Business Voice Magazine (October 2023) by Halifax Chamber

H A L I FA X C H A M B E R O F CO M M E R C E

A leap of faith Three Halifax area solopreneurs give us a peek into the good, the bad, and the unexpected side of flying solo

Pg 14

OCTOBER 2023

VOLUME 32

ISSUE 7

ADVERTORIAL

Breaking into new markets Applications are now open for the Trade Accelerator Program in Atlantic Canada

f you have an eye to expanding your business’s reach into the export market, look no further than the Trade Accelerator Program (TAP). With its proven track record of having helped more than 1,500 companies across Canada realize their export goals, TAP might just be the expansion solution you’re looking for. The Atlantic chapter of the program, spearheaded by the Halifax Chamber of Commerce in 2018 with help from Invest Nova Scotia, and partial investment by Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada, aims to help businesses through strategic planning and mentorship. Access to intensive workshops,

peer-to-peer exchange, hands-on support from leading Canadian export advisors, and individual mentoring means you’ll be ready to go global after just a few sessions. The program, with an industry value of $5,000, takes place over seven half days, and is offered at no cost to companies thanks to the generous support of our sponsors. The following four phases will be covered over the course of the program: Discover, Develop, Build, and Accelerate. And if you’re wondering why or if you should apply, ask yourself a) If you’d like to explore new markets, B) Grow your business, and C) Build confidence. With more than 71 per cent

of participants now actively exporting in markets including China, India, Mexico, Japan, Sweden, the UK, Italy, and the United States; an average growth of 44 percent in export sales two years after participation; and nearly 90 per cent of participants stating they feel better prepared to do business internationally upon program completion, the answer is clear. Applications are now open for the next cohort, which begins in January 2024. Visit tapatlantic.com to apply and/or view the TAP info session. Virtual formats are available but are region dependent. For more info: www.TapAtlantic.com Ashley Groves ashley@halifaxchamber.com

PROPEL YOUR BUSINESS TOWARDS GLOBAL GROWTH. Apply today for TAP Atlantic. Next cohort begins January 2024.

OCTOBER 2023

TABLE OF CONTENTS

21 04 Event Calendar

Board of Directors — Officers

06 New & Noted

Chris Cowper-Smith, Mable Health and Cedar Point Solutions, Chair Ann Divine, Ashanti Leadership, Vice-Chair Faten Alshazly, WeUsThem, Past Chair Roger Boutilier, Nova Scotia Association of REALTORS Donna Harding, Engel & Völkers Caroline Wolfe Stewart, Nova Scotia College of Nursing

09 Members in the News

Directors

05 President’s Message

14 Cover Story A leap of faith

18 Spotlight Story Regulatory Reform

21 Member Profile James Ingram, Jive Photographic Productions

22 Working for You 27 Trends

Mohammad Ali Raza, Cox & Palmer Hon. Joanne Bernard, Easter Seals Nova Scotia Martha Casey Ifeanyi Emesih, My East Coast Experience Media Group Inc. Nancy Foran, ESG Partners René Gallant, Nova Scotia Power Martina Kelades, Life Out Loud - Mental Health Consulting Wade Keller, Labatt Brewing Captain (N) A.W. MacKenzie, CD, Maritime Forces Atlantic Melissa Mbeba, Delectable Desserts Heath Moore, Grant Thornton David Rideout, MetroWorks Katherine Risley, KBRS & Meridia Recruitment Solutions Kimberly Stephens, Acadian Seaplants Paul Way, TD Private Wealth

Chamber Staff

Patrick Sullivan, President and CEO Becky Davison, Vice President, Marketing Kent Roberts, Vice President, Policy Sandra White, Director of Finance and Administration Emma Menchefski, Communications Manager

BUSINESS VOICE

Volume 32 • Issue 7 Business Voice is published 8 times a year for members of the Halifax Chamber of Commerce and Metro Halifax’s business community. Views expressed in Business Voice are those of the contributors and individual members, and are not necessarily endorsed by, or are a policy of, the Halifax Chamber of Commerce. No part of this publication may be reproduced without written consent of the publisher. While every effort has been made to ensure accuracy, the publisher cannot be held responsible for any errors or omissions that may occur. Please address editorial enquiries and changes to information to: Halifax Chamber of Commerce 100-32 Akerley Boulevard Dartmouth, Nova Scotia B3B 1N1 Tel: 902-468-7111 Fax: 902-468-7333 info@halifaxchamber.com www.halifaxchamber.com Cover Image Credit: Discover Halifax

EVENTS

CHAMBER EVENTS

For a full list of Chamber events, visit: halifaxchamber.com/events

OCTOBER 4

OCTOBER 13

LUNCHEON: A CONVERSATION WITH MIRKO BIBIC, PRESIDENT AND CEO OF BCE AND BELL CANADA

BUSINESS AFTER HOURS: CAA

BUSINESS SUPPORT SERIES: THE IMPACT OF NOVA SCOTIA’S OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH AND SAFETY LAWS TO YOUR BUSINESS

330 JOHN SAVAGE AVE, DARTMOUTH

WESTIN NOVA SCOTIAN PRESENTED BY: BELL CANADA

ONLINE

OCTOBER 18

OCTOBER 19

OCTOBER 25

CHAMBER 101

LUNCHEON & MASTERCLASS: SMALL BUSINESS BIG GROWTH

POWER LUNCH: QUICK START GUIDE TO DIGITAL ACCESSIBILITY FOR NOVA SCOTIA BUSINESSES LAUNCH

HALIFAX CHAMBER OFFICE

THE ATLANTICA HOTEL HALIFAX

HALIFAX CHAMBER OFFICE

ALL MONTH LONG: SMALL BUSINESS MONTH! THANK YOU TO OUR SUMMER SPONSORS:

OCTOBER 2023

PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE

Small but mighty Where would we be without our small businesses?

This issue’s cover story focuses on a specific subset of small business owners: the small and mighty solopreneur.”

PATRICK SULLIVAN PRESIDENT & CEO HALIFAX CHAMBER

elcome to the first full month of fall, and with it a whole month of celebrations for our small business members, who constitute an impressive 86 per cent of the Chamber’s membership. In many ways the backbone of our economy, did you also know that the majority of Canadians first enter the business world through working for a small company? And that small businesses tend to be more innovative than their larger counterparts?

This issue’s cover story focuses on a specific subset of small business owners: the small and mighty solopreneur. Many small businesses start out as solopreneurs, the difference being intention. Entrepreneurs typically have aspirations for some amount of steady growth, while solopreneurs tend to be more focused on the freedom and the control doing it on their own allows them, while still being successful and prosperous. And in terms of what’s happening through the Chamber, check out our Events listings. We’re working with our community partners to offer a variety of events and programs every week throughout the month, including a Small Business Big Growth luncheon and masterclass on October 19 at the Atlantica,

and a Power Lunch Quick Start Guide to Digital Accessibility for Nova Scotia Businesses, here at the Chamber, just to name a few. Stay tuned and keep checking our website for updates. So, remember to support and celebrate our local small businesses. They’ve had a rough go of it over the last few years and need our support as they get back on their feet; standing strong as a business community and a city means making sure our backbone is strong, supported, and in turn, supportive. And as always, if you have ideas or comments to share, please feel free to reach out to me at: president@halifaxchamber.com @prezhfxchamber

More than 250 members joined the Halifax Chamber of Commerce last year. Find out why!

