understanding home-based businesses in the slocan valley ...€¦ · sales. 24 businesses reported...

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 1st

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.

Understanding Home-Based Businesses in the Slocan Valley Fall 2017

Sector Research Report : Home-Based Businesses 2 Fal l 2017

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.


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


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


Introduction This report presents the findings from the survey undertaken in partnership between the Rural

Development Institute at Selkirk College, the Slocan Valley Economic Development Commission,

and the Slocan District Chamber of Commerce.

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.

http://www.cbrdi.ca/bre/


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.

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.

0%4%

0%

21%

5%

16%

30%

7%4%

5%2%

7%

0%

5%

10%

15%

20%

25%

30%

35%

Business Location

Pe

rce

nta

ge

12%

28%26%

16%

9% 9%

Less than 1year

1-4 years 5-9 years 10-14 years 15-19 years More than20 years

0%

5%

10%

15%

20%

25%

30%

Length of Operation

Pe

rce

nta

ge


Figure 3: Description of Business (57 respondents)

12%

12%

12%

11%

7%

4%

5%

2%

0%

7%

0%

0%

2%

0%

26%

Artist / Craftsperson (musician, teacher,visual artist, textile, clay, jewelry, wood,mixed media, furniture builder, dance,…

Media (writer, journalist, editor, agent,publisher, blogger, graphic design,

filmaker, sound production, translation,…

Professional Services (bookkeeping,architecture, accounting, legal,

engineering, environmental,…

Consulting / Coaching (for business, non-profit, government)

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

Health Services (bodywork, art therapy,counseling, home support, seniors

support, yoga, etc.)

Building Trades (carpentry, plumbing,developer, electrical, builder, inspection,drywall, landscaping, painting, tree work,…

Hospitality (bed and breakfast)

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

Food Services (baking, catering,production, equipment)

Mechanic

Childcare Provider

Animal Training / Boarding

Agriculture

Other (please specify)

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

De

scri

pti

on

of

Bu

sin

ess

Percentage


75% of respondents (43 businesses) indicated that their legal status was as sole proprietorship.

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.

Figure 5: Location of Business Activities (57 respondents)

75%

7%11%

0% 0%7%

0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

70%

80%

Legal Status

Pe

rce

nta

ge

32%35%

25%

9%

At home Use the home as abase, but some of

the work is outsideof home

Use the home as abase, but much ofthe work is outside

of home

Other (pleasedescribe)

0%

5%

10%

15%

20%

25%

30%

35%

40%

Location of Business Activities

Pe

rce

nta

ge


The majority of respondents (66% or 37 respondents) indicated that their business is their

primary source of income.

Figure 6: Source of Income (56 respondents)

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.

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.

66%

34%

Primary Secondary

0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

70%

Source of Income

Pe

rce

nta

ge

23%

46%

20%

11%

Emerging Growing Maturing Declining

0%

5%

10%

15%

20%

25%

30%

35%

40%

45%

50%

Life Cycle of Business

Pe

rce

nta

ge


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.

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).

67%

25%

100%

33%

75%

0%

Owner 1 (respondent) Owner 2 Owner 3

0%

20%

40%

60%

80%

100%

120%

Gender of Business Owner(s)

Pe

rce

nta

ge

Female Male

0% 0% 0%2% 0% 0%

13%

0%

100%

34%43%

0%

21%

0% 0%

15%

29%

0%

15%

29%

0%

Owner 1 (you) Owner 2 Owner 3

0%

20%

40%

60%

80%

100%

120%

Age of Business Owner(s)

Pe

rce

nta

ge

Under 18 years 18-24 years 25-34 years 35-44 years

45-54 years 55-64 years 65+ year


Figure 10: Level of Education (55 respondents)

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.

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.

0%

7% 7%

35%

29%

22%

0%5%

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

Level of Education

Pe

rce

nta

ge

13%

20%

38%

18%

5% 5%

Less than 10hours

10-20 hours 21-34 hours 35-50 hours 51-70 hours More than70 hours

0%

5%

10%

15%

20%

25%

30%

35%

40%

45%

Total Number of Hours Worked Each Week

Pe

rce

nta

ge


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.

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.

93%

77%67%

79% 79%

53%

7%15%

20% 16% 14%

35%

0%8% 7% 5%

0%6%

0% 0%7%

0%7% 6%

Female -Full Time

Female -Part Time

Female -Casual

Male - FullTime

Male - PartTime

Male -Casual

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

100%

Number of Paid Employees

Pe

rce

nta

ge

0

1

2

3

93%79%

65%

87%100%

69%

7%14%

24%13% 19%

7% 6% 6%6% 6%

Female - FullTime

Female - PartTime

Female -Casual

Male - FullTime

Male - PartTime

Male - Casual

0%

20%

40%

60%

80%

100%

120%

Number of Unpaid Employees

Pe

rce

nta

ge

0 1 2 3 more than 10


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.

Figure 15: Business History (56 respondents)

44%

18% 18%

9% 11%

Local Regional Provincial National International

0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

Location of Customer Base

Pe

rce

nta

ge

50%

25%

7%

18%

This business is myfirst and only

business

I operated abusiness before the

current businessbut closed it

I operated abusiness before the

current businessbut sold it

I'm still operatinganother business

alongside thecurrent business

0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

Business History

Pe

rce

nta

ge


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.

Figure 16: Reason for Starting a Home-Based Business (57 respondents)

70% (40 respondents) indicated that they did NOT outsource work.

Figure 17: Outsourcing Work (57 respondents)

9%

28%

5%

11%9%

11%

2%

26%

0%

5%

10%

15%

20%

25%

30%

Reason for Starting a Home-Based Business

Pe

rce

nta

ge

30%

70%

Yes No


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

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).

