Businesslife

TECH SUPPORT 56 | MASK MAKER 60 | SPICING IT UP 63 worklife

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MEET THE MOVERS, SHAKERS AND BUSINESS MAKERS

WORKLIFE | COMMUNITY

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WITH JESSICA WILLIAMSON

Entrepreneurs:

RESILIENT HEROES OF THE PANDEMIC

During the COVID-19 crisis, we have the opportunity to applaud many truly deserving members of our community for their selfless efforts and important work. As I reflect on the grit and resilience of the professionals that are key to tackling this pandemic, something Winston Churchill said comes to mind:

“Some regard private enterprise as if it were a predatory tiger to be shot. Others look upon it as a cow that they can milk. Only a handful see it for what it really is – the strong horse that pulls the whole cart.”

Why should we consider our local entrepreneurs essential players during this crisis? Being a hero means putting your life aside to improve the lives of others.

Entrepreneurs are like an iceberg; people often see the results but not the efforts behind them. It can be easy to regard business success as ‘luck,’ while disregarding the financial risks entrepreneurs assume, the isolation and emotional struggle they experience and the hard decisions they must make. Entrepreneurship is an everyday battle to maintain jobs, their investment and the benefits they produce for our community.

Small businesses are the backbone of our economy and play an essential role in employing Albertans; according to

Statistics Canada (2018) small businesses across the province employed 73.5 per cent of the private sector workforce (over one million individuals).

Entrepreneurs also provide a sense of purpose for employees. Meaning that, for many, having a job creates stability and peace of mind.

In the midst of a crisis that has affected us all in our personal and professional lives, small businesses have had to pivot and try out new methods just to survive. Restaurants switched to preparing takeaway meals and activating new delivery systems for customers in lockdown at home, and a children’s play centre shifted to making face masks to support the needs of our community. Innovative neighbours have acted on opportunities to meet the sudden demand for ‘new necessities,’ while dance and fitness studios have shifted to online formats to help us remain active and comfortable in the ‘new normal.’

When we began developing our Right for Business support program as a response to the COVID-19 pandemic, we asked local business owners if they would give their time to aid other entrepreneurs in need and the response was overwhelming. That’s something that never ceases to amaze us in Airdrie; how our own always step up to help.

The way I choose to express my gratitude and community spirit is to support our small businesses through researching local options for my day-to-day purchases, leaving positive online reviews, engaging with and sharing their social media content and subscribing to their e-newsletters. The more we invest our money and time back into our community, the stronger we build our community.

Many thanks and keep your spirits up; we are better together. life

“Entrepreneurs are like an iceberg; people often see the results but not the efforts behind them”