This book is about multi-generation small businesses in Lethbridge, Alberta, Canada. Those individuals who participated in the project generously allowed their names and the name of their business to be used. Indeed, in most cases the names of the family and the business are the same. This is to be expected in relatively small businesses - even more so in businesses that have existed for some time. The participants are rightfully proud of their name, family and business, and the success they have achieved throughout multiple generations of existence. Twenty individuals from eleven different businesses were interviewed. Their comments form the basis for their respective chapters and the subsequent analysis chapters. The small business sector represents an important segment of most economies. In Canada, for instance, approximately 43% of total economic output is generated by about 2.5 million businesses with fewer than 100 employees. Further, these businesses employ 60% of the Canadian workforce.

The goal of writing this book was to identify those characteristics which not only contribute to the current success of the small business, but also those that have contributed to the survival of the small business beyond the tenure of the founder. The emerging themes that are identified serve to show the unique approach taken by small businesses that continue past the early generations. This book provides valuable insights into the approach taken by small business regarding their continued approach in attempting to ensure the viability of a business which has been initiated by a previous generation. Comments and insights presented here will be valuable to those individuals who are currently involved with small business as well as those who aspire to own their business. Further, students of small business will find a discussion of interesting practical issues and theoretical frameworks.

National Library of Australia Cataloguing-in-Publication data:
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Hunter, M. Gordon and Kazakoff, Dan

     Little empires: multi-generation small business in southern Alberta, Canada

  Bibliography

  Includes index

     ISBN 978-1-920889-30-2 (paper back)

     ISBN 978-1-920889-31-9 (hard cover)

  Family-owned business enterprises, Alberta, Lethbridge, Succession. Family-owned business enterprises, Alberta, Lethbridge, Case studies. Small business, Alberta, Lethbridge, Case studies.

Dewey Number: 338.64209712345

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