The Newsy Neighbour Magazine
November Issue 109
by Darla Collinge for WomenTalk Strathmore
“Risk more than others think is safe.
Dream more than others think is practical.” ~ Howard Schultz, Starbucks CEO
Many years ago in a small prairie town of 750 people, a
woman walked into a salon just before 2:00 pm for her hair appointment. With a
questioning look and smile on her face, she said to her stylist and friend,
“Did you know your daughter is out riding her tricycle on the sidewalk… in just
her diaper?”
That little girl was me! I was simply out enjoying life as
usual in my playground, also known as Main Street. You see, my mom was a
hairdresser and my dad sold insurance and they each had a business space in the
front of the building while we lived in the back. The shopkeepers were my friends
and Mr. McAlister, who owned the Parkland Grocery Store, was my favourite (the
fact that he often let me pick a treat from the candy aisle might have had
something to do with that!).
When I was five, we moved to Regina where my parents became
employees but three years later we were back in that small town and my dad
began learning a new trade. In just a couple of years, he entered back into the
world of self-employment with his newly-learned set of skills and until his
passing, he remained self-employed. My mother was also self-employed during
this time (and still is), as were both my grandfathers and several uncles, and
currently I have cousins who own businesses. I guess entrepreneurship is in my
genes and it’s why I consistently have been part-time and then full-time
self-employed for over 20 years.
As the Newsy Neighbour Reader’s Choice Best in Business
Awards kicks off, I am reminded of my passion for rural communities and the
small businesses within them, and I am thankful for the many lessons I learned
from my entrepreneurial parents (thanks mom and dad!).
Firstly, I learned to dream, trust my instincts, take risks
and learn as I go (I’ve made good use of this lesson over the years). At the
age of 24, I started my first official business just three months after
discovering the industry and teaching myself how to use design software to
serve clients. The strong support I received from my community also taught me
the importance of supporting local businesses, especially new ones, because it
is someone’s passion and they are doing their best to fill a local need. This
has made me into a local shopper.
They modeled starting over when a set-back comes along, to
learn from the experience and realize that it is only temporary. Every small business
has its ups and downs, and sometimes change is required to persevere and
businesses need their customers to persevere along with them. I have realized
how important every single customer is to a business and sometimes, my purchase
might allow a business to pay a utility bill. This has made me into a loyal
customer.
And I discovered the value of relationships and treating
everyone with fairness, respect and as a friend. In a small business, we are
not a name-less customer with a debit card. We are real people and I have
developed personal relationships not only with many of my clients, but with owners
of stores I shop at regularly. Businesses need customers in order to exist, but
customers need the businesses to exist for the long-term health of the
community they call home. This has made me into a customer who cares.
These and many other lessons exist in other areas of life
too. At Women Talk in Strathmore, women take a risk and share their stories.
They have experienced set-backs and inspire others with how they kept going.
They respect each other and many new friendships have been made. It is a place
for learning, self-discovery and relationships.
Our community matters, as does each person in it. Support
our local entrepreneurs, support our neighbours and friends, and you will be
supporting your community.
For more
information about the monthly WOMEN TALK meeting in Strathmore, including how
you may participate by attending or being a Talker, please visit www.WomenTalk.ca/Strathmore.
No comments:
Post a Comment