Today, to mark Canada's Small Business Day, Shop Small Biz announced the winners of its 2013 Small Biz Champions contest, presented by the Canadian Federation of Independent Business (CFIB). Interac Association is a proud supporter of Shop Small Biz.
Ten winners were selected from over 700 entries. Entrants to the contest were asked to submit stories and photos that show why they love being entrepreneurs. Winners were selected for how well their entries demonstrated their entrepreneurial spirit and community involvement.
"Entrepreneurs represent the very best of what it means to be Canadian," said CFIB president Dan Kelly. "They are resourceful, hard-working, and they care about their communities. Today, on Canada's Small Business Day, we celebrate ten Small Biz Champions who embody that spirit, and we ask Canadians to celebrate their own local small businesses by shopping small and visiting shopsmallbiz.ca."
The 2013 Small Biz Champions are:
- Alberta – Flying High Manufacturing, a 30 year old small business serving "parachute equipped" customers.
- British Columbia – Esteem Lingerie, a mom and daughter-owned lingerie store working to empower women.
- British Columbia – Spud Shack Co., an award winning company that produces locally produced food and beverage products.
- Nova Scotia – Treasures of Distinction, a gift shop in Pictou that is a strong supporter of local artists, community events and causes.
- Ontario – Printables.Me, a start-up by two young professionals that brings photos and prints to life on canvas.
- Ontario –Truth Beauty Company, a small business that brings environmentally conscious and safe beauty and skin care products to women, men and children.
- PEI – Christine's Closet, a clothing store at the heart of the island community.
- Quebec – Alpha Combustion, a leader in the heating and air conditioning business in Gatineau since 1999.
- Quebec – Mécanique Bruno Fortier, an experienced mechanic that has been serving the local community since 1986.
- Saskatchewan – Cypress Hill Eco-Adventure, a company that provides an outdoor zip-line experience in Maple Creek, Saskatchewan.
"We are proud to support Shop Small Biz and congratulate Canada's Small Biz Champions," said Caroline Hubberstey, Head of External Affairs, Interac Association and Acxsys Corporation. "We want to empower small business, and the shopsmallbiz.ca website is one way that we help do that, by giving smaller companies the opportunity to reach more customers."
