Indigenous-SME Business Magazine November 2022

Larissa Crawford

MINI TIPI

Inspired By Indigenous Lifestyles and Heritage

Carrie

OurthirdeditionoftheIndigenousissueisfinallyhere,andwe,asa wholeteam,areexcitedtosharewithyouallsomeofthemost amazingcontentonIndigenoussmallbusinessesandentrepreneurs inCanadaandhowtheentrepreneurshaveshownexceptionalzeal tokeepupwiththechangesduringthepasttwoyears Wehave strivenhardtobecomethetopsmallbusinessmonthlymagazinein Canada Andwewishtoofferallourreaderstherightstrategies, ideas,inputs,tips,andtricksfordoingbusinesstherightway

Indigenous SME'smissionistoensurethateveryIndigenousperson hasaccesstoknowledgeandresourcesattheirfingertips Educating themabouthowtostartanykindofbusinessinCanada whetherit's for profitornot isourgoal,andthebestwaytoachieveitisby providingaccesstoresourcesandtoolsthatcanhelpwiththeir success!

WeareexcitedtocelebrateIndigenousEntrepreneurs,whohave beenfightingforyears,thissmallbusinessmonth Thiseditionis focusedonthemandtheirhardworkbecausewewantother Indigenouspeopleinthisbigworldofourstoknowthattheycando anything!Technologyintegrationintobusinessoperationsis becomingmoreandmoreessential Read“AFewBasicTechTools EverySmallBusinessOwnerNeeds”;HowaMetiswomananda dedicatedmotherofthreeincrediblekidswhocomesfromalongline ofCreeMedicineWomenfounded”MotherEarthEssentials”;TPMOCS, TheCompanyBornOutofADesire;LearnhowPowWowPitchis SupportingandEmpoweringIndigenousEntrepreneurs;Learnabout theSHEConferencefortheIndigenomicsWomenContribution;and ourIndigenousBusinessWomanoftheMonth“LarissaCrawford” FounderAndManagingDirector,oftheFutureAncestorsServices

WeatIndigenous SMEtrustinbringingforththeeffortsofallthe amazingIndigenousentrepreneursinCanada Theytakeeveryday asachallengeandtrytheirbesttoreachwheretheyactuallybelong thetop Especiallyinthepasttwoyears,whenthewholeworldwas atastandstillduetotheglobalpandemic,thesesmallbusiness ownersdidn’tlosehopeandstrivedhardtomarchaheadwithalotof enthusiasm,passion,andpositivity Weareheretoaddressthemin ourownwaythroughourbi monthlymagazine

Wehopethismonth’sissuewillprovideyouwiththeknowledgeand informationyouneedtostayaheadofthecurve.

Donotforgettosubscribetoourmagazinetogetthelatesttrends andtostayup to datewithallourevents Untilthenextissue,happyreading!

wwwindigenous smeca info@canadiansmeca canadiansme indigenousSME canadiansme canadiansme

Editor DarianKovacs Publisher ShaikKhaleeluddin(SK)

CreativeDesign CmarketingInc ClientManager MaheenBari

SocialMedia CmarketingInc Sales AbdulSultanShaik

Photography Deposit Photos/Canva/123RF/CanadianSME Webdesign CmarketingInc

ForAdvertisements info@canadiansmeca CmarketingInc 2800SkymarkAvenue Suite203Mississauga,ON Canada L4W5A6

Callusat1 855 966 2995/+14166550205

PublishedbyIndigenousSMEInc2800Skymark Avenue,Suite203Mississauga,ON Canada L4W5A6

Copyright©2022IndigenousSMEInc Allrights reserved Reproductioninwholeorpartofanytext, photographyorillustrationswithoutwrittenpermission fromthepublisherisprohibited

ThecontentsinTheCanadianIndigenousSME Magazineareforinformationalpurposesonly NeitherCmarketingInc,thepublishersnoranyofits partners,employees,oraffiliatesacceptany liabilitywhatsoeverforanydirectorconsequential lossarisingfromanyuseofitscontents

DarianKovacs IndigenousBusinessLeaderinMarketing,Communications,&PR

All

Indigo Arrows

The Indigo Arrows is reimagining the pottery and bone tool patterns practiced for thousands of years by the Indigenous peoples in Manitoba Their collection picks up where the ancestors left off by creating beautiful patterns to adorn home decor items

The Indigo Arrows Line is an Indigenous led design studio based in Manitoba that creates Indigenous made decor in small batches for the modern home They use beautiful patterns to adorn their pottery collections and a host of bone tools inspired by the Indigenous peoples in Manitoba.

They design and handcraft their products in high quality linens, architectural forms, interior spaces, furniture, and textiles by respecting local Indigenous cultures They take a critical look at the representation of Indigenous cultures within the built environment, and when designing new works, they acknowledge collaboration, community engagement, inclusiveness, and collaboration

With a selection of tablecloths, pillows, and blankets that feature designs from 400 to more than 3000 year old bone tools and local Indigenous ceramics, the Indigo Arrows brand continues the work of her ancestors

In her Indigenous led design studio, the design practice critically examines the representation of Indigenous cultures within spaces Her design mission is to respectfully reflect local Indigenous cultures and identity within architectural forms, interior spaces, furniture, and textiles. This design process acknowledges community engagement, inclusiveness, and collaboration when creating new works

Seymour specializes in the design of Indigenous spaces She has experience designing libraries, schools, community centres, banks and credit unions, daycares, office buildings, gaming centres, hotels and resorts, tribal council offices, museums, cultural centres and retail spaces

Indigo Arrows was founded by Winnipeg, Manitoba based Anishinaabe interior designer Destiny Seymour She graduated from the Faculty of Architecture at the University of Manitoba with a master's degree in Interior Design She worked as a lead interior designer at Prairie Architects Inc for the next ten years

When Destiny struggled to find materials to incorporate into her design pattern, she started to design her artisan textiles. She represented the local Manitoban Indigenous people and their culture respectfully through her work

Another reason for the Indigenous pattern incorporation was that most of the surviving patterns and pieces were housed in museums and private collections Destiny believes people should see these patterns daily and in their homes She ensures this mission by using various materials and mediums to provoke thought, bridge gaps, inspire and empower

Destiny bases her design process on community discussions, considers regional history, contemporary life, and the needs of future generations, and uses innovative finishes to set her customers' spaces apart from those of their regional competitors

She is a member of the Peguis First Nation who lives in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada, and works in Canada and the US.

Indigo Arrows products are created in Winnipeg, Manitoba, to make your space more comfortable and beautiful To know more about their products and services, visit their website at https://indigoarrows.ca/

When represented, Indigenous art and patterns should be made with authenticity and respect To know more about these Indigenous art initiatives, subscribe to Indigenous SME Business Magazine lnkd in/gBMWGCHX and for the latest updates, check our Twitter page

Painting a picture of success:

ReflectingonentrepreneurshipforSmallBusinessMonth

Every October, we pause to celebrate small businesses across Canada and recognize how important they are to our society as an economic engine and the backbone of our communities. But you know who doesn’t stop to pause? Small business owners and entrepreneurs

They come in all shapes and sizes, but what they have in common is their passion for their products and services and their unwavering commitment to deliver day in and day out on their brand promise

In my more than 30 years at UPS, I’ve met countless entrepreneurs who came to us looking for logistical solutions to challenges ranging from packaging concerns to supply chain disruptions and global trade barriers, but never have I encountered one at a loss to describe the purpose and meaning behind what they do

In 2014, Ontario based Jennylyn and Loree Pringle, co founders of Fusion Mineral Paint, saw an opportunity to create a company that unleashes the therapeutic benefits and restorative power of painting For the Pringles, it’s all about harnessing their creativity and growing their sense of community by supporting small, local and independent businesses

President,UPSCanada

Their mantra is that “paint is good for the soul” and their business philosophy is centered around the notion that anyone can “paint it beautiful.” They started as a small, family run business and have grown globally, with their hand crafted, locally batched paints now available in over 30 countries

At UPS, we also believe anyone can take an idea and make it flourish— through steadfast belief, a lot of sweat equity, and a little help.

When I first met this dynamic mother daughter duo earlier this year, after two gruelling years of navigating the existential roadblocks that came with a global pandemic, I was struck by the pure joy they exhibited in simply wanting to enable others to achieve their goals

By bringing an old piece of furniture back to life or giving people an outlet to express themselves and find a soothing escape from reality, they empower their customers and create positive experiences by making it a bit simpler and easier for folks to take on DIY projects

And that, to me, is the epitome of the entrepreneur’s mindset That confidence some might call defiance in their idea and a need to bring it to life For some, that attitude is rooted in “I can do it on my own; ” my view is that it doesnt and shouldn’t have to be that way.

That’s where we come in: we make it our business to grow their businesses

My conversation with the Pringles, which you can view online at https://fusionmineralpaint com, has stayed with me for many reasons, as much for the can do attitude they embody as the humility and vulnerability they showed in acknowledging they could not have achieved this level of success by doing it for themselves, or by themselves

As Jennylyn told me, the best piece of advice she received about building and growing a business is that you must “understand it’s going to be a slow build, but you have to stick with it Don’t give up You will figure it out ” And that’s the mindset she embodies to this day

Steadfast Mindful Empathetic For companies like Fusion Mineral Paint, there’s more than one meaning to the acronym SME

MINITIPI

I n s p i r e d B y I n d i g e n o u s L i f e s t y l e s a n d H e r i t a g e

MINI TIPI products are available through e commerce platforms like their online shop, craft markets, and select retailers across Ontario and Quebec All their products are designed, cut, and sewn in Quebec, Canada, through their collaboration with Indigenous artists MINI TIPI began as a small creative endeavor and, through their support for artists and celebrating culture, has allowed MINI TIPI to set itself apart and quickly evolve into a growing, thriving business

In 2016, Trisha Pitura and Mélanie Bernard founded MINI TIPI, a Canadian women owned company that creates small batch quality goods for your home and family The brand of blankets and accessories for adults and kids are created and made in Quebec, with designs that honour their Indigenous history

Trisha and Mélanie reside in Gatineau with their families Trisha Pitura is a member of the Nipissing First Nation and belongs to Sudbury, Ontario Melanie, a teacher by profession, was born and raised in Québec City

MINI TIPI considers giving back to the community essential to their personal and business responsibility They share resources to benefit and support others, donations to local food banks and Indigenous women ' s crisis centers, products with those in need to help them rise, and collaborate with Indigenous artists.

