Entrepreneurs like flexibility From page 18 There are many entrepreneurs, said Mowat, who are ‘‘cashing out and leaving the corporate world . but are not yet ready to retire.’’ Although there is a perception that HBBs are primarily women who are operating a hobby business from their. urban-area homes, Mowat said 48% of these businesses are in non-urban areas. As well, she added, the study dispells the myth about women by showing that 58% of HBB en- trepreneurs are male. Modern technology has helped HBBs tecome successful by mak- ing them accessible and effecient through the use of computers, modems, fax machines, answering” machines, and cellular telephones. In fact, Mowat said their study showed that the average HBB spends 10% more on office . equipment per capita than do other businesses. On the other hand, many will operate illegally through an ig- norance of the local regulations. Based on one question asked in a survey of home-based businesspeople, she said, ‘‘40% were not even aware that they had te have a business license.’” Confusing that issue further are the differences from one municipality to the next for the requirements surrounding the .. Operation. of a business in a resi- dentially-zoned area. The needs and concerns of both ‘the municipality and the businesspeople were examined in the NHBBPC report, that includes - model bylaws to help communities - become proactive .in encouraging gach businesses. Some. municipalities, like Mis- sion, have progressive bylaws and, as a result, havea high percentage of HBBs licensed in their com- munity, Mowat explained. Corporate downsizing, the recession, the desire for lifestyle - changes, and a shift toward the service’ sector and away from manufacturing have all been catalysts encouraging sriall businesses to start, she said. _. | BODY MOTION . | PERFORMANCE WEAR ‘Unique Fitness & Aerobic Wear for ail family members. Cheose from in-stock items or have them custom-made: Call JUD! WILSON 987-2009 — very experienced —~ "MRS. MOPS & MR. DUST HOUSECLEANING & 5 COMMERCIAL CLEANING “Ht » Window cleanings Move-out cleaning = © Wall was! * Carpet cleaning © Bi-monthly clean © And many more ALSO AVAILABLE FOR EVENING CLEANING 2262 Join the exciting world of ANIWAY Call BARB or LOUIS 433-7569 (pager) 844-8199 The reasons for operating a business out of the home are varied, although independence tops the list. “They’re not doing it for the money,”’ said Mowat, although small home-based entrepreneurs will quote the low overhead as a positive aspect of the shift toward working at home. “They are very careful about start-up costs.”” They also like the flexibility, she said. Most find that they have more control over their own life ERAT bt They're not doing it for the money. 99 and their own hours. Some businesspeople will get in- to a HBB through stepping stones, starting at night and on weekends until the business has been estab- lished. And some home-based businesses will grow into com- panies large enough to justify an office or a storefront. ‘*Home-based business is im- portant as an incubation for larger business,”” said Mowat, adding that many large, successful com- panies started in someone’s base- ment’ or garage — Apple Com- puters and Liquid Paper are two © examples of HBB becoming big business. The NHBBPC gathered infor- mation from, and had input by, federal, provincial and municipal sources including the National Home-Based Business Associa- tion, the Canadian Federation of SEMI-PRIVATE LESSONS Q. intimidated in a large formal classroom? A. Leam WordPerfect in a private, informal, home-ofiice setting. Maximum 2 studenta/class. CompaType Business Services Lori Roberts - 929-7271 Gov't Registered Training Centre Municipalities, Employment and Immigration Canada, and the federal ministry responsible for small business. Their primary sources were a Gallop poll and a home business owners survey, with additional in- formation coming from Statistics Canada and Census ’81 and 86. Mowat added that they com- pared their findings with regiona) and American studies done on the same subject, discovering that their figures were ‘“‘bang on.” Canada’s first national con- ference and trade show for home-based businesses will be held this spring at Douglas Col- lege in New Westminster. Charting the Future of Home- Based Business, sponsored by the B.C. Ministry of Economic De- velopment, Small Business and Trade, and the Federal Business Development Bank, will run from April 30 to May 2. Information for home-based’ businesspeople, trade show exhib- itions aimed at the HBB market, and the opportunity to network with other home business opera- tors are promoted as the main reasons to attend. Speakers, workshops, and panel discussions will include informa- tion on expansion, marketing, identifying opportunities, econom- ics (including