SONJA NAGEL
COWICHAN VALLEY – Small Business Week has come and gone, but its spirit continues to shine across the Cowichan Valley. Here, small business is more than an economic engine. It is the heart of community life and a reflection of the people who choose to build, create, and invest locally.
Across Canada, small businesses are adapting to new technologies, changing trade patterns, and evolving workforce needs. In Cowichan, local entrepreneurs are not simply keeping up with those changes. They are shaping what comes next. From family farms and boutique manufacturers to innovative start-ups and long-standing service providers, small businesses bring vitality, variety, and resilience to every corner of the region.
The Duncan Cowichan Chamber of Commerce is proud to champion this entrepreneurial spirit. Through advocacy, education, and connection, the Chamber provides practical tools and opportunities that help businesses grow. Networking events, training sessions, and partnerships with regional and provincial organizations allow members to share knowledge and find support in one another. That spirit of collaboration is one of Cowichan’s greatest strengths.
The Chamber also plays an important role in promoting the region to visitors through the Cowichan Regional Visitor Centre. More than 25,000 travellers and residents stop in each year to learn about local attractions, artisans, and businesses. With support from Destination BC, the Chamber worked with Cowichan Tribes and the City of Duncan to develop a Duncan Totem Walking Tour App, and we were able to enhance the Visitor Centre through new Indigenous welcome signage and cultural exhibits. These projects celebrate heritage, foster meaningful partnerships, and highlight the richness of Cowichan’s cultural and economic landscape.
Looking ahead, the Chamber continues to focus on innovation and practical support for business owners. Members have access to new resources that help with digital adoption, people management, and workplace sustainability. Advocacy efforts remain centred on issues that matter most to local employers, including housing, transportation, and workforce development.
Small businesses define the character and success of the Cowichan Valley. They employ local people, sponsor community initiatives, and contribute to the region’s sense of place. While Small Business Week offers a moment to celebrate these achievements, the truth is that every week in Cowichan is a celebration of small business.
We also welcomed a variety of new members during Small Business Month, including Kalisi Café, Khowutzun Development Corporation, Brightspan Strategies Consulting, Margit Nellemann Ceramics, Field and Vine Gift Co, McPhee Tax and Accounting, Grounded Health and Wellness, Mill Bay Auto Spa, Island Alarms and The Flower Guys.
Sonja Nagel is Executive Director of the Duncan Cowichan Chamber of Commerce. She can be reached at 250-748-1111 or manager@duncancc.bc.ca
