25 — Sunday, October 12, 1997 — North Shore News The age of small business For the past 17 years, the end of October has come to mean some- thing special to small business owners across the country. It has come to be a time to celebrate their inventiveness. - While Small Business Week. attracts tens of thou- sands of small businesspeople, its origins are somewhat more madest. __* The story begins in British Columbia in 1979 when the Business Develoment Bank of Canada’s Lower Mainland ‘| branches cooled — their “resources to hold small. busi- ness management sessions © under a Small Business Week ¢ J} banner. ; [While the main reason for combining their efforts was to ‘save money, the B.C. branch- |°€s quickly realized they had “struck something remarkable. "Businesspeople were not only “interested in learning how to “| better manage their business- _¢s, they wanted to meet their | fellow - entrepreneurs. and attract public attention. They. wanted to tell the : country. about the ‘important ‘economic benefits they pro-- duce, They. wanted to tell _-| people about the jobs they - “| create, about the products they develop and about the new. markets they explore. ? Jaco af Chamber. of. Commerce . Advocates 0 Your Business Advancement: Most importandy, they were. anxious to tell people that small business had come of age; that they were just as committed, daring and innov- ative as their big business counterparts. In 1981 the week was adopted nationally by the bank and endorsed by the Canadian Chamber of Commerce. Since that time, the bank, the Canadian Chamber of Commerce and focal co- sponsors organize business fairs, exhibits, workshops, conferences, Juncheons, award ceremonies and much more. ~ Fach year a theme that reflects the current interests of small business is chosen for Small Business Weck. This year’s theme is Powering ’ Growth, Building Success. As the theme suggests, Small Business Week °97 will identify and discuss solutions that are available to entrepre- neurs as they tackle the chal- lenges of the new economy and to the many opportuni- ties offered by export mar- kets. Article provided courtesy of the Business Development Bank | - of Canada, which plays a key role in fostering the growth of companies, especially in emerg- ing and export sectors, by offer- ing a range of financial prod- ucts and management support. Se ~ Small Business Week ‘Chamber Event Schedule r SOHO Business Group Seminars “Using the Phone to Drive Your Sales” “Using Internet & E-niall to increase : Your Business” i? . Lunch & Learn - “Building a Contact Network” Dale Carnagie - Jonnny Bayuk Tuesday October 21st After Hours Networking Wine & Cheese - Courtesy of Westel Wednesday October 22nd Flu Vaccination Clinic We Care Home Health Services General Meeting rd Speaker - Naomi Yamamoto Chair BC Chamber of Commerce Fri Lunch & Learn ber 24th “Better Managing Accounts Receivable” PYX Financial Group 12 noon Chamber Boardroom Saturday October 25th Office Garage Sale Sponsored by A-Econo Moving & Storage Alt Events RSVP. For time and focation details on our small business week schedule or for membership information, call! the Chamber office 987-4488 THE North Vancouver Chamber of Commerce provides many oppor- tunities for business owners and indepen- dent professionals to gain valuable informa- tion during Small Business Week. Bi Roundtable, a networking t breakfast takes place at Cheers Restaurant | Thursday Oct. 9 at 7:30 a.m. $7. @ Using the Phone to Drive Your Sales. A SOHO Business Group sentinar in che chamber boardroom, Sunday, October 19 fom 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. $15 members/ $25 non- members. M@ Using the internet and E- mail to Increase Your Business. A SQHO Business Group seminar in the chamber . boardroom, Sunday, October 19 from 1 to 3 p.m. $15 members/ $25 non-members. @ Lunch and Learn: Building a Contact. Network. Offered by Dale Carmagie Training —. Johnny Bayuk, in the chamber boardroom, Monday Oct. 20 at 12 p.m. $10 members/ $15 non-members. @ After hours nerworking at a wine.and cheese, courtesy of Westel. Tuesday, Oct. 21 § p.m. to 7 p.m. at the Westel offices, 949 West 3rd St. Flu vaccination clinic by We Care Home Health Services Wednesday, Oct. 22 from 12 to 2 p.m. in chamber board- toom, $12 members/ $15 non-members. @ General Mecting; speaker Naomi Yamamoto, Chairman of the BC Chamber of Commerce on Thursday, Oct. 23 at 12 p.m. at Cheers Restaurant, 125 East 2nd. $18 members/ $23 non- JUDI Ainsworth, president of the North Vancouver Ghamber. of. c enaita gearing up for Small Business Week which runs frem Oct.:19 to Oct:.25 chamber is offering seminars and networking opportunities throughout t the members, @ Lunch and Learn: Better, Manage Your Accounts Receivable. Offered by Pyx Financial Group in che cham- ber boardroom, Friday, Oct. 24 at 12 p.m. $10 members/ $15 non-members. M. Office Garage Sale. Sponsored by A-Econo Moving & Storage at 131 East 2nd St., North Vancouver. Saturday, Oct..25 at 10 a.m. Companies wishing to donate office furniture and equip- ment for the sale can contact the chamber for free pick-up: . 987-4488. Please RSVP for all events to the Chamber = of Commerce: 987-4488. - oe THE SOHO (Small Office Home Office) Business Group has gone even further and launched a Small Business Month and Fair. oe the Business Oevelopment Bank of Canada, our business is helpina smalt business grow. With unconventional financing, awide range of management services and @ 10.am. Cost. Effective Professional: Printing: For Small Busine Zoo. - f= 11:30 Customers? . Opportunities Group @ l'p.m. Bringing The A Close — Horizon Group: @ 2:30 p.m. Looking’ Sounding Telecommusnica-tions Business — BC Tel. | @ 4 to 7pm Networ! ’ Reception. The seminars and fair will take place at Electric d ‘Denman ‘St. Seminars: are $10 each: B more information, call 92 8250. Lakes Straith & Bilinsky Barristers & Solicitors “Experienced lawyers for small business” A. John Lakes © James L. Straith David J. Bilinsky ¢ Giorgio Verdicchio Suite 301 - 145 West 15th Street, N. Van 984-3646 MAKING BUSINESS EASIER Xerox Copies V Mail Box Service with Street Address & 24-Hr. Access v Binding & Laminating MAIL BOXES ETC’ 1641 Lonsdale Ave. w Fax Sending & Receiving tf Worldwide Ground & Air Courier Shipping v Custom Packing Service 990-4722 . FAX 990-4713.