HalifaxChamber.com

BUSINESS VOICE

NEWSMAKERS

NEW & NOTED We welcome our new Chamber members Are you a new Chamber member?

Brenda Kielbratowski

Get listed in New & Noted! Contact Mandi Bowser, Administrative Specialist at mandi@halifaxchamber.com or call (902) 468-7111 to submit.

Halifax Regional Municipality, NS 902-471-8497 brendak@brendak.ca www.brendak.ca REAL ESTATE - Agent

AFRICADIAN EMPOWERMENT ACADEMY

CLEVER FRUIT PRODUCTS LTD.

Tomisin Ayoola

Halifax Regional Municipality, NS 902-719-7346 gerard@cleverfruitproducts.com www.clever fruit products.com INDUSTRIAL & MANUFACTURING Manufacture/Process

Dartmouth, NS 902-434-2255 admin@africadian.org www.africadian.org NOT-FOR-PROFIT GROUPS Not-For-Profit Groups

AFTERWORDS LITERARY FESTIVAL AfterWords, a celebration of books, creativity, critical thinking, and cross-cultural understanding, is the largest literary event in Nova Scotia. For eight days every November, the festival welcomes the best writers from across Canada and beyond to discuss their work and ideas before audiences of all ages, in venues across Halifax. Ryan Turner Halifax, NS 902-229-9010 info@afterwordsliteraryfestival.com www.afterwordsliteraryfestival.com EVENTS - Festivals/Special Events

BRENDA K’S HALIFAX HOME SELLING GROUP An award-winning realtor, Brenda guides her team to prioritize clients needs with the knowledge and experience needed for successful negotiations. Staying updated on market trends and a constant presence on social media, Brenda has also written helpful guides and creates informative videos for YouTube: YouTube.com/HalifaxRealEstate. “We know real estate and we know Halifax!”

Sean Sears

COMEDY STAND Josh Poulain

Halifax, NS 902-266-2481 josh@thecomedystand.com www.thecomedystand.com ARTS, CULTURE & ENTERTAINMENT Entertainment

COUCH OF HOPE Couch of Hope is a non-profit charity that provides free professional mental health counselling to Nova Scotians who are experiencing barriers to receiving services, such as insurance, finances, or waitlists. Jarah Director Dartmouth, NS 902-707-4414 executivedirector@couchofhope.com www.couchofhope.com HEALTH CARE Health Care Services, General

DESIGNING DIVERSITY CONSULTANTS Taryn Della

Halifax Regional Municipality, NS 514-817-3875 tdella@yahoo.com www.designingdiversityconsultants. webs.com COMMUNICATIONS Communications Consulting

GOLDEN OFFICE CLEANING Crystal Key

Halifax Regional Municipality, NS 902-719-5011 crystal@goldenofficecleaning.com www.goldenofficecleaning.com/ INDUSTRIAL & MANUFACTURING Cleaning/Janitorial

GRAPHIC LANGUAGE COMPANY After twenty-two years of ‘’make. believe.’’ branding I fell in love with a magical mash-up of the 17 SDGs, 14 IUCN Red List birds, 12 archetypes, and 1 hero’s journey: things that together matter to brands that matter. I figure together we can mitigate some of the damage we’ve done. Andrew Mackay Halifax, NS 902-220-1495 andrew@graphiclanguage.ca www.graphiclanguage.ca ADVERTISING, PR & MEDIA Marketing

HAPPY HOUR CLUB Courtney Wilson

Cap-Pele, NB 902-499-5059 courtney@happyhourclub.ca www.happyhourclub.ca EVENTS - Event Planning/ Management

OCTOBER 2023

NEWSMAKERS HOLLY WARHUS – EMERGING ARTIST

JAVA BLEND COFFEE ROASTERS

LOOP IN EVENTS

Holly Warhus is a performing artist who has sung liturgical, classical (soprano), and Celtic music. She completed a Bachelor of Arts (Concentration in Music) at Dalhousie University in (year). Holly and has a light, high voice and has been compared to Cookie Rankin of The Rankin Family. Holly aspires to break into the pop music scene.

Doreen MacLean

Halifax, NS 902-423-6944 doreen@javablendcoffee.com www.javablendcoffee.com RESTAURANTS, FOOD & BEVERAGE Coffee Services

Michelle Munro

JOSTENS MARITIMES

MAIDPRO

Halifax, NS hollywarhus@yahoo.com OTHER - Student Member

Jordan Lorette

Halifax Regional Municipality, NS 506-461-6569 jordan.lorette@jostens.com www.jostensmaritimes.ca SHOPPING & SPECIALTY RETAIL Retail (General)

We are a franchise of MaidPro, a professional residential cleaning company with over 250 locations across North America. Our cleaning PROs, with background checks, are bonded and insured. We believe in continuous learning, team collaboration, and individual growth: Committed PROs and happy clients. Cleaning is always deeper with MaidPro. Ayodele Suberu

HOLOS INTEGRATIVE HEALTH Alexis Goth

Halifax, NS 902-240-0994 www.dralexisgoth.com HEALTH CARE - Stress Management

KAZ CONSTRUCTION & RENOVATIONS Phillip Taras

Halifax, NS 902-471-6644 pbktaras@gmail.com REAL ESTATE/CONSTRUCTION Contractor/Construction

BUSINESS VOICE

Halifax, NS 902-719-5799 michellemunro@gmail.com www.loopinevents.com EVENTS - Event Planning/ Management

Halifax, NS 902-580-7106 asuberu@maidpro.com www.maidpro.com INDUSTRIAL & MANUFACTURING Cleaning/Janitorial

NEWSMAKERS MAKE-A-WISH ATLANTIC PROVINCES

NEW START COUNSELLING

SUNRISE CLEANING SERVICES

Make-A-Wish strives to grant the wish of every eligible child – between the ages of three and 17 – living with a critical illness. These life-changing wishes are made possible because of the support, commitment, and generosity of volunteers, donors, and partners within our community. Gillian Dick

Tammy Josey

Dartmouth, NS 902-497-1089 tammy.josey@newstartcounselling.ca www.newstartcounselling.ca HEALTH CARE - Counselling

Brandi Cole

Dartmouth, NS 902-466-9474 Gillian.Dick@makeawish.ca www.makeawish-atl.ca NOT-FOR-PROFIT GROUPS Charitable Organizations

MARITIMES RISK SOLUTIONS Providing risk management solutions for small businesses by helping identify, assess, and mitigate all threats to the achievement of objectives. Through workshops, guided interviews, and discussion, I will help you identify risks to your assets, people, reputation, information, and operations and help you devise ways to cost-effectively manage these risks. Jonathan Nicholls Halifax, NS 902-229-8323 maritimesrisksolutions@gmail.com BUSINESS & PROF. SERVICES Business Advisors