The MINI TIPI designs are inspired by Indigenous lifestyles and the proud Canadian and Indigenous heritage This combination develops a unique line of practical and useful goods without compromising style and beauty They believe art should be kept alive, out of museums, and invested in to protect the storytelling and passing of traditions

They donate their products to organizations that can pass them on to those in need and give back financially to multiple local organizations

They have chosen an Indigenous organization in the community that supports women and children They have worked with the local food bank, the Minwaashin Lodge, and the Turtle Island Initiative. All these socially responsible initiatives have allowed MINI TIPI to set themselves apart

The blankets are made of a recycled fabric blend: 50% recycled polyester, 30% acrylic, and 20% recycled wool. This blend of fabric is soft, luxurious, soft and environmentally friendly

MINI TIPI values the talent of artists and engages in fair trade by ensuring they are paid for their time, creativity and knowledge Furthermore, their collaborative policies develop a long lasting relationship with their artists, which enables them to continuously support their entrepreneurship with royalty programs and ensure mutual benefit in long term collaboration

They are passionate about their work, ensuring high quality and following human values that align with their identity as a business

The collection consists of blankets of 70% recycled wool, 25% recycled polyester, and 5% acrylic It's a higher end piece that is a perfect keepsake

MINI TIPI supports many Indigenous artists who are knowledge keepers, expert practitioners of ancient Indigenous art or young artists who are passionate about creating art that speaks strongly to others Their works include a unique piece of Indigenous artwork called birch biting, woodland style art, art that blends traditional with contemporary media, styles, and themes, or the Star Quilt design that symbolizes the connection to the Universe and beyond

MINI TIPI ensures that the textiles they use are high quality, eco friendly, soft, and comfortable with vibrant fabric Understanding the impact even small businesses have on the environment, they work towards reducing and reusing their scrap fabric to create new products, collaborate with other makers, and donate them to the Ottawa Humane Society

Their soft and luxurious fabrics are of three types

The support and assistance that MINI TIPI offers to the artists, aid in documenting Indigenous patterns and familiarising people with their culture and heritage, which are frequently confined in museum exhibits They expand the possibilities for artists who often face financial challenges when delivering their work

Through MINI TIPI, Trisha Pitura and Mélanie Bernard open a window of opportunity for Indigenous art and artists To find out more about their services, visit their website at https://minitipi ca/

These are made out of a blend of 10% wool and 90 % acrylic This fabric blend is soft, time resistant, and easily washable in the machine In addition, it has lower wool content, making it a suitable option for people with wool allergies

Indigenous businesses initiate and contribute to economic and cultural reconciliation To read more about these Indigenous businesses, subscribe to Indigenous SME Business Magazine at lnkd in/gBMWGCHX and for the latest updates, check our Twitter page @IndigenousSme

A Few Basic

Every Small Business

Owner Needs

Technology integration into business operations is becoming more and more essential Incorporating technological tools can improve the business's efficiency and organization while making it simpler to run and administer In addition, digital technologies can offer constructive feedback that works effectively, with a higher possibility of success cost effectively while planning for growth and expansion

Small businesses can experience a significant increase in their sales, profits, and growth by taking a few easy steps to integrate essential tech tools into daily operations.

In the increasingly digitalized workplace and work from home scenarios, an employee management system helps managers to keep track of employee engagement and productivity and provides insights into the workspace that help optimize work cost effectively

An accurate and timely accounting sheet helps business owners track their finances and easily and quickly find mistakes or setbacks efficiently and promptly Business becomes efficient when the finances are kept transparent and structured But pen and paper accounting is prone to errors, thus pulling small businesses out of growth

Online accounting software keeps the spreadsheet organized and easy to use. It provides a range of features, like keeping track of income and expenses, invoicing, expense claims, and documenting tax returns It optimizes business operations by generating financial reports that help in finding areas that need improvement and thus aid in the consistent growth of business

Keeping track of an employee's progress at work and engagement ensures commitment and dedication to meeting company goals and keeps them focused on the work at hand In addition, it provides a quantitative analysis of the quality of work accomplished Analyzing the data makes it easier for managers to provide constructive feedback on employees' performance, productivity, and efficiency This helps employees work and develop in areas that need attention, thereby ensuring the growth of the business

Communication is key to business effectiveness and growth With work becoming digitalized and employees scattered across geographic locations, the need for a unified communication system is urgent Small businesses must adopt technology that provides a platform for effective communication and enables the easy exchange and access of corporate data

A secure communication platform keeps the enterprise network connected It reduces waiting times for employee responses or data sharing by assisting in keeping the data structured and available for employees In addition, communication and collaborative tools keep employee teamwork efficient and coordinated and enhance company operations A collaborative employee team with organized business operations means only growth for the business

Technological tools efficiently automate repeated tasks, reducing the time required to achieve the desired results cost effectively with fewer chances of error Thus, they help in optimizing business operations and increasing productivity

Customer Relationship Management manages a company ' s customer interaction and helps with lead generation, sales and communication management, report generation, and data analytics CRM software optimizes customer relationships by staying connected with them and providing accurate responses to customer needs.

CRM software keeps track of the customers behaviour on the website and other social media platforms, thus helping strategize marketing plans It helps understand what strategy works to get higher conversion rates and draws potential customers' attention to a company ' s products and services Comprehensive knowledge of your customers' demography and likes and dislikes will help you improve your customer service

The branding and marketing of a business are to keep the name and product alive in the customer's mind E marketing is a cost effective and easy method of staying in contact with the customer It keeps the customer informed and up to date on the latest news about your business, the sales and discount offers you provide, or any other incentives introduced to boost sales

Creating consistent engagement with customers will help them feel connected with the brand and influence customers at all stages of the buying cycle E mail marketing is an affordable way to ensure customer loyalty as the brand regularly keeps in touch with them E mail marketing is an efficient way to reach out to new customers and widen the customer base

Small businesses have the immense potential to thrive in the economy Hence, they must make use of these innovative tools that have the potential to upgrade them to have a competitive edge in the market and rise as major players in the global economy As technology evolves, small businesses should broaden their perspectives and horizons to stay ahead of the curve

Why choose the conventional route that takes longer if there are quick and effective alternatives? To read more on these technological tools and advancements that can help small businesses thrive, subscribe to Indigenous SME Business Magazine at lnkd in/gBMWGCHX and for the latest updates, check our Twitter page @IndigenousSme.

Spreading Grandmothers' Knowledge Through Mother Earth Essentials

CarrieArmstrong

Founder Mother Earth Essentials

The Sales Rep Who Became an Entrepreneur

Carrie Armstrong has a long and varied career history For more than 15 years, Carrie wore the shoes of an esthetician and cosmetic sales representative in the beauty and retail industry Then, she decided to take a turn by enrolling in a Bachelor of Education degree at the University of Alberta

After graduation, she joined Amiskwaciy Academy, an Indigenous high school Carrie got interested in the traditional plant garden the school maintained to create hands on learning opportunities for her students The students received the learning with a positive review, and Carrie decided to use it further to connect the students to their culture and history

These professional experiences gave Carrie the entrepreneurial concepts she needed to launch a collection of natural products focusing on health and beauty. In addition, a long occupational history led to the genesis of Mother Earth Essentials.

An Award-Winning Business Woman

Mother Earth Essentials was founded by Carrie Armstrong, a Metis woman and a dedicated mother of three incredible kids who comes from a long line of Cree Medicine Women

Carrie was born and raised in Alberta For her, the family has always been a priority, and her grandmother is the guiding hand in her life She learnt about the Indigenous traditions from her grandmother and always showed interest and passion in sharing her Indigenous culture and the spiritual properties handed down to her

Carrie had natural recipes and plant knowledge that was important to her, but her mother and aunt's experience in residential school caused the generational teachings to be threatened. So she worked with her grandmother, the elders, and medicine people to create and grow the foundations for Mother Earth products

In 2018, Mother Earth Essentials began working with Manitobah Mukluks, and since then, they have helped Mother Earth Essentials grow

Holistic And Balanced Way Of Living

Mother Earth Essentials was created to share the nature inspired teachings rooted in the plants of the Medicine Wheel

According to Indigenous traditions, the medicine wheel symbolizes a holistic and balanced way of living and healing It is a powerful teaching tool that consists of many layers of wisdom and knowledge

It is a metaphor for life's circle, which has no beginning or end It is employed in a clockwise motion, in four equal pieces, and follows the sun ' s course as it rises and sets

According to the medicine wheel, tobacco, sage, cedar, and sweetgrass are four sacred herbs These have medicinal values and beliefs connected to them.

Sweetgrass represents the northern direction of the medicine wheel, sometimes called the hair of Mother Earth and considered a gift The grass is carefully braided after being harvested, and the three sections symbolize the mind, body, and spirit

Tobacco represents the eastern direction of the medicine wheel Smoke from tobacco is thought to be a doorway to the spirit world and is regarded as a sacred medicine Additionally, it is used to express gratitude or to make a request to nature, a knowledge keeper, or an elder

Sage represents the southern direction of the medicine wheel It has a strong herbal and spicy aroma and is widely found in drier areas of North America It is utilized in rituals for smudging to rid oneself and the spaces of negativity

Cedar represents the Western Direction of the Medicine Wheel. It is nature’s purifier and boasts a distinctly resinous fragrance. Leaves are cleaned for making tea, bathing and ceremony and represent grounding, maturity, purification and balance

The Indigenous culture and spirituality believe that they will find a sense of inner peace by reaching a true balance and deep physical, emotional, mental and spiritual self awareness

Sharing Indigenous knowledge

Mother Earth Essential’s mission is to educate Canadians on the beauty of Indigenous culture and the contributions made by Indigenous people Through her company, Carrie educates and raises awareness of a high quality line of retail products produced from traditional plants and recipes

Carrie conducts workshops on numerous topics of Indigenous knowledge to impart her rich heritage She is a hands on teacher who provides more than just new information and offers new experiences that can be applied to many aspects of your life

Some topics she handles include essential oils, beauty, and traditional plant workshops, traditional tea workshops; and mineral bath soak workshops

In late 2020, Carrie published her book and Red Alberta Bestseller, Mother Earth Plants for Health & Beauty: Indigenous Plants, Traditions and Recipes, with Eschia Books It features recipes for teas, soaps, bath products, balms, and lotions The ingredients for all these products are wild edible and medicinal plants that can be collected from the prairies. The book became a finalist in the Trade Non Fiction category for the Alberta Book Publishing Awards

Mother Earth Essential uses the learning from grandmothers, elders, and medicinal people with Carrie Armstrong’s experience as a teacher to pass on Indigenous knowledge To know more about their products and workshops, visit their website at https://motherearthessentials ca/

Indigenous culture is a wealth of wisdom and knowledge To know more about their teachings, subscribe to Indigenous SME Business Magazine at lnkd in/gBMWGCHX and for the latest updates, check our Twitter page

@IndigenousSme

TPMOCS

H a n d m a d e M o c c a s i n s H o n o r i n g t h e C u l t u r e

TPMOCS provides handmade moccasins made of soft leather stitched together with sinew, featuring three different styles branded by Native American artisans, enabling babies to enjoy the product's culture, comfort, and beauty

TPMOCS is a socially responsible company that gives back to the tribe by way of the tribe With each purchase, TPMOCS is able to take action to address poverty in Native American communities They work on simple goals, employ Native Americans to handcraft each pair of moccasins, use a portion of the profits to purchase necessities for underprivileged children living on reservations and keep their traditions alive

