18 — Wednesday, February 26, 1992 - North Shore News usinesses are fastest growing EENDENCE associated with operating escd businesses (HBB) has made them the fastest- ig segment of Canada’s business community. A recent national study revealed figures that prove that home- based businesses have a more significant impact on Canada than previously thought. That impact is social, en- vironmental, and economic, said Barb Mowat, chairperson of the National Home-Based Business Project Committee (NHBBPC). “It’s one less car on the freeway,” she said. ‘In my mind there are lifestyle changes that people are making’? when they make the decision to work from their homes. The NHBBPC’s study is the most comprehensive ever done, said Mowat. “It is a ground- breaking study.’’ The goal, she added, was to de- Protype Com, Service Fe cr er SONICES Reports, essays, documents ~Layouts of tables, bar & line graphs Very Experisnced in Wordperfect 5.1 Harvard Graphics 2.1 and Windows Recent fed init ne a eg TANYA 988-1704 By Pamela Lang Features Reporter velop some guidelines for municipal leaders to create posi- tive working environments for HBBs. . Although the committee’s final report will not be released until March 25, Mowat quoted figures from it. “Work is conducted in 23% of Canadian households,’’ she said, adding that these are modest fig- ures based on one person in each household operating a business. In many cases there are two people or the entire family involv- ed in one or more HBBs. Mowat quoted predictions that show a definite rise in the popu- larity of HBBs — 50% of new businesses are started at home and, within the next 20 years, 40% of Canadians are expected to _be working from their homes. Under 40% of the.work day is spent at home, the study found, while 30% is spent on the road, and 32% at the client’s premises. “Over 22% of honte-based businesspeople are over 55 years of age.”’ See Entrepreneurs page 19 For the past three years travel consultant Shirley Clarke has been renting homes in France and Italy through her Vacances Provencals Vaca- tions home rental business. She represents over 500 homes and apartments, which can be rented for a week’s stay of for up to a full year, all over the two countries. Married with three children, Shirley has a B.A. in Political Science from the University of Toron- to, where she was the President of the Students’ Administrative Council and sat on che Univer- sity’s Governing Council. Shirley also owned her own property management company in London, Ontario before moving here three and a half years ago. Shirley's goal is to have more people hear about her business, saying: “I lave be- ing an entrepreneur. The sky is the limit for me. I can make this business as big 4 I wane, I can set my own hours, and [ can give my clients my 100% guarantee of good service and no surprises when they arrive in Europe.” For a free portfolio catalogue, call her at 985-4268 or send a fax to her at 985-5031. ANN A Special Feature of the North Shore News We all remember Sherry, the enterprising smile behind Southern Shades. With another year cf acclaimed customer satisfaction and service ‘past, Southern Shades has emerged with a subtle new freshness of concept and design. Upon the successful comple- tion of an Advanced [nterior Design Course at BCIT, Sherry has extended her company to in- clude not only her highest quali- ty window coverings, draperies, bedding and upholsteries, but also paint and wallpaper services. The driving force behind her expanded sales team — Luise Reeves, Linda Arens and Lanin-(Grauer) Gillies - Sherry looks forward to reaching a larger market with her total home decorating. Offering her expertise from the convenience of her home-based office, Sherry is able to provide her clients with the overhead free advantages of affordable prices, servicing both the Lower Mainland and Whistler/Squamish areas, and priding herself on dealing exclusively in top name, prime quali- . ty products. With concern to the last detail, Southern Shades ensures maximum satisfaction by utilizing the services of a professional installer boasting 25 years’ experience in his field. . Meet the Southern Shades team for yourself. Regular participants in North and West Vancouver Mall Shows, the ladies will be in attendance to glad- ly assist you. Or you can contace Southern Shades today at 984-8687. From consultation to installation ... Southerp Shades — A shade above the Resi!