​If you're looking around at recent Chamber meetings, there may be some new business owners' faces around the room. It's another part of the post-pandemic "new normal" – the number of people who quit their 9-to-5 jobs to pursue a passion and start their own business. Many Canadians who left the workforce during the pandemic did so because they felt the spirit of entrepreneurship and wanted to be their own boss.

If you've been considering striking out on your own or have a streak of entrepreneurial spirit in you, now may be a great time. More and more, people want to support small, local businesses. If you have skills that people want and hard work and drive, you, too, may be one of the newest business owners in the Chamber! ​

Once the major financial hurdles have been addressed, handing a family business over to the next generation can be handled in a variety of ways to suit your personal needs and goals. Obtaining professional help for determining any tax or legal issues should be placed at the top of the agenda. We value our local businesses, and their commitment to our community. Our guidelines can help you identify what items need to be addressed to ensure a seamless transition when handing off the keys to the store to the next generation.

Many local businesses have been in the same family for years. Your children may well have worked in the store growing up, and as they have gotten older, attended business meetings and begun to learn the ropes. The ability to help them get started while you are still able to advise and help them as problems arise is a wonderful opportunity for everyone.

As the current owner, and possibly the person who started the store, you will need to determine how much, if any, monetary compensation is required. The business can be transferred in various ways, gifted, sold at full or partial value, or put into a family corporation or trust with a different person named as manager.

A business plan and a transition plan can help your successfully transfer the business. If you are relying on a set income from the store, it is important to identify the role you will play in ensuring you receive it, and to have a contingency plan if it is not able to meet the goals.

Protecting the business against inter-family disputes should be discussed with a lawyer prior to transfer. Divorce, death, and changes in income can lead to problems between family members.

​Ensure the person who is taking over the keys to the family store has the knowledge they need to operate it. If this person has not been active in all aspects of the business, they will require training. You will want to begin this process at least six months to a year prior to transferring the business.

Discuss with all family members what each person's role, if any, will be in the business throughout the succession, and after, if you are keeping a portion of ownership.

Create a succession timeline and plan based on both of your needs. Some owners prefer a gradual turnover, while others do so all at once.

Accept that some things with the business will change. New products and technology are changing the way businesses operate and a fresh set of eyes may identify areas that are currently not performing as well as they should. Encourage your family to put their own personal stamp on the store.
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We at the Chamber encourage all stores and family businesses to use our resources to increase their ability to be successful and continue to grow our community.

An essential skill for any entrepreneur the ability to create meaningful connections via networking, also called network development. Creating connections with customers both old and new is important but creating a network of other entrepreneurs and business owners provides value customers can't provide. Typically this comes in the form of insights and ideas from various industry experts looking to exchange tips and advice.

In its simplest form, networking is defined as making social connections with a business objective. If your goal is to receive more value than you give in the process, your efforts will have only short term rewards. With that in mind, go about your network development with long-term goals of giving more than you receive. 
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At this juncture, you may be wondering how you can go about network development. Every year, businesses across the world come together in different forums. Some of the participants of these events is a group of highly-skilled entrepreneurs with a common idea. They aim to generate, share, and develop ideas as well as meet potential investors and industry experts. The entrepreneurs want to add the right people around them and form meaningful relationships.

Network development doesn't always start in-person, but it sure can kick off your efforts with some big wins. Find events that will attract your peers in your area. Call us at the Chamber for suggestions.
For networking in the digital realm, social media has become a powerful tool for entrepreneurs to make connections. Depending on a brand's identity and target demographic, different platforms will produce better results than others.
Social media sites such as Facebook, Twitter and Instagram are great at connecting business owners together. If you're looking for something a bit more professional and targeted than a Facebook group, the reigning king to beat for networking as an entrepreneur is LinkedIn, a social media platform created specifically for businesses to interact. Direct communication between entrepreneurs is as easy as searching for others in your industry to get started. 

The first point we want to point out isn't about how to bolster business using a network but instead how to maintain motivation. Networking builds relationships that often turn into friendships which is important to help balance the grind needed to be successful and avoid burnout.
These friends are also the ones that may present the most opportunity. An opportunity can come in the form of new sales avenues, investment options, joint ventures and customer or client leads. Depending on the industry, qualified referrals may also come down the funnel which turns into easy conversions later on. Having access to a network of entrepreneurs and their clients comes with increased visibility, especially when communication between business owners happens publicly online or in-person.
When a network is established and leaned into, entrepreneurs can surround themselves with positive influences and even find mentors eager to share their knowledge with fresh minds. The more information gathered, the more confidence an owner has in executing business plans and decisions. We're excited to see new entrepreneurs attending networking events within our community and how they'll use them to expand their business.