Company Born Out of Desire

Maria Running Fisher Jones is the founder of TPMOCS and uses her business platform to support many causes in the community She is the daughter of a single mother who was raised on the Blackfeet Indian Reservation in Northwestern Montana It was a community struggling with unemployment and poverty

TPMOCS has been founded on the principle that everyone deserves an opportunity to succeed

Even after moving from the reservation to a town, her mother emphasized the significance of history, culture and the necessity to give back to the community TPMOCS was founded on her desire to follow her mother’s teachings

To follow this principle, each sale of TPMOCS takes meaningful action to address poverty Their approach is to expand their goals tribe by tribe, whereby they will be able to provide employment opportunities and resources to Native American communities in need

With their business collaboration with customers, TPMOCS helps provide tools and resources to the hands of the most affected by poverty. Each purchase makes a meaningful impact by providing necessities to underprivileged Native American children living on reservations, preserving Native American traditions and improving the ability of TPMOCS to expand resources Tribe by Tribe

By passionately making moccasins, they work to pass on the culture, comfort and beauty to the younger generation

Craftsmanship And Artistic Excellence Of ‘Real People

Maria Running Fisher Jones belongs to the BLACKFEET NIITSITAPI tribe, renowned for their craftsmanship and artistic excellence By naming the company TPMOCS in honour of their ancestors who passed down their respect for tradition and the arts, they pay tribute to their cultural heritage

The Blackfeet consist of approximately 15,000 enrolled tribal members, with a majority on the Blackfeet Indian Reservation in Northwestern Montana Browning, the headquarters of the reservation, is the gateway to Glacier National Park, which once belonged to the Blackfeet

The Blackfeet have a long and rich history on the Northern Plains

The Blackfeet, a confederation of several tribes extending into Canada, is called “Niitsitapi,” meaning “the real people,” and are known as the fierce “Lords of the Plains.” They have always been legendary buffalo hunters, considering the animal sacred and integral to their lives. The Blackfeet Indians are commonly thought to have acquired their name because of the characteristic black color of the bottom of their moccasins. One distinct legend holds that the Blackfeet walked through the ashes of prairie fires.

Archaeologists can trace them through their artifacts and sites for at least a thousand years According to tribal elders, their people have always lived on the plains since the time when “muskrats brought up the mud from under the waters ” The Blackfeet have a keen sense of their history and a respect for their traditions. Both youthful and elder warriors feel it vital to maintain cultural identity Many members do so by using art as a form of expression, preserving Native American ways of life

To know more about their business, visit their website at https://www.tpmocs.com/.

Indigenous businesses are a way of honouring their culture and tradition. To know more about their businesses, subscribe to Indigenous SME Business Magazine lnkd in/gBMWGCHX and for the latest updates, check our Twitter page @IndigenousSme

Red Sky Candles sells beeswax candles and various infused honey using cedar, sage, birch, cranberries, and other herbs and spices Their beeswax candles are inspired by nature, seasonal celebrations, and cross cultural interests

Red Sky Candles are made in Canada by the Anishnawbekwe entrepreneur Jackie Esquimaux Hamlin. She belongs to the Aundeck Omni Kaning First Nations Reserve on Manitoulin Island She moved to Toronto, the Hollywood of Canada, after completing high school in the province of Northern Ontario

She got connected with the Indigenous community once she arrived in Toronto and was able to complete her studies by earning a diploma in Early Childhood Education

RedSky Candles

Beeswax Candles Carving Indigenous Heritage

After a few years of working as a teacher and raising their family, she and her husband, Brian, decided to launch Red Sky Candles They decided to launch a candle company due to Brian's continuous involvement in beekeeping projects in Toronto and the Peterborough areas that support pollination awareness and environmental sustainability They made use of renewable resources from the beehives for their business

They were accompanied by their grandson, Waaseya Giiwe Niibwin (Jaden McGregor), who has, over the years, been active and contributed to the positive benefit of everyone

Red Sky Candles is a unique business that offers exquisite art on beeswax candles. To know more about their products, visit their website at https://redskycandles.ca/.

Indigenous art and culture are a celebration of creativity and a celebration of the people To know more about these Indigenous businesses, subscribe to Indigenous SME Business Magazine lnkd in/gBMWGCHX and for the latest updates, check our Twitter page @IndigenousSme

Northern Expressions

Promoting the Spirit of Indigenous Art

Olu grew up as a child in Nigeria, listening to the many stories told by the adults The common theme of these stories was human encounters with spirits and the scary stories of the spirits having power over helpless humans who are at their mercy

Years later, when he read stories from the Inuit culture, he found shared elements and messages from his childhood The stories of his childhood and that of the Inuit had themes that conflicted with contemporary understandings and viewpoints

Journey To The Remote And The Frigid Cold

In 2007, Olu and Patricia began a journey to the cold fronts of Nunavik in Northern Quebec The journey ended in 2014, during which they lived, travelled, and experienced the stark realities of aboriginal life amidst a sometimes extremely challenging physical and social environment

Everywhere they went, they were received warmly by the aboriginal community, made good friends, and met strangers ready to share their knowledge and possessions

With each passing day, they began to be amazed at the grandeur of the land and its spectacular beauty They learnt to endure the harsh and extreme climate and to embrace the community to celebrate their happiness and weep in their sorrow

Facing their own challenges as residents of the far north made them respect the Indigenous people's strength, knowledge, and resilience.

Expressing an Integral Part of Indigenous Culture

Art and creativity are integral to the Indigenous worldview, and oral traditions remain an important part of cultural transmission Some of this Indigenous art has been interpreted by extraordinarily gifted artists in ancient and contemporary art

Northern Expressions promotes the symbols of enduring aboriginal spirit, resilience, and talent They are the ultimate source of authentic Inuit and Native art and gifts and offer one of a kid soapstone carvings, drawings, prints, and other creative works from accomplished artists

Northern Expressions is the ultimate art gallery for authentic Canadian art and specializes in creative expressions from highly talented Canadian aboriginal artists of the First Nations, Métis, and Inuit Their collection includes sculptures, prints, art based fashion designs, quality accessories, souvenirs, and gifts.

Inuit carvings are signed by the artists and carry the Igloo tag, a symbol of authenticity certified by the government of Canada In addition, each print has the artist's signature, a number, and the printer's chop

The Community Commitment

Northern Expressions is a value based company committed to promoting Canadian Inuit art They procure and merchandise only Indigenous art made in Canada Through this policy, they strive to support Indigenous artists, their families, and their communities

Their approach is customer oriented and welcoming in the true spirit of the Indigenous community They offer a wide range of collections of originally created carvings, drawings, prints, fashion, souvenirs, and gifts

Many aboriginal communities contributed to the Northern Expressions, including the Cape Dorset Community, Inukjuak Community, and Pangnirtung Community

Northern Expressions is dedicated to displaying Indigenous art made in Canada and honours the unrelenting resilience, enduring spirit, and artistic expression of Canada's Indigenous peoples

Conflicting Messages

Olu notices that the Nigerian stories of his childhood and the Inuit stories of supernatural beings have conflicting messages Instead of seeing them as obstacles to understanding and appreciating the stories in traditional culture, Olu explores their essence, which remains relevant to the people These stories, messages, and interpretations are the astounding vision and creativity of the Inuit and other aboriginal cultures

Olu seeks to impart this spirit and essence of Indigenous stories and art through Northern Expressions, as well as its depth of talent, inspiration, skill, and quality

They are proud of Canada’s Indigenous heritage and achievements through art To know more about their artwork, visit their website at https://northernexpressionsart.ca/.

Art is an integral part of Indigenous culture and traditions To learn more about businesses that cater to Indigenous art, subscribe to Indigenous SME Business Magazine lnkd.in/gBMWGCHX and for the latest updates, check our Twitter page @IndigenousSme

PowWowPitch

SupportingandEmpoweringIndigenousEntrepreneurs

Through programmes and tools grounded in community leadership and volunteering, Pow Wow Pitch enriches, develops, and accelerates growth for current and potential Indigenous entrepreneurs in a sustainable way

They seek to offer resources, initiatives, and platforms to help Indigenous entrepreneurs launch and expand successful, long lasting businesses with a positive social impact

Pow Wow Pitch is a grassroots community of Indigenous entrepreneurs across Turtle Island that was formed to offer a secure, supportive, encouraging, and empowering platform for inspiration, education, mentoring, celebration, and reconciliation through entrepreneurship

The Pow Wow Pitch community offers a platform for business owners to access opportunities and resources as well as support for company expansion They provide on demand access, live learning sessions, and access to free tools, resources, and opportunities to reach more customers

Pow Wow Roots Creating Opportunities

The founder of Pow Wow Pitch, Sunshine Tenasco, belongs to the Kitigan Zibi Anishinabeg She started Pow Wow Pitch because entrepreneurship is a big part of Indigenous heritage and is the path to self sufficiency

She is trying to reawaken the Indigenous community to entrepreneurship, which they call trade The Pow Wow program encourages every Indigenous entrepreneur in the community to take action on their entrepreneurial ideas and build businesses rooted in Indigenous culture

Indigenous Collective Impacting Success.

The Pow Wow Pitch works towards a collective impact and success as a community by and for Indigenous entrepreneurs Their initiatives include training and mentorship for business growth and a platform for Indigenous business owners to attract investors

As a participant in Dragons' Den, Sunshine understands the importance of the courage and confidence mentors provide to continue the entrepreneurial journey It is this sense of self belief that she tries to instill in her fellow aspiring entrepreneurs through the Pow Wow Pitch

Pow Wow Pitch is a pitch competition for Indigenous entrepreneurs across Turtle Island that attracts vendors, artists, business builders, and innovators from across industries looking to start a business or grow to the next level

The Pow Wow Pitch Startup Program supports Indigenous entrepreneurs with on demand and live training, free tools and resources, and mentorship opportunities. These programs are available for people starting up, operating, and scaling up their businesses In addition, they stream these resources on their social media channels, ensuring they will remain available for entrepreneurs' future references

Latest Initiatives for scaling up

While planning their long term and scalable impact, Pow Wow Pitch formulated many new programs for Indigenous entrepreneurs. They launched the Learning Series, Podcast Series, Alumni Network, Pow Wow Pitch Box and established the Indigenous Entrepreneur Awards All these initiatives help entrepreneurs get recognized for their work and thereby contribute to the growth of entrepreneurs

They formed an Advisory Board composed of Indigenous leaders from the community to help steer, support and steward the community's growth and its impact

Their Alumni Network kicked off by pitching their funds, knowledge and resources to support the next generation of Indigenous entrepreneurs The collective will introduce an alumni directed Seed Fund for emerging Indigenous entrepreneurs as the Alumni Network and resources grow

The Pow Wow Pitch Podcast interviews some of the most successful Indigenous makers, creators, and entrepreneurs to share their experiences, lessons learned, and advice with aspiring entrepreneurs

Pow Wow Pitch Box allows them to distribute products and services through their mailer and partner community

The Indigenous Entrepreneur Awards, presented by Pow Wow Pitch, recognize and celebrate excellence and outstanding impact in Indigenous entrepreneurship by Indigenous owned businesses across Turtle Island. Eight entrepreneurial entrepreneurs who truly embody Indigenous icons of the generation are honoured for their perseverance, growth, influence, and leadership

Acknowledging Indigenous Roots

Pow Wow is a place to meet, dance, sing, and honour the Indigenous culture and trade Indigenous people can make a difference in their communities across Turtle Island and the world Pow Wow Pitch is their platform to grow their social impact and support one another as a community

Pow Wow Pitch is a nonprofit organization that derives all of its funding through sponsorships from companies and organizations Through business leadership, financial assistance, and volunteerism, they collaborate with their partners to have a long lasting impact on the communities they serve

Pow Wow Pitch is a platform that works to grow their social impact and support one another as a community. To know more about their programs and initiatives, visit their website at https://www.powwowpitch.org/.

