Understanding Home-Based Businesses
in the Slocan Valley Fall 2017

Executive Summary
The Understanding Home-Based Businesses project explored local home-based businesses
experiences in the Slocan Valley.
This report presents the findings from the Understanding Home-Based Businesses in the Slocan
Valley survey. The survey was divided into five sections: Characteristics, Training, Technology and
Innovation, Business Climate, and Growth and Development.
The first section of the report provides information on the characteristics of the survey
respondents. Briefly, the majority of respondents were from Winlaw (30%), New Denver (21%)
and Slocan (16%). 67% of all owners identified as female, while 75% of all secondary owners
identified as male. Owners were most commonly between the ages of 35 and 44 (34% for 1 st
owners, and 43% for 2nd owner). Business owners most commonly held a post-secondary
certificate or diploma (35%).
28% of all respondents have been in operation for between 1 and 4 years, while an additional
26% have been in operation for between 5 and 9 years. Home-based businesses that participated
in the survey were most commonly from the following categories ‘professional services’ (12%),
‘media’ (12%), and ‘art and craft’ (12%). The majority of respondents (66%) reported that their
business is their primary source of income. 46% of all respondents reported that their business
was growing. Owners most commonly worked between 21-34 hours per week, and very few
respondents had any paid or unpaid employees.

44% of businesses reported that their customers were most commonly drawn from the local
area. 50% of all respondents reported that the home-based business they are operating is their
first and only business, and the most common responses for the reason for starting the business
was to fill a gap in the market and due to an opportunity (28% or 16 respondents). Just 18%
indicated they had a plan to move their business outside of their home.
The Training portion of the survey found that just 52% had previously attended a training course.
Respondents expressed interest in training opportunities in the areas of accounting and finance
(16%) and marketing and promotion (13%).
With regards to the Technology and Innovation section of the survey, wireless service was the
most common form (60% or 34 respondents) of telecommunications access reported by
respondents. The internet is widely used, with the most common usage for email (55
respondents) followed by banking (48 respondents), and research (46 respondents). Just 18% of
respondents reported that between 76 and 100% of their business was based on online trade or
sales. 24 businesses reported that they had introduced a new product, service, process or
technology in the previous 12 months, the same number have intentions of doing so in the next
12 months.
When considering the Business Climate, businesses most commonly (52%) felt that the climate
was fair. When given the opportunity to provide some commentary on the business climate,
responses included: the low population size, access to other markets, access to infrastructure
(high speed internet, reliable internet access), geographic isolation, and low income levels in the
community. When discussing the strengths in the community themes of community support,
affordability, word of mouth/ networking, and the beautiful location were all mentioned. The
majority of respondents (55%) believe that the business climate will improve over the next 5
years.
When looking at the Growth and Development portion of the survey, businesses were modest in
the amount of annual sales, with the most common annual average sales of less than $10,000
reported by 17 businesses, followed by $10,000 to $24,000 by 12 businesses. Market share was
reported as either stable (49% of respondents) or growing (45%). Projected sales growth was
modest, with 33% of respondents indicating growth in the amount of 1 to 9%, and an additional
31% of respondents indicating 10 to 24% growth. 17% of respondents are planning to add a
product or service over the next 5 years. 57% of businesses have engaged in some level of
business planning over the past 12 months, with the most common activities being cash flow
projections, general advertising, and direct marketing campaigns. Respondents were divided,
with roughly half (43%) indicating they wanted the business to stay small so they can continue to
work from home, with an additional 43% expressing a desire to explore opportunities to expand
the business. Sales, Business Technologies and Information Systems, and Customer Relations
were the top three issues that could have the great impact on the business. High Speed
Broadband was by far the biggest support identified by respondents as having the greatest value
for their business among 79% of respondents.