MOUNTAIN WAREHOUSE Mountain Warehouse is the UK’s largest outdoor retailer with over 250 stores nationwide, and more than 350 stores globally, catering to an extensive range of outdoor activities, including walking, hiking, running, cycling, camping and skiing, with a wide range of clothing and equipment for the whole family. Deindre Seaborne Dartmouth, NS 902-616-9362 mountainwarehousedartmouth@ gmail.com www.mountainwarehouse.com/ca SHOPPING & SPECIALTY RETAIL Retail (General)

OKIMAWATIK INC. Michael Hebert

Halifax, NS 902-809-8456 michael@okimawatik.com www.okimawatik.com COMPUTERS, IT & TECHNOLOGY IT Products/Services

PG LEADS AGENCY Peta-Gaye Bookall

Halifax Regional Municipality, NS pebookall@gmail.com ADVERTISING, PR & MEDIA Marketing

PRESTON AREA FOOD NETWORK Kenneth Hudson

North Preston, NS 902-440-3734 hudsonjken@gmail.com www.prestonfoodnetwork.com NOT-FOR-PROFIT GROUPS Associations/Agencies

RVANA CONSTRUCTION & RENOVATIONS LTD. Ribin John

Halifax Regional Municipality, NS 902-489-0203 rvanaconstructions@gmail.com REAL ESTATE/CONSTRUCTION Contractor/Construction

SEABOYER ACCOUNTING & SERVICES Seaboyer Accounting & Services is a full-service accounting firm focusing on small business and corporate accounting, including, but not limited to, payroll, bookkeeping, etc. David Seaboyer Halifax Regional Municipality, NS 902-306-0453 david-seaboyer@hotmail.com www.seaboyeraccounting.ca FINANCE & INSURANCE Accounting OCTOBER 2023

Grand Desert, NS 902-943-2947 Brandi.sunrisehrm@outlook.com www..facebook.com/ sunrisecleaningservicesns/ INDUSTRIAL & MANUFACTURING Cleaning/Janitorial

SUNSHINE CARE HOMES Chris Kennedy

Halifax, NS 902-488-1573 sunshine2@eastlink.ca www.sunshinehomes.ca HEALTH CARE - Health and Wellness

TOUGH MONKEY PHYSICAL TRAINING LTD. Tough Monkey Physical Training Ltd. specializes in violence prevention programs and training. Our personal defence courses prioritize your team’s safety in a violent situation at work, on campus, at home, and in public. When de-escalation fails we help you to escape and get to safety. Book a free consultation today! Marc Gaudet Halifax, NS 902-222-2882 connect@toughmonkey.ca www.toughmonkey.ca SAFETY & SECURITY Occupational Health & Safety

WALLACE MCCAIN INSTITUTE (WMI) - UNB Sally Ng

Fredericton, NB 506-292-7786 sally.ng@wallacemccaininstitute.com www.wallacemccaininstitute.com EDUCATION & PROF. DEVELOPMENT - Prof. Development

NEWSMAKERS

MEMBERS IN THE NEWS How our members are growing Halifax

CHAMBER STAFF MEMBER JOINS CBC ANS COMMUNITY ADVISORY BOARD

LAUREATE INDUCTION CELEBRATES 30 YEARS The Nova Scotia Business Hall of Fame (NSBHoF) proudly commemorates three decades of recognizing influential business leaders who have made a profound impact on the growth and prosperity of Nova Scotia. Inducting the most accomplished and visionary leaders and entrepreneurs, the NSBHoF

celebrates those who have not only achieved remarkable success but also inspired the next generation. By honouring the inductees, the NSBHoF continues to foster entrepreneurship and innovation. Be a part of this legacy by joining us at the Laureate Induction Gala in February 2024.

BUSINESS VOICE

CBC Nova Scotia has selected Chamber Corporate Partnership Specialist and Fumes Co-Founder, Josh Creighton, for a position on the African Nova Scotian community advisory board. Among 25 candidates selected for this role, the position will provide expertise, interest in, and commitment to helping inform the way newsrooms cover stories that matter to African Nova Scotians in urban and rural communities across the province. Congratulations, Josh!

THE PIER PARTNERS WITH BHER TO TRANSFORM WORKFORCES FOR A NET-ZERO ECONOMY The PIER (Port Innovation, Engagement & Research) is partnering with Business + Higher Education Roundtable (BHER) to advance a netzero economy through work-integrated learning. Through this partnership, with support from the Government of Canada, we are developing a highly skilled netzero workforce. Funding from BHER will enable the development and delivery of work-integrated learning (WIL) experiences to more than 500 post-secondary students across the province over a 24-month period, all focused on developing green skills for a net-zero economy. This program will help HPA and The PIER advance workforce transformation in an energy-intensive industry that is committed to reaching net zero targets by 2050. 9

NEWSMAKERS

WCB NOVA SCOTIA WELCOMES KAREN ADAMS AS CEO Karen Adams (she/her) will be WCB Nova Scotia’s new Chief Executive Officer. Saeed El-Darahali, Chair of the WCB’s Board of Directors, made the announcement that Karen’s first day was August 14th. As the WCB begins a new Strategic Plan, in an era of newfound financial sustainability, Mr. El-Darahali says the Board of Directors looks forward to Ms. Adams’ leadership and the opportunities it will bring. “We’re very pleased to welcome someone of Karen’s calibre and experience to lead our organization into a very bright future,” says Mr. El-Darahali. “Karen is a visionary, and a respected leader with a proven track record of leading complex organizations through change and renewal. These are exciting times for the system and for the WCB, and we’re thrilled Karen will lead us through them.”

CO+ OPENS IN DARTMOUTH CO+ is a space to inspire collaboration, create connections, and be part of a confident community. Located centrally, in Dartmouth, it’s co-founded by Good People Business Consulting + Loyal Brand Consulting. Along with their own consulting services and workshops, the space will host curated events supporting overall

personal and professional wellness. With a private Workshop + Studio area available to book, it also opens up the opportunity to deliver your own craft. Designed to inspire collaboration, it’s a space to host meetings, workshops, a wellness practice, or content creation. For more info, follow @the.co.space or visit thecospace.co.

CMHA OFFERING FREE MENTAL HEALTH WORKSHOPS In recognition of Canada’s Healthy Workplace month, the Canadian Mental Health Association Nova Scotia Division (CMHA NS Division) will be offering Changing Minds, an interactive workshop designed to help anyone understand mental illness, its impact, and how to better support a person living with a mental illness. Changing Minds runs between October 26 and December 14, 2023. Classes are held weekly from 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Each participant will receive a virtual e-workbook and a certificate upon completion. To learn more, visit www.novascotia.cmha.ca 10

OCTOBER 2023

NEWSMAKERS

TAKING DOWN BARRIERS The Adaptive Support Fund, one of the programs under Easter Seals Nova Scotia’s Assisted Mobility Pillar Program, aims to help alleviate some of the financial burden on Nova Scotians who are trying to access adaptive supports. This year we are pleased to have been able to help take down barriers and provide funding so that 22 individuals in our community could access the adaptive supports they need to increase their independence. One of our recipients, Holly, a non-verbal three-yearold with autism, received an iPad with specialized apps that will help her learn how to communicate with her family. We’re looking forward to re-opening applications again next April!

