20 The Mission Record Thursday, October 10, 2013

c o n n e c t • i n f l u e n c e • p r o s p e r

M i s s i o n C h a m b e r o f C o m m e r c e

www.m i s s i o n c h amb e r. b c . c a

Small Business – It’s the Economy!

t i f l

M i s s i o n C h a m b e r o f C o m m e r c e

BusinessTRACK

Small business is business in Mission. It is our local economy.

SEAN MELIA, MISSION CHAMBER PRESIDENT

October celebrates small business across

Canada and statistics are flying fast and furi-

ous on the impact small business has in the

economy. 98.1% of all businesses in Canada have less

than 100 employees and was responsible for 53.9 of all

jobs created from 2001-2011. 615,599 (54.9%) of those

businesses have less than 4 employees. In BC, 385,100

small businesses account for 98% of all businesses in

the province and 82% of these have less than five em-

ployees. Over one million people are employed in BC,

accounting for 56% of private sector employment; that

is 32% of all wages paid to workers in BC.

In Mission the numbers are even higher as 83% of all

business licenses in Mission have less than 5 employ-

ees. This accounts for more than 90% of private sector

employment in Mission businesses.

Most susceptible to shifts in the economy, small

business needs to be flexible, current, and resilient.

Entrepreneurial in nature, Mission businesses that have

survived the 2008 downturn reflect this spirit with in-

novation.

Chamber member and local small business, Nutek

Sign Creations, exemplifies these traits as it was able

to secure national contract work. Its first connection

with large marketing companies based in Ontario was

through their listing in the Chamber business directory.

“We were told that our listing in the directory was the

sole reason for being contacted.” noted Dave Sawatzky,

owner, Nutek Sign Creations. “Local work has led to

work in Coquitlam, Langley and Surrey. It created con-

nections with other large firms in Toronto and Montreal

which has grown our business substantially.”

Winner of the Mission Business Excellence Power of

Small Award, Nutek Signs continues to innovate and

diversify to create value for its clients and sustainable

employment in Mission.

Showing market flexibility, Business Excellence Intra-

preneurial Excellence Award winner, Mission Springs

Brewing Company, has expanded to serve the Korean

market. With less than 100 employees, the Springs has

an outlet in Seoul, Korea and ship their craft beer every

two weeks to feed the thirsty overseas market. They join

5,077 other BC small businesses that ship over $16 bil-

lion globally.

This innovative entrepreneurial energy in the com-

munity also meets local needs. The Mission City Busi-

ness Centre was the brain child of Ann Harper, CA,

who operated as a home based business. Ann looked to

enter the store front market but needed to have critical

mass to grow. By developing a business centre where

other service providers can hub, Ann has been able to

grow her own practice while providing offices and vir-

tual offices for several small businesses.

“I wanted to eliminate the fear of unknown costs

and ability to drive business for those looking to grow

from their home based business roots.” comments Ann

Harper.

Supporting these made in Mission opportunities, the

Mission Chamber of Commerce continues to advocate

for the reduction of red tape that inhibits the growth

of small business such as the regional mobile business

license for the Fraser Valley and BizPal. At a recent

Chamber breakfast MLA Marc Dalton (Mission/Maple

Ridge) noted that more than 15,000 impediments have

been removed for small business in the last 10 years by

government and that Chambers of Commerce in BC

played a vital role.

The Mission Chamber commends the local busi-

ness community’s resiliency and supports it through

programs such as Pay it Forward…Shop Local and the

Mission Handbook for Major Projects. This translated to

$3million for Mission’s small businesses in the first year

of BC Hydro’s Ruskin Dam Upgrade.

“Small business is business in Mission.” states Mis-

sion Chamber President Sean Melia. “It is our local

economy.”

Help celebrate small business month by using local

business, pledging to shop local and remembering who

drives our economy and jobs.

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The Mission Record Thursday, October 10, 2013 21

BusinessTRACK

www.m i s s i o n c h amb e r. b c . c a

2013

BOA

RD O

F DI

RECT

ORS

Sean Melia PRESIDENT

Ann HarperVICE PRESIDENT

Pam AlexisDIRECTOR

Cal CrawfordDIRECTOR

Corey JongDIRECTOR

Christopher RobertsonDIRECTOR

Dave SawatzkyDIRECTOR

Elyssa LockhartPAST PRESIDENT

Tricia TownsendDIRECTOR

Carol HamiltonDIRECTOR

Trevor GirardTREASURER

Satti GrewalDIRECTOR

Are you a limpy or a knuckle breaker?

Well actually we all do and the reason is that in British Columbia +85% of all business falls into the category of small business and specifically in Mission the percentage is about the same. Small business employs almost 60% of the workforce provincially and locally. Whether it’s you, your significant other, a family member, friend or neighbour the impact and benefit of small business touches us all.

