It’s important to remember that local jobs
are local jobs
to just pay the bills, but there are quite a few benefits to running
his own business.
“It’s nice because you have your own flexibility, you have
opportunity to change things whenever you want and the
potential to make a wide range of decisions,” says Balla. “As far
as community involvement, you’re actually a part of the
neighbourhood. Everybody here lives and works in Windsor. A
local owner has a different tie to the business than a corporate
CEO. You have real ownership in your business and care about
your community.”
But like the owner of Awesome Fashions, Balla says there
are some major struggles that go into owning a small business.
Aside from having less pull with the provincial and federal
governments to receive funding, there’s a fear of losing it all.
“You’re always bound to work so even when you’re on
vacation, it’s a concern and unlike a large corporation, where
they essentially make billions, you’re always kind of watching
the bottom line,” says Balla. “That’s tough to do because you see
way more small businesses struggling and opening and closing
than you do large corporations. You see people invest their life
savings...there’s a real risk involved.”
When Balla first opened up his coffee shop he was the first
location downtown to introduce specialty coffee beverages. The
Tim Hortons was located nearby, but it didn’t have unique
drinks like the Coffee Exchange did. Starbucks didn’t come until
much later; he had almost 20 years to develop regular customers
and prepare for competition.
And even independent stores are starting to find a home in
local malls. BBranded was established in downtown Windsor 11
years ago and now has a location within Devonshire Mall as well.
Just recently owner Ayad Saddy also saw his store recognized by
Nike as an online retailer. But Saddy never forgets where he came
from and always looks to his marketing and his team of
employees as the reasons for his success.
“Surviving 11 years is one thing, but obviously as far as
customer service goes, we wouldn’t be around if we were lacking
2015
SEASON OF LOST SOULS
LOST
SUDDENLY
SUDDENLY, LAST
SUDDENLY, LAST SUMMER
Tennessee
Tennessee Williams
APR 10, 11, 12, 16, 17 & 18
DEVIL BOYS FROM BEYOND
BOYS
BEYOND
Buddy Thomas and Kenneth Elliott
Thomas
Kenneth Elliott
JUL 17, 18, 19, 23, 24 &