The Indigenous community and entrepreneurial initiatives are working to boost the economy and its people To know more about these ventures and their initiatives, subscribe to Indigenous SME Business Magazine lnkd in/gBMWGCHX and for the latest updates, check our Twitter page @IndigenousSme

Journey to the Culinary Arts and Beyond

He is a strong operations professional with an ITA level 2 focus in Culinary Arts/Chef Training from Vancouver Community College.

Laliberte belongs to the Cree Metis community and has spent the early period of his youth on the prairies of Saskatchewan In 2002, he moved to Vancouver, which he considers home

He began working at 22 as a cook in Davie Village This experience inspired him to the dinner service and the kitchens' camaraderie, and have attended Vancouver Community College's Culinary Apprenticeship Program

His culinary hard work has led him to cook for world class athletes at the 2016 Summer Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro and the 2018 Winter Olympic Games in Pyeongchang, South Korea

A Path of Personal Growth

Chef Heat Laliberte was refining his charcuterie and butchery skills when he came across an advertisement for the Aboriginal Business & Entrepreneurship Skills Training program at the Vancouver Aboriginal Friendship Centre This drew his attention to entrepreneurship opportunities in Canada when he got accepted to the program, which helped him develop a business plan to start One Arrow Bacon

An Experienced Cook With A Demonstrated History

Heat Laliberte has experience in the hospitality industry and has worked in a number of top restaurants and hotels in Vancouver, including Blue Water Café, the Fairmont Pacific Rim hotel, and Westin Hotel brands

A skilled professional in catering, food and beverage, Garde Manger, hotel management, and cooking, Laliberte began his career as a chef in 2005

In 2017, Laliberte came across an advertisement for the Aboriginal Business & Entrepreneurship Skills Training Program This encounter sparked his passion for personal growth, which drives him to participate in the entrepreneurial and skills training program at the Vancouver Friendship Centre.

The program promotes the entrepreneurial spirit of people, communities, and organizations Laliberte made the best out of this experience, where he worked diligently to combine his 15 years of experience in the culinary world with his love for the community to create a product to be proud of

In 2016, he graduated from the Aboriginal Business and Entrepreneurship program and began to save his salary toward self funding One Arrow The business is his artisanal, handmade, naturally smoked bacon business that uses local, ingredient driven bacon

Since the summer of 2017, One Arrow has made its way from the Vancouver Farmers' Market stall to the shelves of Vancouver’s best artisan butcher shops and local grocery stores.

Recognition of Commitment

Chef Heat Laliberte has been recognized for his commitment to food sourcing, quality, and his passion for the culinary arts He was named one of the Top 50 Entrepreneurs by Native Business, a list that raises awareness of the innovation, professionalism, competence, and tenacity demonstrated by Native entrepreneurs across Indian Country In addition, he is the recipient of the 2016 Fairmont Pacific Rim's top prize and was named "Star of the Year."

In 2019, he was named the winner of This Sandwich, That Beer Throwback Throwdown paired with “The Beer Farmers” from Pemberton and the Outstanding New Product 2019 "From the Ground Up" Trade Show

Through his One Arrow, the two spirited Cree Metis chef is a socially conscious entrepreneur who is deeply connected to the community and wholeheartedly supports the DTES Youth Program "Good Food for All " They donate delicious bacon and culinary skills to local LGBTQ2A organizations and events

One Arrow Offering Indigenous Taste

One Arrow is an Indigenous owned and operated business in Vancouver that specializes in small batch, handcrafted, and naturally smoked artisanal bacon. They offer four iconic flavours of bacon with unique dry rubs, including Black Pepper and Honey, Hickory Smoked Maple, Chinese Five Spice and for the health conscious, a sugar free "Salt & Smoke "

Laliberte follows wellness and ethical food sourcing and has always committed to developing genuine relationships with vendors and customers, which has built a solid foundation for the consistent growth of One Arrow

He uses local and premium quality ingredients such as Maple Sugar Shack Extra Dark Maple Syrup and Vancouver Island Sea Salt In addition, One Arrow uses only locally sourced Fraser Valley Pork, and the hormone free pork from Johnston Farms is 100% naturally smoked

One Arrow bacon is 100% naturally smoked and made fresh weekly in Burnaby, BC To know more about their products, visit their website at https://www onearrowmeats com/

Indigenous businesses are committed to the community. To know more about these ethical businesses, subscribe to Indigenous SME Business Magazine at lnkd.in/gBMWGCHX and for the latest updates, check our Twitter page @IndigenousSme.

Indigenous Women Transforming the Economy

The Indigenomics Institute provides Indigenous economic advice to government authorities, Indigenous communities, and the private sector focusing on four key areas for overcoming barriers in the Indigenous economy and addressing these issues Their area of specialization includes dialogue platforms for Indigenous economic solutions, economic policy/ research/analysis/planning, education/ training and partnership development

The Nuu chah nulth descent from the Hesquiaht Nation on Vancouver Island, Carol Anne Hilton, is the founder and CEO of the Indigenomics Institute and the Global Center of Indigenomics She is a dynamic national Indigenous business leader, author, speaker and senior adviser with an international Masters's Degree in Business Management (MBA) from the University of Hertfordshire, England

The Indigenomics Institute works towards positive leadership and relationships to support the growth and development of Indigenous economies

Carol Anne Hilton coined the term Indigenomics to refer to a wave redefining the definition of economic reconciliation and contributing to the Canadian economy As well it brings an Indigenous perspective to economic and social development

The Indigenomics Institute has organized the SHE conference on the 1st and 2nd of November at the Sheraton Vancouver Wall Centre The inaugural Indigenomics SHE conference is a space for the vision of Indigenous womxn ' s participation in the Indigenous economy

The rapidly increasing number of Indigenous women in business makes the conference relevant as it brings together unique perspectives of financial empowerment, education, collaboration and innovation for Indigenous womxn business leaders and entrepreneurs

Indigenous women entrepreneurs and those in finance, economic development, business governance and allies in the Indigenous economic reconciliation space are eligible to participate in the conference.

The conference sessions provide networking opportunities that will bring an energetic perspective to Indigenous women in business, including their role and leadership in the emerging Indigenous 100 billion dollars Indigenous economy

The Indigenomics Institute is the leading national Indigenous economic design platform that offers consulting services to Indigenous nations, community economic development corporations, Indigenous businesses, governments, corporations, and the private sector

The Institute seeks to make Indigenous modern and the political, economic, legal, and communal development goals more easily attainable They create dialogue and design platforms to bring attention and focus to the growing Indigenous economy.

It invites dialogue and thought provoking insight into the possibility of the Indigenous relationship in Canada and beyond It explores the pathway between the threshold of the Indigenous relationship and modern economies

Indigenous economic growth is suitable for everyone Through dialogue and connecting, solutions based collaborations can occur to address the challenges and overcome systemic economic barriers

Carol Anne is a woman of many accomplishments She is the international award winning and best selling author of "Indigenomics: Taking A Seat at the Economic Table " In addition, her academic life extends to being an adjunct professor at Royal Roads Universitys School of Business

Carol Anne has also taken the responsibility of many chairs, including being the only Indigenous person appointed to the Canadian Economic Growth Council as a senior advisor to the federal Finance Minister in 2016

In addition, she served on the BC Emerging Economy Taskforce and the BC Indigenous Business and Investment Council and is currently the Director of the McGill University Institute for the Study of Canada, MITACS Research, and the BC Digital Supercluster

Carol Anne has been recognized for her work with the inaugural Nation Builder Award from the National Angel Capital Organization in 2022, the BC Achievement Foundation's Award of Distinction in Indigenous Business, and the Canadian Council for Aboriginal Business's national Award of Excellence in Aboriginal Relations

The contribution of women entrepreneurs in the small business industry in particular and to the Canadian economy has increased significantly in the past years Hence, it is necessary to ensure they hold the knowledge and practice to become resilient entrepreneurs who adapt to changing market trends and succeed in their endeavours

The Indigenomics Institute works towards the empowerment of the Indigenous community, and the SHE Conference in November is a continuum of that empowerment as they celebrate the contribution of women to the Canadian economy

The coming together of women entrepreneurs is a decisive step towards economic reconciliation and women empowerment To find out more about the SHE Conference and the Indigenomics Institute, visit the website at https://indigenomicsinstitute.com/event s/she 2022/

Indigenomics enhances the position and visibility of Indigenous peoples in the modern economy by respecting their knowledge of the local economy, relationships, and human values Her philosophy focuses on understanding Indigenous ways of being and worldviews, drawing on timeless principles that have sustained Indigenous economies for thousands of years and seeking to implement them into practice in modern practices

Indigenous institutions and people are working towards the upliftment of their community To read more on these initiatives, subscribe to Indigenous SME Business Magazine at lnkd in/gBMWGCHX and for the latest updates, check our Twitter page @IndigenousSme

Larissa Crawford

Founder And Managing Director, Future Ancestors Services

In November 2019, Larissa Crawford left her last employment position due to the overt racism, ageism, and ableism she experienced in the workplace Taking things into her own hands, she decided action planning to start a business in intergenerational family knowledge exchange sessions

In 2020, Larissa found Future Ancestors Services Inc using personal savings and, within a year of business, had 200 clients Their demand continues to grow, with racial and environmental justice bubbling into mainstream social consciousness. They benefit significantly from the work of frontline activists and continue to pursue opportunities for reciprocity

In 2022, they are focused on building administrative support, shaping organizational direction with decolonial and Indigenous teachings, re launching their direct community support such as live events, the Constellation, and their grant fund, and bringing on new team members

Larissa Crawford is a Métis, Jamaican, Afro Indigenous, young mother and a disabled person with Penetanguishene Métis and Jamaican Afro Caribbean ancestry She leads and contributes to contracts and services that center on anti racism, climate justice, public policy and governance, global development, youth engagement, indigenous engagement, and decolonization

In June 2018, Larissa received her Bachelor of Arts in International Development and Communication Studies from York University She has worked to start a library in Accra, Ghana, volunteered in Istanbul, Turkey, and represented her university at several global United Nations events In addition, she has led several anti racism and Indigenous research initiatives at the university

Shortly after, she brought this experience to the Ontario Anti Racism Directorate and the Ontario Ministry of Energy as a policy advisor, Indigenous Grant Coordinator at Alberta Non Profit and Indigenous Policy Advisor at York University. Larissa's expertise has led to her specializing in climate justice, public policy, accessibility, restorative circle keeping, Indigenous and anti racism research, race based data gathering, and restorative practice and conflict resolution

Larissa Crawford is a published Indigenous and anti racism researcher and policy advisor with more than 13 years of experience Through her initiatives, she is proud to impart Métis and Jamaican ancestry to her daughter, Zyra

Larissa founded Future Ancestors Services as a youth led professional services social enterprise that operates at the intersection of climate and racial justice

As future ancestors, Future Ancestors Services supports clients and the community in honouring their responsibilities as future ancestors and shaping the just and sustainable futures the next generations will inherit

It is an Indigenous and Black owned, youth led professional services social enterprise that advances climate justice and systemic barrier removal through the lenses of anti racism and ancestral accountability

They support clients and the community in resolving structural problems that disadvantage certain groups of people, their connections to the land and others, and the health of the Earth while focusing on decolonized and Indigenous practices.

