October is Small Business month in BC
By Contributor
Small Business Month celebrations kicked off at the B.C. legislature with the launch of a new award to recognize young entrepreneurs, and the release of the Small Business Roundtable’s annual report.
The new Celebrate Entrepreneurship Award – launched in partnership with Junior Achievement British Columbia (JABC) – will recognize the student-led company that demonstrates the most innovation in their business.
The winning company and recipient of a $3,000 cash prize will be announced at JABC’s awards ceremony in June 2016.
“With the creation of the Celebrating Entrepreneurship Award, Junior Achievement will be able to attract more student involvement in our business education programs that ignite the entrepreneurial spirit in our youth and teach them practical skills needed to develop viable business venture,” said Jan Bell-Irving, JABC president.
“We are honoured and grateful for the support of the ministry in helping us deliver more education opportunities to our youth to build leaders of tomorrow.”
The Small Business Roundtable’s tenth annual report highlights a decade of accomplishments and upcoming priorities.
The roundtable was established in 2005 to engage in a dialogue with small business owners to identify the key issues and opportunities they face. Priorities identified for the next year include:
- high-speed Internet access for all small businesses in B.C.;
- participation in locally driven Business Walks;
- support for the Small Business Awareness Strategy; and
- promoting succession planning.
“A lot has been accomplished by the Small Business Roundtable over the past decade and the 10th Annual Report highlights many of the initiatives that have supported the small business community,” said Cybele Negris, CEO and co-founder of Webnames.ca Inc., vice-chair, Small Business Roundtable.
“There’s more work to be done to continue to improve the small business climate in British Columbia and recommendations to both government and small businesses are included in the report. Please read the report to see how you can help and provide your feedback to the Small Business Roundtable.”
Small Business Month offers opportunities for small business owners and operators to network, develop and share business ideas, and learn about government programs and resources.
Celebrations will be taking place throughout B.C. for the entire month of October.
Quick Facts:
- For over 60 years, JABC has been a part of an international non-profit organization that delivers business training programs through partnerships with local schools together with individual volunteers from local business communities and has been teaching work-readiness, entrepreneurship and financial literacy in B.C.
- The Province has contributed $5 million to JABC since 2006.
- The B.C. government created a permanent Small Business Roundtable in 2005, giving small businesses a voice in government.
- Roundtable board members are recognized as leaders in their community and represent all regions of the province.
- 98% of B.C. businesses are classified as small businesses.
- Small businesses also account for almost 86% of all provincial exporters, impacting every sector of the BC Jobs Plan.
- Small business is defined as a business with fewer than 50 employees, or self-employed without paid help.
Story originated at The Nelson Daily
