20 The Mission Record Thursday, October 10, 2013
BusinessTRACK Mission Chamber of Commerce
connect • influence • prosper
Small Business – It’s the Economy! O ctober celebrates small business across Canada and statistics are flying fast and furious on the impact small business has in the economy. 98.1% of all businesses in Canada have less than 100 employees and was responsible for 53.9 of all jobs created from 2001-2011. 615,599 (54.9%) of those businesses have less than 4 employees. In BC, 385,100 small businesses account for 98% of all businesses in the province and 82% of these have less than five employees. Over one million people are employed in BC, accounting for 56% of private sector employment; that is 32% of all wages paid to workers in BC. In Mission the numbers are even higher as 83% of all business licenses in Mission have less than 5 employees. This accounts for more than 90% of private sector employment in Mission businesses. Most susceptible to shifts in the economy, small business needs to be flexible, current, and resilient. Entrepreneurial in nature, Mission businesses that have survived the 2008 downturn reflect this spirit with innovation. Chamber member and local small business, Nutek Sign Creations, exemplifies these traits as it was able to secure national contract work. Its first connection with large marketing companies based in Ontario was through their listing in the Chamber business directory. “We were told that our listing in the directory was the sole reason for being contacted.” noted Dave Sawatzky, owner, Nutek Sign Creations. “Local work has led to work in Coquitlam, Langley and Surrey. It created connections with other large firms in Toronto and Montreal which has grown our business substantially.” Winner of the Mission Business Excellence Power of Small Award, Nutek Signs continues to innovate and diversify to create value for its clients and sustainable employment in Mission. Showing market flexibility, Business Excellence Intrapreneurial Excellence Award winner, Mission Springs Brewing Company, has expanded to serve the Korean market. With less than 100 employees, the Springs has
an outlet in Seoul, Korea and ship their craft beer every two weeks to feed the thirsty overseas market. They join 5,077 other BC small businesses that ship over $16 billion globally. This innovative entrepreneurial energy in the community also meets local needs. The Mission City Business Centre was the brain child of Ann Harper, CA, who operated as a home based business. Ann looked to enter the store front market but needed to have critical mass to grow. By developing a business centre where other service providers can hub, Ann has been able to grow her own practice while providing offices and virtual offices for several small businesses. “I wanted to eliminate the fear of unknown costs and ability to drive business for those looking to grow from their home based business roots.” comments Ann Harper. Supporting these made in Mission opportunities, the Mission Chamber of Commerce continues to advocate for the reduction of red tape that inhibits the growth of small business such as the regional mobile business license for the Fraser Valley and BizPal. At a recent Chamber breakfast MLA Marc Dalton (Mission/Maple Ridge) noted that more than 15,000 impediments have been removed for small business in the last 10 years by government and that Chambers of Commerce in BC played a vital role. The Mission Chamber commends the local business community’s resiliency and supports it through programs such as Pay it Forward…Shop Local and the Mission Handbook for Major Projects. This translated to $3million for Mission’s small businesses in the first year of BC Hydro’s Ruskin Dam Upgrade. “Small business is business in Mission.” states Mission Chamber President Sean Melia. “It is our local economy.” Help celebrate small business month by using local business, pledging to shop local and remembering who drives our economy and jobs.
Small business is business in Mission. It is our local economy.
SEAN MELIA, MISSION CHAMBER PRESIDENT
Swing Optical...3 Distinctive Businesses in One Great Location FASHION EYEWEAR Proudly serving Mission for over 25 years. • Fashion Eyewear • Contact Lenses • Sunglasses • Fully Licensed Opticians • Sight Testing
EYE EXAM Dr. Lyndon Balisky, Optometrist • Laser consultation • Contact lens fitting
Book Your Eye Health Examination Today 604-820-1112
HEARING AIDS Kristoffer Goos Registered Hearing Instrument Practitioner.
