Physical limitations need not be an obstacle for entrepreneurs.
That was the theme of last week’s presentation to the Flin Flon and District Chamber of Commerce by Susan Bater, coordinator of the Entrepreneurs with Disabilities Program.
She spoke about the growing success of businesses within the province run by individuals with disabilities.
The program launched a “Just Watch Me!” video contest in 2011 that allowed Manitobans with disabilities to present viable business opportunities in an online voting contest.
Bater says there were 2,300 votes cast for various videos at that time. Fast forward to 2014 and there were just shy of 30,000 votes – though Bater says there were technically more votes, but an error in accepting votes from a particular device was not noticed until the end of the contest.
Bater told chamber members that more than 30 videos had been submitted as viable business opportunities in Manitoba.
Deborah Smith, coordinator of Aboriginal Business Service Network, also spoke to chamber and shared ways for Aboriginal entrepreneurs to get their start.
Dragon’s Quest for First Nations, Métis and Inuit, for instance, is a contest in which business plans are submitted with the chance of winning $5,000.
Highlights
Other highlights and announcements from the Tuesday, June 23 chamber meeting:
• The Breast Cancer Pledge Ride North will be held in Flin Flon on Sunday, August 2 with proceeds going to CancerCare Manitoba. Following the ride, events will be held at the Rotary Wheel with live entertainment. “Help fight this battle,” participant Paulette Wotton told the meeting.
• The Flin Flon Aboriginal Friendship Centre received praise for its National Aboriginal Day events held on Sunday, June 21. Professional hoop dancers and performers helped celebrate the day.
• Deb Odegaard, administrator of the Flin Flon Recycling Centre, introduced summer student Becky Davis to the membership. Davis will work with businesses within the community to promote recycling.
• The Flin Flon Public Library will be busy this summer with numerous camps and programs running for area children.
• Flinty’s Birthday will be held Sunday, August 16 at the Flin Flon Station Museum with free entertainment, games and lunch.
• Main Street is ready for summer once again as chamber treasurer Lois (Bunny) Burke said the flowers are up and being maintained. Volunteer Tom Heine, along with business owners and employees, will water the flowers to ensure they look nice all summer long.
