October is Small Business Month. It is time to say thank you.
Thank you to all the small businesses in Prince George who contribute to our quality of life through the products and services they offer. From the woman who cuts your hair every 8 weeks to the shop that changes your engine oil every 5,000 km, we all enjoy regular and ongoing relationships with entrepreneurs who do their best to make us happy, safe and complete. According to BC Stats, 98% of all businesses in BC are small businesses and 82% of all small business is made up of micro-businesses with less than 5 employees. That adds up to a bunch of busy people, wearing an awful lot of hats, bearing a load of risk, and doing it all for the love of something.
And so, I dedicate this week's column to you with my "Ode to Small Business Owners"...
Thank you for getting up and going to work each day not knowing if anyone will walk through the door.
For saying yes to your customer when it would be 10 times easier to say no.
For providing me with choices and selection in a world full of one size fits all.
Thank you for giving me a reason to shop local when big city shopping beckons.
For being open on weekends when everyone else gets a day off.
For opening your doors 5 minutes early and staying open 10 minutes late.
Thank you for the human beings you hire whose voice greets me when I call instead of a robot prerecorded message with 9 touch tone selections.
For the support you give local teams/charities/schools/etc. through your in-kind donations, time, and money.
For instilling in your staff the same passion you have for your products and services.
For providing jobs to my family, friends and neighbours.
And finally, with all the wonderful places on the face of this earth that you could have chosen, thank you for starting or running a business in Prince George. We are happy you are here.
Until next time, stay in the black and keep coming back.
