October 18, 2021

In this issue:

Okotoks Appreciates Small Businesses during Small Business Week in Okotoks!

October 17- 23 is officially Small Business Week in Canada, and communities across the country are coming together to embrace small businesses. This is needed now more than ever. Small Business Week is an annual celebration organized by the Business Development Bank of Canada (BDC). The BDC is offering a number of events for SME’s, all of which are digitally available here: Link to BDC events

The Town of Okotoks is proud to collaborate with the Okotoks Chamber of Commerce and Community Futures Highwood, in hosting a series of “Parking Lot Pop-ups” to show appreciation to local business owners and their employees. These events will be hosted during Small Business Week, from Monday, October 18 to Friday, October 22 at five locations across Okotoks. Every business owner and their employees are invited to stop by for a coffee, treat and chat (time permitting!).

INTERESTING SMALL BUSINESS STATISTICS FOR OKOTOKS:

  • Did you know that over 95% of businesses within Okotoks are considered Small to Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs)?
  • The largest employer is Foothills School Division, providing jobs for 870 people (2020)
  • The top three businesses in Okotoks, by industry are: professional services, construction and real estate.

More information on Okotoks employment, the community, demographics and more, can be found here:

Learn more

Our way of saying thanks!

The past 18 months have been incredibly challenging for everyone. As a business owner, we have heard your concerns and we understand the hurdles and difficulties you have had navigating the ever-changing business environment as a result of COVID 19. Like you, we are exhausted of digital meetings. So, let’s meet face-to-face, in a safe and responsible manner, and celebrate you and your business. Take a look at one of the five locations we will be “popping up” at, and please take a moment out of your morning to join us for some coffee and treats – we would love to say thanks!

Polling Topic

Please provide your response to the polling topic below. The aim of this is to get a general sense of interest from our readers. Your response helps us improve the services we offer our Business Community.

What advertising method do you primarily utilize to market your business?

Newspaper

Print (other than Newspaper)

Radio

Television

Social Media

Google AdWords

Other online

Previous poll results

We asked: “What is the best way for the Town's Community Growth and Investment Team to reach you and inform you of new programs and initiatives?”

Answers: 12

Email: 12 (100%)

Social media: 0 (0%)

Radio: 0 (0%)

Newspaper: 0 (0%)

Phone: 0 (0%)

SMS: 0 (0%)

News

Okotoks businesses share their wares during SampleFest

Okotoks SampleFest kicked off October 4 with businesses around Town offering small four-ounce mugs filled with samples from their businesses for sale.

SampleFest provides an opportunity for customers to get a taste of what products Okotoks businesses have to offer when they purchase one of the mugs. Customers can then vote for the Best of the Fest.

The festival runs until October 31, with Best of the Fest voting closing on November 5.

Follow link to see participating businesses:

Learn more

Okotoks appreciates all local businesses during Small Business Week (October 17 to 23)

The Town of Okotoks would like to thank all local businesses for being a part of the Okotoks business community by celebrating Small Business Week 2021 in partnership with the Okotoks Chamber of Commerce.

The strong entrepreneurial spirit of Okotoks businesses helped to forge a path through the COVID-19 pandemic, a true testament to being creative and adaptive throughout the uncertain times.

 

Read the full news

Upcoming Events

Municipal Election is today, Monday, October 18, 2021. Voting is open until 8 p.m. at the Okotoks Recreation Centre & Foothills Centennial Centre.

Election details

Hey ! What can I do for ya? Is this how you want your customers to be engaged?

Registration: FREE!

Learn about our Customer Service micro- credential to help your employees build successful customer relationships. Join one of the online information sessions:

Tuesday,October 19, 12:00 p.m.
Click to join through Zoom
Meeting ID:820 5012 3388
Passcode:412517

Thur sday,October 21, 7:00 p.m.
Click to join through Zoom
Meeting ID:895 0040 9534
Passcode:399212

Small Business Week: Challenges and Successes of Entrepreneurship

October 19, 1:30 p.m.

Registration: FREE!

Join us for an afternoon and hear from some small business owners in Alberta who know just how to take those challenges and turn them into business success.

Learn more

The Future of Indigenous Small Business in Canada

October 20, 10:00 a.m.

Registration: FREE!

Join us for our second annual Indigenous small business forum. At this full-day event learn more about the future of Indigenous business in Canada, Business Link’s new #IndigenousMade campaign, how to use technology to grow your business, and hear an incredible keynote speech from Bobbie Racette, Founder and CEO, Virtual Gurus.

Register

Exiting Your Business: is it time to get out of dodge?

November 4, 11:00 a.m.

Registration: FREE!

This educational series is aimed at all business owners who want to exit their way. No sale or exit is the same and we will help all owners exit in a way that is best for them. This course will offer very practical information, delivered by seasoned instructors who have helped owners sell to the market, as well as to staff and family.

Register

Establishing a Family Circle & Developing a Family Constitution

October 21, 10:00 a.m.

Registration: FREE!

This session will provide participants with a detailed overview of the strategies around establishing a formal family council and explore in detail the components of an effective family constitution.

Register

Navigating Relentless Transition with Abe Brown

October 19, 6:30 p.m.

Registration: FREE!

As business owners and operators, organizational leaders and executives, entrepreneurs and innovators, how can we not only survive but thrive? In this talk, Abe Brown will discuss actionable strategies for navigating relentless transition both now and into the future. Zoom Passcode: 897124

Attend webinar

Are you organizing an event or webinar you want to share with the public?

If your business is in Okotoks, we can help you spread the word. Submit your event and we'll list it on the Town business events webpage.

Submit an Event

New Business Listings

The Town of Okotoks is thrilled to welcome the following new businesses to Town:

Storefronts:

  • Okotoks Hearing Solutions - Hearing aid clinic
  • Yooneek Books - Independent retail bookstore

You can find more information on these new businesses as well as many others at our online business directory.

Online business directory

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