They are an intergenerational team of Black, Indigenous, racialized, Queer, disabled, and Francophone professionals and advisors Through this team, they provide speaking, training, research, consulting services, and influencer and interview services to diverse clients

All their initiatives and partnerships aim to advance climate justice, decolonization, and anti racism They specialize in accessible, anti ageist, anti racist, bilingual, and transformational service delivery and do not accept contracts that go against their commitments and responsibilities

Future Ancestors Services are intentional about how they 'do business ' As a company accountable to its community, they ensure that their works suit the best for people, kin, and Earth. They believe that by supporting their clients through services, they are improving the capacity to create better spaces and work outputs that honour people and the environment in the past, present, and future

Larissa continues to gain knowledge on Northern Indigenous climate knowledge, climate policy, anti racism opportunities in environmentalism, and conducting business using conventional and decolonized methods through initiatives like the Students on Ice Arctic Policy Cohort, the CohortX Climate Justice, Action Canada, and the Youth Climate Lab FutureXChange fellowships, the Raven Trust Capital Fireweed Fellowship, and the Arctic Policy Cohort

Larissa Crawford has received much recognition for her committed service In 2020 21 she was named on The Women of Influence Top 25 list, Refinery Canada's 29 Powerhouses, York University's Top 30 Under 30 alumni, HuffPost's 26 Indigenous Influencers to Follow, and the Pollution Probe Equity in Sustainability Award

Larissa Crawford and Future Ancestors Services are working towards the decolonization of time, localizing language by the commitment to the North Conflict Resolution Southern Michif Language To learn more about their programs and initiatives, visit the website at www futureancestors ca

Indigenous entrepreneurs and businesses are being recognized across Canada for their community driven transformative initiatives To read more on these businesses, subscribe to Indigenous SME Business Magazine at lnkd in/gBMWGCHX and for the latest updates, check our Twitter page @IndigenousSme

Nangoons Wabegijig

When Made the Best Time to Experiment

Nangoons Wabegijig struggled with eczema her entire life due to sensitive skin When she was on maternity leave with her son, Liam, Nangoons decided to make the best use of the time to experiment with natural products to prepare body care products This led to the founding of Ojibway Natural

Nangoons Wabegijig is an Anishinaabe from the Ketegaunseebee (Garden River) First Nation She started her business, Ojibway Natural, four years ago while on maternity leave with her son She was looking to start a business that would allow her to stay and work at home, ensuring that she spent quality time with her family while making a livelihood for herself

Her sensitive skin issues helped her narrow down the business niche to skin care products that made natural products more accessible to the general public. Once she understood the benefit of the products in her routine skincare regime, she felt good about using them and found fun in making them

This is how the multi media artist with skills ranging from painting to sketching and jewelry decided to use her maternity leave and start a business Soon her friends and family took notice of her natural home and body products, which gave her the confidence to expand her product line

The owner/operator of bath and body care company Ojibway Natural lives on the Goulais River, just outside Sault Ste Marie The skincare line that started as a remedy for personal skincare issues has grown into a full time job for Wabegijig

Ojibway Natural is an Indigenous Woman run business based out of Northern Ontario They specialize in handmade home and body products and are passionate about providing an affordable, natural option for everyday use

For the past four years, Nangoons has successfully worked in the business industry, selling her all natural care products The line of products, which originally included soaps, lip balm, and sugar scrubs, has expanded to include bath bombs, soy candles, wax melts, oils, mists, and gift sets These are handmade, infused with medicine scents like sage, cedar, and sweetgrass, and packaged with care

They keep their ingredient list short and add no unnecessary colours or additives, making easy lathering Ojibway Natural Soaps She also ensures that all her products are gentle on the skin and suitable for people who are sensitive to scents To ensure that their goods have more benefits for their clients than drawbacks, Nangoons avoid using ingredients and including components that she previously found irritating

When starting her business, Nangoons was particular that, along with a business that helps her support her family, it should be a socially responsible enterprise that gives back to the community. She stood by her word and regularly donated products and giveaways. She collaborates with nonprofit groups to recognize volunteers or raise money for their causes

The Indigenous identity and culture are well incorporated into the Ojibway Natural products For example, Nangoon uses her medicine fragrances as a medium to start conversations about Indigenous medicine with non Indigenous people and other Indigenous people on the proper use of medicines and traditions

Nangoons also share Indigenous knowledge through platforms like workshops and demonstrations, setting up vendors’ tables at festivals and participating in powwows These events also become platforms for Nangoons to sell her products Unfortunately, the gatherings were affected by the COVID pandemic, which led Nangoons to move her business operations and focus on online platforms like her website and social media

Last year, Nangoons Wabegijig opened a “Little Green Garden” dispensary at Garden River First Nation, where all Ojibway Natural products are available in the store.

Nangoons Wabegijig credits her son Liam with inspiring her to start Ojibway Natural, which has allowed her to spend her days with him while building a successful business that supports her family

Ojibway Natural is an all natural essential skincare collection for fabulous skin To know more about their products, visit their website at https://ojibwaynatural com/

Indigenous businesses are reviving after the setbacks of the pandemic Subscribe to Indigenous SME Business Magazine at lnkd in/gBMWGCHX to learn about the latest trends and solutions to revitalize Indigenous enterprises Follow us on Twitter @IndigenousSME for the most recent information

Don is the Vice President of Small Business, Business Financial Services, Strategy and Partnerships at RBC He is responsible for leading RBC’s Small Business segment and teams In his role, Don provides strategic oversight in delivering market leading client experiences through innovative partnerships and differentiated, beyond banking solutions to help aspiring entrepreneurs and Canadian business owners start, manage and grow their ventures. He also leads the strategy development for RBC’s Business Financial Services portfolio, including its client experience, CRM (client relationship management) and data analytics strategies

‘MICRO-ENTREPRENEUR’ EXPLORING THE ECONOMY WITH DON LUDLOW

Vice President Small Business, BFS Strategy & Partnerships Royal Bank of Canada

Don is an experienced leader and manager with 20 years of experience at RBC, including senior sales leadership, corporate strategy and marketing He enables exceptional performance through a focused, collaborative and motivational leadership style Prior to joining RBC in 2001, Don served as an Infantry Officer with the Canadian Army, where he led soldiers on a number of domestic and international operations, and worked in both staff and training roles.

Don has an MBA from McGill University, an MSC from the London School of Economics & Political Science and a BA from the Royal Military College of Canada (Kingston)

Don also believes in giving back to the community and helped co found the Treble Victor Group (3V), a network of ex military leaders who work to support one another in their post service careers, as well as help military leaders transition to new careers He’s also the Chair of the Ontario Chamber of Commerce, the Chair of Northstar Trade Finance Corporation and a Board Director of Goodwill Industries (Ontario Great Lakes)

Indeed, there’s no doubt that economic conditions today remain uncertain, and that younger Canadians are coming of age in a time of great change Technology is rapidly reshaping the way we do business, traditional modes of employment are being transformed, and there’s increasingly a strong drive for ‘grassroots’ experiences whether in the businesses we frequent or in the companies we work for

Can you speak more to the role of technology – how exactly is it enabling Canadians to start businesses and supporting the emergence of the microentrepreneurship economy across the country?

Millennials and Gen Z are digital natives –meaning that they’re uniquely attuned and positioned to capitalize on the new opportunities that come from emerging technologies. Moreover, they’re also at the forefront of changing consumer preferences and attitudes about employment. All of this creates an environment where microentrepreneurship is more viable and desirable for younger Canadians – and our survey shows that they remain keen to tap into these opportunities, explore entrepreneurship, and take the reins for themselves.

Nearly half (47 per cent) of the current and aspiring entrepreneurs that we spoke to in our survey reported that emerging technologies allow them to reach new markets and explore new ways of doing business, and the same number said that being able to conduct their business or ‘side hustle’ online remotely lowers the overhead costs associated with starting and running a business In addition, 42 per cent of Canadians say that digital solutions reduce the efforts for administration and back office aspects of running a business

In short, the accessibility of new technologies and digital solutions is the key factor that makes ‘micro entrepreneurship’ possible It enables the emergence of these new, nimble small businesses by lowering barriers to entry and reducing the costs and effort associated with getting a business off the ground, allowing more Canadians to make that critical step into entrepreneurship

Has there been a shift in consumer preferences and behaviours? How will that impact small businesses?

Canadians are increasingly craving authentic, localized, and customized goods and services and they think that small businesses are uniquely positioned to provide this experience

In our survey, 71 percent of Canadians were more likely to support businesses with an active presence in their local community To this end, 89 percent also agreed that small businesses are better able to provide products and services tailored to local needs, and another 72 percent stated that they believe small businesses have the ability to innovate at a more rapid rate than larger organizations Indeed, we know that small businesses are the backbone of Canada’s economy and of our communities and these findings from our survey confirm that Canadians truly do see them as such

What advice would you give to small businesses looking to remain competitive amidst rising costs and inflation?

First and foremost, the old adage ‘cash is king’ has never been truer For a business, closely monitoring and forecasting your cash flow is even more important in an economic environment affected by rising costs, interest rates, and inflation That means daily monitoring of cash balances and reconciliation with your accounting It's a good idea to implement a cash flow forecasting process on a 13 week cycle to help drive your short term decisions as they relate to payables, receivables, and inventory

To help you monitor your cash flow, RBC offers tools like NOMI for Business, which offers a snapshot of the money going in and out of your accounts, as well as the RBC Business Cash Flow tool which small business owners can use to get an analysis of your current cash flow position

At the same time, it can also be beneficial to explore digital and e commerce solutions to enhance your customer experience and streamline operations Customer needs have changed dramatically at this time, and it can pay dividends to take the time and truly understand how their needs may have evolved What problem can you solve for customers in this environment?

