Small business owners in Vancouver are among the happiest in Canada, according to a TD Canada Trust survey.
Vancouver ranked as the fifth best city in terms of happiest entrepreneurs, after Toronto, Ottawa, Montreal and Calgary, which ranked first.
Overall, high satisfaction levels associated with owning their own business were the main reasons for small business owners having a more positive attitude than those who work for someone else.
About 97% said the business gives them a sense of pride and accomplishment, while 91% benefit from a deep personal connection to their employees and customers. About 86% said owning a small business gives them the flexibility to volunteer their time or make donations to charities, sports teams and events.
Although, the majority of entrepreneurs noted that they work far longer hours than employees. About 19% work between 50 and 59 hours a week, while 38% said they work 60 hours or more a week.
Judy Brooks, co-founder of Vancouver’s Blo Blow Dry Bar Inc., told BIV in an interview Monday afternoon that having a vision and experiencing the sense of accomplishment when the business thrives is one of the likely reasons for business owners to feel positive about their overall professional situation.
But it takes persistence to keep going when times are tough.
“I’m pretty sure entrepreneurs wouldn’t feel this good all the time. Every entrepreneur has had a day and sat at their desk going ‘Oh my God, how am I going to get through this?’”