CELEBRATING THREE DECADES OF SUCCESS This fall, Alliance World Transport Inc. will mark 30 years of connecting Canadian products to international ports. With an unwavering, unparalleled commitment to clients, partners, and employees, Alliance World Transport has consistently surpassed expectations. For thirty years, they have fostered strong relationships, while also setting the benchmark for reliability and customer service. In welcoming this next chapter, their expertise will ensure they continue to meet the demands of a rapidly changing industry. Alliance World Transport is a Halifaxbased freight forwarder — specializing in Ocean Exports, conveniently located on the Bedford Highway. Congratulations to Alliance World Transport!

CAREERBEACON LAUNCHES NEW SITE The world of work is changing, and so is CareerBeacon. We recently launched phase one of our three-phase modernization initiative which includes improved search functionality and AI enhancements wrapped in a more modern user experience. Since acquiring CareerBeacon in December 2021, we’ve continuously invested in the business,

resulting in a 130% traffic increase and a better overall value proposition. Stay tuned, the next phase will introduce new features and services aimed at helping you find your next great hire! Contact our friendly sales team at sales@careerbeacon.com for more information on CareerBeacon’s evolution and potential Chamber member discount.

POST-SECONDARY STUDENT TO ATTEND BLUE FUTURES PATHWAY EXPEDITION FOR HALIFAX PORT AUTHORITY A fourth-year industrial engineering student will join the Students on Ice Foundation Blue Futures Pathways Expedition to Newfoundland & Labrador this month. Dalhousie University student Elisabet Astatkie will join Dr. Sherry Scully, Director of Workforce Development at The PIER, along with youth from across Canada, Indigenous knowledge-holders, scientists, and industry personnel on a journey that will highlight various career pathways

BUSINESS VOICE

within the Sustainable Blue Economy. Participants will explore different Sustainable Blue Economy concepts, develop skills, connect with mentors and peers, and have impactful discussions about the challenges facing the ocean and waterways. Ms. Astatkie’s involvement through the Halifax Port Authority’s workforce development initiative at The PIER is an extension of the Port’s commitment to building a sustainable, diverse, and equitable workforce.

NEWSMAKERS

RAFFLEBOX EMPLOYEES GIVE BACK Rafflebox recently held an employee volunteer event with our community partner, Nova Scotia SPCA. Our team rolled up their sleeves to clean, stock, and organize the facilities for the day. We were impressed by the extent of the SPCA’s impact, including their work and education programs and services which support

animals across Nova Scotia. At Rafflebox, our team’s passion goes far beyond the funds raised on our platform. We want to support and cheer on charities as they positively impact communities across Canada. We are grateful to partner with thousands of local charities working every day to make our communities stronger.

OFFICE INTERIORS WELCOMES HEIDI CEVALLOS Office Interiors is excited to welcome Heidi Cevallos to their Workspace Planning in Dartmouth. Heidi has a bachelor’s in architecture from the Universidad Católica Santiago de Guayaquil in Ecuador and experience in interior space planning, urban planning, and sustainable building practices. Heidi is passionate about how purposeful building design can reduce the environmental impact of buildings and keeps sustainability at the forefront of all of her work.

5D PARTNERS WITH SCHULICH

LINDSAY CONSTRUCTION WELCOMES NEW EXECUTIVE TEAM MEMBER Lindsay Construction is pleased to announce a new member to the executive team: Robert Cameron has joined the firm as Director of Business Development. Born and raised in Antigonish, Robert is a graduate of both St. Francis Xavier University and McGill University. He brings 20 years of leadership experience in Health Care. Having 12

worked for a national corporation, Robert’s focus completely aligns with Lindsay Construction culture and values. He is excited to join a company that values employee well-being, philanthropy, and community involvement alongside quality construction projects that are important to the region.

OCTOBER 2023

5D Corporate Teaching & Learning Centre has partnered with Schulich ExecEd, Schulich School of Business, York U. This agreement combines leading educational programs to offer corporate management a world-class educational experience. With education playing an increasingly critical role in every aspect of growing the capacity of a business’s workforce, companies recognize they need unique leadership programs that can accelerate the development of employees. The 5D – Schulich ExecEd brings together a broad range of leadership expertise to foster the leadership talent that lies within an individual, moving them towards an exemplary level of leadership through a successful transformation.

NEWSMAKERS

NEWS FROM LIVE ART DANCE Live Art Dance is Atlantic Canada’s premier presenter of contemporary dance, delivering diverse performances from local, national, and international artists. We welcome Liliona Quarmyne, incoming Artistic Director of Live Art Dance!, and are thrilled to begin this new chapter with her. Thank you to outgoing Artistic Director, Randy Glynn, for seven years of superb leadership, despite challenging times.

In addition, we are seeking someone who has an interest in the arts and finances. Someone with a background in financial management, accounting, bookkeeping, general finance, or nonprofit treasury would be an ideal candidate. Contact info@liveartdance.ca to join the board.

BUSINESS VOICE

THE WELL LAUNCHES A NEW HUMAN-CENTERED MARKETPLACE FOR ACCOUNTING AND BUSINESS SERVICES Since its 2014 inception, The Well has grown into the nation’s first humancentred marketplace and one of Canada’s most experienced professional gig labour force advisors. “On top of all the growth this year, we’ve also found time to do research and double down on our system’s IP,” says Glenn Swan, COO and founding partner of The Well. “And in doing that, we discovered that our proprietary two-roster system and 22-point-vetting process not only outperforms everything in the market but has application beyond marketing and tech services. Today we’re happy to open up our accounting and business services vertically.” Just like the marketing and tech platform, The Well Accounting maintains the two-roster set-up and features project and fractional specialists, including fractional CFOs, general accountants, process automation specialists, controllers, and bookkeepers.

COVER STORY

A leap of faith

Three Halifax area solopreneurs give us a peek into the good, the bad, and the unexpected side of flying solo By Pam Sullivan Lisa Calvi

OCTOBER 2023

COVER STORY

A 2019 Statistics Canada survey showed that in 2018, 2.9 million Canadians were self-employed, up from 1.2 million in 1976. So, what better time than during small business month to introduce you to a cross-section of hard-working Haligonians who’ve decided to go it alone, and in so doing, have found, if not always their “happy place,” at the very least, a place of pretty good job and life satisfaction.

local food truck business owner, a cross-culture psychologist by way of New Zealand, and a health specialist, originally from St. Petersburg, Russia, all walk into a bar … or in this case, the world of a small business operation here in Nova Scotia.

