Small business drives B.C.

Photo: File photo

Small business provides employment to over one-million British Columbians

British Columbia's small business week kicks off Sunday to highlight the importance of small business for the province's economy. 

The event, which runs until Oct. 20, is an annual celebration of entrepreneurship that the Business Development Bank of Canada has been organizing for almost 40 years.

A 2017 provincial report on the state of small businesses in the province found 98% of all businesses in B.C. fall into the small business category, with 79% considered micro-small business, which are classified as having fewer than 5 employees.

The Thompson-Okanagan boasts the third most small businesses in the province.

The Kelowna Chamber of Commerce has several events planned for the celebration.

On Tuesday the Chamber will announce its coveted Business Leader of the Year award, to be presented Wednesday October 24 at the Business Excellence Awards Gala Evening at the Delta Grand.

There is also a lunchtime workshop on Tuesday on titled How Mindfulness Reduces Chronic
Stress.

A Chamber luncheon will be held Wednesday at the Coast Capri featuring what's likely to be a lively session on the pros and cons of proportional representation. Official funded spokespeople for each side include Bill Tieleman, on the no side, and and Marina Dobrinskaya on the yes side.

The chambers monthly ConneX networking event happens Thursday at 7 p.m. with the new owners of Sunshine Pools & Spas on Springfield Road.