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Table of Contents
Executive Summary ...........................................................................................................................1
Table of Contents ..............................................................................................................................3
Table of Figures .................................................................................................................................3
Introduction ......................................................................................................................................5
Methods ............................................................................................................................................5
Results ...............................................................................................................................................5
Characteristics ...............................................................................................................................5
Training .......................................................................................................................................15
Technology and Innovation .........................................................................................................16
Business Climate .........................................................................................................................19
Growth and Development...........................................................................................................21
Appendix .........................................................................................................................................28

Table of Figures
Figure 1: Location of Businesses (57 respondents) ...........................................................................6
Figure 2: Length of Operation (57 respondents) ...............................................................................6
Figure 3: Description of Business (57 respondents) ..........................................................................7
Figure 4: Legal Status (57 respondents) ............................................................................................8
Figure 5: Location of Business Activities (57 respondents) ...............................................................8
Figure 6: Source of Income (56 respondents) ...................................................................................9
Figure 7: Life Cycle of Business (56 respondents) .............................................................................9
Figure 8: Gender of Business Owner(s) (56 respondents) ..............................................................10
Figure 9: Age of Business Owner(s) (56 respondents) ....................................................................10
Figure 10: Level of Education (55 respondents) .............................................................................11
Figure 11: Total number of hours worked each week (55 respondents) ........................................11
Figure 12: Number of Paid Employees (25 respondents) ...............................................................12
Figure 13: Number of Unpaid Employees (26 respondents) ..........................................................12
Figure 14: Location of Customer Base (55 respondents) ................................................................13
Figure 15: Business History (56 respondents) .................................................................................13
Figure 16: Reason for Starting a Home-Based Business (57 respondents) .....................................14
Figure 17: Outsourcing work (57 respondents) ..............................................................................14
Figure 18: Plan to Move Business (56 respondents) .......................................................................15
Figure 19: Business Training Course (56 respondents) ...................................................................15
Figure 20: Areas of Training Interest (42 respondents) ..................................................................16
Figure 21: Access to Telecommunications (57 respondents)..........................................................17
Figure 22: Internet Usage (57 respondents) ...................................................................................17
Figure 23: Online Trade or Sales (56 respondents) .........................................................................18
Figure 24: Introduction of New Projects, Services, Processes and/or Technologies (57
respondents) ...................................................................................................................................18
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Figure 25: Planning to Introduce New Projects, Services, Processes and/or Technologies (56
respondent).....................................................................................................................................19
Figure 26: Local Business Climate (54 respondents) .......................................................................19
Figure 27: Area Limitations .............................................................................................................20
Figure 28: Area Strengths................................................................................................................20
Figure 29: Business Climate Comparison – 5 Years Ago (52 respondents) .....................................21
Figure 30: Business Climate Comparison – 5 years From Today (51 respondents) ........................21
Figure 31: Annual Average Sales (55 respondents).........................................................................22
Figure 32: Market Share Projection (51 respondent) .....................................................................22
Figure 33: Projected Sales Growth (49 respondents) .....................................................................23
Figure 34: Historical Sales Trend (50 respondents) ........................................................................23
Figure 35: Business Plans Over the Next 5 Years (49 respondents) ................................................24
Figure 36: Business Development in Previous 12 months (54 respondents) ..................................25
Figure 37: Description of Business (48 respondents) ......................................................................25
Figure 38: Business Impact and Operations (52 respondents) .......................................................26
Figure 39: Business Supports (55 respondents) ..............................................................................27

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Introduction
This report presents the findings from the survey undertaken in partnership between the Rural
Development Institute at Selkirk College and the Slocan Valley Economic Development
Commission.
The Understanding Home-Based Businesses project explores the characteristics and perspectives
of home-based businesses in the Slocan Valley. This research is a critical first step toward better
understanding how the Slocan Valley Economic Development Commission, the Slocan & District
Chamber of Commerce, and other economic development stakeholders can best support these
often 'hidden' businesses. This research study will build on findings from the Business Retention
and Expansion (BRE) project, administered in partnership with the Columbia Basin Rural
Development Institute at Selkirk College. For more information on the Regional BRE Program
and to access the Slocan Valley BRE report please visit: www.cbrdi.ca/bre.
For the purpose of this study a home-based business is considered to be any business entity
selling products or services, run by a self-employed person, with or without employees, and
operating on either a part-time or full-time basis from a residential property.

