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www.insidehalton.com | OAKVILLE BEAVER | Thursday, October 19, 2 0 1 7 | 26 Canadian Sm all BusinessWeek" Changing econom y offers opportunities for entrepreneurs BY CHRIS TRABER Canada's economy is robust and primed for small businesses and entrepreneurs to suc ceed, said Business Development Bank of Canada finance and consulting GTA North vice president Stephen Bald. Growth Regardless o f the size or nature of his clients' enterprises, Bald encourages each to look seriously at leveraging technology to their advantage. Technology " For the most part there's much to be posi tive about," Bald said as an entree to BDC Small Business Week, Oct. 15-21. "There's strong GDP growth in Ontario, the econo my is healthy." Our opportunity rich economic climate is not w ithout potential perils, including what the North American Free Trade Agreement w ill eventually look like and the impact of Ontario's Bill 148, legislation seeking to bump our current $11.60 per hour mini mum wage to $15 by January 2019. Federal Finance Minister Bill Moreau's plan to launch the most radical tax overhaul in 50 years is also a concern for small enterprises. Still, it's a favourable tim e for local busi nesses, the export market is ripe, finance rates are manageable and, as Bald enthused, "There's a good entrepreneurial spirit in our country." Technology, in the form o f hardware, software and Internet-driven social media, affords small businesses to glean and dis seminate tim ely information and improve productivity, he said. "Technology, on a going-forth basis, ensures a vibrant economy," Bald said. "Today social media applies to all businesses and helps you make better decisions and grow your business." BDC president and CEO Michael Denham agrees. "We are at a turning point," he said on a bank online post. " New digital technolo gies and an evolving talent marketplace are reshaping the reality of Canadian entre preneurs. Those who spot the next wave of disruption and take advantage o f it w ill be tomorrow's leaders." For more information on BDC Small Busi ness Week, which runs Monday, Oct. 15 to Saturday, Oct. 21, visit bdc.ca. EHSHON TR EN D S IN W IN D O W C O V E R IN G We Bring the Showroom to You Shades On offers a variety of blinds options for your home. Give yourself the opportunity to check our quality and our prices. We invite you to read some reviews from our customers who posted on our website. Does your financial advisor know your life goals? Marc Nutford Financial U d fisrr 2387 Trafalgar Rrad Unit 82 Oakville, ON L6H 6K7 905-844-4043 Call Us 2 8 9 -6 8 1 -8 4 3 8 sh a d e s o n .c a www.edwardjones.com/marc-nutford M em ber - Canadian Investor Protection Fund E dw ardjones MAKING SENSE OF INVESTING N eed N ew In & a d ? Y angAccounting.ca f= > h 7 o to c )ro f= > h rv 2017 DiAMOND AWARD WiNNER! PR O FESSiO N AL H EAD SH O TS P R O D U C T PH O TO S M A R K E T iN G S O LU TiO N S EVENT P H O T O G R A P H Y FA S H iO N & LiFESTYLE CRA Tax Disputes Dispute with Sold Rental Property Dispute with Business Operation Losses JAY KIVELL | 905-399-9828 | optiksphotography.com Ying (Kimberley) Yang y y @YangAccounting.ca 1 1 -1 1 5 5N o rthServ iceR d .W ,O a k v iU e (289) 291-3924 1 8 thF lo o r,2St. C lairA v e .W ,T o ro n to (647) 255-8049