For this, online tools and platforms like RBC Insight EdgeTM for Small Businesses that provide real time intelligence on client activity, preferences and spending patterns can be invaluable to digging deeper into your customers’ wants and needs and tailoring your inventory accordingly To further boost sales and enhance their customer experience, businesses of all sizes may want to consider solutions, like Moneris, that make it more convenient for customers to pay with digital payments

You can also invest in digital solutions to streamline your back office activities like invoicing, payroll, and cash management Digitally enabling your operation can help you save on time and costs, allowing you to reinvest those resources into what really matters: your customer experience

Finally, the one thing we emphasize to every entrepreneur is: don’t go it alone Beyond digital tools, the most important resources are often the people around you Your accountant, lawyer, mentor or other trusted members of your professional network can all be valuable for honest feedback, advice, and support. Don’t hesitate to reach out! At RBC, our advisors are always happy to help you manage and grow your business, offer solutions to simplify your day to day processes and connect you with other professionals to help you achieve your business goals

Entrepreneurs can also access many of our tools, resources and business advice at RBC’s Starting a Business hub online

Founder - OneFeather Mobile Technologies Ltd.

Lawrence Lewis is a We Wai Kai Nation member on Vancouver Island As an educator, political activist, policy writer, and environmentalist, Lawrence has devoted his professional life to working with First Nation peoples. His areas of expertise include First Nation elections, governance, project management, human resource management, economic development, and organizational leadership and success

He has dedicated his professional life to addressing cultural and socioeconomic issues, supporting Indigenous groups in protecting their rights, and strengthening their communities Lawrence founded OneFeather in 2014 with the goal of developing digital solutions for First Nations, giving them a communications platform to discuss important topics, fostering community involvement, and building strong, empowered, and unified nations

Owning the Digital Indigenous Space Lawrence Lewis

Digital Initiative Called OneFeather

OneFeather is an Indigenous technology company that offers online Status Card Services, APP and PAY Banking Solutions, and Digital Voting for Nations Elections, sowing the seeds of Indigenous sovereignty in the digital age With more than 370,000 managed memberships, they help more than 240+ First Nations, Métis, and Inuit communities across the nation.

OneFeather’s technology addresses institutional biases, racism, and other hurdles that exist between institutions and the government Their work and initiatives ensure value addition, celebrate and empower Indigenous digital identity, and uplift people

Through his initiatives, Lewis is working to position

OneFeather as a leading player in the digital space, with a vision of a business based on Indigenous thought and identity and leading conversations on being sensitive to Indigenous issues

OneFeather wants to take ownership of the digital space by promoting Indigenous values, principles, and perspectives They are leaders in election and voting services, encrypted and secure digital secret ballot voting technologies, member register management, community engagement, governance, and policy, prioritizing accessibility, transparency, and data sovereignty

Nation Services Of OneFeather

OneFeather is reimagining the Indigenous experience through innovation and tradition as an Indigenous technology company, sowing the seeds of sovereignty in the digital age to strengthen Indigenous peoples and nations

In addition to being a true centre for digital Indigenous sovereign identification and data, community involvement, and election and voting services, they are a dedicated service provider for Indigenous financial solutions

By opening a OneFeather account, customers can avail themselves of Indigenous banking solutions, online status card renewals, and digital voting It connects you to dedicated Indigenous banking by providing access to payment solutions, money transfers, and rewards

The OneFeather PAY is a beautifully designed and reloadable card that makes purchases easy with contactless tap technology or shops online. It also helps earn 1FT Rewards (OneFeather Token Rewards points) beyond just transactions.

The Online Status Card Service allows you to renew, replace, or apply for your status card (SCIS) from home with your trusted OneFeather account

Governance Consulting

OneFeather guides nations in fortifying their sovereignty, building better systems of engagement, and making important decision making They collaborate with nations to strengthen day to day decision making and management, support government negotiations and create agreements between the Indigenous communities, industry, and their allies

Policy and Law Making

OneFeather has 50 years of combined experience developing laws, policies, and governance documents In addition, they offer election code reviews, amendment recommendations, community consultation, and complete referendum services to strengthen your nation with expert policy and law making services

Registrar Management Platform

They offer the first and only First Nations and Métis digital member registrar management platform to cultivate member engagement It is a secure and confidential cloud based system for managing member data and fostering member engagement

Election and Voting Services

With 50+ years of combined Indigenous election management experience, they are the leaders of Indigenous electoral technology and best practices for Canada's First Nations and Metis elections and voting events Their digital voting allows you to vote from home or provides vote from anywhere options on any device with an internet connection This helps to engage with your members and improve voter turnout securely and anonymously In addition to digital voting, they also offer voting options like a mail in ballot, telephone voting and traditional polls

Lawrence Lewis and his company provide technology solutions for elections, membership, and engagement that reduce nations' costs and administrative burdens They have created a technology that brings about sustainable governance and brings communities together

OneFeather, under the leadership of Lawrence Lewis, cultivates change to enhance resilience, works to eliminate the pains of colonialism and systemic racism and enables Indigenous sovereignty To know more about their services, visit their website at https://www.onefeather.ca/.

Indigenous businesses are tapping the possibilities of the digital space for empowerment and growth To know more about these Indigenous businesses, subscribe to Indigenous SME Business Magazine at lnkd.in/gBMWGCHX and for the latest updates, check our Twitter page @IndigenousSme.

OneFeather APP is available nations-wide, and its nation services include:

The incorporation of digital technologies into business operations is becoming an inevitable part of small business development Small businesses can easily and effectively integrate new technology into their everyday operations due to their organizational structure and a smaller workforce

Though many small businesses have adopted these technological infrastructures, a majority of them have not yet realized the potential that digital technologies have to enhance their business possibilities For example, the hardware and software that small businesses use to run their businesses can store large data, which can be analyzed to strategize marketing and business plans

CDW Canada is a leading multi brand provider of information technology solutions to thousands of business, government, education, and healthcare customers across the country Their broad array of products and services ranges from hardware and software to integrated IT solutions such as security, cloud, hybrid infrastructure, and digital experience

CDW caters to small businesses needs by providing them with hardware requirements like laptops, desktops, and other technology It also serves as a trusted tech advisor, helping clients design, deliver, install, train employees, or even manage their environments

CDW understands the importance of data and helps small businesses protect and optimize their data by enhancing their technology.

As small businesses increasingly start using digital technologies in their operations, it is crucial to keep the data backed up and protected There is also a need to keep the network and technical infrastructure efficient and hassle free to ensure quality customer service and smooth functioning of the business

Small businesses might not necessarily have the technical knowledge behind data storage and analytics, nor is it cost effective to employ a technical staff. Instead, small businesses can outsource a technical consultant or service provider as an easy and affordable solution

CDW Managed Services takes care of all these issues and complexities by helping small businesses upgrade their existing infrastructure and supporting their business to ensure the systems are available and running optimally around the clock.

CDW supports its partners at all stages of cloud adoption, whether they are on premises, migrating to the cloud, or already there

CDW

offers services that help small businesses grow by providing technology services that take away some of the team's burdens and allow them to focus on growing the business.

Think of CDW as an extension of your IT team The specialists at CDW provide years of experience to assist you in designing, implementing, and managing your technology environments, in everything from roadmaps and adoption to project deployment and lifecycle management

When preparing for growth, small businesses choose the cloud as most digital optimization is initiated through the cloud easily and affordably However, the CDW 2022 Cloud Report found that more than half of Canadian organizations lack confidence in their infrastructure to support digital transformation initiatives and next generation workloads Furthermore, it also found that 79% of IT administration time is spent on non value added activities.

As the business grows, so does the complexity associated with its operations The complexity of the cloud based infrastructure only increases with business expansion and with small businesses becoming increasingly digitalized As small businesses have a small workforce, it is not often that their team of employees includes experts in technologies like Amazon Web Services and Microsoft Azure

Optimization 01

Customers expect a constant presence and accessibility from trusted brands in the digital age But small businesses with limited resources and few IT staff can't scale their business and ensure customer satisfaction if they cant provide coverage round the clock

Through optimization, CDW helps you save on bottom line costs and be more profitable They deal with not just hardware optimization but also focus on team optimization, where they take tasks away from your in house team to help them focus on business growth initiatives

CDW supports small businesses by covering services from network management to managed security services

Scalability 02

CDW helps small businesses grow existing infrastructure and to meet their growing business needs They understand that most small businesses build the business in the cloud, and start ups no longer buy servers Therefore, they support business operations that revolve around the cloud and take care of data backup and security considerations, where 24/7 support is crucial.

Flexibility 03

Current hiring practices are oriented toward remote work, and the modern workplace is largely at home So even if a company still rents office space, it's more of a collaborative area than a traditional cube farm

The change in the workplace and work culture means better audio and videoconferencing solutions, which are now more cost effective than the clunky solutions of the past CDW partners with all the leading vendors in this space and helps you and your team find the right technology to work flexibly and effectively from anywhere

Financing 04

CDW helps small businesses find the best financing solution by working with Pitchbook and other funding tools to understand your current funding situation at any time They understand that most SMBs don't have net 30 payment terms because they dont have any credit history CDW can establish these terms right from the beginning for a start up that has been funded They also work with multiple lease and financing partners with various funding sources.

CDW provides comprehensive IT solutions by understanding the requirements and constraints of small businesses For SMBs that don't have the real estate to hold technology equipment, CDW holds devices for you in their warehouse and ships them directly to new employees as soon as they join the team.

CDW provides services to small businesses with big ambitions. As a company that understands small businesses' unique challenges, they provide guidance from their IT experts and the right technology from their partners to prepare small businesses to think big.

CDW is a dedicated IT service provider to small businesses To learn more about their solutions and services, please visit CDW.ca/smallbusiness.

Small businesses must integrate digital solutions and collaborate with service providers to optimize their operations affordably. To read more on these service based businesses, subscribe to CanadianSME Small Business Magazine https://lnkd.in/dbqmSKN For the latest updates, visit our Twitter page at @canadian sme.

WHAT IS THE BEST WAY TO KEEP YOUR SMALL BUSINESS SUSTAINABLE IN CANADA?

Sustainability is a key element of a successful and ethical business It is a practice where business operations cause a minimal negative impact on the environment, and eco friendly policies and practices are prioritized Small businesses should be at the top of the list when it comes to sustainable practices since consumers value companies that promote sustainability and seek out brands that practice sustainable practices

Here are the best and most affordable ways small businesses can become sustainable

Choosing Sustainable Resources And Ethical Practices

A sustainable and ethical business prioritizes conducting business by ensuring its impact on the environment, society, and the economy Businesses should adopt a policy where they use sustainable resources for their operations, such as employing environmentally friendly resources, practicing animal cruelty free operations, and using sustainable materials, given the current situation of escalating environmental challenges

Businesses should adhere to moral standards, such as free trade, to guarantee that their local producers, suppliers, and partners are paid fairly for their products and services This guarantees a healthy, long lasting, and trustworthy collaboration that greatly benefits enterprises. Small businesses should constantly take precautions to ensure a positive impact on the neighborhood and environment

Making Business Operations Eco-friendly

Small businesses should adopt eco friendly operational practices to ensure sustainability Minute details like choosing non toxic raw materials, using biodegradable materials for packaging, creating a workspace eco friendly, and practicing an environmentally safe work culture should be carefully considered.