Methods
The community partners leading the Understanding Home-Based Businesses project undertook a
survey between October 2015 and April 2016. Data was collected using paper copies or online
using Survey Monkey. A wide response was desired, and survey respondents were sought
through word of mouth and by sharing information about the project to existing social and
community networks. Paper copies of surveys were available for pick up and drop off at the
Slocan Valley Co-op in Slocan Park, New Market Foods and the Valley Voice Newspaper office in
New Denver. All completed surveys were entered into Survey Monkey by staff at the Rural
Development Institute. In total 58 individuals participated in the survey. The response rate for
this study could not be calculated because the number of businesses located in the Slocan Valley
is unknown (business licensing is not a requirement). Regardless data from this sample does
provide valuable insight into home-based businesses in the Slocan Valley. Quantitative data was
analyzed using descriptive statistical analysis and qualitative data was presented using Wordle,
with full qualitative comments provided in the appendices.

Results
Characteristics
The majority of respondents (30% or 17 respondents) reported that their business was located in
Winlaw, followed by 21% (12 respondents) in New Denver, and 16% (9 respondents) in Slocan.

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35%

30%

Percentage

30%

25%

21%

20%

16%

15%
10%
5%

0%

7%

5%

4%

7%

5%

4%

2%

0%

0%

Business Location

Figure 1: Location of Businesses (57 respondents)
28% (16 businesses) of respondents indicated that they have been in operation for between 1
and 4 years, while 26% (15 respondents), indicated that they have been in operation for 5 to 9
years.
28%

30%

26%

Percentage

25%
20%
15%

16%
12%
9%

10%

9%

5%
0%
Less than 1
year

1-4 years

5-9 years

10-14 years 15-19 years More than
20 years

Length of Operation

Figure 2: Length of Operation (57 respondents)
12% of respondents (7 businesses) indicated that their business was related to professional
services, media, and art/craft, respectively. 11% (6 respondents) reported that the business was
consulting/coaching related. Refer to the Appendix for a list of the ‘other’ responses.

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Other (please specify)

26%

Agriculture

0%

Animal Training / Boarding

2%

Childcare Provider

0%

Mechanic

0%

Description of Business

Food Services (baking, catering,
production, equipment)

7%

Personal Services (spa, hairdressing,
sewing, product rep., etc.)

0%

Hospitality (bed and breakfast)

2%

Building Trades (carpentry, plumbing,
developer, electrical, builder, inspection,
drywall, landscaping, painting, tree work,…
Health Services (bodywork, art therapy,
counseling, home support, seniors
support, yoga, etc.)

5%

4%

Technology (programming, web design,
repairs/sales, organization support, etc.)

7%

Consulting / Coaching (for business, nonprofit, government)

11%

Professional Services (bookkeeping,
architecture, accounting, legal,
engineering, environmental,…
Media (writer, journalist, editor, agent,
publisher, blogger, graphic design,
filmaker, sound production, translation,…
Artist / Craftsperson (musician, teacher,
visual artist, textile, clay, jewelry, wood,
mixed media, furniture builder, dance,…
0%

12%

12%

12%
5%

10%

15%

20%

25%

30%

Percentage

Figure 3: Description of Business (57 respondents)
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Percentage

75% of respondents (43 businesses) indicated that their legal status was as sole proprietorship.
80%
70%
60%
50%
40%
30%
20%
10%
0%

75%

7%

11%

7%
0%

0%

Legal Status

Figure 4: Legal Status (57 respondents)
The majority of respondents (35% or 20 respondents) use their home as a base, but do some
work outside of the home, followed by 32% (18 respondents) who solely work at home. 25% (14
respondents) use their home as a base, but do most of the work outside of the home.
40%
35%

35%
32%

Percentage

30%

25%

25%
20%
15%

9%

10%
5%
0%

At home

Use the home as a Use the home as a
base, but some of base, but much of
the work is outside the work is outside
of home
of home

