Episode 2

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Published on:

16th Oct 2023

Transforming Community: Emily Yan's Journey to a Thriving Local Economy

In this podcast episode, Rav welcomes Emily Yan, the owner and creative director of Provisions Market and Gifts, to discuss her passion for bringing local foods and products to her community. Emily shares her journey and inspiration for starting Provisions, emphasizing the need to support local businesses during the pandemic. Emily highlights the value of local food production and its positive impact on the environment and economy. Emily emphasizes the importance of setting boundaries and being community-centered, offering advice for aspiring small business owners. She shares her future goals for Provisions, including making their products easily accessible and creating meaningful gifts that give back to the community.

Timestamps

[01:30] Emily’s journey and inspiration

[05:07] Choosing products for the store

[11:29] The role of local food production in the community

[13:11] Connecting with like-minded business owners

[17:34] Balancing personal life and business

Quotes

  • "I want to make a change and I want to work collectively with the makers so that we can all support local and find a better meaning to increase our well-being for the whole community." -Emily Yan [02:59]
  • "Business owners try to focus on the community because that's where we live. If you can throw yourself out there to see what you can offer, even internally, your business is going to be more sustainable." -Emily Yan [23:23]
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About the Podcast

The Business of Small Business
Stories you won't find elsewhere
Welcome to The Business of Small Business podcast where we bring you the unique stories of Canadian small business owners and entrepreneurs. We’ll delve deep into how they got started, the challenges they faced, and the success that made it all worth it.
Each episode, we’ll invite local business owners, industry experts, and thought leaders to share their valuable lessons and experiences. You will hear stories of perseverance, creativity, and determination empowering you to tackle your own goals. Whether you are just starting out or have been in business for years, or someone who simply loves to hear a good story, this podcast is for you.

My journey as a small business owner

As someone who grew up with a passion for good food, starting a food business felt like a natural fit. However, instead of starting from scratch my husband and I decided to join a franchise to gain experience and knowledge of the industry.
To be honest I had no idea about many aspects of running a business and learnt most things on the go. That’s the essence of entrepreneurship - Each journey is unique.
A big learning learning curve for me was the mindset transformation from a 9-5 to a business owner. It taught me the importance of leadership, setting clear boundaries, and adopting an abundance mindset. Another key lesson was the importance of discipline and having systems in place, without which things would simply fall apart.
Throughout my journey, I have had the privilege of meeting some amazing business owners. Their stories have been a constant source of inspiration and strength and I am excited to share such stories with you.

Small businesses are the heart of our communities

Being rooted in our local communities doesn't make their dreams any smaller. A business is much more than a storefront – it's embodies values, ambitions and a relentless drive to create a meaningful impact. Could you imagine your neighbourhood without any small businesses? They are part of our identity, our tastes and traditions.
They are important for our lives and communities and helping them is not just a meaningful endeavour, but a crucial one. When local businesses thrive, we all benefit from increased economic activity, job creation, and a stronger sense of community.
Consider how you can lend support to these businesses - whether it's providing honest feedback, spreading the word, leaving an online review, or sharing your expertise.