In July 2019, Lac La Hache Bakery applied and was approved for an $11,025 rebate through Northern Development’s former Wildfire Recovery Rebate program (now included in the Small Business Recovery Consulting Rebate program).
The $14,700 project included working closely with a professional consultant to increase sales, optimize operations at the front-end of the bakery and develop a business strategy. Soon after the completion of the consulting project, Lac La Hache Bakery saw in increase in retail sales, which helped them weather the challenging economic climate at the time in the Cariboo.
“One of the longer term goals of the project was to help us improve and strengthen our business and to make us more resilient for future economic downturns,” said Yvette Betz, owner, Lac La Hache Bakery. “I really do believe with the information we have now we can move forward with confidence. We also know now where to turn when we need advice.”
Improvements made to the front-end of the bakery, including the introduction of new POS equipment, helped the bakery realize a 32 per cent increase in retail sales by the end of the year.
Receiving professional support for their decades-old business provided the husband-and-wife ownership team with the confidence to take a two-week vacation and staff with the tools to competently handle the bakery.
Small and medium sized businesses in an array of industries are eligible to apply to the Small Business Recovery Consulting Rebate program. Up to $30,000 is available to a maximum of 85 per cent of the eligible project business. Applications are accepted and reviewed on a continuous basis.
