4 - Wednesday, June 28, 1995 —

North Shore News

NORTH VANCOUVER CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

GETTING A small business off
the ground can be a daunting
task. Fortunately, at the North
Vancouver = Chamber of
Commerce, help is available.

By lan Noble
News Reporter

Chamber president Judi
Ainsworth said more people are using
the organization’s business informa-
tion centre. ;

Ainsworth said many factors are
driving the shift to small businesses,
which are often home-based and now
drive employment growth in B.C.

Ainsworth pointed out that moves
by major- and mid-sized corporations

‘to downsize have cut adrift a lot of
middle-management people who pos-
sess good business skills.

Former managers take those skills
and expertise and put them to work i in
their own businesses.

For businesses, employing small-

~ business people on a contract basis
makes sense. ,
Companies using contracted ser-
‘vices don’t have to provide contract-
ed employees with working space or
benefits, Ainsworth said.
» . Modern technology has also eased
the way for more small businesses.

Fax machines, computers and on-,
line services have had a huge impact
on. . home-based. . businesses,

: Ainsworth said. :
.. The business information centre at
the chamber can assist those interest-

ed in venturing into the home-based
field to get started.

The chamber’s reference library
includes important, information on
business topics.

The library contents cover such
topics as advertising, marketing,
sales, financial management, and

HELP iS at hand for small
businesses — with North
Vancouver Chamber _ of
Commerce president’ Judi
Ainsworth. '

PERSONAL INJURY]

Free Initial Consultation

_ Douglas W. Lahay .
CLARK, WILSON

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800-885 West Georgia Street, Van.
/ 687-5700

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free-trade agreements.

If specie information is needed,
the chamber has that too. suid
Ainsworth,

Company and product listings
through the business opportunities
sourcing system are available at the
chamber for new businesses looking

NEWS photo Mike Wakefield

2S

for suppliers,
Government publications such as
Starting a B.C. Business: Resource

‘Guide, Women in Business Start-up

Kit, Preparing a Cash Flow and
Preparing a Business Plan are avail-
able.

Essential information in’ areas
such aus licensing, business regula-
tions und taxation also dots the cham-
ber's shelves.

Other resources available at the
chamber include a computer link to
chambers throughout B.C. and cours-
es for the home-based business hope-
full

In February, the chamber offers an
eight-hour seminar on. starting a
home-based business.

In October, a similar seminar
deals with marketing products: and
services fov a home-based business

Ainsworth encourages business
people to join the chamber and its
600 members.

Not only does membership pro-
vide endless networking possibilities,
but members yet. VISA — and
Mastercard discouits.

New businesses that join cham-
bers have a 50% higher success rate,
said Ainsworth.

B Bay City SuROR Services Lid.

“Visa and Mastercard accepted at no cost to you!”

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1445 Marine Drive
(Beside McDcnald’s)

925-3533

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