A new year brings a few new meeting changes for the Comox Valley Home-Based Business Association (CVHBBA).
Both the meeting time and location are new for the organization, whose next meeting is Feb. 3 at 6 p.m. at the Best Western Westerly Hotel.
The February meeting will offer two keynote speakers on the timely topic of small business financial management and taxes.
Pete Curran, a representative from the Canadian Revenue Agency, will address What are Claimable Deductions for Businesses. Dianne Goodacre, owner of The Balance Sheet, a Comox Valley bookkeeping company, will offer tips for maximizing the usefulness of bookkeeping to more effectively manage a company.
The member spotlight will feature Maria Dielmann, owner of Wellness Ambassadors Int.
As a Nikken representative, she will share how this 35-year-old company has affected the wellness and wealth of thousands of people around the globe. She will speak about her personal story of healing and discovery, including lessons learned.
In addition to announcing the new time, new location, and speakers for the next meeting, the HBBA board is also pleased to announce several other changes to continue meeting and exceeding the expectations of members.
As the presentation format for the CVHBBA is different than in previous years, there is now an educational component for 40 minutes, as well as a 15-minute spotlight that allows a member to not only present a few minutes on the business and its offerings, but also lessons learned along his or her entrepreneurial path.
Another change under the current year’s board of directors, in addition to programming, is the definition of members. In previous years, the group required a business be home-based, which meant excluding those who started at home but moved from the home to commercial space.
“The change was not only to allow members who chose to go into commercial space for a variety of reasons to stay with the HBBA, but to provide an organization focused exclusively on the entrepreneur, offering an opportunity to discuss challenges and opportunities common to all small businesses,” said CVHBBA president and owner of Ensemble Wellness, Sue Troughton.
“This change has been received positively by members and other entrepreneurs who appreciate the diversity within the Valley’s entrepreneurial community. After all, the HBBA’s new slogan is Embracing the Entrepreneurial Spirit Since 1998, so this change reinforces what we stand for,” she added.
The CVHBBA, which started in 1998, provides networking opportunities for association members, encourages and assists members in their personal and professional growth, acts as an advocate to promote the growth and acceptance of home-based business in the Comox Valley, and participates in decision-making about economic development that affects the Valley.
Guests are welcome to attend two meetings to decide if they wish to join the group; there is no charge to attend. Current dues are $50 per year, with no fees for meetings for members. Door prizes are always welcome and a great chance to expose a business to members and guests alike.
For more information, visit www.CVHBBA.com.
— CVHBBA