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Friday, October 8, 1999 THE OAKVILLE BEAVER 11 S m a ll b u s in e s s o w n e rs g a th e r to n e tw o rk By Irene Gentle SPECIAL TO THE BEAVER Small business is expected to draw a big crowd at Halton Region shortly. About 400 guests are expected for a wine and cheese reception held in cel ebration o f Small Business Week. The event is part of a Cham ber o f Commerce initiative, Business After Five. It is normally held by a number of businesses throughout the year. But 1998 was the first time the Region took a stab at it. "Different businesses throughout the region host it and last year we though it would be neat if we did," said Halton Chair Joyce Savoline. The Cham ber o f Commerce in all four Halton municipalities will be on hand for the event, which is co-spon sored by Royal Bank. It takes place from 5 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 28th in the cafeteria of the Halton Regional build ing, 1151 Bronte Rd., ju st north o f the QEW. The idea is to provide entrepre neurs with an opportunity to get out and make contacts with each other. "It really does present one o f the best networking opportunities," said Kate Johnston, director o f the Region's Access Halton. "It is just to gather around and chat with other peo ple." And small business, she reported, is booming in Halton. About 13,000 inquiries are fielded by the Halton Business Development Centre per year. And 2,500 companies are launched annually. "Small businesses are probably more than 80% of the lifeblood o f the economy," noted Savoline. That can act as a guard against eco nomic strife in Halton, added Johnston. "Halton has a diverse economy that has a lot of small businesses," she said. "So as a result, we are not as vulnera ble to downturns." And the entrepreneurial spirit seems constant, regardless o f how smoothly the nation's economic engine is run ning. "It is the number one job creator," said Johnston. "It is a trend that has been up and running for the last five or 10 years." There are many reasons why people decide to set up shop on their own, including an increased desire for flexi bility. Though Halton generally defines a small business as one employing 10 or less people, all entrepreneurs are invit ed to the event. But guests are asked to RSVP at 825-6300. I ijfc lS <3520003 S 2 E ft^ « 5 > 0 2 E l & A ll inquiries, if any, on th e 'odds o f w in nin g ' are to be made to the licensee, prior to the purchase o f the tickets. Win this 3flf5 WideLot" Dream Home. Value: $360,755 Win this NEW 2000 BMW Z3 Roadster Value: $52,785 G r e a t p r i z e s like the S p e c t a c u l a r D r e a m H o m e , all-inclusive VClCtttlOflS to Tahiti, Jamaica, Mexico, a $32,000 (HdlTlOnd r in g and M O R E ! T ic k e ts j u s t $ 4 0 e a c h o r 3 f o r $ 1 0 0 . ·y itv s 'A In vestin g in C o m m u n ity When you play, we all win! All proceeds benefit the Community Foundation of Oakville, making grants this year to the Oakville-Trafalgar Memorial Hospital Charitable Corp. and the Oakville YMCA. Get your tickets now! CALL 1 888 535 8 to 8 weekdays and 9 to 3 Saturdays. Have your VISA or MasterCard ready! Early Bird Draw: 6 pm November 12, 1999 at Budds' BMW. Final Draws 7 pm December 3, 1999 at Glen Abbey Mattamy Sales Pavilion, Oakville. RUSH OR DER FO R M 3 Easy Ways to get your tickets to WIN! M AIL this order form to: Please rush me: ( ___ ) set(s) of 3 tickets for $100 per set = $ ( ) individual ticket(s) for Name Apt. Prov. METHOD OF PAYMENT cheque (enclosed) money order (enclosed) / / / Expiry date Great Dream Home Lottery, P.O. Box 84026,1235 Trafalgar Rd,, Oakville, ON L6H 3J0 FAX this order form to: 905 845-1395 Postal Code Q VISA MasterCard $40 per ticket = $ CALL lZ c JT toll-free 1 888 535-7777 Card # or locally 905 845-2010 TOTAL $ Cardholder's Name Signature_________ T h e B u s sto p s righ t o u r D o o r at O ftC * <2S2S> ^ <ANSINC OjFHWgO T h e Oa k v il l e B e a v e r at OB 01 Licence · P990974