By Daryl Major

Conference in Nanaimo hopes to help small business thrive

Feb 3, 2017 | 8:09 AM

NANAIMO – It’s been said small business owners are the backbone of the economy.

According to one estimate, small business owners with 20 employees or less, account for 98 per cent of all business in British Columbia.

Growing small business is the focus of a one day conference in Nanaimo Friday. SOHO Nanaimo is designed to help small business owners increase productivity.

Spokesperson Angie Barnard said they have a full day of presentations and information sessions planned.

“SOHO Nanaimo is about empowering small and home office business owners with tools and tips and tricks and connections that they need to absolutely thrive in business,” Barnard said. “Get them motivated, get them jazzed up about 2017 and get them focused on their top three business goals.”

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She said the conference will be the most productive day all year for many businesses. 

“We know what programs to put together because we’ve been there,” she said. “We’ve been the home office entrepreneur. We’ve been the small business entrepreneur. So it’s sort of an aggregate of many different people telling us what is that they need to survive and to thrive in their business. And we’ve put it together and that’s the agenda for SOHO Nanaimo.”

Small business owners are very busy and Barnard knows it can be a challenge to draw them away for a day of information sessions and guest speakers.

“I think what makes this conference unique is that the whole program is set up around conversations and meetings and round-table discussions to learn from your peers and to learn from experts.”

This conference was prompted by a similar event last year in Victoria which was a success. Barnard said they expect over 200 delegates.

daryl.major@jpbg.ca