, Langley, Abbotsford, Chilliwack and Richrnond) pooted their resourc- es to hold small business management sessions under a Small Business Week banner. While the main reason for combining their efforts was to save money, the B.C. branches quickly realized they had struck something remarkable. Businesspeople were not only inter- ested in learning how to better manage their businesses, they wanted to meet their fellow entrepreneurs, and attract public atlention. Businesspeople wanted to tell the country about the Important economic benefits they pro- duce. They wanted to tell people about the jobs they create, about the products they develop and about the new markets they explore. Most importantly, they were anxious to tell people that small-business had come of age; that they were just as committed, daring and innovative as their big business counterparts: , Riding high on the success of the 1979 experience, Bank staff in British Columbia repeated Smal! Business Week in 1980 and tri- pled the number of sessions held for local busi- ness. in 1981 the Week was adopted nationally by the Bank and endorsed by the Canadial Chamber of Commerce, Since that time, the Bank and the Canadian Chamber of Commerce, along with local cosponsors, Organize business fairs, exhibits, workshops, conferences, luncheons, award ceremcnies and much more. Each year a theme is chosen for Small Business Week which reffects the current inter- ests of small business. This year's theme is Powering Growth, Building Success. As the theme suggests, Small Business Week ‘97 will identify and discuss solutions that are available to entrepreneurs as they tackle the challenges of the new economy and to the many opportunities offered by export markets. Small business is fuelling Canada's economic growth, sustaining job creation and marking out a new path lo prosperity. With ideas that are often daring, innovative processes and an ability to reach out to foreign markets, many Canadian entrepreneurs are poised to meet the challeng- es of the global business environment. The Terrace Standard, Wednesday, October 22, 1997 - Ace Customer Service Is Key You can get a full roll, the end of a roll ar a roll big enough to carpet the whole block, and you'll probably get a good deal on it. That's because End of the Rall carpet and vinyl discount cenier buys large quantities and sells at reduced prices, and chances are they'll have it in stock."Our biggest competitive advantage is that 90 per cent of what we sell isin the store,” says store manager Craig Wales.” Customer service is very important,” said Wales. “Knowing your competitor and leaming what your segment of the market is and focusing on that is also important."Craig says one of their biggest selling items are berber carpets. These carpets have a looped look to them rather than straight pile. They are durable, ‘ow maintenance carpets, ideal for high traffic areas. sd weno ~ CARPELA WINTE DISCOUNT CENTRES - 7-4717 Lakelse Ave. 635-7700 A Lot To Offer With the cold, rainy weather, it’s hard to gel enough exercise. Lying on the couch seems more appealing, but dosn't do much for that slimmer tummy you've always wanted, Owner Kim Croot and her team at North Coast Heath and Fitness can set you up on a personalized training schedule to help you meet your fitness goal, the service is free with a membership. “We have a lot to offer.” says Kim, On the left is the Apex Total Body Circuit. These user friendly machines work every part of your body without free weights. On the right are the 4 stairclimbers, 2 Life Cycles, treadmill, plus a wide array of free weights. Northcoast also has a tanning bed for thase sun worshipers. Whenever you need encouragement or advice, they'il be there far you. «So. North Coast Health And Fitness 4550 Greig Ave. Terrace 635-6500 Serving The Community for Over 20 Years Formare then two decades one family has gained the trust of focal residents when il comes to insurance, Wayne Braid and his two sons Shayne end Sean together operate Braid Insurance Agencies Ltd. It's an example of a successtul local small business with established roats that’s built a solid local reputation in the community, ; A youthful Wayne Braid got his start in the business working afler schoo! at an insurance agency in Kitimat. He eventually opened up shop in Terrace and would go on to buy cut the Kitimat finn ha Gfiginally staried al. The business took on anew dimension in recent years when ha added a rotary public service - G.W, Wayne Graid Notary Public. Inthe last year they _ proved again their roots are sctid by carrying out an extensive renovation to ihe offic- 8s, which now sport elegant ceramic tiling and tasteful decor. “(t's pretty much a new duillding,” says Shayne, “We gutted it and redid it” The family also believes in investing their time back into Terrace. They spensor hock- ey, are activein the annual Riverboal days parade, and the two brothers are hockey coaches. Wayne Braid has extensive commucily involvement in the Northem B.C. Winter Games organiza. tion, as a former school trustee and as a coroner in recert years. Shayne says customer service is the keyto the’r success in providing arange of general, Autoplan, property and commercial insurance, Wilt their commitment and frendly, professionally approached, it's easy to see why the family has become the rusted insurance advisors of so many Terrace residents. De Braid Insurance Agencies 4648 Lakelse 638-8581 The Fabric Of Our Community Fabric Boutique has a very clear moti. ‘We're the fabric of our community,” explains owner and manager Audrey McKinnon of the business which provides a wide range of material and other sew- ing products. She's owned the business far mare than 13 years, having purchased it fram another person two years. after it was foundad. Fabric Boutique has expanded once in Terrace and, five years ago, opened an outlet in Prince Rupert. in doing 50, Fabric Boutique is but one of several Terrace businesses to recagnize an economic opportunity in the coast city, There are three part time employees in Terrace and a manager and part tine employee in Prince Rupert. The busi- ness in Terrace has grown and diversified as has the rest of the business community and area population, McKinnon notes thal quilling has taken an upsurge in popularity and provides courses in the art, “People really lave doing it. Our courses are well attended,” she says. Che Fabric Boutique 3308 Kalum St. 638-1335 Experience as both travel agents and travelers gives -Uniglobe Travel their edge. Owner Diane has travelled thle globe extensively, and she knows what travelers need."!’ve been on the other side a lot,” she says. The Unigiobe team is coming up to their five-year anniversary in Terrace. And that’s five years of dedi- cated service.”"We'd like to thank ail our customers for thelr loyal support,” Diane says, “Thanks to them, we've had three consecutive years of star-rating for growth, sales and service." Your Terrace Uniglobe rep- resentatives really know travel, Cindy has two years’ Uniglobe a call for all your travel needs, Dedicated Service silver accreditation as a leisure consultant, Diane has five years experience and Gail has seven. Corporate agent Penny rounds out the well-qualified group. Give Cindy, Penny Lou, Diane & Gail 4718 A Lazelle Ave. LALO Courtesy Travel 638-8522 The Ultimate Solution For Unwanted Hair F Forget what you've heard ahout the removol of unwented hair. The latest in high-lech equipment hos changed everything. “It’s a whele new era af electrolysis,” says Sandy Smart of Ultimate Solution Electrolysis. “Today, the prs use a softer, more gentle treatmant that gives better results shan ever etore.” As a cettified practitioner who's registered by the B.C. Board of Electrologists, Sondy uses a computerized machine that combines « mild galvanic energy with radio waves to effectively destroy the roots of all types of hair, on all types of skin. She's found iat joday’s clients are seeking this gentle, health-conscious technique which uses sterile tools and includes both preand post- treatment skin cara, She also points out that privacy, discretion, and comfort ore criti- cal to her customers. . “What is important to my clients is important to me,” soys Sandy. “An- yore who’s ever wanted to try electrolysis but hesitated should give me a call, Ultimate Solution Electrolysis 202 - 4650 Lazelle Ave. Terrace 635-7835