Plastic waste in packaging and shipping is one of small businesses' greatest waste management issues Instead of using plastic, small businesses should make use of biodegradable alternatives like cardboard, paper, bagasse paper made from pulp from sugarcane, and biodegradable bubble wrap These materials have a minimal environmental impact as they break down quickly and effectively and do not contain toxic or ozone depleting substances

Partnering With Sustainable Businesses And Organizations

The majority of supply chains today are not constructed according to ethical and sustainable principles, and upholding these standards in a competitive market is also a challenge Hence, finding partners who adhere to ethical and affordable business practices becomes all the more difficult

Small businesses can partner with local suppliers who follow sustainable product and service practices Localizing the supply chain benefits the environment by cutting down on emissions and energy use, as well as on shipping and storage. It also ensures an ethical and sustainable business culture and practices and promotes and supports local businesses, local suppliers, and the local economy

Creating Modern and Digital WorkSpaces

Small businesses can adopt many modern and digital practices that help them reduce their negative environmental effects and build a sustainable workplace. Establishing an environmentally friendly workplace culture that deals with paperless business transactions and processes, building workspaces with natural materials, and adopting policies that reduce resource use and energy consumption are all significant steps in this direction

Using LED bulbs, encouraging the use of permanent mugs and cups rather than paper cups for office work, and using recycled paper and biodegradable pens are all simple but effective initiatives These small but significant changes make small businesses go beyond being profit making entities to being institutions that contribute to and work to better society

Supporting Sustainable Initiatives In The Community

Small business sustainability methods also involve actively supporting local and community efforts to restore the environment They must support environmental initiatives like tree planting campaigns or bicycle competitions, which can aid in promoting and raising brand awareness They can donate a portion of their proceeds to programs or organizations that promote environmental causes Small businesses might organize fundraisers for community programs that support environmentally friendly practices

Small businesses' social and environmental participation will help gain customers' confidence and trust It carries the reputation of a business that goes beyond the objective of generating a profit and is socially responsible.

Small businesses should take on greater social responsibility, work to better their local community, the economy, and the environment, and support causes that are important to them They should incorporate sustainability and ethics into every aspect of their operations by collaborating with ethical supply chains, using environmentally friendly packaging, or making charitable donations These initiatives prove their integrity as well as help them reach a wide and engaged audience cost effectively

Customers concerned about sustainability will actively seek out and promote goods produced by ethical brands To know more about these sustainable practices and businesses, subscribe to CanadianSME Small Business Magazine https://lnkd in/dbqmSKN For the latest updates, visit our Twitter page at @canadian sme

This month, Mitacs launched the Mitacs Skills for Innovation project which will deliver a series of reports examining the skills needed for different innovation activities across the Canadian economy

In the first report, Sharpening Canada’s Skills Advantage, expert authors Craig Lamb and Dr. Daniel Munro (Brookfield Institute for Innovation + Entrepreneurship and Shift Insights) take a deep dive into Canada’s biggest innovation advantage: our talent Drawing on surveys of organizations and interns involved in Mitacs’s Elevate and Accelerate programs, the report looks at the general and specialized skills that Canada needs to innovate

Despite a highly educated population and a labour force of skilled and motivated people, Canada’s innovation performance continues to lag behind its global peers This report seeks to better understand the specific skills that Canadian talent needs to develop to address this gap and complete the full suite of activities and tasks that comprise the continuum of innovation These can be broadly divided into two categories: general skills, required across all types of innovation; and specialized skills, which some but not all people on innovation teams must have to succeed.

General skills are things like curiosity and creativity; basic data and digital skills such as statistical literacy and the ability to navigate online research; scientific principles and methods such as the ability to develop a hypothesis; and certain social and emotional skills like collaboration, listening, and communication

More specialized skills are things like advanced data and digital skills such as programming, computer science, and statistical analysis; management skills; and design skills, including prototyping, testing, and solutions design.

Sharpening Canada’s Skills Advantage is now available for download.

Mitacs empowers Canadian innovation through effective partnerships that deliver solutions to our most pressing problems For over 20 years, Mitacs has assisted organizations in reaching their goals, has funded cutting edge innovation and has created job opportunities for students and postdocs We are committed to driving economic growth and productivity and to creating meaningful change to improve the quality of life for all Canadians.

Our mission is to build a world class, diverse community of innovators through our collaborative model, attracting and deploying top talent to the industry, and matching needs with expertise to create ambitious solutions to real world challenges

We believe that increasing Canada’s productivity and prosperity will be driven by successful innovation and we ’ re passionate about developing the next generation of researchers who will work to fuel Canada’s knowledge based economy

Discover us at mitacs.ca

Did you know that the Government of Canada and Public Services and Procurement Canada are striving to increase the participation of smaller and diverse businesses in federal procurement? Are you interested in learning how to sell your goods or services to the Government of Canada?

Procurement Assistance Canada (PAC), part of Public Services and Procurement Canada, can help! We are here to help smaller and diverse businesses access federal contracting opportunities

Through the Supplier Diversity Action Plan, we are committed to supporting supplier diversity and inclusive socio economic growth

We have six regional offices across Canada that provide a range of services, including seminars and one on one consultations, to businesses who need support navigating the federal procurement process

Small Business Month is here, and Procurement Assistance Canada is excited to participate in events to support businesses across Canada Interested in learning how to sell to the Government of Canada, explore small business support services, and find opportunities to grow your business? Check out these October events in our national calendar. Below is a sample list of events led by the Ontario Region PAC team Many of these events are open to businesses across Canada

Recently, PAC launched a coaching service to support business owners from diverse groups who have had limited success bidding on federal contracting opportunities The coaching service allows them to connect one on one with a Procurement Assistance Canada coach and receive personalized support in navigating the bidding process The goal of the coaching service is to provide the tools these businesses need to find, understand, and respond to procurement opportunities with the Government of Canada.

Check out the coaching service to learn more about business eligibility and the application process.

On November 24 25, 2022, Procurement Assistance Canada Ontario Region will host the annual event: Government to Business (G2B) Information Fair and Workshops This two day virtual conference, which is open to businesses across Canada, will focus on small business support services, innovation, new programs and services, and supporting women led businesses, through a mix of interactive presentations, panels, and networking opportunities

Interested in attending the G2B 2022 conference? Registration will be available soon

Similar events are taking place across Canada Make sure to see our national calendar for more details PAC can help you understand how the government buys goods and services and how you can navigate the process to bid on federal contracting opportunities and grow your business

Contact Procurement Assistance Canada by email or using our national hotline (1 800 811 1148) if you have any questions To reach the Ontario Region office, call 1 800

Saviez vous que le gouvernement du Canada et Services publics et Approvisionnement Canada s ’efforcent d’accroître la participation des petites entreprises, des entreprises diversifiées et des entreprises dignes d’équité à l’approvisionnement fédéral? Voulez vous apprendre comment vendre vos biens ou services au gouvernement du Canada?

Soutien en approvisionnement Canada (SAC), qui fait partie de Services publics et Approvisionnement Canada, peut vous aider! Nous sommes là pour aider les petites entreprises et les entreprises diversifiées à accéder aux possibilités de marchés fédéraux.

Au moyen du Plan d’action pour la diversité des fournisseurs, nous nous engageons à soutenir la diversité des fournisseurs et la croissance socio économique inclusive

Nous comptons six bureaux régionaux partout au Canada qui offrent une gamme de services, y compris des séminaires et des consultations individuelles, aux entreprises qui ont besoin d'aide pour s ’ y retrouver dans le processus d'approvisionnement fédéral Récemment, SAC a lancé un service d’encadrement pour soutenir les propriétaires d’entreprises issus de groupes diversifiés qui ont eu peu de succès dans les possibilités de marchés fédéraux Le service d’encadrement leur permet d’entrer en contact individuel avec un encadreur de Soutien en approvisionnement Canada et de recevoir un soutien personnalisé pour s ’orienter dans le processus de demande de soumissions Le service d’encadrement vise à fournir aux entreprises les outils et les réponses dont elles ont besoin pour trouver et comprendre les possibilités de marchés publics auprès du gouvernement du Canada et pour bien y répondre

Le mois des petites entreprises est arrivé, et Soutien en approvisionnement Canada est heureux de participer à des événements pour soutenir les entreprises de tout le Canada Vous souhaitez apprendre comment vendre au gouvernement du Canada, explorer les services de soutien aux petites entreprises et trouver des occasions de faire croître votre entreprise? Consultez ces prochains événements du mois d’octobre dans notre calendrier national Vous trouverez ci dessous une liste des événements organisés par l’équipe de la Région de l’Ontario de SAC Bon nombre de ces événements sont ouverts aux entreprises partout au Canada.

Les 24 et 25 novembre 2022, l’équipe de la Région de l’Ontario de Soutien en approvisionnement Canada sera l’hôte de l’événement annuel : Foire d’information et ateliers Gouvernement à entreprise (G à E) Cette conférence virtuelle de deux jours, qui est ouverte à toutes les entreprises au Canada, portera sur les services de soutien aux petites entreprises, l’innovation, les nouveaux programmes et services, et le soutien aux entreprises dirigées par des femmes, au moyen de diverses présentations interactives, de tables rondes et de possibilités de réseautage

Vous souhaitez participer à la conférence G à E 2022? L’inscription sera bientôt ouverte

Des événements semblables ont lieu dans tout le Canada Assurez vous de consulter notre calendrier national pour plus de détails SAC peut vous aider à comprendre comment le gouvernement achète des biens et des services et la façon dont vous pouvez vous orienter dans le processus pour répondre aux possibilités de marchés fédéraux et développer votre entreprise

Communiquez avec Soutien en approvisionnement Canada par courriel ou au moyen de notre ligne d'assistance nationale (1 800 811 1148) si vous avez des questions Pour contacter le bureau de la Région de l'Ontario, composez le 1 800 668 5378

A combination of world events have presented labour shortages, supply chain issues, and cybersecurity weaknesses that can cause SMEs to slow, suspend, or even shut down their work. To help business owners understand the risks on the horizon, as well as how to approach them, Capterra surveyed over 500 managers in Canada on the topic.

The business landscape has undergone many changes since the arrival of the “ new normal ” SME owners don’t need to be reminded of the challenges that COVID 19, labour market shifts, and overall digitization trends have brought to their door; many have experienced them firsthand.

Expert advice from those in similar positions can help small business owners prepare for and manage these challenges To collect relevant opinions on business disruptions into a resource decision makers can use, we surveyed 514 managers of SMEs in Canada on their experiences managing a business over the last two years (for a full methodology, scroll to the bottom of this article)

Global supply chains were thrown into disarray with the arrival of the COVID 19 pandemic in 2020 However, many managers of companies that sell products are still struggling with supply chain disruptions Over three quarters, (76%) of those surveyed have experienced this problem in the last year

Most surveyed managers (61%) describe this interruption as a “moderate” one, though 17% say they’ve been impacted significantly Causes of supply chain disruptions varied, but many were connected to the current instability of supply chains (i e supplier enforced order limits, uncertain fulfillment/delivery times, or relying on a single supplier).

