Small Business Week is an annual event that celebrates the vital role of entrepreneurs and small businesses in our communities. It’s a time to celebrate their resilience, innovation, and contributions to our economy.
- As of 2024, Canada has 1.29 million small businesses. These enterprises form the backbone of the Canadian economy, making up about 99.8% of all businesses in the country.
- Businesses with under 100 employees are classed as a small business.
- Small businesses employ 88.3% of Canada’s working individuals in the private labour force.
- More than half of Canadian businesses (55.3%) have fewer than four employees. 73.9% of Canadian businesses have fewer than ten employees.
- The vast majority (97.5%) of Canadian exported goods are produced by small businesses.
The Town of Westlock is a proud supporter of the local small businesses, entrepreneurs, and creators who drive our economy. Town Council has proclaimed October 20-26, 2024 to be Small Business Week in Westlock.
With over 400 businesses currently operating in Westlock, our business community is a vital contributor to our well-being and prosperity. There is nothing "small" about a small business - the contributions local entrepreneurs make to our town, province and country are significant. As the numbers show, small businesses make up a massive majority of all businesses in our country. They contribute to job growth and participate in local as well as international trade and are the engine that drives the growth of our economy and are a vital part of our country’s well-being and prosperity.
Small Business Week Showcase
As part of Small Business Week, we asked local consumers to nominate their favourite local businesses and are thrilled to showcase the following local businesses:
Kerri's Café and Bakery
10508-100 Avenue
Kerri’s Café and Bakery serves fresh, handmade, whole food and hot and cold specialty drinks. Baking and pastries are made daily, sandwich meat is roasted inhouse, and the soup and salads are made from scratch. Kerri’s offers vegetarian, gluten-friendly, and dairy free options as well. Kerri’s Café and Bakery partners with local food producers to source many ingredients while also making it a priority to use earth-friendly packaging.
“The Café has repurposed an old church in Westlock that might have been otherwise torn down. This business is located downtown so it helps rejuvenate the business sector. I’m from Edmonton and my wife and I have visited Westlock twice this year in order to eat at Kerri’s Café and Bakery. Previously we’ve had no reason to go to Westlock. At noon today the café was incredibly busy. It is obviously well appreciated by the locals. The business is attractive on the inside and outside, so it helps to beautify Westlock.”
“One cannot go by the revitalized old church on main street and not see the activity and energy that Kerri’s Café & Bakery brings to this community. With its friendly staff, to the absolute ‘fresh’ food, it’s a winner in my books!”
Contact:
Phone: 780-349-6349
PriceLock Realty
10631B-100 Avenue
Doing business since July 2022, PriceLock Real Estate Team (formally known as Muller Realty) strives to serve our community here in Westlock and everyone in the surrounding areas. It is their goal to help find the dream home of everyone who walks through their doors, no matter big or small. The Realtors at PriceLock are experts that know our community well. They promise to fill out every single one of their client's real estate goals as best they can.
“Stacey Price is the excellent small business owner of PriceLock Realty. She leads her team with confidence into the local real estate market, helping all of our friends and family as Westlockians. It’s a small town… Everybody knows who Stacey Price is.”
"Stacey is a strong leader and always tries to find the best solution for everybody. She is very hard working and always ensures the best for her clients and staff. Stacey is a very strong advocate of getting involved with the community. She has put on many various contests, draws, sponsorships and even a dunk tank at the Westlock Fair with local celebrities from top Westlock businesses. She also supports our local bakeries at weekly office meetings. And she is always, ALWAYS, looking for more ways to connect with the community and people who she can help with the services she and PriceLock Realty provides. Shout out to Stacey Price!”
Contact:
Phone: 780-349-0000
Eagle Excavating
10565-100 Street
Eagle Excavating provides services from small driveways to full site development, both commercial and residential; water/sewer, aggregates, demolition, landscape, basement waterproofing and much more. They offer an end-to-end client experience that includes seamless communication, budgeting, staffing, on-site organization, and solid, quality handiwork every time.
“Eagle Excavating provides affordable and knowledgeable service to anyone in the Town or County that needs construction work done. Dale promotes lots of other local businesses on social media by replying to other people’s inquiries for specific services and by sharing pictures of jobs he has completed for other businesses. Recent examples are the Westlock Seed Cleaning Plant, Nutrien at Clyde, and the ski hill at Tawatinaw. Not only does he provide expert work (with the help of his employees), he does his best to complete the job at the most affordable cost possible, and provides extra savings to seniors.”
“They always go above and beyond in their commitment to our community.”
“Always does an amazing job. Goes above and beyond to help and make sure customers are happy.”
Contact:
Phone: 780-307-2815
Angela Boelman’s Therapeutic Massage
10607-100 Avenue
With 19 years experience in therapeutic and relaxation massage, Angela provides a safe place to get work on an area that is troubling you or a place to just unwind and relax after a long week. Deep tissue massage, trigger point massage and RAPID NFR techniques are available as well.
“Angela shows great care and concern for her clients and is always coming up with suggestions or solutions about how to improve their health and wellness. Angela also provides Ladies Health and Wellness Conference Days with different women speakers and various topics which are greatly needed and appreciated. She puts a lot of enthusiasm and commitment into those days including when it is -30 degrees outside. She is great at networking with other businesses and supporting other small businesses in Westlock as well. She is a great asset to our community”
“Angela provides a caring space for massages and is flexible with their time and availability.”
Contact:
Phone: 780-349-5030
Tareena Barkman RMT
10607-100 Avenue
Tareena offers assessment and treatment of many musculoskeletal conditions. She has spent the last 6 years of her career focusing on clients who have undergone some version of surgery. Tareena is passionate about working with people to help them get back to the parts of life they are desperately missing.
“Tareena is a gifted massage therapist using many techniques to help her clients. Her ability to work in chronic areas and specializing in post surgery care in unparalleled.”
“I have been going to Tareena Barkman, RMT since the beginning of 2024. She has been amazing in assisting me with many issues that no one else has been able to assist with. I have an old injury that she has been working on and I have come leaps and bounds with rehabilitation, I am just so impressed and will continue to see Tareena.”
Contact:
Phone: 780-206-8886
