Overcoming the challenges of being an entrepreneur in Belleville

By Evan Doherty ^[1]

BELLEVILLE – Opening their own business is a dream for some, but getting if off the ground has its own set of obstacles.

The business landscape is constantly changing and entrepreneurs have to learn adapt their businesses to the times in the age of the internet. Overcoming obstacles is part of the perseverance needed to last in an industry that has so many layers to it.

Ted Kraus is the owner of Ideal Bike ^[2]. He said he first opened Ideal Bike in Belleville’s downtown in 2012.  Since opening up the shop, Kraus said he’s noticed the sense of community that small businesses have in the district.

“I get a beautiful sense of community here. You get to know your neighbours. You know there are other small businesses that face the same challenges that we are,” Kraus said.

Kraus says one of those challenges is making the commitment to the business.

“There is something to be said about getting a pay cheque,” he said.

“It’s double-edged sword. You are your own boss, but you’re in charge of everything.” 

Running a successful business is more than having a shop set up in a prime location. Other factors that come into play when running a business are funding and marketing.

Luc Fournier is the program co-ordinator at Small Business Centre ^[3] and is an entrepreneur himself. At the Small Business Centre, Fournier said they offer two main programs to new entrepreneurs.

“So the two grant programs are seen by the public as free money and that certainly helps with purchasing equipment and getting to the next phase,” Fournier said.

He said there are services available to entrepreneurs as well.

“We also have mentoring and training available. The general purpose of us being here to give small businesses the support they need. So if they’re facing a marketing or financial problem they come here,” Fournier said.

There is one main problem that businesses face from the startup, Fournier said. Getting enough money to sell a product or service is the most difficult part of being an entrepreneur, Fournier said.

“Probably one of the most common mistakes people are making is underestimating the need for cashflow. One of the most common things that a lot of people hear is cash flow is one of the number one killers of business. If you make it over the five year hump you’re doing well in business. That three or five year hump is moving from starting a business to having a profitable business,” Fournier said.

Justin Collindridge works at Reiki on Wheels ^[4]. It’s owned by his father and a business partner.

He said that the shop is a family business and that the shop has been open for six years starting out as a small department within another store and moving to its current larger location more recently.

Reiki on Wheels sells natural healing products such as pain creams and special teas. They also do psychic readings and reiki healing sessions. Collindridge said the biggest challenge for the business is people who are skeptics.

“We get a lot of people who look down on us for certain things we do like psychic readings and reiki healing. A lot of people don’t believe in that stuff,” Collinridridge said.

Despite being a niche market, Collinridge said people still come into the shop. He said social media marketing and help from the Belleville Downtown Improvement Area ^[5] brings more people to the shop.

“We have our own Facebook page. My father, his business partner and I deal with that. The BDIA has a website as well and they also have Facebook page. They created a website for downtown Belleville and it shows all of the different stores in downtown,” Collinridge said.