On location Wednesdays
FREE Hearing Test. 604-557-9972 604.820.1112
www.mainlandhearing.com
Located inside Swing Optical
#2 - 33231 First Avenue • Downtown Mission • 604-820-1112 Monday - Friday 9:30 am to 6:00 pm • Saturday 9:30 am to 5:30 pm
w w w. m i s s i o n c h a m b e r. b c . c a
www.swingoptical.com
The Mission Record Thursday, October 10, 2013 21
President's message: Elyssa Lockhart
PAST PRESIDENT
Ann Harper
Trevor Girard
Pam Alexis
Satti Grewal
VICE PRESIDENT
DIRECTOR
TREASURER
DIRECTOR
Small business….who needs it? Well actually we all do and the reason is that in British Columbia +85% of all business falls into the category of small business and specifically in Mission the percentage is about the same. Small business employs almost 60% of the workforce provincially and locally. Whether it’s you, your significant other, a family member, friend or neighbour the impact and benefit of small business touches us all. There are more small businesses in British Columbia than any other province in the country which only highlights the value they bring from the entrepreneurial spirit which is the lifeblood of the province. Small business generates opportunity in addition to contributing about 30% of the Gross Domestic Product in the province. In this month which celebrates small business please make it a point to patronize a local contributor and keep the spirit of local business alive. Shop local, spend local, eat local, enjoy local! The Chamber is hosting a series of workshops designed to target areas that will help build and support business. They are setup to allow participation without taking you away from the important aspect of running your business. Please check out the web site www.missionchamber.bc.ca for more information or call the Chamber at 604-826-6914. The programs will run from October 21 to 25. Sean Melia PRESIDENT
Cal Crawford DIRECTOR
Carol Hamilton DIRECTOR
Dave Sawatzky
Tricia Townsend
Corey Jong
Christopher Robertson
DIRECTOR
DIRECTOR
Mayor Ted Adlem DOM LIAISON
DIRECTOR
DIRECTOR
Allan Main
LIAISON, C.F.N.F.
Are you a limpy or a knuckle breaker? Business is based on making connections. The soft skills we use to connect with others play an integral role in the success of business. How many times has a handshake predetermined how much you wanted to talk to someone, or even trust them? A recent study has shown that eye contact is actually a deterrent to making a connection with another person. Does it make you feel intimidated? To celebrate Small Business Week (Oct 21-25), the Mission Chamber wants to help you hone those soft skills that are so vital. Business Etiquette Boot camp will give you real time practice in a safe environment to learn, develop or refresh those connection soft skills. Consisting of five early morning seminars lasting 45 minutes each, it will focus on providing basic yet essential business skills to students, employers and employees. These skills,
when used in real world settings (business meetings, networking events etc.) will aide in providing confidence for social interactions as well as in business relationships. Each day a different area will be focused on. From first impressions to telephone manners, to even what to do when the connection is not working. Facilitated by the expert connectors, the Chamber team, you will laugh, learn and connect in intense boot camp style. Only $20 for all five sessions and with limited seating, enroll early at www.MIssionChamber.bc.ca
Business Etiquette Boot camp will give you real time practice in a safe environment to learn, develop or refresh those connection soft skills.
Your Comfort is our Calling. TRUE NORTH MECHANICAL 35220 Riverside Road, Mission BC truenorthmech@gmail.com
Serving the Fraser Valley for over 13 years.
w w w. m i s s i o n c h a m b e r. b c . c a
• Commercial/Residential • Heating/Cooling • Air Conditioning • Furnaces • Heat Pumps • Commercial Refrigeration Phone:
604-854-0322 or Page:
604-854-7034
24 SERVICE
HOUR
2013 BOARD OF DIRECTORS
BusinessTRACK
22 The Mission Record Thursday, October 10, 2013
BusinessTRACK Chamber Snapshots: A close-up look at members that keep Mission humming
Loans and advice for small business: Community Futures North Fraser By Kathleen Rake , Click Media Works Advice is just one of the business-building pieces available at Community Futures. “Besides help with business planning, market research and other processes essential to success, we offer business loans,” said Michele Blackwell, who is the business analyst. “We support our loans with business advice, but you don’t have to be a loan client to use our advisory services” said Allan Main, executive director at Community Futures North Fraser. “When you come in to talk to us about your new or existing business, we guide and help you, but you do the work. And that helps you be successful.” “Ideally,” said Main, “clients would come to us before they reach the funding part of start-up or expansion. That way we could help make sure they have in place what they need for their own bank or credit union.” Community Futures North Fraser is a non-profit organi-
CHAMBER COMING EVENTS
SEPTEMBER / OCTOBER October 17 Chamber Luncheon Speaker: Brian Antonson, 2014 BC Games
zation that works with small business to help create and maintain jobs in their community. “We finance entrepreneurs or existing businesses when their own financial institutions will not,” explained Blackwell, “and this creates jobs, either by giving a business an opportunity to increase its employee base or helping someone become, or stay, self-employed.” In addition to direct lending, Community Futures partners with other financial institutions to help the client get the financing he or she needs. They also build community by working closely with organizations such as Mission’s Regional Chamber of Commerce, Downtown Business Association and Economic Development Office. “And we work with the non-profit sector to help them build social enterprises,” said Blackwell. Community Futures North Fraser, supported by funding from Western Economic Diversification, serves clients from Mission to Harrison Hot Springs, including Agassiz and Kent. As well as one-on-one business support, workshops and video-conference events are available. More information: 604-826-6252 or visit online at www.NorthFraser.org.
