Small Business

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

 

Nanaimo author Josh Gillingham has created the Vancouver Island Coffee Tour website that includes a map with directions to a growing list of more than 50 independent coffee roasters across the Island and Gulf Islands that tourists and residents can follow to find the region’s best brews. (Chris Bush/News Bulletin)

Nanaimo author’s online ‘coffee tour’ an added perk for visiting Vancouver Island

Residents and visitors can follow guide to more than 50 Island-region coffee roasters

 

Darioush Diba, owner of Bubby’s Restaurant, stands outside its Menzies Street location. He questions the need for the level of traffic restrictions into James Bay as are being exercised by VicPD. (Kiernan Green/News Staff)

Eateries less busy, staff late since checkpoints installed for Victoria protests

Operators have mixed views on need for Victoria police controls on neighbourhood entry

 

The Greater Nanaimo Chamber of Commerce has launched a free online shopping directory to connect customers with locally owned and operated businesses. (News Bulletin file photo)

New online directory promotes shopping local in Nanaimo

Greater Nanaimo Chamber of Commerce launches ShopLocalNanaimo.ca

The Greater Nanaimo Chamber of Commerce has launched a free online shopping directory to connect customers with locally owned and operated businesses. (News Bulletin file photo)
Elizabeth Lumley, granddaughter Kylie Ounsted and daughter Amy Lumley with a selection of Elizabeth’s decals. (Chris Bush/News Bulletin)

Small decal business allows Nanaimo woman to help family

Elizabeth Lumley helps out her daughter Amy, who has lost both her legs

Elizabeth Lumley, granddaughter Kylie Ounsted and daughter Amy Lumley with a selection of Elizabeth’s decals. (Chris Bush/News Bulletin)
Enjoying a beverage on a restaurant patio in Port Alberni comes with some new COVID-19 conditions as of Sept. 13, 2021. (SUSAN QUINN/ Alberni Valley News)

Island businesses grapple with threats as new COVID-19 vaccine passports start

‘These things are beyond our control…there is no option to opt out.’

Enjoying a beverage on a restaurant patio in Port Alberni comes with some new COVID-19 conditions as of Sept. 13, 2021. (SUSAN QUINN/ Alberni Valley News)
Markus Spodzieja (centre) with his crew members at the Bikery bakery. (Kiernan Green / News Staff)

The Bikery opens Island’s first kosher bakery in Victoria’s Public Market

Baker Markus Spodzieja and business partner Kimanda Jarzebiak filling a local niche

Markus Spodzieja (centre) with his crew members at the Bikery bakery. (Kiernan Green / News Staff)
Cassidy Vey, left, and Jada McEwan are served at an outdoor table by Chanel Rayne at Nana Sushi on Victoria Crescent earlier this week. Restaurants around the province are currently restricted to take-out and patio service. (Chris Bush/News Bulletin)

Nanaimo chamber of commerce criticizes health orders around indoor dining

Greater Nanaimo Chamber of Commerce CEO says workers and business owners in the industry suffering

Cassidy Vey, left, and Jada McEwan are served at an outdoor table by Chanel Rayne at Nana Sushi on Victoria Crescent earlier this week. Restaurants around the province are currently restricted to take-out and patio service. (Chris Bush/News Bulletin)
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*
Metis Financial Corporation BC has grants, loans and core services to help Metis businesses through the pandemic, and beyond.

A chance to thrive — New financing options for Métis entrepreneurs

Grants, loans and core services for pandemic-relief and long-term growth

  • Dec 28, 2020
Metis Financial Corporation BC has grants, loans and core services to help Metis businesses through the pandemic, and beyond.
In a whirlwind of a year, Sarah Shaw and her husband met, married, moved to Victoria and bought a sailboat that they plan to move onto in April. (Courtesy of Sarah Shaw)

Silver linings: Vancouver Islanders share their positive pandemic experiences

Health risks, social isolation and economic impact real, but some people have found a bright side

In a whirlwind of a year, Sarah Shaw and her husband met, married, moved to Victoria and bought a sailboat that they plan to move onto in April. (Courtesy of Sarah Shaw)
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
Candice Woloshyn prepares her flower beds for the next season at her ‘Dirty Girl Flowers’ farm in Merville. Despite the pandemic, Woloshyn was able to sustain her homegrown business as community members opted for regular deliveries of fresh cut flowers. Photo by Binny Paul/ Campbell River Mirror.

Vancouver Island flower farmers were blooming as the pandemic wilted everything else

Floriculturists saw increased subscriptions as fresh flowers became a ‘sight for sore eyes’ during isolation

Candice Woloshyn prepares her flower beds for the next season at her ‘Dirty Girl Flowers’ farm in Merville. Despite the pandemic, Woloshyn was able to sustain her homegrown business as community members opted for regular deliveries of fresh cut flowers. Photo by Binny Paul/ Campbell River Mirror.
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Pay it Forward program supports local businesses in their community giving

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South Vancouver Island businesses achieve international success with Export Navigator

South Vancouver Island businesses achieve international success with Export Navigator

How small businesses are finding new customers in changing times

  • Sep 21, 2020
South Vancouver Island businesses achieve international success with Export Navigator
Need a trusted advisor for your business? Try an insurance broker!

Need a trusted advisor for your business? Try an insurance broker!

Navigate your business restart with help from your local + global insurance expert

  • Aug 24, 2020
Need a trusted advisor for your business? Try an insurance broker!
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)
Global knowledge, local support: helping businesses navigate a sea of change

Global knowledge, local support: helping businesses navigate a sea of change

Finding business guidance through the pandemic and an insurance ‘hard market’

  • Jul 20, 2020
Global knowledge, local support: helping businesses navigate a sea of change
3 subtle ways this local cabinet company shows its strengths

3 subtle ways this local cabinet company shows its strengths

After nearly 30 years Mid Island Cabinets continues to innovate

  • May 18, 2020
3 subtle ways this local cabinet company shows its strengths