Small Business

A server brings food to a table as people dine at a restaurant in Vancouver, on Tuesday, September 21, 2021. The federal government’s extension for a small business loan repayment plan was touted as a win for businesses, but has instead drawn mixed reactions from industry experts with one saying it’s left owners on “pins and needles.” THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

‘Cruel joke’: CEBA deadline extension not what B.C. small business hoped for

Feds tout 1-year extension for Canada Emergency Business Account loan repayment

 

Donations raised through the New Car Dealers Association will help provide shelter, basic needs, recovery assistance and emotional support for B.C. residents impacted by the recent wildfires. Phil McLachlan / Western News photo

New Car Dealers support for B.C. wildfire relief surpasses $236,000

More than $236,000 has now been raised through the New Car Dealers…

  • Aug 31, 2023

 

A woman walks in Chinatown in Vancouver, Friday, February 5, 2021. The provincial government has announced up to $10.5 million for small businesses to apply for grants for repairs for vandalism or prevention. The announcement was in Chinatown on Wednesday (July 26, 2023) which has been hard hit by vandalism in recent years. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jonathan Hayward

B.C. announces $10.5M for small businesses impacted by vandalism

Owners can apply for up to $2K for cost of repairs or up to $1K for prevention

 

Candyworks at Red Apple.

You could win a $1,000 shopping spree at the Grand Opening of Red Apple in Sparwood!

New store opens June 2 in the Greenwood Mall

  • May 29, 2023
Candyworks at Red Apple.
A server clears a table on a patio at a restaurant, in Vancouver, on Friday, April 2, 2021. A new study by the Canadian Federation of Independent Business found the average small business owner is working the equivalent of an eight-day workweek due to staffing challenges, with the issue especially prevalent in Western Canada. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

Small business owners working eight-day week equivalent due to staff shortages: CFIB

Survey finds labour shortages forcing many owners to work excessive hours to compensate

A server clears a table on a patio at a restaurant, in Vancouver, on Friday, April 2, 2021. A new study by the Canadian Federation of Independent Business found the average small business owner is working the equivalent of an eight-day workweek due to staffing challenges, with the issue especially prevalent in Western Canada. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
Langley MLA Andrew Mercier and Premier David Eby started their tour of Langley City businesses on Saturday, April 1, by trying some samples at Oxford Ice Cream. (Dan Ferguson/Langley Advance Times)

VIDEO: Premier takes walking tour of small businesses

Indicates more supportive measures in the works

Langley MLA Andrew Mercier and Premier David Eby started their tour of Langley City businesses on Saturday, April 1, by trying some samples at Oxford Ice Cream. (Dan Ferguson/Langley Advance Times)
2022 Fernie Citizen of the Year, Pat Gilmar speaking at the Fernie Business Excellence Awards at the Rusty Edge. (Scott Tibballs / The Free Press)

Pat Gilmar named Citizen of the Year at Fernie Business Awards

The business community gathered on Friday for the 2022 Business Excellence Awards

2022 Fernie Citizen of the Year, Pat Gilmar speaking at the Fernie Business Excellence Awards at the Rusty Edge. (Scott Tibballs / The Free Press)
Bruce Charbonneau has been professionally framing pictures for more than four decades. (Angie Mindus photo - Williams Lake Tribune)

Small Business Week: B.C. has the largest number of local entrepreneurships in Canada

The week is a chance to recognize the hard work, adaptability and determination of small businesses

Bruce Charbonneau has been professionally framing pictures for more than four decades. (Angie Mindus photo - Williams Lake Tribune)
Fernie Chamber of Commerce Business Excellence Awards in 2018. (BPM file photo)

Hundreds of businesses get nominated for Fernie’s Business Excellence Awards

The top three nominees for the 2022 awards will be revealed on October 7

Fernie Chamber of Commerce Business Excellence Awards in 2018. (BPM file photo)
Small business owners are feeling the pinch from inflationary pressures and taxes. (Black Press File Photo)

B.C. small business owners worried about tax bills, inflation

A survey from Ownr found 31 per cent of small business owners are worried about their tax burden