Halifax’s first mobile smoothie business Running her own business is no joke to Rhonda Beals. The local owner of Mr. Smooth (mrsmooth.ca), along with husband, Ron, and son, Jeremy, has been in operation for 20 years. Mr. Smooth, which started out with, as Beals says, “just a table,” has now become a thriving business, with two mobile trucks serving not only smoothies, but an extensive grill menu, offering everything from chili cheese fries to a BLT chicken burger. They’ve also recently started up a fledgling catering business and are running a school cafeteria; recalling the old expression of asking a busy person when you want something done. Originally hailing from East and North Preston, the Beals’ say that life on wheels offers them a sense of freedom they never felt when working for someone else. And after almost 20 years of working regular full-time jobs — Ron as a truck driver and out west in the oil fields, and Rhonda as a travel agent — while also running Mr. Smooth on the side, two years ago they decided to make the leap into full-time mobile smoothie and food sales, and both say it was absolutely the right move. “We decided to make that leap, because we were tired of working for other people,” Beals says. We were seeing our business grow and become more successful, so it seemed like the right time. And let’s face it, we’re not getting any younger.” Twenty years ago, the couple started by working festivals and events throughout the Maritimes and staffing kiosks at The Halifax Brewery and Halifax Famer’s market. Seven years ago, they made the decision to go fully mobile.

A family affair With two mobile units on the road now, business is booming. And with a son with marketing and online smarts — who’s recently come onboard as a partner — as well as three other full-time staff, Halifax’s first smoothie truck is going strong. But as with any business, there are challenges, which in this case, say the couple, have come in the form of staffing and the sourcing of ingredients. Beyond that, they tell me, was the frustration of securing financing and feeling supported by local business-forward organizations.

The upside for us is that is that we get to work together as a family, we get to be a team all way ‘round. Also, as Black business owners we get to, you know, be a positive role model for youth in our community, and for others looking to start a business.” — Ron Beals,

Co-Owner, Mr. Smooth

“One of the biggest challenges for us, as Black business owners, is sourcing financing,” Beals says. “As a result, we decided to do everything for ourselves – out of our own pocket.” Despite difficulties, though, the couple say things are looking brighter in terms of Black businesses getting a foothold in the market. BUSINESS VOICE

“It’s getting a lot better now, we’re starting to see more mentors, for ourselves and others, which is extremely important for us,” Rhonda says. And beyond the many missed weekend family events that life with a food truck doesn’t allow, and the feeling that there are “never enough hours in the day” when you work for yourself, the positives still outweigh the more challenging aspects of the job. “The upside for us is that is that we get to work together as a family, we get to be a team all way ‘round,” Ron Beals says. “Also, as Black business owners we get to, you know, be a positive role model for youth in our community, and for others looking to start a business.” Being able to give back, along with their strong sense of faith, are main motivators for both Beals, who say, from day one, that sharing their good fortune was an important part of their original plan. “We’re starting to be able to give back to the community, and to underprivileged youth, through sponsoring sports, holding workshops, that type of thing,” she says. “And that means everything to us.”

From Canuck to Kiwi and back again Coming from the other end of the work spectrum is cross cultural psychologist, Adrienne Girling. Recently finding herself back in Halifax after a 14-year stint in New Zealand, the Ontario native, and Dal alumni, came back to Nova Scotia in 2022 for family reasons, and once here, decided to give soloproneurship a try. “I worked with the New Zealand government for seven years leading and doing equity, diversity and inclusion work, and when I came here, I wanted to continue working in that area, so I started to meet people and network.” Girling says that the idea of selfemployment came out of necessity more than anything else. “It was difficult to find work, so I thought, how else can I make a living while doing the work that I love. And so, 15

COVER STORY

came up with the idea of going into business for myself, and becoming a consultant,” she says. Still considering herself in the startup phase, Girling says for her the marketing side of getting up and running was and is the most difficult side of the self-employment game. Recently having accepted a full-time role with the provincial government after eight months of trying to make a go of it as a solopreneur, Girling says she has no immediate plans to pull her self-employment shingle in. And when discussing the challenges she faced during those eight months: specifically, finding clients and marketing herself, she also says the opportunities to network with like-minded individuals and learn new skills were an exciting part of the process. “I’ve really liked meeting people and going to networking events, which may sound a little strange because a lot of people don’t, but it was the online marketing I needed to do more of, which I found more of a struggle than the in-person,” she says. “Defining what my business looks like, who my customers are, and getting creative, that’s all been really exciting.” And the more difficult side of working for herself will likely resonate with anyone who’s been their own boss. “The worst part, I’d say, is getting self-motivated on those days when you’re having a moment, or a bad week; having doors shut in your face,” Girling says. A partial antidote to that, she says, would be more contact and possible partnerships with other consultants going through similar challenges, which she says would help create a support network of sorts to bolster you on those days when you feel overwhelmed by the solo nature of the whole endeavour. “Through the Chamber, I’ve met other consultants, which has been great. That’s part of what I’ve loved about the process, and meeting casually over a drink, or catching up for a coffee; just sharing and relating, or getting or giving advice,” she says. “There were quite a few events that I went to at the Chamber, actually, that I found really useful, even just to spark you to go on and try something new.” And when asked if her long term plans include a future of solopreneurship either here or in New Zealand, she says likely a bit of everything. 16

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Through the Chamber, I’ve met other consultants, which has been great. That’s part of what I’ve loved about the process, and meeting casually over a drink, or catching up for a coffee; just sharing and relating, or getting or giving advice.” — Adrienne Girling, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Consultant “My partner and I became grandparents in January, so I think it’ll be hard to be this far away for too long, so we’re thinking maybe five or so more years here, but then likely back to New Zealand, where she’s originally from,” Girling says. “Consulting will be trickier now that I’m working full time, but I plan to continue working in diversity, equity, and inclusion, and part of that will be as a solopreneur.” OCTOBER 2023

Putting a spring in your step Switching gears from smoothies and EDI to a local business focusing on ageing, not only gracefully, but as well as possible, is SpringStart Health and Fitness. Owner/operator, Nadia Farbstein, a native of St. Petersburg, Russia, who has called Halifax home since 2000, says Halifax represented a beautiful, safe