Other (please
describe)

Location of Business Activities

Figure 5: Location of Business Activities (57 respondents)

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The majority of respondents (66% or 37 respondents) indicated that their business is their
primary source of income.
66%

70%

Percentage

60%
50%
34%

40%
30%
20%
10%
0%
Primary

Secondary
Source of Income

Figure 6: Source of Income (56 respondents)

Percentage

The majority of respondents (46% or 26 respondents) indicated that their business is growing,
while 23% (13 respondents) indicated it was emerging, and a further 20% (11 respondents)
indicated it was maturing.
50%
45%
40%
35%
30%
25%
20%
15%
10%
5%
0%

46%

23%

20%
11%

Emerging

Growing

Maturing

Declining

Life Cycle of Business
Figure 7: Life Cycle of Business (56 respondents)
The majority of respondents (67% or 36 respondents) indicated that the primary owner is
female. Of the 8 respondents to indicate that there was a second owner, 75% were male (6
respondents), and just one respondent indicated that there was a female third owner 100% or 1
respondent). None of the respondents indicated that there was a fourth owner.

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Percentage

120%
100%
80%
60%
40%
20%
0%

100%
75%

67%
33%

25%
0%

Owner 1 (respondent)

Owner 2

Owner 3

Gender of Business Owner(s)
Female

Male

Figure 8: Gender of Business Owner(s) (56 respondents)
Of the primary owners, 34% of respondents (18 respondents) indicated that they were between
the ages of 35 and 44, followed by 21% (11 respondents) between the ages of 45 and 54.
Secondary owners were most commonly between the ages of 35 – 44 (43% or 3 respondents).
None of the respondents indicated that there was a fourth owner.
120%
100%

Percentage

100%
80%
60%
43%
40%

34%

20%

21%
15%15%
13%
0% 2%

29%29%
0% 0% 0%

0%

0% 0%

0% 0% 0% 0%

0%
Owner 1 (you)

Owner 2

Owner 3

Age of Business Owner(s)
Under 18 years

18-24 years

25-34 years

45-54 years

55-64 years

65+ year

35-44 years

Figure 9: Age of Business Owner(s) (56 respondents)
The majority of respondents (35% or 19) reported that that they had a post-secondary certificate
or diploma below the bachelor level. The second most frequent response was a bachelor degree
(29% or 16 respondents).

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Percentage

40%
35%
30%
25%
20%
15%
10%
5%
0%

35%
29%
22%

7%

7%

0%

Level of Education
Figure 10: Level of Education (55 respondents)

Percentage

Most respondents (38% or 21 respondents) reported that they work between 21 and 34 hours
per week, with 20% (11 respondents) indicating they wok between 10 and 20, and 18% indicating
they work between 35 and 50 hours per week.
45%
40%
35%
30%
25%
20%
15%
10%
5%
0%

38%

20%

18%

13%
5%

5%

Less than 10 10-20 hours 21-34 hours 35-50 hours 51-70 hours More than
hours
70 hours
Total Number of Hours Worked Each Week

Figure 11: Total Number of Hours Worked Each Week (55 respondents)
The majority of respondents consistently indicated that they did not have any employees. The
highest number of employees was in the casual male category, with 35% of respondents (6
respondents) indicating that they had 1 male casual paid employee. None of the respondents
indicated they had more than 3 paid employees.

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Percentage

100%
90%
80%
70%
60%
50%
40%
30%
20%
10%
0%

93%
79%

77%

79%

67%

53%
0
35%
7%
0%0%

15%
8%
0%

Female Full Time

Female Part Time

20%

16%
5%
0%

7%
0%

6%6%

Male - Full Male - Part
Time
Time

Male Casual

7%7%
Female Casual

14%

1
2
3

Number of Paid Employees

Figure 12: Number of Paid Employees (25 respondents)
The majority of respondents consistently indicated that they did not have any unpaid employees.
The highest number of unpaid employees was in the casual female category, with 24% of
respondents (4 respondents) indicating that they had 1 female casual unpaid employee. Notably,
for both female and male casual one respondent indicated that they did have more than 10
unpaid employees assisting with the business. Other than the one business reporting more than
10 unpaid employees, none of the respondents indicated they had over 3 unpaid employees.
120%