Business owners have little to no control over the operations of their suppliers, but they can prepare themselves in case of emergency Considering the possible effects of supply chain disruptions can help managers create a strategy for handling them, minimizing potential consequences

In addition to creating a risk management plan for supply chain issues, SMEs can maintain an up to date database that unites information from suppliers, warehouses, and their own organization Staying on top of supply chain information provides oversight and can even be used to predict upcoming issues Investing in the right digital network is key, such as inventory management systems that enable real time tracking and reporting

Aside from digitizing the inventory process, businesses can also take other measures to offset supply chain related bottlenecks. The majority of decision makers experiencing such setbacks (39%) reported adjusting their product offering based on availability, which helps minimize unfulfilled orders as well as unsatisfied customers Among other actions taken to address supply chain issues:

34% purchased products so as to ensure sufficient inventory

33% ordered larger upfront quantities in advance

32% worked with local suppliers

22% extended lead times

For those experiencing supply chain disruptions, increasing your retail prices is also an option While many companies would consider this an unwelcome change, the reality is that 78% of managers surveyed have planned to or have already increased their prices to offset rising supply chain management costs

The unemployment to job vacancy ratio in Canada is at an all time low, posing an obstacle to businesses in all industries. Over a third of SME leaders surveyed (38%) said this issue has affected their business

The negative implications of the labour shortage go beyond empty desks in the office More than half of those struggling to recruit talent (58%) said they experienced an overload of work on their existing employees, and nearly half (44%) reported a decline in revenue

With undesirable effects on both company culture and their overall profitability, SMEs everywhere are wondering how to address the labour shortage Half of the respondents facing this disruption (50%) have increased their salary offerings to attract more talent Among the more creative solutions companies employed to combat hiring challenges:

35% considered candidates they would not normally consider

32% improved the benefits related to the job

30% advertised open positions on new platforms

26% worked with HR agencies

With many economic experts predicting continued inflation and perhaps even a recession in the future, non salary based solutions to the labour shortage are exactly what SMEs need Seeking advice from human resource professionals is a great place to start, though it can require an investment Free internet resources such as the Capterra blog can also offer expert advice on HR related issues

Seeing as over a third of managers surveyed (36%) say their company has experienced a phishing email over the last year, email security managers are a great option for cyber protection However, careless employees were cited as the most common security vulnerability, exposing a need for specific training to ensure compliance with best practices

In addition to using digital tools and training to keep your organization protected, companies can also create incident response plans to stay focused on business continuity in case a cyberattack should occur

Consumer concerns surrounding data protection are on the rise, as are the risks of ransomware, malware, and other cyber attacks. Although 31% of decision making respondents say they don’t currently have any security concerns, the majority (69%) reported at least one vulnerability

To protect against cyber attacks, most company leaders surveyed are using at least one type of security software tool. The most commonly adopted tools are antivirus software (67), firewalls (56%), data backup tools (51%), and email security managers (43%).

Predicting upcoming challenges as an SME often requires much forethought and planning, which some may not be able to carry out Nearly one in five companies surveyed (19%) thought their companies weren’t investing enough resources in achieving business goals

When focusing on risk awareness and creating an incident response plan, its vital to plan for the possible interruptions that could happen here in Canada Local risks and compliance requirements can even depend upon the province; seek out advice from local resources when trying to monitor and manage potential disruptions

For more research reports focused on Canadian SMEs, visit the Capterra Canada blog.

Best Cloud Services For SMEs in Canada

AppStudio has been a part of the mobile application development industry for over a decade and has witnessed changes, provoked them, and evolved with the flow of time They leverage sustained advancements, process orientation, and R&D investments to stay at the forefront of innovation App Studio is an established cloud service provider with a wide array of products and services that are globally acclaimed

If you are a small business looking for software development techniques as per customer requirements, visit App Studio at https://www.appstudio.ca/.

7Edge

Cloud services refer to a broad range of products and services, such as platforms, infrastructure, or software, hosted by cloud providers and made available to customers online. They make it simple and economical for user data to move from front end clients across the Internet to the provider's systems and back This can be achieved with a computer, an operating system, and an internet connection

Small business owners can use cloud services to improve their operations without investing in additional hardware and manpower to run their businesses Cloud services help keep the business upgraded and modernized without spending much money on upgrades

Here are five best cloud services helping SMEs in Canada

App Studio

App Studio is an innovative app design and development company trusted by leading global brands A cut above the rest, they create unique digital experiences and scalable solutions, thereby inducing higher user engagement

7Edge is the Internet's first company to enable the digital transformation of brands and businesses Their strategic consulting services leverage the best internet trends and technologies for successful business outcomes, and their experts help make insightful decisions and achieve sustainable results.

7EDGE considers the Internet the heart of their operations and believes that the Internet can be a game changing phenomenon for your enterprise in today's global business landscape They are committed to impacting brands and businesses by enabling their Internet journeys through strategic consulting services that align with the best Internet trends and technologies

To expand your business capabilities in an age of rapid digitalization and globalization, visit 7Edge at https://7edge com/

Relevant Software

Relevant Software is an international software development company that designs, builds, and delivers world class standard products for Fortune 500 companies and promising startups They unite outstanding professionals wherever they are in the world Their remote first culture, well built processes, and transparent communication lead to solving business challenges most effectively In addition, they ensure their employees are provided with tools and resources to stay relevant in a fast changing world

They work with a mission to help businesses and startups build the right products cost efficiently and scale their engineering teams with the relevant expertise Their value based work culture strives to achieve maximum efficiency and increase productivity with the fewest resources.

To get game changing insights on technology, the future of work, and management, visit Relevant Software at https://relevant software/

Nile Bits

Nile Bits is a software company that outsources software development and custom software solutions Their outsourcing software services and solutions focus on secure, scalable, expandable, and reliable business systems Their low cost and high quality outsourcing software services provide clients with value for money and satisfaction

They receive, analyze, and manage company requirements to provide suitable software solutions that help businesses In addition, they offer custom software solutions on any scale as they employ the powers of different technologies and combine them seamlessly.

Discover the fastest way to grow your business with the leader in technology at https://www nilebits com/

Cabot Technology Solutions is a value based product engineering IT firm delivering high value and robust solutions using state of the art technologies They have over a decade long track record of successful projects across various industry domains, technologies, and areas of expertise in Canada and the United States

Cabot's team of planners, project managers, developers, designers, and testers have delivered over 500 projects across several industry sectors for diverse clients They envision providing premium software solutions that are the perfect amalgam of design, coding, and integration that have remained a key driver of Cabot's growth

To know the best in class tools, state of the art technologies and modern approaches to help your business, visit https://www cabotsolutions com/

Small business owners can benefit from these cloud service companies' expertise and knowledge to maintain their business efficiently and relevant to the fast changing market trends and operations In addition, through their digitalized applications, cloud services help ease the burden of managing IT systems and offer software options that automate most business operations that typically need time and effort from the human side

Small businesses must utilize all the means that help them optimize business operations To know more about these options, subscribe to CanadianSME Small Business Magazine https://lnkd in/dbqmSKN For the latest updates, visit our Twitter page at @canadian sme

A Few Tips For How To Manage Your Business As A Small Enterprise

“Management is all about managing in the short term, while developing the plans for the long term.”

Jack Welch

The development of a disciplined management strategy is essential for the success of small businesses Even the minute details of a business operation can have an impact on its long term performance Small businesses should therefore develop a system that facilitates their efficient operation and guarantees their continued existence

Here are a few tips to help manage your business as a small enterprise

Maintaining an Organized Business

An organized, structured, and disciplined business operation enhances the efficiency of the enterprise This includes maintaining proper documentation and time management and adopting digitalized and automated technologies Keeping records of copies of all invoices, cash receipts, and cash payments for bookkeeping and tax purposes helps business owners understand and manage their finances easily In addition, uploading them to a central repository makes them easily accessible for future needs.

When these recordings of business operations are digitalized, it simplifies the task and makes it transparent Automating repeatable tasks saves time, and digitalization optimizes accounting, marketing, customer service, and every aspect of business operation An organized business is always easy to manage, can find faults or mistakes faster, and thus helps make business operations efficient.

Building a Strong Team

A strong and efficient team is the foundation and backbone of any successful business Along with talented members who can drive growth and success, the right team also requires trustworthy people Commitment to the team and collaboration of the members is essential for the efficient functioning of a company

The team members should be able to take up respective roles that handle different tasks and responsibilities while focusing on a common goal This division of work helps each person focus on their assigned task, ensuring the completion and quality of work while saving time and energy Hardworking and passionate staff are always an asset to the company and bring a work culture that is based on productivity and teamwork.

Ensuring Quality Customer Service

Customers should always be placed at the center of business planning, and customer service should be the priority of business operations All upgrades should be focused on providing customers with the best and smooth experience In a brick and mortar business, staff should be trained to provide a comfortable shopping experience While in an e commerce setup, the website should be built with an AI chatbot that ensures 24x7 accessibility for the customers.

Small businesses can ensure customer satisfaction by providing discounts, customer incentives, quality products, and efficient delivery services Hence, a customer centric approach that exceeds expectations is always desirable for any business A satisfied customer's word of mouth promotion goes beyond strategic marketing and branding plans

Creating Websites and Social Media Accounts

Small businesses should invest in website development and focus on their social media presence Potential customers tend to check companies and businesses online to get an impression before they visit the store or decide to purchase the product or service A well documented and curated website gives detailed information about the company, their products, and services. It should also be powered by a chatbot that ensures customer service is always available.

Creating social media accounts on all platforms helps small businesses reach out to a wider customer base A consistent digital presence helps in marketing, brand awareness, and advertising This online presence will help brands remain in the consciousness of the customer and build customer relationships In the digital era, websites and social media are inevitable for the growth of small businesses

Engaging in Community Work

Customers always value socially responsible businesses that work with the community and contribute to its betterment Small businesses have close local and community interaction in their sales, and, most often, the community contributes to the growth and success of these businesses Hence, small businesses must work closely with the community to give back and help build a better society

Small businesses can choose to donate a portion of their proceeds to local charities, choose local vendors for their business operations, help raise funds for a cause, or promote sustainable and ethical initiatives These meaningful contributions to the community will prompt customers to associate with and support the business, thus building customer loyalty and trust.

Small businesses should be aware of all available options to help ease and optimize business operations Cost effective and smart work helps in business growth and increases customer base and profitability rather than a money invested strategy These solutions will optimize business management to be effective and efficient

Small businesses should optimize their business management through smart and strategic planning To know more about these solutions, subscribe to CanadianSME Small Business Magazine https://lnkd in/dbqmSKN For the latest updates, visit our Twitter page at @canadian sme