COVER STORY

place to raise her then 12-yr-old daughter. A background in biotechnology and microbiology, says Farbstein, sets her firmly in the science camp in terms of understanding the human body and the ageing process. “My business looks at ageing youthfully. I’m helping people to have a better quality of life, and more confidence; to live better by developing the link between physical and mental health,” she says. After a career in research, in December 2019, Farbstein, with the help of Nova Scotia Works and the Centre for Entrepreneurship Education and Development (CEED), was persuaded to look at launching a second career in fitness. “I had a tremendous case manager who suggested I start looking for employment in fitness. I wanted to continue with research, but then decided to give this a go, instead” she says. Farbstein, an avid runner and crosstrainer, says an athletic background, with over 20 years of experience, including coaching recreational gymnastics in Vancouver and Halifax, when her daughter was young, made her a good candidate for where she currently finds herself. “While working with the kids, I did connect with quite a few families. And as it turned out, I realized I actually had the ability to change not only kids’ lives, but adult ones as well,” she says. Holding classes out of a fully renovated home studio, Farbstein says she’s tried to create a space for clients to not only feel welcome but to embrace the idea of getting stronger and happier as they age. “Business is going well, and at this point I realized that what I’m doing is actually really working. I’m helping clients to change their outlook on life: to become stronger and more energetic,” she says. Though admittedly not an easy market to break into, given the number of large, well-known gyms already in operation, Farbstein says consistent marketing through her website (springstart.ca) and Facebook, as well as talking to people directly, including to the children of older parents, is getting the word out about her business. “It’s important to break through the potential customer reluctance to spend money on health and fitness, which I do through education, teaching people why it’s important to stay strong,” she says. “Because when it comes to the point of

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My business looks at ageing youthfully. I’m helping people to have a better quality of life, and more confidence; to live better by developing the link between physical and mental health.” — Nadia Farbstein, Owner, SpringStart Health and Fitness no return, the quality of life deteriorates, and nobody will be able to help.” And getting out of a lab and into a home gym seems to suit Farbstein just fine; giving her an enviable level of freedom and flexibility. “I can set up appointments with clients around what’s going on in my life; what’s convenient for them and for me,” she says. In terms of support for getting off the ground, Farbstein, who financed her home renovation herself, says the Chamber was a big part of the positive push it took to get things off the ground. “One of my big supporters is the Halifax Chamber of Commerce. Really BUSINESS VOICE

great. I’m grateful for being welcomed and supported, and for them giving me the feeling that I had a goal,” she says. A life filled with fitness, positivity, and as of late, searching out local waterfalls, seems to suit Farbstein just fine. Living her best life is perhaps the best marketing she could do. “Being the person I am, with my Russian upbringing, I’m very warmhearted. I have a good rapport with my clients, and some of them are becoming good friends, as well,” she says. “And ultimately, if I can change the life of my clients, I’m planning to do that. I’m on a mission to make the world a happier place.” 17

SPOTLIGHT

Contributed

Policy matters: regulatory reform Quick insights to help your business succeed Contributed by the Canadian Chamber of Commerce

e talk a lot about regulatory burden here at the Canadian Chamber of Commerce because it is consistently one of the biggest barriers to economic growth that we see across sectors.

So, what IS it exactly? In a Nutshell “Regulations” are the government rules that legally dictate what businesses are allowed to do when it comes to producing, manufacturing and selling their goods and services. The OECD lists three general types: • Economic regulation is meant to improve the efficiency of delivering goods and services to markets and 18

customers. It can include governmentimposed restrictions on things like prices, quantity, service and imports and exports. • Social regulation is meant to protect the well-being and rights of society. It can include protection of the environment, health and safety in the workplace, workers’ rights, and consumer protections against things like fraud. • Administrative regulation relates to general government management of the operation of the public and private sectors. It can include regulations relating to taxes, business operations, distribution systems, health care administration and intellectual property rights. OCTOBER 2023

THE POLICY PROBLEM Well-designed and well-implemented regulations can be one of the government’s tools to grow the economy and help keep Canadian citizens and our environment safe. Unfortunately, Canada has a complex network of overlapping regulations from all levels of government that make a lot of things more expensive and difficult than they need to be for businesses. Complying with all these layers of regulations is also time-consuming, and combined with inefficient and unpredictable regulatory processes, Canadian businesses are not set up for success. Every hour and every dollar spent

SPOTLIGHT

dealing with redundant paperwork and confusing compliance issues is an hour or dollar not spent on running and growing a business. This is especially true for small businesses, which often lack the specialized staff and financial resources of larger companies to deal with regulation and compliance. Let’s look at a few examples of how regulatory burdens can impact the economy:

Transportation The approval process for trade-enabling transportation infrastructure projects can take upwards of 10 years due to inefficient regulatory processes. By stalling on the approvals that would put shovels in the ground on projects like twinning railways, increasing bridge capacity and modernizing shipping ports, Canada and Canadian businesses lose out on billions in annual revenue. We need to be able to get things like food, fuel, fertilizer and critical minerals to domestic manufacturers, ports and international markets. If we can’t move Canadian goods, we can’t sell them, and that’s bad news for everyone.

Every hour and every dollar spent dealing with redundant paperwork and confusing compliance issues is an hour or dollar not spent on running and growing a business.”

standards, professional certifications and securities regulation. As a result, businesses have to deal with different sets of rules and processes in each province, and for many, this causes serious barriers to business or opting out of interprovincial trade all together – this reduces Canada’s GDP by billions of dollars every year.

Talent & the Workforce Contributed

In a global economy, regulatory burdens are especially problematic. The more red tape a business runs into in any given country, the less likely they are to stay– they can take their business and job opportunities elsewhere. And where

the opportunities go, so too does the talent. Canada is at risk of losing not just businesses, but the next generation of talented and innovative workers to other countries.

Canada and the United States The United States is our primary ally and trading partner – a huge amount of goods come and go across the border every day – which makes regulatory differences between the two countries especially problematic. Different rules or processes create unnecessary supply-chain slow-downs and add costs for exporting companies. We also compete

Net-zero A predictable, consistent regulatory framework is crucial for Canada to hit its net-zero targets. Key words – “predictable” and “consistent”. The transition to net-zero can’t happen overnight and businesses need time to prepare, make the necessary investments and gradually adjust their operations. Unfortunately, Canada’s convoluted, shifting goal posts and regulations make long-term business planning extremely challenging. This uncertainty also impacts our ability to attract the kinds of global investments we need for our natural resources sector to help develop clean fuels like natural gas, hydrogen and sustainable biofuels. We need to convince investors that Canada is a safe bet – the uncertainty around netzero regulations is doing anything but.

PRESENTED BY

Interprovincial Trade Nearly 25% of businesses who trade interprovincially cite red tape as a major obstacle to doing business within Canada. Over decades of regulation making, provinces and territories have introduced differing rules and standards that impact nearly every sector. They affect areas like trucking and transportation standards, food packaging and labelling BUSINESS VOICE

SPOTLIGHT

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with the United States for investment. We want companies to open headquarters here, create jobs for Canadians and contribute to our economy – but when they can do that at a cheaper price tag and with less of a headache south of the border due to more business-friendly regulations, all Canadians lose.

POLICY SOLUTION Considering Canada’s alarmingly low level of economic growth – our GDP is projected to grow by only 1.4% this year and 1.3% in 2024 – we literally can’t afford the regulatory burdens facing Canadian businesses. The solution? Regulatory reform (aka regulatory modernization). A modern, streamlined regulatory process is a thing of beauty, removing barriers and allowing businesses to stay competitive and maximize their growth while protecting the welfare of Canadian citizens. This looks like improved environmental, social and economic protections, while simultaneously increasing investment growth and the number of jobs for Canadians – win-win! We can’t just talk the talk when it comes to regulatory reform – we need to see real action that will move the needle. How do we do it? We’ve got lots of ideas – here are just a few: 20

Collaboration A holistic, whole-of-government approach that coordinates action across all departments and provides ongoing resources for research and analysis of new and better approaches to designing and implementing regulations. Regulatory departments and agencies need to work together to examine the regulatory systems of their respective jurisdictions and work with the private sector to identify areas for improvement and better alignment.

