Christine McTague shows off some of the products she sells at her store Christine’s Closet. McTague’s business was one of 10 businesses to be recognized by CFIB. Guardian photo by Thomas Becker.
Two weeks ago, a small local business, Christine’s Closet, received “small business champion” honours in a contest sponsored by the Canadian Federation of Independent Business (CFIB).
Through a free website called shopsmallbiz.ca, 10 winners were selected from over 700 entries across the country. Contestants were asked to submit stories and photos that show why they love being entrepreneurs.
Winners were then selected for how well their entries demonstrated their entrepreneurial spirit and community involvement.
“We want to really highlight the fact that we have some fabulous people in our community that are putting their blood, sweat and tears in their business,” said Erin McGrath-Gaudet, director of Prince Edward Island for CFIB.
Christine McTague, owner of Christine’s Closet, a women’s clothing store, opened her business in May of 2011. She said she got the idea of a consignment clothing store — taking in clothes and selling them — from her own closest, which was full of clothes.
“We take clothes in for other people and sell it and that’s when they make money and we make money. It’s like a pawn shop for your clothes.”
Two years later, McTague decided to submit an application, describing why her business stands out amongst hundreds. The business’s green approach must have caught the judge’s eyes, she said.
“We’re probably 90 per cent green and local. All our clothes are local and all the equipment we use — like hangers — are second hand.”
Shortly after submitting the application, McTague received an unexpected email and was skeptical at first.
“I thought it was telemarketer, it must’ve been a fake email.”
Then she opened the email realized her business was one of 10 honoured within the country.
“We couldn’t believe it when we won,” she said.
As a result of the new designation as “small business champion,” McTague is expecting more support for her business and will invest the prize money back into the business through advertisements.
McGrath-Gaudet said opportunities like this contest are designed to help small businesses compete with larger businesses that have access to a lot more resources.
“This for us is a way of helping to level that playing field and give small businesses a free option that can benefit them,” she said.
The next step is to ensure local people are aware of businesses in their community by increasing traffic on the website, McGrath-Gaudet said.
“Many people do want to support their local businesses, but sometimes it’s little bit hard to find them.”
