BUSINESS AND WORK ON SALT SPRING ISLAND

Our island holds a vibrant community with a varied demographic tapestry. Many retire here for the natural beauty and to get away from the city. Some tuck themselves away on their land for peace and solitude. At the same time, there's a wide range of business and economic activity. There's everything from an economy Dollar store to galleries with very high-end pieces by world renowned artists. The majority of businesses on the Island are small owner-operator enterprises with few employees, often home based. The major local employers are public service organizations, with few employment opportunities related to growth or staff turnover. The major economic opportunities lie in having, or starting, your own business.

The modern world of the Web ...
Gives many the opportunity to live in a beautiful place and work long-distance. There are numerous healthy companies with headquarters here who sell worldwide. Perhaps that's on option for you. Many niche-market businesses have complemented existing sales by adding a web site and the use of email. (To build or upgrade a business web site, contact Marketing Alchemy .)

Local economy ...
Others make a healthy living serving just the local community and people who come here. Summer months bring many tourists and some types of businesses make most of their year's income during that time. Sound attractive?

Some of the basis sectors that are active and healthy on Salt Spring are

Construction
Architecture
Arts and Crafts
Forestry
Education
Adult education
Business services
Basic home needs - products and services
Eco-Tourism
Value-added wood products
Agriculture
Fishing
Manufacturing
Medical services
Retail
Accommodations
Food and Beverage
Transportation
Tourist services
Recreation
Finance
And, of course, a world-reaching web based business can be anything.

Island businesses support each other ...
Salt Spring even has its own legal currency that operates alongside the Canadian dollar! There is an increasing move towards self-reliance and sustainability that only increases the health of local businesses. Again, because of the variety and richness of the local demographic, there is probably more opportunity here than the size of the population might indicate.

In summary, Salt Spring is a varied environment that can offer you a peaceful retirement or participation in a vibrant business community. You may wish to contact our local Chamber of Commerce for more information.