Trade Establish a registry of interprovincial trade barriers. A public registry will both educate Canadians on the barriers to interprovincial trade and compel governments to defend why such barriers are justified within our national economy -transparency is key! Reduce regulatory barriers between the U.S. and Canada by renewing the work of the Regulatory Cooperation Council.

Economic Launch a comprehensive independent review of the tax system-Canada needs to make our tax system more modern, simple, and fair to win the competition for global investment. OCTOBER 2023

Develop a common definition for “net-zero aligned investment” by governments and include emission reduction estimates alongside policies. Make it mandatory for regulating bodies and agencies to look at all regulations with an economic and competitive lens. There is currently a siloed approach where a particular department only looks at the regulations from their own perspective i.e. health, environment etc. We need to consistently be looking at regulations holistically, from all angles, including from an economic point of view.

WHAT’S NEXT? Concerned about regulatory burdens and want to know how your business can act? Here are a few ways to get involved: Write or request a meeting with your federal MP(s) or provincial/territorial government representative to voice your concerns if your business is being impacted by regulatory burdens. Consider joining your local chamber of commerce or board of trade. By joining, you can add your voice to the development of policy and advocacy positions that drive business success. Simply Google your town/city + “chamber of commerce” or “board of trade” to find your local chamber or visit our membership page.

MEMBER PROFILE

Putting the cart before the horse James Ingram’s passion for what he does and ability to pivot has served him well for over 20 years By Pam Sullivan

few well-worn expressions come to mind when speaking with James Ingram, of Jive Photographic Productions (jivephotographic.com); among them, three stand out: learn to roll with the punches; adapt or die; and do what you love, and you’ll never work a day in your life. The Halifax photographer/videographer, in business for over 20 years, says he was never a good student; that is, until he picked up a camera. “I was an enormously bad student. I went through high school and didn’t know what to do. I reluctantly went to Mount Saint Vincent and got a degree, but still directionless,” Ingram says. “And then, at 25, my girlfriend (now wife) gave me a camera and I couldn’t put it down.” Ingram says he’d never reacted to anything so strongly, and knew, from that moment, what he wanted to do with his life. After enrolling in and completing an NSCC photography program, in the late 90s Ingram says he found an office/ studio in the Roy building and started working in the very lucrative world of the big agencies. “Back in the late 90s-early 2000s there were tonnes of agencies. Big ones like Bristol. There were also a lot of national clients here at that time, like Bell Aliant and Moosehead, and on and on,” he says. Working primarily as a solo agent, in 2013-14, says Ingram, he started to pick up on the popularity of video, thanks to its new accessibility and affordability. “It used to be hard to get into video because of the high cost and level of skill needed, but then that all went away with the advent of digital,” he says. With a love of movies, and a “why not” attitude, Ingram decided to take the plunge into video, and ten years on, it represents the larger part of his business — with Jive handling video production at

As someone who works for yourself, you’re just like, okay, those opportunities have lessened, so where are the other opportunities? You just go find them.” — James Ingram,

Jive Photographic Productions

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all levels. Between the photographic side of things, and, increasingly, the video element, Ingram’s fortunes were on the rise. Then March 2020 hit. “During the pandemic, we thought we were going to have to work as Walmart greeters,” he says. “Nothing wrong with that, obviously, but we decided we had to hunker down and do what entrepreneurs do best … improvise.” In this case, improvisation came in the form of a podcast — one of many born out of the forced inactivity and job losses of COVID. The idea, he says, was to get out in front of people who might hire them, and in January 2022, Make My Logo Bigger podcast (www.podcasts.apple. com/ca/podcast/make-my-logo-bigger/ id1605165180) made its digital debut. Currently on Apple podcasts, Ingram speaks to other creative professionals about “... life and the perks and struggles of working with art.” BUSINESS VOICE

The particular punch delivered by COVID has turned into a blessing for Ingram and Jive Photographic Productions, and work is once again on the uptick. “We seem to have a lot of work coming and going and I’m looking at a new hire based on the strength of our podcast and the social media contracts we’re also doing,” he says. One thing which seems sure is that some cliched expressions, as worn as they may be, still hold true for those individuals daring enough to keep getting up and adapting to changing and challenging times. And that, in a nutshell, is James Ingram. “As someone who works for yourself, you’re just like, okay, those opportunities have lessened, so where are the other opportunities? You just go find them,” he says. “I’m usually the one who puts the cart before the horse and then tries to figure it out, but so far, that’s worked. 21

WORKING FOR YOU

A hole in the dam How the removal of excessive regulatory burdens can save us money and solve critical problems.

NICK CUNNINGHAM POLICY ANALYST, HALIFAX CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

f you’re a business owner, you are no stranger to the term red tape. It’s the confusing rules, paper burden, and bad customer service that business owners face every day. Latest estimates have pegged the cost of red tape to the Canadian economy at $30.5 billion dollars a year. This is based on the countless hours that business owners waste filling out redundant paperwork and sitting on phones talking to robots who direct their calls to the nearest voicemail — that’s usually full. Anyone who has ever attempted to open the Pandora’s Box of red tape quickly realizes the depth and complexity of the problem, which is why the needle is so hard to move. But that’s not to say its unsolvable; every so often there is a glimmer of hope. In the latest win for the war on red tape, the NS College of Nurses may have resolved what hundreds of millions of dollars could not. In March of 2023, the College of Nurses announced that it was taking new measures to make it easier for nurses from other parts of Canada, and around the world, to work in Nova Scotia. The approval process, which went from five days to 24 hrs. for Canadian nurses and from one year to a few weeks for international nurses, led to approximately 10,000 applications, with roughly 5,000 estimated to be approved this year. The announcement represents a first-inCanada approach to fast-tracking nurse applications and has taken a huge bite out of the healthcare labour shortage problem. During a time where our healthcare system has been plagued by terrible stories about emergency room deaths, doctor waitlists and staff burnout, this might just be the single greatest piece of news Nova Scotia healthcare has had in many years. Also in March 2023, the Province invested over $300 million dollars in providing Nova Scotian nurses with a