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.

18%

82%

Yes No

52%48%

Yes No


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.

16%

9%

7%

7%

4%

2%

7%

7%

3%

5%

13%

4%

5%

4%

5%

Accounting and finance

Business planning (including management andleadership training)

E-Commerce

Entrepreneurship related training

Green skills development

Human resources

Information and technology

Job-specific technical training

Language courses

Legal courses (IP, patents, etc.)

Marketing and promotion

Organizational health and safety

Research (including market research) and productdevelopment

Social skills development


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

Are

as o

f Tr

ain

ing

Inte

rest

Percentage


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.

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.

0%

21%

5%

60%

12%

2%

Dial-up DSL/ADSL Cable Wireless Satellite Do not haveinternetaccess

0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

70%

Access to Telecommunications

Pe

rce

nta

ge

15%

12%

12%

13%

11%

13%

10%

11%

3%

Email

Taking orders for products and/or services and/orbookings

Providing customer support

Internet banking

Networking with other businesses or associations

Research

Receiving payment for products and/or servicesand/or bookings

Online learning


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

Inte

rne

t U

sage

Percentage


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.

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.

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

23%

7%

7%

9%

18%

9%

27%

1-15%

16-30%

31-50%

51-75%

76-100%

0% - looking to explore related opportunities

0% - not interested or not applicable

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

Pe

rce

nt

of

Bu

sin

ess

Bas

ed

on

On

line

Tra

de

or

Sale

s

Percentage

42%

40%

18%Yes

No

N/A


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.

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

Business Climate

52% (28 respondents) rated the local business climate as fair, with 24% (13 respondents)

indicating that it was poor.

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.

24%

52%

17%

7%

Poor Fair Good Excellent

0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

Local Business Climate

Pe

rce

nta

ge

43%

34%

23%Yes

No

N/A


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


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

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.

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.

17%

42%

40%Worse today

No change

Better today

14%

31%55%

Will be worse

No change

Will be better


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.

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%.

31%

27%

22%

9%

5%

2%4%

0%

Less than$10,000

$10,000 to$24,000

$25,000 to$49,000

$50,000 to$74,000

$75,000 to$99,000

$100,000to

$149,000

$150,000to

$200,000

Over$200,000

0%

5%

10%

15%

20%

25%

30%

35%

Annual Average Sales

Pe

rce

nta

ge

6%

49%

45%

Decreasing

Stable

Growing


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.

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.

6%8%

33%31%

8%12%

2%

Declining 0% 1-9% 10-24% 25-49% 50-99% Over 100%

0%

5%

10%

15%

20%

25%

30%

35%

Projected Sales Growth

Pe

rce

nta

ge

8%

36%56%

Declining

Staying thesame

Increasing


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

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).

iii Note that respondents were asked to select all of the responses that applied resulting in a total of 141 responses from 49 respondents.

16%

11%

2%

9%

14%

11%

5%

17%

8%

1%

5%

Continue to develop at the same rate

Increase the size of the business

Reduce the size of the business

Employ others

Acquire more skills to expand the business

Get some support to help the business grow

Expand building/premises

Add products or services

Return to full-time self-employment (at thisbusiness)

Return to full-time employment (not at thisbusiness)


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

Bu

sin

ess

Pla

ns

Ove

r th

e N

ext

5 Y

ear

s

Percentage

8%

12%

11%

7%

11%

8%

43%

A written business plan

Cash flow projections

General advertising (e.g. Yellow Pages)

A written marketing plan

Direct marketing campaign

A comprehensive analysis of your customer…

None of the above

0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50%

Bu

sin

ess

De

velo

pm

en

t in

P

revi

ou

s 1

2 M

on

ths

Percentage


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.

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.

43%

43%

0%

2%

12%

I would like to explore opportunities toexpand my business

I prefer to stay small so that I can workfrom home

I am involved in exporting

I am involved in importing

My business has export potential

0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50%

De

scri

pti

on

of

Bu

sin

ess

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.

25%

10%

29%

25%

23%

40%

25%

27%

35%

37%

21%

2%

Business costs

Exchange rates

Cash flow

Profitability

Competition

Sales

Local government policy and planning

National and provincial government policy andplanning

Customer relations

Business technologies and information systems

Employee skills

Interest rates

0% 5% 10% 15% 20% 25% 30% 35% 40% 45%

Bu

sin

ess

Imp

act

and

Op

era

tio

ns

Percentage


Figure 39: Business Supports (55 respondents)

6%

24%

12%

12%

10%

14%

19%

54%

57%

4%

24%

12%

16%

20%

20%

31%

24%

21%

12%

22%

40%

42%

41%

26%

35%

13%

9%

79%

30%

36%

30%

29%

40%

15%

9%

13%

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

High speed broadband

Improved air travel in region

Marketing your business

Organized networking / social withothers

Training / education

Shared professional services (e.g.accounting)

Organized peer support

Shared office space

Help in finding needed workers

Percentage

Bu

sin

ess

Su

pp

ort

s

Great value to me

Some value to me

Limited value to me

No value to me


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


1 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

5 Because my employment does not provide office space I work remotely w/out benefits

6 I am disabled and cannot manage a regular schedule.

7 We're moving from Metro Vancouver this summer and I plan to start a home based tutoring business

8 you need to design this questions being able to mark several options

9 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.

10 want to enjoy garden / outdoors and family + have worked for myself for 15 years (other industry)

11 own boss

12 Did not want to work out of province anymore

13 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.


Figure 20: Areas of Training Interest


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


1

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

understanding home-based businesses in the slocan valley ...€¦ · sales. 24 businesses reported...

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