Percentage

100%

80%
60%
40%
20%
0%

100%

93%

87%

79%

69%

65%

7%

24%

14%
7%

6%6%

Female - Full Female - Part
Time
Time

Female Casual

19%

13%
Male - Full
Time

6%6%

Male - Part Male - Casual
Time

Number of Unpaid Employees
0

1

2

3

more than 10

Figure 13: Number of Unpaid Employees (26 respondents)
The local area was the most commonly cited location for the majority of the businesses customer
base (44% or 24 respondents). 18% (10 businesses) indicated they also serviced customers within
the regional and provincial areas.

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50%

44%

Percentage

40%
30%
18%

20%

18%
9%

11%

National

International

10%
0%
Local

Regional

Provincial

Location of Customer Base
Figure 14: Location of Customer Base (55 respondents)
The most common response indicates that the business is the first and only business for the
survey respondents (50% or 28 respondents). 25% (14 respondents) indicate that they have
operated a business before this current business but that closed it. 18% (10 businesses) indicated
they are currently operating another business.
60%
50%

Percentage

50%
40%
30%

25%
18%

20%
7%

10%
0%

This business is my
I operated a
I operated a
I'm still operating
first and only
business before the business before the another business
business
current business
current business
alongside the
but closed it
but sold it
current business
Business History

Figure 15: Business History (56 respondents)

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Most respondents (28% or 16 respondents) reported that they started a home-based business
because they saw an opportunity / gap in the market, followed by 11% respectively (6
respondents) who indicated it was due to the inability to find work, or that they could earn more
money than in any other form of employment. Refer to the Appendix for ‘other’ responses.
30%

28%
26%

25%

Percentage

20%
15%
11%

10%

9%

11%
9%

5%
5%

2%

0%

Reason for Starting a Home-Based Business
Figure 16: Reason for Starting a Home-Based Business (57 respondents)
70% (40 respondents) indicated that they did NOT outsource work.

30%
70%

Yes

No

Figure 17: Outsourcing Work (57 respondents)

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82% or 46 respondents have no plans to move the business outside of their home.

18%

82%

Yes

No

Figure 18: Plan to Move Business (56 respondents)
Training
Just over half of all respondents reported they had attended a training course on owning or
operating a business (52% or 29 respondents).

48%

52%

Yes

No

Figure 19: Business Training Course (56 respondents)
The training that received the most interest, was for training in the areas of accounting and
finance (30 respondents or 16%). 13% (25 respondents) also expressed interest in training for
marketing and promotion. Refer to the Appendix for ‘other’ responses.

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Other (please specify)

5%

Social skills development

4%

Research (including market research) and product
development

5%

Organizational health and safety

4%

Marketing and promotion

13%

Areas of Training Interest

Legal courses (IP, patents, etc.)
Language courses

5%
3%

Job-specific technical training

7%

Information and technology

7%

Human resources
Green skills development

2%
4%

Entrepreneurship related training

7%

E-Commerce

7%

Business planning (including management and
leadership training)

9%

Accounting and finance

16%
0% 2% 4% 6% 8% 10% 12% 14% 16% 18%
Percentage

Figure 20: Areas of Training Interesti (42 respondents)
Technology and Innovation
The majority of respondents (60% or 34 respondents) have access to wireless service.

i Note that respondents were asked to select all of the responses that applied resulting in a total of 187 responses from

42 respondents.
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Percentage

70%
60%
50%
40%
30%
20%
10%
0%

60%

21%
0%
Dial-up

12%

5%
DSL/ADSL

Cable

2%
Wireless

Satellite

Do not have
internet
access

Access to Telecommunications

Figure 21: Access to Telecommunications (57 respondents)
Respondents use the internet for a wide range of activities. Nearly all of the respondents (55
respondents or 15% of responses) indicated they use the internet for email purposes. 48
respondents use the internet for banking (13% of responses), and 46 respondents use the
internet for research (13% of responses). Refer to the Appendix for ‘other’ responses.

