Despite recent economic turmoil, for many there is good reason to have a positive outlook.

Small businesses are the backbone of Canada's economy. Business with less than 20 employees account for 94 per cent of all businesses in Canada (Statistics Canada Business Register 2008). A recent survey found that one in three Canadians is interested in starting their own business in the next two years (Intuit Canada). Some will go solo and join the 2.7 million self-employed Canadians (Stastistics Canada Labour Force Survey August 2010).

While larger companies struggled with the recent recession, we saw many smaller companies take a more agile approach. As the larger firms downsized, many small and one-person companies seized the opportunity to provide outsourced services to these larger firms.

Small Business Week, which is organized by the Business Development Bank of Canada (BDC)  runs nationally from October 17 to October 23 with events taking place across the country. Check out our business calendar to find an event in your area and watch for new articles being added to CanadaOne at that time.