As this is Small Business week, I’ve been thinking about the impact that small businesses have had on me. You see, I am the type who typically shops at the larger stores. I don’t really know why. Perhaps its because of their close proximity to me or that it’s an automatic reaction on my part.
Until I started blogging, I have to admit I never gave much thought to small businesses. Sure, like many, I’ve often dreamed about being a business owner one day, but that was about it.
Now that I’ve been blogging for a while and have been fortunate to attend a few conferences, I’ve met many people who are living their dream as the CEO of their business. Having started Twitter (2nd attempt) around the same time as my blog, I’ve met some pretty incredible people on and off line and let me tell you they have taught me a lot.
I love hearing their stories about how and why they decided to start their own business. I actually find out more about their company in this conversation than I ever would reading their brochure or webpage.
Small business owners are hard working, honest, funny, smart women and men who really wants to make their business the best that it can be. As a customer, I want to go to the best (within my means) and I want to know that they care about the quality of their work and that they value me as a client. They take the time to answer my questions and to make my shopping experience a memorable one. So if that means I have to drive a bit further out or plan ahead so I can place an order online, then so be it.
So to all the 1,116,423 small businesses in Canada, I say thank you for your hard work and dedication, but most of all for providing me an alternative to the "other guys".