Other (please specify)

3%

Online learning

11%

Internet Usage

Receiving payment for products and/or services
and/or bookings

10%

Research

13%

Networking with other businesses or associations

11%

Internet banking

13%

Providing customer support

12%

Taking orders for products and/or services and/or
bookings

12%

Email

15%

0%

2%

4%

6%

8%

10% 12% 14% 16%

Percentage
Figure 22: Internet Usageii (57 respondents)

ii Note that respondents were asked to select all of the responses that applied resulting in a total of 363 responses from

57 respondents.
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Percent of Business Based on Online Trade or
Sales

23% of respondents (13 businesses) indicated that between 1 and 15% of their business was
based on online trade or sales. 27% (15 businesses) reported that 0% was dependent on online
trade or sales due to the fact that they were not interested or that mode was not applicable to
their business. Interestingly, 10 businesses (18%) reported that between 76 and 100% of their
business was online.

0% - not interested or not applicable

27%

0% - looking to explore related opportunities

9%

76-100%

18%

51-75%

9%

31-50%

7%

16-30%

7%

1-15%

23%
0%

5%

10%

15%

20%

25%

Percentage

Figure 23: Online Trade or Sales (56 respondents)
42% of all respondents (24 businesses) reported that they had introduced a new product, service,
process and/or technology in the previous 12 months.

18%
Yes
42%
40%

No
N/A

Figure 24: Introduction of New Projects, Services, Processes and/or Technologies (57
respondents)

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30%

43% of all respondents (24 businesses) reported that they have intentions to introduce new
products, services, processes and/or technologies over the next 12 months.

23%
Yes

43%

No

N/A
34%

Figure 25: Planning to Introduce New Projects, Services, Processes and/or Technologies (56
respondent)
Business Climate

Percentage

52% (28 respondents) rated the local business climate as fair, with 24% (13 respondents)
indicating that it was poor.
60%
50%
40%
30%
20%
10%
0%

52%

24%
17%
7%
Poor

Fair

Good

Excellent

Local Business Climate

Figure 26: Local Business Climate (54 respondents)
The following words were frequently cited when discussing the area’s limitations as a place to do
business. 50 respondents provided comment. Some common themes include the low population
size, access to other markets, access to infrastructure (high speed internet, reliable internet
access), geographic isolation, and low income levels in the community.

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Figure 27: Area Limitations
The following words were frequently cited when discussing the area’s strengths as a place to do
business. 49 respondents provided comment. Some common themes include the strength and
support from the community, affordability, word of mouth/ networking, and the beautiful
location.

Figure 28: Area Strengths

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42% (22 respondents) indicated that they felt that the business climate hadn’t changed when
compared with five years ago. 40% (21 respondents) felt it was better than five years ago, and
17% (9 respondents) felt it was worse

17%
40%

Worse today
No change

42%

Better today

Figure 29: Business Climate Comparison – 5 Years Ago (52 respondents)
55% (28 respondents) indicated that they felt that the business climate would improve over the
next five years ago. 31% (16 respondents) felt that there would be no change, and 14% (7
respondents) felt it would be worse.

14%
Will be worse
55%

31%

No change
Will be better

Figure 30: Business Climate Comparison – 5 years From Today (51 respondents)
Growth and Development
31% of respondents (17 businesses) indicated that they average less than $10,000 in sales on an
annual basis. 27% (15 businesses) respondents had sales of between $10,000 and $24,000, while
an additional 22% (12 businesses) of respondents reported annual sales of between $25,000 and
$49,000.

