Category Archives: Support Small Business

Supporting Local Music for Thriving Communities.

2023-03-26 vLife Blog image Supporting Local Musicians

Music is the artistic pulse of any lively community. An active local music scene is always a sign that the community’s arts and culture play a valuable role in its social life.  That being said, it’s important to keep in mind that local music doesn’t typically encapsulate what we think of as mainstream music. Oftentimes, […]

Student Guide to Buying Local in Halifax

Group of university students researching local businesses online.2023-02-22 vLife Blog Student Guide to Buying Local in Halifax

It’s hard to get through this struggling economic climate, but it’s even harder to get through it if you’re a student. I know this from personal experience. As a student who can only work so many hours while juggling a full course load, I also find it hard to support small businesses while saving money. […]

Tribute to Small Business Owners: Hardworking. Resilient. Supportive.

Islamic woman small business owner holding blackboard with smiling.2023-02-01 vLife Blog image Tribute to Small Business Owners

Ever look at all the small business owners at your local market, admiring their wares, and thought about how much work goes into them just being there? We think about this a lot at vLife. About our hardworking small business clients. So much so that we put on a Local Market featuring some of our […]

Small ways you can support local BIPOC-owned businesses

Group of Diverse Business owners working together.vLife Blog Supporting Local BIPOC Businesses

Around two years ago, I came across an Instagram post about a group of white women creating a start-up business based on the traditional Chinese mahjong game. I remember feeling shock and abject disappointment that these women were, appropriating a culture that was experiencing increasing amounts of hate at the time. To me, they were […]

The Many Benefits of Buying Local

Friends happily looking online together in a local cafe. vLife Blog The Many Benefits of Buying Local

We’ve been hearing more and more about the benefits of buying local lately. And we’re one of the steadfast contributors to this important conversation here at vLife. Why? Because research has shown that by buying locally sourced products, you’re supporting your fellow community members, growing your local economy, and reducing your carbon footprint. So, it […]

Real Challenges of Being a Small Business Owner

Toronto Skyline Fall Colours. 2022-12-28 Blog featured image Real Challenges of Small Business Owners in Toronto

They say money makes the world go round. For the most part, the phrase is true. But to say just big money turns the wheel is wrong. Small businesses and their owners make up 40% of the Canadian GDP and employ 60% of all Canadians. From small bakeries to the rise of online shops, small […]

Projected Recession Q&A: What does it all mean?

Thoughtful Black Man wondering about the impact of the projected recession on his small business

The projected recession looms large and we wanted to provide some helpful info – for context, and to help the small business owners we love prepare for what may be in-store. We’re still reeling from the health and economic impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. And, as we will see, the pandemic economic effects are not […]

A Newcomer’s Guide to Halifax: Resources, Supports and Things to do!

Smiling Asian woman holding a Canadian Passport pointing to vLife Blog: Newcomers Guide to Halifax. Supports & Things To Do.

Being newcomers to any country can be confusing as well as overwhelming when you don’t have someone to guide you. I know this from first hand experience. In July of 2014, my family and I made a very big…..change. We decided to move from the warm, tropical, and top tourist destination known as Jamaica to […]

The World Cup, Canada and Buy Local – A Mixed Bag

vLife blog feature image Canada and World Cup 2026 Nov 2022

We’re done. The Canadians are mathematically out of the FIFA World Cup. But not without making a statement. After a historic run, Canada’s men’s soccer (or football, and vice versa) made The World Cup for the first time in 29 years and scored their first goal ever. And Canadians were watching. In fact, over 3.7 […]

Nova Scotian Local Deals this Canadian Black Friday & Small Business Saturday

2022 vLife blog image. Nova Scotia Local Black Friday Deals two shoppers looking into shopping bags Nov 2022

Here we go again, Canadian Black Friday shopping. We’ve all seen those clips on YouTube – the ones of endless shoppers and pandemonium in a Walmart. Don’t get me wrong. Black Friday is tempting. I have had the same laptop for longer than Cyber Monday has even existed. And, unfortunately, even a sustainability nerd like […]