FOUR THINGS THIS ENTREPRENEUR LEARNED

As an angel investor with the Campbell River Area Angel Group, Rick Segal actively supports entrepreneurs and the local entrepreneurial ecosystem. He has a background in technology and investments, and currently co-owns Dockside Fish & Chips with his wife, Teresa. Running Dockside Fish & Chips is a family affair, shared with their daughter, Michelle, and Michelle’s partners, Tony and Brandon.

Rick’s experienced firsthand some of the differences between running a business in a small city and running one in a large, urban centre. Before moving to Campbell River ten years ago, Rick and Teresa lived and worked in Toronto, ON.

Here, Rick shares four things that becoming an entrepreneur in Campbell River taught him.*

1.       Businesses aren’t anonymous.

“In a place like Campbell River, businesses are associated with the people who run them, so locals end up supporting the people, not just the businesses. This goes for nearly everything, from a franchise to independently-owned operations.” This helps create personal connections between businesses and other businesses, and businesses and communities.  

Which leads us to Rick’s next observation. . . .

 2.       Local communities support local businesses.

“That kind of community support doesn’t happen everywhere, and it’s wonderful to see.”  

3.       People can be reached easier and faster in a small city.

“Customers are easier to reach out to here than in a larger city, which contributes to building those relationships and support networks.” 

4.       Everybody will try something at least once.

“It’s amazing—any new business in town, almost everybody will try it or check it out at least once. This gives new businesses a leg-up, and if you can create a good experience for customers, they will keep coming back.”

*Or, as those of us on the City of Campbell River’s Economic Development team like to think of it, four reasons why Campbell River is a great place to do business!

Photo courtesy of Dockside Fish & Chips.

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