Small business owners are feeling the pinch from inflationary pressures and taxes. (Black Press File Photo)
The coronavirus and the drastic measures put in place by government officials to try to control its spread had a severe toll on many small businesses. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)

B.C. pilot program launches to help small businesses weather COVID

1,000 entrepreneurs across the province will be chosen to receive free help from experts

The coronavirus and the drastic measures put in place by government officials to try to control its spread had a severe toll on many small businesses. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)
Kiki Lally is seen in an undated handout photo at Pinnovate, a craft studio in Calgary. When the pandemic began, Lally couldn’t host birthday parties, camps or bridal showers anymore, so she started making DIY kits and offering them for delivery. The DIY kits had to be sold through a new website called DIY Delivery that she built. THE CANADIAN PRESS/HO-Jennifer Chabot, *MANDATORY CREDIT*

‘Not as easy as it looks’: Small businesses share what it takes to move online

Shipping, fitting all made complicated by COVID

Kiki Lally is seen in an undated handout photo at Pinnovate, a craft studio in Calgary. When the pandemic began, Lally couldn’t host birthday parties, camps or bridal showers anymore, so she started making DIY kits and offering them for delivery. The DIY kits had to be sold through a new website called DIY Delivery that she built. THE CANADIAN PRESS/HO-Jennifer Chabot, *MANDATORY CREDIT*
Pixabay

Letter to the editor: On pancakes

Why is it so hard to find pancakes in Fernie?

  • Dec 30, 2020
Pixabay
Pedestrians stroll along Spring Garden Road in Halifax on Thursday, Nov. 19, 2020. A new retail shopping event has arrived, encouraging consumers to support local, independent businesses during the holiday season. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Andrew Vaughan

‘Nightmare on Main Street:’ After a tough year, campaign urges consumers to buy local

Only 38 per cent of retail businesses are reaching their usual sales levels

Pedestrians stroll along Spring Garden Road in Halifax on Thursday, Nov. 19, 2020. A new retail shopping event has arrived, encouraging consumers to support local, independent businesses during the holiday season. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Andrew Vaughan
Join Black Press Media and Do Some Good

Join Black Press Media and Do Some Good

Pay it Forward program supports local businesses in their community giving

Join Black Press Media and Do Some Good
Export Navigator client Popov Leather.

Kootenay businesses achieve international success with Export Navigator

How small businesses are finding new customers in changing times

  • Sep 21, 2020
Export Navigator client Popov Leather.
A new survey from CFIB found that a mid-range estimate shows 21,000 small businesses at risk of closing in B.C. (Ashley Wadhwani/Black Press Media)

21,000 small businesses in B.C. at risk of closure due to COVID-19: survey

Sectors like hospitality hardest hit, while others like agriculture and construction remain more stable.

A new survey from CFIB found that a mid-range estimate shows 21,000 small businesses at risk of closing in B.C. (Ashley Wadhwani/Black Press Media)
The Vogue Theatre popcorn fairy is ready to deliver delicious, movie theatre popcorn to your door every Friday during the pandemic. Photo Submitted

Elk Valley community initiatives keep hope alive

Even in times of crisis, our communities band together to support each other

The Vogue Theatre popcorn fairy is ready to deliver delicious, movie theatre popcorn to your door every Friday during the pandemic. Photo Submitted
Some local businesses have devised alternative ways to continue to function.

Local businesses feeling the effects of COVID-19

With shops and services throughout B.C. closing their doors, local economies may be hit hard

Some local businesses have devised alternative ways to continue to function.
B.C. Jobs Minister Bruce Ralston (right) introduces small business task force members, Cybel Negris, CEO of Webnames.ca, Shahraz Kassam, owner and CEO of Shamin Diamonds and Michael Hwang, founder of Amicus Lawyers, May 2, 2018. (B.C. government)

Taxes, housing pressures measured in B.C. small business survey

Minister Bruce Ralston seeks input from business owners during June

B.C. Jobs Minister Bruce Ralston (right) introduces small business task force members, Cybel Negris, CEO of Webnames.ca, Shahraz Kassam, owner and CEO of Shamin Diamonds and Michael Hwang, founder of Amicus Lawyers, May 2, 2018. (B.C. government)