1. Did You Know? The fastest-growing segment of the business world in North America is small business. More new businesses are starting up now than in the previous fourteen years. Statistics indicate that the recent economic recession has actually spurred more start-ups! "Starting a business in a recession is like vacationing in the off-season, It's a little less crowded, and everything starts going on sale." Eric Ryan – Co-Founder of Method Home Products

2. Small Business, Big impact! Importance of Small Business There are just over one million small businesses in Canada that have employees (excludes self-employed entrepreneurs). Small businesses comprise 98% of all employer businesses in Canada. 5.1 million Canadians (48.3% of Canada's total workforce) work for small businesses Between 2002 and 2007, an average of 104,000 new small businesses were created in Canada each year. Approx. 85% of small businesses had internet access and are considered active online. The internet will increasingly shape the decision to become self-employed, and increased connectivity will lead to the continued emergence of the virtual enterprise.

3. The New “Entrepreneur” Demographic Trends In the past 15 years, there has been a 50 percent increase in the number of self- employed women in Canada, and an estimated one million Canadian women now own a small business. the number of women-owned businesses is growing 60 percent faster than those run by men. There’s also been a strong uptick of small business owners in the Canada amongst visible minorities (Asian Canadian, Indo Canadian, Native, Black and Hispanic/Latin) Self-employment is rising the fastest amongst young Canadians (age 15-24) and older Canadians (age 55+). Young entrepreneurs are inspired by tech industry as the internet will increasingly shape the decision to become self-employed. And “seniorpreneurs” currently account for a record high one-in-four self-employed individuals in Canada, and constitute more than 30% of the total workforce over the age of 55. Almost 60% of all small business owners in Canada consider themselves as “lifestylers” that use their business as a means of generating income, while balancing other commitments or lifestyle choices. Demographic forces in general and the aging baby boom in particular, will support small business activity in the coming decade. The latest economic news and surveys show that the small business economy is finally recovering from the Great Recession.

4. Tools We Provide Running a small business can be one of the hardest things someone might ever do in life. Time can slip by so quickly when they’re busy looking after “the bottom line.” Entrepreneurs are often underprepared for the long hours, financial investment, busy schedules, and stress that comes with running a small business. But with good management and thoughtful preparations, your new business can be a smashing success as well as an enjoyable experience. Our products are designed to save small business owners time and money!

5. 101 for Small Business Series A dozen titles – Business 101 is a series of easy- to-understand guides for small-business owners covering such topics as: – Starting a business – Bookkeeping – Analyzing and tracking financial info – HR management – Pricing products and services – Growing a business – Exit Strategies

6. Start & Run Series 32 titles written for the entrepreneur with a specific business in mind. All books are written by successful entrepreneur-authors who have "been there and done that," and are experts in their field. The books guide readers every step of the way, from researching, to launching, and even to the expansion of their new business. Books in the Start & Run series come with a CD-ROM filled with forms that may include such examples as: – Sample business plan – Templates – Checklists – Comprehensive business resources for that industry