BNN’s Small Business Week Salutes Small Businesses Across Canada, Oct. 21-25

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TORONTO (October 21, 2013) – Fact: 98% of businesses in Canada have fewer than 100 employees and contribute more than 30 per cent to Canada’s GDP.*  This week, BNN recognizes and celebrates the contribution of small business to the Canadian economy with SMALL BUSINESS WEEK. Beginning today, BNN features some of Canada’s most innovative small businesses, highlighting the pioneering steps of the entrepreneurial journey, telling the stories of both newly formed and seasoned companies – the challenges they face, and the tactics they used to grow their businesses.

With more than 1.1 million small businesses currently operating in Canada, SMALL BUSINESS WEEK introduces viewers to this vital segment of the Canadian economy across various market sectors. BNN opens the floor for viewers to survey the passion, flexibility and drive that enables small businesses to thrive, providing a platform for viewers to ask questions and learn from one another’s mistakes in the marketplace. A look at BNN’s SMALL BUSINESS WEEK Monday-Friday at 2:30 p.m. ET:

Monday, Oct. 21

• BNN hosts a discussion on the importance of hiring the right people for the right job with Tibor Shanto, Principal, Renbor Sales Solutions Inc.

Tuesday, Oct. 22

• Ben Baldwin, CEO of Clarity, and Becky Reuber, University of Toronto business professor and CMO of FreshBooks, join a CEO roundtable discussion about the challenges faced by small businesses and strategies for success.

Wednesday, Oct. 23

• Owner of True North Climbing, John Gross delves into the world of social media and explains how he was able to shine the spotlight on his start-up rock-climbing facility.

Thursday, Oct. 24

• The latest craze in raising capital in order to find a small business ready for takeover, Josh LeBrun, Managing Partner at High Park Capital Partners, tells BNN about his search fund experience and how he found his mid-market gem.
• Sarah Richardson, owner of Sarah Richardson Design, tells BNN how she grew her interior design business and brand.

Friday, Oct. 25

• BNN speaks with David Barclay, Founder of Stolen Riches, about his family’s shoelace business and how he was able to transform the company into one of the trendiest shoelace companies in the world.

“Small businesses are not only a fundamental part of the Canadian economy, they have incredible impact on our neighbourhoods, communities, and the country,” said Jack Fleischmann, General Manager, BNN. “We are proud to highlight these businesses and celebrate their contributions by creating a forum for discussion and a place to exchange ideas.”

*Business Development Bank of Canada

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About BNN

BNN – Business News Network is Canada’s only television service devoted exclusively to business and finance news with wall-to-wall coverage of the markets. The network features the only televised stock ticker with real-time data from the TSX, NYSE and NASDAQ. BNN provides Canadian investors with the latest business news, newsmaker interviews and stock market analyses. BNN is a division of Bell Media, which is owned by BCE Inc. (TSX, NYSE: BCE), Canada’s largest communications company.  For more information about BNN, visit www.bnn.ca.

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For more information, please contact:

Kerstin van Bolderen, Bell Media, 416.384.6836 or kerstin.vanbolderen@bellmedia.ca

Julie MacFarlane, Bell Media, 416.384.4623 or julie.macfarlane@bellmedia.ca