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35%

31%

30%

27%

Percentage

25%

22%

20%
15%
9%

10%

5%
5%

2%

4%
0%

0%
Less than $10,000 to $25,000 to $50,000 to $75,000 to $100,000 $150,000
Over
$10,000 $24,000 $49,000 $74,000 $99,000
to
to
$200,000
$149,000 $200,000
Annual Average Sales

Figure 31: Annual Average Sales (55 respondents)
The market share for the home-based business was either stable (49% or 25 respondents) or
growing (45% or 23 respondents), with just 3 respondents (6%) indicating that their market share
was decreasing.

6%
Decreasing
45%

Stable
49%

Growing

Figure 32: Market Share Projection (51 respondent)
The most common response from respondents was an anticipated 1 – 9% sales growth over the
next year (33% or 16 respondents). 31% (15 respondents) anticipate sales growth of between 10
and 24%.

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Percentage

35%
30%
25%
20%
15%
10%
5%
0%

33%

31%

12%
8%

6%

8%

2%
Declining

0%

1-9%

10-24%

25-49%

50-99%

Over 100%

Projected Sales Growth

Figure 33: Projected Sales Growth (49 respondents)
The majority of respondents (56% or 28 respondents) indicated that the historical sales trend is
increasing, with 36% (18 respondents) businesses reporting it has stayed the same.

Declining

8%

56%

36%

Staying the
same
Increasing

Figure 34: Historical Sales Trend (50 respondents)
The most common response (17% or 24 respondents) indicated that they are planning to add
products or services over the next five years. 16% (23 respondents) indicated that they plan to
continue to develop at the same rate, while an additional 14% (20 respondents) indicated that
they plan on acquiring more skills to expand their business.

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Business Plans Over the Next 5 Years

Other (please specify)

5%

Return to full-time employment (not at this
business)
Return to full-time self-employment (at this
business)

1%
8%

Add products or services

17%

Expand building/premises

5%

Get some support to help the business grow

11%

Acquire more skills to expand the business

14%

Employ others

9%

Reduce the size of the business

2%

Increase the size of the business

11%

Continue to develop at the same rate

16%
0% 2% 4% 6% 8% 10% 12% 14% 16% 18%
Percentage

Figure 35: Business Plans Over the Next 5 Yearsiii (49 respondents)

Business Development in
Previous 12 Months

The majority of respondents (43% or 32 respondents) indicated that they have not undertaken
any of the activities listed in the previous 12 months. The most common activities undertaken
include: cash flow projections (12% or 9 respondents), general advertising (11% or 8
respondents), and direct marketing campaign (11% or 8 respondents).
None of the above

43%

A comprehensive analysis of your customer…

8%

Direct marketing campaign

11%

A written marketing plan

7%

General advertising (e.g. Yellow Pages)

11%

Cash flow projections

12%

A written business plan

8%
0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

Percentage

iii Note that respondents were asked to select all of the responses that applied resulting in a total of 141 responses from

49 respondents.
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50%

Figure 36: Business Development in Previous 12 monthsiv (54 respondents)

Respondents were asked to review and select the statements that applied to themselves and
their business. The majority of respondents (43% or 25 respondents) indicated that they prefer
to stay small so that they can work from home, and an equal number (43% or 25 respondents)
indicated that they would like to explore opportunities to expand their business.

Description of Business

My business has export potential

12%

I am involved in importing

2%

I am involved in exporting

0%

I prefer to stay small so that I can work
from home

43%

I would like to explore opportunities to
expand my business

43%
0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

Percentage
Figure 37: Description of Businessv (48 respondents)
Respondents were given the option to choose the top three issues that had the greatest impact
on their business and operations. The top three responses indicated that sales (40% or 21
respondents), business technologies and information systems (37% or 19 respondents), and
customer relations (35% or 18 respondents) had the most critical impact.

iv Note that respondents were asked to select all of the responses that applied resulting in a total of 74

responses from 54 respondents.
v Note that respondents were asked to select all of the responses that applied resulting in a total of 58
responses from 48 respondents.
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Interest rates