Place: Chapel Room, Rockwell’s
Time: 11:30am-1pm
October 21-25 Small Business Week
Celebrate with Business Etiquette Boot Camp
5 Interactive Sessions Place: Chamber of Commerce
Time: 8am-8:45am
November 5 Fraser Valley Chambers Fall Business Showcase Place: Cascades Casino Ballroom, Langley Time: 2:30-6pm Call to RSVP
December 6 Save The Date!
Largest Nighttime Parade in BC Place: First Ave
Time: 7:30-8:30pm Enter a Float!
Scan this QR code with your smart phone to see details on our website
Executive director Allan Main (left) and business analyst Michele Blackwell are ready to help business grow. CLICK MEDIA WORKS PHOTO
Looking? Listing? CALL TODAY! When you know the local real estate market like I do, sales happen faster.
Cal Crawford Over 30 years experience 604-854-0392
32386 Fletcher Avenue,Mission email: calinmission@hotmail.com
w w w. m i s s i o n c h a m b e r. b c . c a
The Mission Record Thursday, October 10, 2013 23
member_services@MissionChamber .bc ca
execdir@MissionChamber .bc ca
Raj Saran
Executive Director
Member Services
Info@MissionChamber.bc.ca
Michelle Favero Admin@MissionChamber.bc.ca
2013 CHAMBER TEAM
BusinessTRACK Fraser Valley Chambers of Commerce
“Membership has its benefits!�
• Meet hundreds of people from all over the valley for the opportunity to expand your network! • Visit 90 exhibitor booths! • Learn of the innovations of other small businesses.
Also, your centre for Mission & BC Tourist Information
Visitor Services
Administration
The Mission Chamber of Commerce will be in booth #11 – come check us out! This is an open invitation for Chamber Members but an RSVP is appreciated for catering purposes.
Mission Regional Chamber of Commerce w w w . m i s s i o n c h a m b e r. b c . c a 6 0 4 - 8 2 6 - 6 9 1 4 3 4 0 3 3 L o u g h e e d H w y, M i s s i o n B C V 2 V 5 X 8
Harder RenovationS
The 5th Annual Fraser Valley Chambers of Commerce Business Showcase & Mixer will be held at the Cascades Casino Resort Ballroom on November 5th from 2:30 to 6:30pm. Why should you attend?
Clare Seeley
Allison Jack
Fall Business Showcase & Mixer: November 5th
RSVP through the Chamber website or call the Greater Langley Chamber at 604-530-6656.
-28)6-36 -28)6 6-36 ()7-+2 LQVLGH DQG RXW
For big jobs, small jobs and all the odd jobs in between, keep our number handy!
• Commercial & Residential • Colour Co-ordinating • Design - Advice - Assistance • Renovations - Construction • Decorating - Furnishings • “Stagingâ€? to sell
•Home •Industrial •Commercial
Call us today
Serving the Lower Mainland since 1991
Fraser Valley 604.302.8336 Vancouver 604.757.3695
For a consultation call
Gail Hanslo registered interior designer “Creating Beautiful Spaces Since 1981�
harderreno@gmail.com
604-826-0594 gailhanslo@shaw.ca
Trade Show Training
Interested in testing your feet at the Showcase, Member Services will help educate you on the ins and outs of trade shows and offer you some of the Mission Chamber’s booth space. Raj Saran’s background in trade show marketing and promotion will give you the edge in promoting your business. Training includes: • One hour of one-on-one trade show prep • Setting up an effective booth • How to engage potential customers • Measuring your success • After show follow-up. Only three spots of individualize training available so email: member_services@ missionchamber.bc.ca today!
DAVIES
Sand & Gravel Ltd.