Aristotle once equated the essence of life to serving others and doing good. While the philosophy seems like a fulfilling endeavor, it's not quite practical given that we lead super busy lives. With our already jam-packed schedules, it's impossible to think of giving away your time and energy for free without a financial reward.
However, volunteering is beneficial for several reasons, and the best part about it is that it doesn't have to take up much of your time and effort. The advantages of volunteering not only benefit the community, or person receiving the assistance, it also benefits the individual or the organization offering the help.
Such benefits can probably explain why there has been a steady rise in popularity in volunteering in the past few years. Research shows that more than 25% of adults in the United States volunteered from 2008 to 2017, with women taking the lead at a staggering 27.8% against 21.8% of men.
So why is there a spike in volunteering? Well, it seems as though more and more people are starting to realize the immense benefits one can derive from volunteering. People are beginning to see how helping each other benefits all parties involved, and more businesses are joining the helping bandwagon.

A huge benefit that volunteering has is its impact on the community. It allows organizations to connect to the community to improve it. Even helping out with small tasks can make a significant difference to the lives of those in need, and it's a two-way street.
Setting aside time to help others helps employees network and make new contacts and friends by sharing activities. Volunteering allows employees from different companies in the Chamber to meet for a common goal and form connections. These connections made during the volunteering process make for an incredible opportunity to expand business ties outside the organization.

​Communication is a vital cornerstone of any business meeting. As the CEO or team manager, you have to use the best skills to keep your employees motivated towards achieving personal and professional goals. To succeed at this job, you'll have to possess the right communicating skills so that your meetings are smooth, effective, and pleasant for everyone.

​So, your muscles are aching, your bones are cracking like a box of Rice Krispies, and there is even a pop and a snap here or there, thrown in for good measure. You are exhausted, and you need help. Actually, what you need is a really good massage.

​What is a massage therapist? Northwestern Health Science University defines it as "Massage therapy is manual manipulation of soft body tissues (muscle, connective tissue, tendons and ligaments) to enhance a person's health and well-being".

Storytelling is a major buzzword in the marketing industry these days, and it is an aspect of promoting your business that you cannot afford to ignore. Rather than focusing your marketing efforts on promoting your products or services, the new business model requires telling the story of your brand to help your customers feel connected to and engaged with your business. Follow these tips to do it right.

When coming up with your "brand story," it is important to stay true to the foundation of your business. For example, if your company manufactures reusable water bottles, you wouldn't want your brand to be associated with anything that is disposable in nature. Instead, you would want to tell a story that coincides with sustainable values. Viewers these days are becoming more and more discerning in terms of the brands they choose to patronize, and they will immediately identify anything disingenuous.

Emotions are incredibly powerful when it comes to influencing consumer behavior, and your brand can use this fact to its advantage. People love seeing stories of triumph over adversity, personal growth and achievement, and giving back to the community, so try to incorporate these or similar storylines into your brand storytelling. Of course, any content you produce should still align with your company goals at the same time as telling your story.

The primary goal of brand storytelling is to get prospective customers excited about your brand. Whether you do this through associating with popular local events or by offering frequent promotions and discounts, the goal is to keep your customer base interested in your offerings and excited about buying from your company rather than your competitors. Aim for a high energy level in your marketing materials and branded content online so that your customers are excited to share your content with their friends and followers, helping to expand your reach even further.

At the end of the day, the ultimate purpose of brand storytelling is to attract new customers, and you can't accomplish this without letting people know what your company has to offer. With any content you create, whether it be blog posts, social media posts, advertisements or videos, there should almost always be an element that speaks specifically to your company's products or services. Without this critical aspect, your audience won't know why your brand is sharing its story. You need to help them make the connection between the story and your offerings.

Overall, brand storytelling is about more than just selling products; it is about helping your customers to feel more connected to your business, increasing the likelihood that they will continue to buy your products or services in the future. Keep this end goal in mind at all times to help guide you in creating your brand story. With a bit of creativity and effort, you'll draw in customers and establish dedicated brand loyalty, setting your business up for ongoing success in the future.