There are more small businesses in British Columbia than any other province in the country which only highlights the value they bring from the entrepreneurial spirit which is the lifeblood of the province. Small business generates opportunity in addition to contributing about 30% of the Gross Domestic Product in the province.

In this month which celebrates small business please make it a point to patronize a local contributor and keep the spirit of local business alive. Shop local, spend local, eat local, enjoy local!

The Chamber is hosting a series of workshops designed to target areas that will help build and support business. They are setup to allow participation without taking you away from the important aspect of running your business. Please check out the web site www.missionchamber.bc.ca for more information or call the Chamber at 604-826-6914. The programs will run from October 21 to 25.

Allan MainLIAISON, C.F.N.F.

MayorTed Adlem

DOM LIAISON

President's message:Small business….who needs it?

Business is based on making con-nections. The soft skills we use to con-nect with others play an integral role in the success of business. How many times has a handshake predetermined how much you wanted to talk to someone, or even trust them? A recent study has shown that eye contact is actually a deterrent to making a con-nection with another person. Does it make you feel intimidated?

To celebrate Small Business Week (Oct 21-25), the Mission Chamber wants to help you hone those soft skills that are so vital. Business Eti-quette Boot camp will give you real time practice in a safe environment to learn, develop or refresh those con-nection soft skills.

Consisting of five early morning seminars lasting 45 minutes each, it will focus on providing basic yet es-sential business skills to students, em-ployers and employees. These skills,

when used in real world settings (business meetings, networking events etc.) will aide in providing confidence for social interactions as well as in business relationships.

Each day a different area will be focused on. From first impressions to telephone manners, to even what to do when the connection is not working. Facilitated by the expert connectors, the Chamber team, you will laugh, learn and connect in intense boot camp style. Only $20 for all five sessions and with limited seating, enroll early at www.MIssionChamber.bc.ca

Business Etiquette Boot camp will give you real time practice in a safe environment to learn, develop or refresh those connection soft skills.

Your Comfort is our Calling.

Serving the Fraser Valley for over 13 years.

TRUE NORTH MECHANICAL35220 Riverside Road, Mission BC

truenorthmech@gmail.com

Phone: 604-854-0322

or Page: 604-854-7034

24 SERVICE

HOUR

• Commercial/Residential• Heating/Cooling• Air Conditioning

• Furnaces • Heat Pumps• Commercial Refrigeration

22 The Mission Record Thursday, October 10, 2013

By Kathleen Rake , Click Media Works

Advice is just one of the business-building pieces avail-able at Community Futures. “Besides help with business planning, market research and other processes essential to success, we offer business loans,” said Michele Blackwell, who is the business analyst.

“We support our loans with business advice, but you don’t have to be a loan client to use our advisory services” said Allan Main, executive director at Community Futures North Fraser. “When you come in to talk to us about your new or existing business, we guide and help you, but you do the work. And that helps you be successful.”

“Ideally,” said Main, “clients would come to us before they reach the funding part of start-up or expansion. That way we could help make sure they have in place what they need for their own bank or credit union.”

Community Futures North Fraser is a non-profit organi-

zation that works with small business to help create and maintain jobs in their community. “We finance entre-preneurs or existing businesses when their own financial institutions will not,” explained Blackwell, “and this cre-ates jobs, either by giving a business an opportunity to increase its employee base or helping someone become, or stay, self-employed.”

In addition to direct lending, Community Futures part-ners with other financial institutions to help the client get the financing he or she needs.

They also build community by working closely with or-ganizations such as Mission’s Regional Chamber of Com-merce, Downtown Business Association and Economic Development Office. “And we work with the non-profit sector to help them build social enterprises,” said Black-well.

Community Futures North Fraser, supported by fund-ing from Western Economic Diversification, serves clients from Mission to Harrison Hot Springs, including Agassiz and Kent. As well as one-on-one business support, work-shops and video-conference events are available.

More information: 604-826-6252 or visit online at www.NorthFraser.org.

BusinessTRACK

w w w . m i s s i o n c h a m b e r. b c . c a

CHAMBER COM

ING EVEN

TS

Scan this QR code with your

smart phone to see

details on our website

Loans and advice for small business: Community Futures North Fraser

Chamber Snapshots: A close-up look at members that keep Mission humming

Executive director Allan Main (left) and business analyst Michele Blackwell are ready to help business grow.CLICK MEDIA WORKS PHOTO

SEPTEMBER/ OCTOBER

October 17Chamber Luncheon

Speaker: Brian Antonson,2014 BC Games

Place: Chapel Room, Rockwell’s

Time: 11:30am-1pm

October 21-25Small Business Week

Celebrate withBusiness Etiquette Boot Camp

5 Interactive Sessions

Place: Chamber of Commerce

Time: 8am-8:45am

November 5Fraser Valley Chambers Fall

Business Showcase

Place: Cascades Casino Ballroom, Langley

Time: 2:30-6pm

Call to RSVP

December 6Save The Date!