604.826.6736
All types of Sand, Gravel & Topsoil •Excavators •Low-beds •Topsoil •Loading •Trucking •Cats 11496 DEWDNEY TRUNK RD., MISSION, BC • MAIL - BOX 3663 • V2V 4L2
/RDQV IRU EXVLQHVV VWDUW XSV RU H[SDQVLRQV
“Promoting P ti B Business i and d Tourism Development in Mission� I N F O R M AT I O N AVA I L A B L E
LQIR#QRUWKIUDVHU RUJ
• Mission Community Profile • Commercial and Industrial Property Inventory • Business Opportunities
ZZZ QRUWKIUDVHU RUJ
34033 LOUGHEED HWY., MISSION, BC V2V 5X8 Tel: 604.820.3789 • Fax: 604.820.6738 • Toll Free: 1.866.814.1222
email: edc@mission.ca • www.mission.ca
S S I ON
OFFIC
MI BRITIS
U H COL
MBIA
CANA
DA
c.ca
amber.b
issionch
www.m
I A L 2 013
Published
by
VISITO
DE R GUI
AUTOSERVICE
2014 Mission Visitor Guide Reserve your ad space today. Contact Crystal 604-820-5453
ROAD READY OIL CHANGE PACKAGE ONLY
49 39
99â€
OIL CHANGE* •Quaker State oil •Motomaster oil filter filter •Chasis lubrication •Top up selected fluid fluid levels
w w w. m i s s i o n c h a m b e r. b c . c a
PLUS PIECE OF MIND •Road ready inspection •Rotate tires on vehicle •Battery test •Visual brake inspection
CALL YOUR LOCAL STORE FOR AN APPOINTMENT *Up to 5L Quaker State conventional oil (Assorted grades). Some vehicles may require more. Motomaster filter filter (up to $5 value) may not fit fit some vehicles. Additional fees and charges may apply for vehicles who require more oil or different filter. filter. Eco fees where applicable are extra. †Most vehicles. Bonus pair of Xtravision headlights only apply to the purchase of a Road Ready oil change package at regular price. Installation included on most vehicles. Extra charges may apply on some vehicles. See service desk for details. COUPON EXPIRES SEPTEMBER 30/13 OCTOBER 31/13
24 The Mission Record Thursday, October 10, 2013
BusinessTRACK
F
or a number of years the Mission Regional Chamber of Commerce ran one of the premiere spring events, drawing in thousands from across the Fraser Valley and beyond. “Showcase” gave local business, industry, environmental, non-profit and government groups the opportunity to exhibit their wares and show the community what Mission had to offer. The list included names familiar today such as BC Hydro with their Power Smart initiative and The Mission Raceway, sitting side by side with the school district and the municipality. Hosted at the old Mission Leisure Centre, the three day event highlighted over 150 exhibitors in its prime, pulling in crowds of over 6,500. This was seen as a great achievement during the 90’s uncertain economic climate.
120 YEARS STRONG
1990’s Business Showcase Held at Leisure Centre A family day out, there were not only business displays, but prize draws, a craft market, face painting and children’s entertainment throughout the weekend. A talent show also gave non –professional entertainers the opportunity to compete for $1000 prize money and perform to the crowds. This is another example of how the Mission Chamber of Commerce has successfully joined the community and local business together over the last 120 years. Don’t forget to add the Candlelight Parade to your calendars! Friday 6th December. This year is the 30th anniversary and will be themed to celebrate not only Christmas but also the 2014 Mission BC Winter Games. For more information on the parade or to enter a float call 604 826 6914. Mayor Hawes, MLA Streifel & Chamber President Gord Ruley open the MISSION RECORD PHOTO 1991 Mission Showcase.
Taylor, Tait, Ruley & Company A Full Service Law Firm
Competitive prices. Top-notch service. Premium tires.
That’s Just How We Roll
B A R R I S T E R S & SOLICITOR S
Trust Commitment Integrity ...since 1978 33066 First Avenue MISSION 604-826-1266 Fax: 604-826-4288
Phone:
email: info@taylortait.com
Gordon D. Taylor • • • • • •
B.A., LL.B.
Serious Injury Claims ICBC Matters Civil Litigation Corporate • Estates Wills/Estate Planning Foreclosures
John G. Tait, Q.C
B.Comm., LL.B. • Collaborative Divorce • Mediation • Divorce/Family Law Litigation • Adoptions, Custody • Separation Agreements • Marriage Contracts • Wills/Estate Planning • Estate Litigation • Property Claims
Gordon W. Ruley • • • • •
Donna Maser • • • • •
B.A., LL.B.
Real Estate & Mortgages Commercial Development Business Acquisitions Corporate Wills/Estate Planning
B.Comm., LL.B.
Family Law General Litigation Real Estate Law Municipal Law First Nations Issues
Eleanor L. MacDonald • • • • • •
B.A., LL.B.
Real Estate & Mortgages Wills/Estate Planning Committeeships Separation Agreements Uncontested Divorces Marriage Contract • Estates
Chris Stenerson • • • • • • •
33245 GLASGOW AVENUE (LOCATED NEXT TO COMMUTER RAIL)
Troy A. Dickson
MISSION 604.826.9119 Locally owned and operated since 1973
• Articled Student
www.symons-exceltire.com
TIRES • SHOCKS • BRAKES • TUNE-UPS • ALIGNMENTS • CUSTOM EXHAUST • AIRCARE
B.A., LL.B Divorce/Family Law Litigation Separation Agreements Marriage Contracts Personal Injury (ICBC claims) Wills/Estate Planning General Litigation Collections • Foreclosures
www.taylortait.com
w w w. m i s s i o n c h a m b e r. b c . c a
B.Comm., J.D.