Help is on the way!

Hi Tsuts’weye Network,

We were pleased to see the Province of BC announcement that we are moving into Phase 3 of reopening. As people move around the Shuswap more freely we are seeing hope for our local economy. It bodes well that so many of you have opened your doors safely, and that customers have been eager to return. However, we cannot deny that many of our businesses continue to experience extremely challenging times. In light of this, we are pleased to announce that Tsuts’weye will be rolling out targeted new programming to serve local businesswomen in the coming months.

Thanks to additional funding from Western Diversification Canada, Tsuts’weye is bringing an intensive Business Recovery and Expansion (BRE) program to 20 female-owned businesses.

We will immediately roll out a digital transition program, and a tourism-specific support program will be available in the fall. Important additional resources will be invested into our ongoing Entrepreneur in Residence program. Watch the Tsuts’weye social media, newsletter, and website for program updates and announcements.

Tsuts’weye is pleased to be a partner in the Shuswap Economic Recovery (SER) initiative. Check out the recently launched website to see how this program could assist you. I also encourage you to participate in the Covid-19 Phase 2 Survey for businesses to help us better understand how Covid-19 is affecting our local business community.

The recent Tsuts’weye blog post featuring the Uptown Animal Hospital showcases the indomitable spirit of two female entrepreneurs opening a business during the pandemic. Also, read about our latest Women to Watch, Jody Shakespeare, and how she has successfully carved out a unique business niche in the Shuswap. The News and Blogs section of our website is regularly updated with fresh content and more great stories like these.

As we roll into the summer months, we encourage everyone to support local tourism businesses who have been hard hit by travel restrictions. Support Local BC makes this easy by allowing people to purchase gift cards from local businesses online.  A few exciting giveaways are being launched this week to promote Shuswap staycation opportunities. Buy a gift card by the end of the month for a chance to win!

We will continue to bring you newsletters throughout the summer and our Entrepreneur in Residence will be available to meet with businesses. However, our webinars and workshops will be on hold now until the fall…but stay tuned! We have some exciting speakers and networking opportunities lined up for you. If you are interested in Peer Mentoring in the fall, please let me know. Monday night we held our final evening of the spring Peer Mentoring session led by Kathleen Seeley and Laura Cooke. Huge thanks to these two ladies who provided a very supportive peer mentoring experience for eight Tsuts’weye women.

We wish you happy times with your friends and family this summer. Stay safe and stay well. Support one another.   We will get through this #tsutsweyestrong.

Warm regards,

Carmen Massey
Project Manager, Tsuts’weye Entrepreneur and Innovation Network
Cell: 250-804-3466
email: [email protected]

BC Begins Phase 3 of Restart Plan

British Columbians are taking the next step in BC’s Restart Plan with a gradual transition to Phase 3, including the safe and respectful return of travel and tourism within the province. This information has been updated as of June 24, 2020.
The BC government wants to hear from you!
The COVID-19 pandemic has challenged and changed the province. Across BC, everyone has been touched by job loss and change, health concerns, worries about how our families and communities can cope, and increasing uncertainty about the future. Share your ideas by completing BC’s online survey, participating in a townhall, letting the province know your priorities as BC recovers.
Connection is the name of the game for Jody Shakespeare. Bringing people together over good conversation, getting to know her clients and vendors, and providing each person with a crisp, cold beer in their hand are the things that motivates Jody’s business, Tapped Events.
Check out the blog on Jody and her business!!
Times are tough for many people amid the global Covid-19 pandemic, but small businesses have been hit especially hard during these challenging times. Economies around the world are being devastated by the fallout of the health crisis, and although countless businesses are struggling to survive or being forced to close their doors permanently, some business owners have found the strength and opportunity to weather the storm.
Taryn Cass and Kristen Riphagen are the owners of one of these small businesses. They own and operate Uptown Animal Hospital, a small-town veterinary clinic partnering with Tsuts’weye, that is based out of Salmon Arm, British Columbia. Here is their story.
Shuswap Economic Development, Shuswap Tourism, Salmon Arm Economic Development Society, Community Futures Shuswap and theTsuts’weye Women’s Entrepreneur and Innovation Network have come together to develop and implement a Phase I response to the economic impacts currently facing Shuswap businesses and organizations. The plan is designed to respond directly to the needs expressed by the local business community and stakeholder organizations and invite partnerships and collaboration with other regional business and economic development groups wherever possible. For more information please go to the website.
Shuswap Economic Recovery is also requesting that businesses in the Shuswap complete this survey. The survey is designed to gather information related to current business challenges as we move towards Phase 3 of BC’s Restart Plan.
For more information on this program please go the website, call 250-833-5928 or email [email protected].