A study by the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, School of Medicine estimated that over 80 percent of Americans will experience an episode of lower back pain (LBP), over the course of their lifetimes. An estimated 31 million Americans are affected by lower back pain (LBP) at any given time. The American Chiropractic Association notes the following: Low back pain (LBP) is the single leading cause of disability worldwide. Outnumbered only by upper-respiratory Infections, back pain is the leading cause of missing work. The average cost of a back injury related workers comp claim can be $40,000 - $80,000 per employee.

The National Center for Biotechnology Information estimates that the loss of productivity, (Hours of work lost, days of work missed, and lower wages combined) is over 300 million dollars a year. When the costs of medical care for lower back pain (LBP) is added, the total annual cost rises to over 500 million dollars per annum. In addition, the incidence of chronic lower back pain (LBP) is a major contributor to the opioid crisis, in America.
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The above statistics are shocking, and the bottom line is that lower back pain (LBP) affects all businesses. The Comox Valley Chamber of Commerce would like to offer some tips on how to choose a chiropractor.

Choosing to use a chiropractor, much like choosing a General Practitioner, it is a personal and practical decision. If an employee chooses to make use of a chiropractor, here is a little advice.

Do a Little Research Before Making a Final Choice. Know who your doctor is, and what their credentials experience is. Take a little time check reviews. A quick online search for reviews could save you time, money, and frustration. A good chiropractor should be accredited by independent and peer reviewed organizations. The Canadian Chiropractic Association (CCA) is one the largest such groups in Canada.

Get It for Free. Just like a lawyer, most chiropractors offer a free consultation to discuss your injury and pain, as well as to answer any questions, including future costs.

Know What Your Insurance Will Pay For. You should absolutely know what your insurance plan will pay for additional costs will come out of your pocket!
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Should the time come when one of your employees is the next person to suffer lower back pain (LBP), you will now be prepared to offer them some advice. The Comox Valley Chamber of Commerce hopes to encourage business owners to be proactive with their employees and thus reduce potential costs.

Peonies represent a prosperous marriage and are the 12th anniversary flower. They are a popular choice for giving to a loved one as they also symbolize romance and good fortune.

Lilies, including stargazers and alstroemerias are popular Valentine's Day choices. They can be mixed in with roses, carnations, and other flowers, or presented as a bunch in a vase. Perhaps the most popular lily for the season is the Casa Blanca lily, which makes a stunning presentation with its large fragrant blooms.
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Giving one of this year's most popular flowers for Valentine's Day is the perfect way to show someone you care. Our local florists can help you choose the perfect gift based on your budget and relationship status. Whether you choose a single gardenia or a dozen red roses, they will be a hit.

 Looking for a new ride? Shopping for a pre-owned vehicle can help you save thousands of dollars on your next car, van, or light-duty truck, given the steep depreciation rate on new vehicles.

According to data from Edmunds.com, a mid-sized sedan that sells new for $27,660 will lose about $7,419 in value within the first 12 months, despite the fact that most new car warranties extend well beyond the first year of ownership.
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Depreciation in the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th year of ownership slows down significantly - in general, vehicles depreciate less in years 2-4 than they do during the first year of ownership, which is why the top used car dealers focus their business model on delivering savings and great service to their customers.

In the past, used car dealers were widely viewed as unscrupulous, fly-by-night operators who would take advantage of shoppers by concealing damage and mechanical problems.

Thanks to widespread efforts to improve the image of the used car dealership industry, along with online resources like the National Motor Vehicle Title Information Service (NMVTIS), buying a used car from your local pre-owned dealership is a safe, viable alternative to purchasing a new car.

Better yet, buying used gives you access to vehicles that might otherwise be priced outside of your budget, giving you the chance to shop for a more expensive make or model than you might be able to if you were to buy a new car.
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Most used car dealers also offer warranties on the vehicles they sell, giving you the peace-of-mind that comes with knowing you're protected against mechanical defects or maintenance issues just like you are with a brand-new vehicle. Known as Certified Pre-Owned programs, these extended used car warranties often come along with added perks like free oil changes, car washes, and special financing options.

​If the significant savings on depreciation and extra focus on customer service isn't enough to convince you to consider shopping at your local used car dealer for your next vehicle, maybe this will - Warren Buffet, a.k.a. the "Oracle of Omaha" has long been an advocate of cut-rate cars.
In a BBC documentary about his life, Buffett's daughter disclosed that Buffett liked to buy cars at a steep discount, including cars that had been previously-owned or hail-damaged - despite the fact that Buffet has a net worth of approximately 87.4 billion!