 As the leaves start to turn in Elgin–St. Thomas, it’s the perfect time for small business owners to pause and plan for the busy months ahead. Fall and early winter bring a mix of opportunities from seasonal sales to local events! All good things…and I’m here to say that taking the time to anticipate market changes can make all the difference between a frantic scramble and a smooth, successful season.
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 Running a small business in Elgin–St. Thomas can feel like trying to juggle an elephant, or like teaching an elephant to juggle – I’m not sure which would be harder?!
Between managing clients, keeping finances in order, posting on social media, and responding to emails, it’s easy to feel like there just aren’t enough hours in the day. Luckily, digital tools (including AI) can make life a lot easier.  “It’ll never work.” That was the sentiment Pom Quangvan-Montague faced when she opened the doors of her first business and restaurant Lotus Thai Restaurant 20 years ago in downtown St. Thomas. At the time, the restaurants in the city were mainly Italian, Chinese, or Canadian and American fast-food joints. Thai food was completely foreign, let alone authentic Thai food made from scratch with traditional recipes. But Pom didn’t let the naysayers deter her, and she had faced much larger uphill battles in life.
 Miranda Scott of Good Bones Jewelry is no stranger to entrepreneurship, or the curveballs it can throw. From starting off at craft shows as a teenager, to co-owning a brick-and-mortar storefront, moving cities and more, Miranda has handled it all in stride. But throughout all the changes and pivots, one thing has stayed constant - her passion, creativity, and resilience.
 If you've been following the news, you know Canada and the U.S. walked away from the negotiating table on August 21 without a deal. New U.S. tariffs of 50 percent kicked in right away on things like hockey sticks, building materials, liquor, and some clothing categories. Canada plans to hit back with its own tariffs starting September 8 on things like steel, dairy, and farm equipment.
If you run a small business here in St. Thomas and Elgin County, you might be wondering what any of this has to do with you. Maybe you don't export anything to the U.S. Maybe you've never thought about tariffs in your life. And while the reality may not be as bleak as some forecasts, it's still something you're likely to feel. So we wanted to share an easy-to-follow version of what happened, why it happened, and what it might mean for you, plus why we think local business here is in a decent spot to ride this out. |