Largest Nighttime Parade in BC

Place: First Ave

Time: 7:30-8:30pm

Enter a Float!

When you know the local real estate market like I do, sales happen faster.

Looking? Listing? CALL TODAY!

604-854-039232386 Fletcher Avenue,Mission

email: calinmission@hotmail.com

Cal CrawfordOver 30 years experience

The Mission Record Thursday, October 10, 2013 23

w w w . m i s s i o n c h a m b e r. b c . c a

BusinessTRACK20

13 C

HAM

BER

TEAM

Fraser Valley Chambers of Commerce

Fall Business Showcase & Mixer:

November 5th

M i s s i o n R e g i o n a l C h a m b e r o f C o m m e r c ew w w . m i s s i o n c h a m b e r. b c . c a 6 0 4 - 8 2 6 - 6 9 1 43 4 0 3 3 L o u g h e e d H w y , M i s s i o n B C V 2 V 5 X 8

“Membership has its

benefi ts!”

Also, your centre for Mission & BC TouristInformation

Allison JackAdministration

Adm

in@M

ission

Cham

ber.b

c.ca

Michelle FaveroExecutive Director

exec

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Miss

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Raj SaranMember Services

mem

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Miss

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Clare SeeleyVisitor Services

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The 5th Annual Fraser Valley Chambers of Commerce Business Showcase & Mixer will be held at the Cascades Casino Resort Ballroom on November 5th from 2:30 to 6:30pm.

Why should you attend?

• Meet hundreds of people from all over the valley for the opportunity to expand your network!

• Visit 90 exhibitor booths!• Learn of the innovations of other

small businesses.

The Mission Chamber of Commerce will be in booth #11 – come check us out!This is an open invitation for Chamber Members but an RSVP is appreciated for catering purposes.

RSVP through the Chamber website or call the Greater Langley Chamber at 604-530-6656.

Trade Show Training

Interested in testing your feet at the Showcase, Member Services will help educate you on the ins and outs of trade shows and offer you some of the Mission Chamber’s booth space. Raj Saran’s background in trade show marketing and promotion will give you the edge in promoting your business.

Training includes:

• One hour of one-on-one trade show prep

• Setting up an effective booth• How to engage potential

customers• Measuring your success• After show follow-up. Only three spots of individualize training available so email:member_services@missionchamber.bc.ca today!

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www.missionchamber.bc.ca

Published by

2014 Mission Visitor Guide

Reserve your ad space today.

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email: edc@mission.ca • www.mission.ca

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*Up to 5L Quaker State conventional oil (Assorted grades). Some vehicles may require more. Motomaster fi lter (up to $5 value) may not fi t some vehicles. Additional fees and charges may apply for vehicles who require more oil or different fi lter. Eco fees where applicable are extra. †Most vehicles. Bonus pair of Xtravision headlights only apply to the purchase of a Road Ready oil change package at regular price. Installation included on most vehicles. Extra charges may apply on some vehicles. See service desk for details. COUPON EXPIRES OCTOBER 31/13

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24 The Mission Record Thursday, October 10, 2013

www.m i s s i o n c h amb e r. b c . c a

120

YEAR

S ST

RON

G

BusinessTRACK

For a number of years the Mission Regional Chamber of Commerce ran one of the premiere spring events,

drawing in thousands from across the Fraser Valley and beyond.

“Showcase” gave local business, industry, environmental, non-profit and government groups the op-portunity to exhibit their wares and show the community what Mission had to offer. The list included names familiar today such as BC Hydro with their Power Smart initiative and The Mission Raceway, sitting side by side with the school district and the municipality.

Hosted at the old Mission Lei-sure Centre, the three day event highlighted over 150 exhibitors in its prime, pulling in crowds of over 6,500. This was seen as a great achievement during the 90’s uncer-tain economic climate.

A family day out, there were not only business displays, but prize draws, a craft market, face paint-ing and children’s entertainment throughout the weekend. A talent show also gave non –professional entertainers the opportunity to compete for $1000 prize money and perform to the crowds.

This is another example of how the Mission Chamber of Commerce has successfully joined the commu-nity and local business together over the last 120 years.

Don’t forget to add the Candlelight Parade to your calendars! Friday 6th December. This year is the 30th an-niversary and will be themed to cel-ebrate not only Christmas but also the 2014 Mission BC Winter Games. For more information on the parade or to enter a float call 604 826 6914.

1990’s Business Showcase Held at Leisure Centre

Mayor Hawes, MLA Streifel & Chamber President Gord Ruley open the 1991 Mission Showcase. MISSION RECORD PHOTO

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