Celebrate the spirit

THERE’S NOTHING like an economic downturn to bring

out one’s entrepreneurial! spirit,

says Judi Ainsworth,

manager of the North Vancouver Chamber of Commerce.

This spring was a period of sev-
eral layoffs and job losses, she
says, and as a result her agency
fielded many inquiries from peo-
ple interested in starting their own
small and home-based businesses.

“It's good to see that real en-
trepreneurial spirit,” she says — a
spirit that"is being celebrated in
this ycar’s Small Business Week.

Now, Ainsworth sees some eco-
nomic recovery happening, and
businesses that were spending all
their energy on maintaining an
adequate bottom line are now
becoming involved in Chamber
and community activities once
again.

The Chamber, located at 131
East 2nd St. in North Vancouver,
has approximately 600 members,
about 80% of which are small
businesses.

Ainsworth says that statistics
indicate that the success rate for
new businesses is twice as high for
those that belong to their local
chamber of commerce.

The North Vancouver Chamber .

is an excellent resource for
business owners, who can learn
about new markets and tender

photo submitted

’ NORTH VANCOUVER Chamber

ef Commerce manager Judi
Ainsworth.

opportunities through the com-
puterized B.C. Business Network,
or access the wide range of in-
formation in the Chamber’s book
and video library.

The Chamber also works with
the Federal Business Development
Bank (FBDB) to offer Home Bas-
ed Business seminars.

The FBDB vice-president and
regional general manager, Sandy
Highet, spoke at both the North
Vancouver and West Vancouver
Chambers of Commerce this
month to mark Small Business
Week.

Another special event being heid
is the New Canadian Entrepreneur
Awards dinner, hosted oy the
Ethno Business Council of B.C.

At the dinner, being held Fri-
day, Oct. 25 at the Ramada
Renaissance Hotel, four en-
trepreneurs will be selected for
awards in the service, manufactur-
ing, wholesale and retail
categories.

For more information, call the
FBDB at 666-7800. The phone
number for the North Vancouver
Chamber of Commerce is 987-
4488; for the West Van chamber,

. 926-6614.

North Shore businesspeople at
work: Moyra Falconer and Bruce
Gow of Cell City (top), Jeff
Andrews of Sooter’s Photography
(right) and Janet Parker of J.
Parkler and Associates.

Small Business Week is an annual event saluting the owners and operators of Canada’s small
and mediurn-sized businesses, sponsored by the Federal Business Development Bank in
cooperation with the Canadian Chamber of Commerce and local chambers and boards of trade.

" Entrepreneurship ~ — A Natural Resourc “e

A big week for small business

Small Business Week October 20th to 26th: An annual
event saluting the owners and operators of Canada’s small
and medium-sized businesses. Small Business Week
recognizes that entrepreneurs are the driving force of our

economy.

This year’s theme, Entrepreneurship — A Natural.

Resource focuses on the fact that the spirit of entrepreneur-
ship is one of our nation’s most important natural resources.

Flowing from our businessmen and women’s drive to suc- -
ceed, it is an inexhaustible resource that produces new

. forms of wealth.

kkekenan

Committed to your success
We finance new and existing businesses.
We provide sound management advice.
We offer practical training.
Call us today.

Federal Business Development Bank,#6-221 W. Esplanade, N. Vancouver
666-7703

Federal Business Banque fédérale
BD Deveiopment Bank de développament

Canada

aa Development, Trade
and Tourism .

wl THE CANADIAN CHAMBER
OF COMMERCE