2%

Employee skills

21%

Business Impact and Operations

Business technologies and information systems

37%

Customer relations

35%

National and provincial government policy and
planning

27%

Local government policy and planning

25%

Sales

40%

Competition

23%

Profitability

25%

Cash flow

29%

Exchange rates

10%

Business costs

25%

0% 5% 10% 15% 20% 25% 30% 35% 40% 45%
Percentage
Figure 38: Business Impact and Operationsvi (52 respondents)
High speed broadband access was the business support that was identified by 41 respondents
(79%) as being of great value. Other supports identified as valuable include marketing for the
business (36% or 18 respondents indicated that it was of great value, and 40% or 20 respondents
indicated it was of some value), shared professional services (e.g. accounting, etc.) (40% or 20
respondents indicated it was of great value with an additional 26% or 13 respondents indicating
it as of some value), and organized networking/social activities with others (30% or 15 responses
indicated it was of great value and 42% or 21 respondents indicated it was of some value).

vi Note that respondents were asked to select all of the responses that applied resulting in a total of 52 responses from

155 respondents.
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13%
9%
21%

Help in finding needed workers

57%

9%
13%
24%

Shared office space

54%

15%

35%
31%
19%

Business Supports

Organized peer support

Shared professional services (e.g.
accounting)

26%
20%
14%

40%

29%
41%
20%
10%

Training / education

Organized networking / social with
others

16%
12%

Marketing your business

12%
12%

Great value to me
Some value to me
Limited value to me

30%
42%

No value to me

36%
40%

30%
22%
24%
24%

Improved air travel in region

79%

12%
4%
6%

High speed broadband

0%

20% 40% 60% 80% 100%
Percentage

Figure 39: Business Supports (55 respondents)

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Appendix
Figure 3: Description of Business – Other Responses
Respondents

Other (please specify)

1

sector agnostic / cross-sector

2

Project coordination for non-profits.

3

A combination of all of the above.

4

Potter, landlord, and Natural builder.

5

Education

6

cultural outdoor education

7

brew on premise

8

Medical transcription

9

Itinerate Visionary

10

Excavation, site prep, sand and gravel.

11

Paddle board instruction

12

manufacturing

13

Tourism guiding instruction

14

flower farmer

15

Forestry Consulting, GIS Services and Artists

Figure16: Reason for Starting a Home-Based Business
Respondents
1

Other (please specify)
Because I saw and opportunity/gap in the market; attempt to reduce
stigma/disabilities associated with poverty/health issues; to develop new markets.

2

Opportunities for project work presented themselves.

3

It's complicated.

4

It was less expensive
Because my employment does not provide office space I work remotely w/out
benefits

5
6
7
8

I am disabled and cannot manage a regular schedule.
We're moving from Metro Vancouver this summer and I plan to start a home based
tutoring business

10

you need to design this questions being able to mark several options
Most jobs available are part time. I have two good part time jobs, but that does not
make up the income that I require raising kids.
want to enjoy garden / outdoors and family + have worked for myself for 15 years
(other industry)

11

own boss

12
13

Did not want to work out of province anymore
An injury meant I could no longer do what I was doing before, and I had to use
what I had - art.

14

It is my passion and like the option for diversity and taking the clients of my choice.

15

I enjoy the independence of self-employment.

9

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Figure 20: Areas of Training Interest
Respondents

Other (please specify)

1

None - I will retire soon.

2

Financial management.

3

I do not need more training. I need this region to be better marketed for the arts.

4

Social media skills

5

effective use of social media to promote my business

6

None

7

social media marketing

8

Community Futures

9

Above training refers to employees interests not owners

Figure22: Internet Usage
Respondents

1

Other (please specify)
Define 'internet' access. I run my own services (ie. email, web, SAS, IAS) the
'choke' means I can't access m own services (Toronto) and vice versa-ie.
potential customers, my service in Toronto cannot access local services hosted
here.

2

Additional answer to #20 above - Wireless and Satellite.

3

My website

4

all the above

5

delivery of services

6

Télé conferencing

7

web design

8

purchasing ingredients and equipment

9

My job is 100% online

10

building websites

11

building & delivering software projects

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