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Latest estimates have pegged the cost of red tape on the Canadian economy at $30.5 billion dollars a year.” $10,000 bonus in hopes that it would stem the outflow of workers and attract 2,000 additional nurses to the province. While the bonus may have helped retain some nurses who were contemplating resignation, it only attracted roughly 150 nurses, far short of the province’s target. While the College of Nurses approach should be recognized as the new shinning example of red tape reduction, hopefully the outcomes of the nursing bonus investment has set off alarm bells for every government official, department, or regulatory board across the country — both in terms of efficient spending as well as the impact of excessive bureaucracy. This is not a criticism of the decision to try and incentivize workers with additional pay. Given the choice of a $10,000 bonus or a streamlined application process, a large bonus would seem to be the more practical option to attract labour. So, what happened? A possible explanation for the less than expected outcome may be found in Daniel Kahneman’s 2010 paper, where he discovered that more money does not necessarily buy more happiness. Kahneman found that there is a threshold of earnings beyond which OCTOBER 2023

further increases in income no longer improve an individual’s ability to do what matters most to their emotional well-being; including spending time with people they like, avoiding pain and disease, and enjoying leisure. The other explanation may be that our application processes for nurses throughout Canada is so riddled with red tape that a new streamlined process finally opened a hole in the dam, which a torrent of applicants then rushed through. So, the next logical question should be how and where can we replicate this? Our past two provincial budgets have been focused on improving healthcare, but with over 150,000 Nova Scotians still waiting for a family doctor, perhaps we should be looking more deeply at the approval process within the N.S. College of Surgeons and Physicians before we spend hundreds of million of dollars. We may not be able to compete on a salary basis (for physicians here in Nova Scotia) compared to other parts of North America, but perhaps we could make it the fastest, cheapest, and easiest place to get licensed in Canada, while simultaneously improving the emotional well-being of our health care professionals.

WORKING FOR YOU

Building business resilience Halifax Partnership helps businesses bounce back

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JASON GUIDRY, DIRECTOR, TRADE & INTERNATIONAL PARTNERSHIPS

hen disaster strikes, businesses are often met with urgent and unprecedented needs. This year alone, business owners have weathered several significantly impactful events that interrupted regular operations. Following the wildfires and floods, many businesses found they did not have the necessary plans in place to quickly navigate these unexpected disruptions. To help you develop a plan that will get your business from response to recovery more quickly, our SmartBusiness team has developed a comprehensive Business Continuity toolkit. Launched in 2020 as part of our COVID-19 Economic Response and Recovery Plan, this stepby-step guide is being used by businesses who want to be better prepared for whatever disruptions may come their way.

COVID-19 and the recent wildfires and floods showed us just how quickly things can change for businesses. From closures and supply chain interruptions to transportation restrictions and staffing challenges, businesses were faced with countless issues during a continuously evolving situation. By using our toolkit small and medium-sized businesses like yours can: •

Understand your critical business processes.

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Examine how each area of business activity is affected by any major disruption.

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Prioritize the options for assessing risks and recovering from disruptions.

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Communicate challenges and train your employees.

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Develop a step-by-step response and recovery plan so you have appropriate solutions to safeguard your operations.

BUSINESS VOICE

With our changing climate we are seeing more frequent disruptions due to natural disasters such as hurricanes, wildfires, and floods. Having a plan in place before disaster strikes will help you deal with any situation more quickly, leading to a faster, more cost-effective recovery for your business while still keeping you connected to your customers. “Hope for the best, but plan for the worst” is sound advice, and by implementing a business continuity plan, you will be ready for whatever comes next. Halifax Partnership’s SmartBusiness team works with small- and medium-sized businesses across the Halifax region to connect them to the resources they need to overcome barriers to growth and help them succeed. For more information, visit halifaxpartnership.com or contact Jason Guidry at jguidry@halifaxpartnership.com.

WORKING FOR YOU

Does medical necessity depend on your province? It’s time to change inequality of medical device access across Canada

CHRIS COWPER-SMITH PHD, EXECUTIVE CHAIR, MABLE HEALTH, FOUNDER, SPRING LOADED TECHNOLOGY & CHAIR, HALIFAX CHAMBER BOARD

anadians needing access to medical devices ranging from artificial limbs (i.e., prosthetics) to hearing aids often face a complex and expensive process to ensure they can live an accessible life. This is due to substantial variability across the provinces and territories in the definitions, regulations, and available funding for essential medical equipment. The variability of medical device access across the country means Canadians living in one province can receive vastly different care than those living in another. For example, if you live in Nova Scotia, full coverage is possible for prosthetic limbs, but only if that care is provided through the Nova Scotia Rehab. By comparison, Ontario offers partial coverage, Alberta offers full coverage, and New Brunswick offers nothing. Similar variability exists across the provinces for other medical devices. It’s time for us to ask why we accept so much variability of access to essential medical equipment across the country. Under the Canada Health Act, all provinces must cover the cost of ‘essential healthcare’. However, the definition of 24

what’s essential is left to the provinces for care that is delivered outside a hospital setting, even if that care was prescribed for within a hospital. This means that the quality of care received by Canadians varies, sometimes dramatically and quite arbitrarily, depending on the province they live in. Is an elective knee replacement surgery somehow more medically necessary than a prosthetic leg? Why does an amputee have to dip into their life savings for the ability to walk again while someone with knee arthritis doesn’t? Depending on where they live, patients requiring a prosthetic device have three potential routes to access funding in Canada: 1. Provincial healthcare funding 2. Private insurance 3. Charitable sources Due to long-outdated fee schedules and a lack of clarity around what is covered (or not), securing that funding is often a complex process involving detailed applications, appeals, and negotiations around eligibility. All of this leads to inefficiencies in care delivery and creates an environment where it’s common for clinicians and their teams to spend dozens of hours attempting to obtain coverage for their patients. Wouldn’t it be more valuable if this time were dedicated to helping more patients?

Why is this important? 1. Patients are Suffering. An inability to walk is debilitating enough. A lack of adequate treatment leads to a wide range of secondary health complications ranging from congestive heart failure to metastatic cancer and stroke. 2. The Economic Burden of Inadequate Care. The cost of secondary health complications increases at an exponential rate. In the case of diabetic foot ulcers, OCTOBER 2023

an appropriate orthotic device capable of offloading the ulcer and dramatically reducing the risk of amputation is approximately $1500-$2500. If appropriate care isn’t received and a patient requires amputation, the procedure will cost the health care system approximately $18,000. Costs continue to climb thereafter. 3. Barriers to Accessing Health Care Innovation. The complexity of obtaining provincial coverage for new medical devices in Canada deters domestic and international manufacturers from bringing their products to market. Even home-grown medical device companies, often funded with millions in tax dollars, routinely skip commercializing their devices in Canada, choosing instead to pursue larger markets with simplified regulatory and reimbursement pathways.

What can we do to solve these challenges? 1.

Create a national standard: Set and enforce a national standard that aligns funding levels for medically necessary devices across the country. 2. Establish legislation: Establish legislation that prohibits insurers from creating and selling policies with arbitrary caps on medically necessary devices. 3. Simplify Coverage: Streamline the application and approval process for new medical devices seeking coverage through Canada’s public health care system. It’s time to insist on higher standards of care for individuals living with disabilities. Aligning funding and simplifying coverage across the country will provide improved access, better efficiency, and reduce overall healthcare costs. Please feel free to contact the Chamber if you’d like access to any of the articles or papers referenced for this piece.