Kirsten Murphy
Northern News Services
Arviat (Jun 13/01) - Zachariah Owingayak works for the Co-op, but dreams of owning a video store. His dream is closer to becoming a reality with a small-business management program offered through the hamlet in April.
From billiard halls to outfitters, Owingayak was one of 11 aspiring business owners bringing career ideas to the table. The group received a comprehensive three-week course in bookkeeping, promotions and marketing under the tutelage of Mary Lou Harris.
Some participants will continue with their plans, others will stop there.
"Within a year, you will see 70 per cent of the participants starting their own businesses," predicted Harris.
Through a 100-question self-evaluation, some participants ruled out their ideas. "Starting your own business requires time, money and hardship. Not everyone is meant to run their own business," Harris said.
If participants have their way and their own funding, a hair studio, video store, tannery, bakery, laundry mat and various craft stores will pop up.
Harris, a Nova Scotia-based adult educator, taught the course at the hamlet's invitation.
Economic development officer Carroll Macintyre said Arviat is a tourist and economic epicentre waiting to happen.
"We are the gateway to the North for markets, transportation and infrastructure," Macintyre said.
In fact, the number of small-business grants awarded in the last two years jumped from 23 to 37, he said.
Mary Okatsiak already runs a small but successful outfitting business in Arviat. She said the program's bookkeeping portion was particularly valuable.
"It will help, not right now, because we're taking it slow, but down the road," Okatsiak said.