tax information), municipal licensing and zoning, and other topics of interest. Information on the HBB con- ference and copies of the NHB- BPC report can be obtained by contacting Mowat’s home-based company, Impact Commuunica- tions Ltd., at 520-5720. Bring out your personal | best with MARY KAY’S Colortogic program — free mukeovers — Vivian Stevens 984-3471 | Dorothy Neilsen! FASRIC ARTIST e Specializing In custom-made, hand-painted ; F jackets & silk scarves 9356-96435 — patterns welcome — Calypse Charters International WORLDWIDE YACHT CHARTER AGENTS since 1982 Gentle Adventuring Afioat: The canals and rivers of Britain and France — self-drive cruisers and narrowboats. Greek Islands, Turkey, the Caribbean — Flotilla & Bareboat Charters. Contact Kim Davies (604) 926-3938 Alfreda Nahanee 424 W. 3rd, N. Van. (Mon-Sat. 10-6 pm) : 9 AUTHENTIC COWICHAN J INDIAN KNITS Owner Alfreda represents a group of talented West Coast Artists who specialize in creating * Handknit sweaters, toques, mitts, socks & scarves © Pendleton Indian blankets © Moccasins © Woodcarvings © Beaded leather goods * Jewellery 988-4735 | 4505 Cove Cliff, Deep Cove Wednesday, February 26, 1992 - North Shore News - 19 Locals say they are professionals THE NORTH Shore has a wide variety of home-based businesspeo- ple, ranging from services to manufacturing, with an attitude that home work is the way of the future. Two North Vancouver-based businesspeople who share that attitude are Sherry Colmers and Hilda Fassas. Colmers has operated her in- terior design business, Southern Shades, from her home, and says she wouldn’t change that. “Most of the work I do is in someone's home,’’ she said, a storefront would not be used very often. Although she keeps her work confined to her home office, she said she enjoys the freedom of being at home when she wants or needs to be. The overhead of running a store is gone, but she said she does lose some customers — Colmers doesn’t get walk-in traffic and there are still some people who still don’t take home-based business (HBB) seriously. “Some will shy away,” she said, ‘‘that’s why you’ve got to keep that profile as high as you can.”’ Other customers are com- forted by the fact that they have been invited into Colmers home, she said. Her HBB has also generated employment for others who en- joy working at home. Colmers employs three salespeople who work from their homes, her drapery installer is a home- based businessman, and her bedding and drapery supplier ‘is a home-based operation with nine employees. Home-based dress designer, and owner of Special Events Designs, Hilda Fassas says - working out of her home for the past 26 years has enabled her to raise a family while running a business. The flexibility of a HBB allowed Fassas to work when she wanted to or could, and has offered a convenience to her clients, who often come for appointments in the evening or on weekends. “People feel more comfort- able,’’ she said, ‘‘it feels more personal.°” LINDA’S HAIR DESIGNS Great cuts, colours and perms at great prices. 929-9148 10% off for Seniors Special Events Designs Custom made, : exclusively designed, = . detailing. HILDA FASSAS 986-3518 4495 Lions Ave., North Vancouver BACK. PAIN? 85% of ali people will suffer from some form Back Education Workshops can save your company thousands of dollars. These fun, informative and practical workshops teach the causes of back pain, anatomy, importance of postural alignment, strength and flexibility testing, Wwork- specific back training, ergonomics, proper lifting and self-help techniques. For more information call Sharon Watts, qualified and experienced kinesiologist. One-on-one consultations available. 936-3302 . THINKWELL INTEGRATED FITNESS Basket Boutique Beautiful Gifts Created With You In Mind © Recsonable Rates @ Ask About Our © All Occasions Including Corporate Gifts Hospital/Get Well © We Deliver JACQUI 929-8816 one Ie North Venconver CF enn + Pencticton - Squamish - Suncy - Victoria - Whiehorse ~o~-| WorldHomes Holiday Exchange Struck by the large number of his neighbours’ homes sitting empty every summer, Jack Graber conceived a plan to help families occupy each other’s homes, i.e., to exchange them. Initially his West World Holiday Exchange was to serve only BC. and the U.S. west coast, until 1986, when he was accepted as Canadian affiliate in DGA international. WoridHomes Holiday Exchange has now mushroomed to become Canada's largest, offeririg home exchange, youth exchange, bed and breakfast, homesitting and rental oppor- § tunities in over 50 countries. Thousands of members worldwide list their homes in one of several annual directories, then contact each other and arrange their transactions. For a free & information package, contact WorldHoines, 1707 Piatt Cres., North Vancouver, B.C. V7J 1X9, 604-987-3262. JACK GRABER