Two ways that you can list your business online and create more sales!

SupportLocalBC
Support Local BC provides a place for communities and businesses throughout the province to support each other. It connects all regions and is a platform where you can show your love for your favorite local businesses by purchasing gift cards for future use. This is a great way to encourage family and friends to purchase gift cards to use when they can discover the Shuswap region…later! For more information or to add your business go here and then let your know your business is listed on this website! This initiative is sponsored by Salmon Arm Economic Development Society, Shuswap Economic Development, Shuswap Tourism, and Downtown Salmon Arm.
Business Profiles on the Tsut’weye website
Join the Tsuts’weye Network Business Directory and share your business on our website. Business Profile listings are free. We encourage our members to #ShopShuswap as much as possible. Let’s support each other. To get your business profile on this page, simply fill out our Business Profile Form and email it to us! Check out the listings on the Tsuts’weye website.

Destination BC
Road to Recovery Webinar Series

Destination BC has launched a series of webinars to support BC’s tourism industry on the road to recovery from COVID-19. The Road to Recovery webinar series is designed for tourism businesses and organizations that have been impacted by COVID-19. Each webinar will cover a subject related to the travel market, the visitor experience, business operations, digital marketing and more. Check back as new subjects may be added regularly.  Register here – all of the past webinars are also available at this link.

Tsuts’weye Entrepreneur In Residence Services

To assist you with the reopening and recovery of your business in the Shuswap region.

Tsuts’weye Women’s Entrepreneur & Innovation Network can provide services to your business, whether you are a new business, or have been in business many years. These services are provided free of charge, thanks to the financial support of Community Futures Shuswap and Western Economic Diversification.
To access these services please complete the Client Intake Form and then send to Caroline Grover, our Entrepreneur in Residence by email or call her directly at 250-300-4757.
For more information about this program go to the Tsuts’weye website.

BUSINESS REOPENING RESOURCES
and COVID-19 Supports and resources for Entrepreneurs

NEW! Government of Canada Temporarily Extends Time Periods Given to Employers to Recall Employees Laid Off Due to the COVID-19 Pandemic. More information here. Updated COVID-19 benefits programs and more resources.
NEW! Webinar – July 15, 2020 – BDC Webinar – Profit from technology: Digital tools to drive efficiency and revenue – register here.
NEW! Find PPE for your business to safely reopen – Small Business BC hascreated a Non-Medical PPE Marketplace to connect businesses with suppliers of non-medical safety equipment.
NEW! WorksafeBC –  Information updated for safe operations for Phase 3.
NEW! Province of BC – COVID-19 resources for BC Businesses and individuals – updates as of June 24, 2020
NEW! British Columbia Temporary Layoff Provisions Extended – Updated June 25, 2020 – The Province of British Columbia extended the temporary layoffs provisions to a maximum of 24 weeks expiring on Aug. 30, 2020, during the COVID-19 pandemic. More information here.
BC Economic Development Association – COVID19 Resources for BC Businesses. COVID19 Bulletin – June 24, 2020
BDC – COVID-19 – Resources and support for BC businesses.
Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA) -Shuswap-Revelstoke – for resources to assist you please click here
Community Futures BC – COVID-19 Business Resources.
Destination BC – COVID19 Resources for the Tourism Industry – updated June 24, 2020.
GO2HR – Restarting business operations after COVID-19 industry sector best practices guides here.
Greater Vancouver Board of Trade – Business Reinvention Series Webinars – more information here. Back to work toolkit here.
Salmon Arm Economic Development Society – Business Restart Toolkit – Resources for businesses to reopen and more.
Small Business BC – Resources for restarting your business in the new normal. Also for more resources from Small Business BC please go here.
Thompson Okanagan Tourism Association – Tourism Resiliency Program – Resources for Tourism businesses in the Thompson Okanagan Tourism region.
Tourism Industry Association of BC – C-19 Bulletin – June 24, 2020
Women’s Enterprise Centre – Assisting women entrepreneurs through recovery – Resources and Support..
WorkSafeBC posters and signs for businesses to use when reopening – more information here. Other signs for businesses to use here.