“A big business starts small.” — Richard Branson
Canadian Small Business week is October 19-25, 2025. It started regionally in 1979 in Brandon, Manitoba, by the local branch of the Business Development Bank of Canada (BDC). By 1981, its success took the event national.
There are three main reasons why Canadian Small Business Week was created:
- To shine a spotlight on the importance of small businesses.
- To provide networking and educational opportunities for like-minded entrepreneurs looking to succeed.
- To celebrate the achievements of Canadian small businesses. Small businesses have a huge impact on the communities they serve.
What is the Definition of a Small Business?
In Canada, a small business is officially defined as a business with 1 to 99 paid employees. Micro-businesses are those with fewer than 5 employees, and medium-sized businesses have 100 to 499 employees. This employee-based definition is most commonly used by Statistics Canada and federal agencies for policy, tax, and funding purposes.
What is the theme for the 2025 event?
Each year, a theme is chosen to capture the current climate of the Canadian small business community. This year’s theme is
The economic revolution is here – get your business ready
What does this mean?
- Canada’s business environment is undergoing a fundamental transformation.
- Small businesses are at the forefront of this shift.
- Now more than ever, it’s essential to be proactive and adapt to and thrive amid these changes.
What Can You Do as a Consumer to Support Canadian Small Businesses?
- Shop Local First
Take a local-first approach to shopping. Find a new local cafe to get your morning coffee from. Try a new locally owned restaurant in your community. Look for Canadian retailers online and brick and mortar shops.
- Buy a Gift Card
If you’re not in the market for something new right now, support a small Canadian business through a gift card purchase. These make great gifts for friends and family in the community. This provides the business with immediate revenue and is a guaranteed sale in the near future. It can also drive repeat business, as it is a good way to introduce someone to a business they may not have heard of before.
- Leave a Positive Review
Many savvy consumers today rely on things such as Google Reviews when making decisions on where to spend their hard earned cash. If you want to see a local small business succeed, one of the best things you can do is leave a positive review. Honest, helpful reviews will give credibility to the business.
- Share on Social Media
Sharing is caring when it comes to supporting a small business you love. Share a post from their socials, or even better, share your authentic experience with the business using your own story and photos.
- Try Something New
Challenge yourself to check out a small business you’ve never visited before. Whether you go in person or shop online, take a chance on something new for Canadian Small Business Week.
- Tell a Friend
Leverage your own network. Your friends trust you, so word-of-mouth goes a long way. Don’t gatekeep these small businesses, share them with friends!
- Participate in Local Events
Look for pop-up events, open houses, and local markets during Canadian Small Business Week. Share these events with friends and family, and show up to support.
- Shop for Holiday Gifts Early
October is the perfect time to start your holiday shopping! We all know these holidays can be expensive, so start your shopping early and look to support small businesses for gifts this year. You can shop for items or gift cards for services, such as spas.
- Sign Up for a Newsletter or Loyalty Program
Ninety-one percent of companies now offer loyalty programs, and members in these programs generate between 12–18% more incremental revenue. When you join a loyalty program, you are more likely to visit that same small business more than once, making regular purchases.
- Say Thank You
Gratitude goes a long way!
Hire Us!
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Contact us today!
“Small opportunities are often the beginning of great enterprises.” — Demosthenes
