Harpinder Brar, a business owner operating gas stations and grocery stores across Saskatchewan and Manitoba, is advocating for increased recognition and support for local essential businesses. In a recent statement, Brar emphasized the often-overlooked pressures faced by small business owners, from rising operational costs to the demands of daily management.
According to Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada, small businesses account for more than 98 percent of all employer businesses in Canada, employing over 10 million people. Yet many operators struggle with increasing expenses related to fuel, transportation, inventory, staffing, and utilities. Data shows that more than half of small business owners work over 50 hours per week, and independent retailers face year-over-year increases in operating costs. Repeat customers remain a key factor in long-term stability, and community spending at local businesses helps circulate money back into regional economies.
Brar noted that consistency and accountability are foundational to sustainable operations. "You have to be present," she said. "If you ignore things, they fall apart." She stressed that success does not happen automatically once a business opens. "A lot of people only see the customer side," she added. "They don't see the planning, staffing, inventory, or problem-solving happening every day."
Rather than advocating for large campaigns, Brar encourages individuals to take small, practical actions that positively impact local businesses. These include supporting local businesses regularly, treating frontline workers with patience and respect, leaving honest positive reviews for dependable businesses, recognizing consistency and reliability in customer service, and understanding the pressure many small operators face behind the scenes. "You don't have to do something dramatic," Brar said. "Small actions matter more than people realise."
Brar's own leadership style has evolved through hands-on experience managing operations across both provinces. "I have become more practical and direct over time," she said. "Consistency solves more problems than emotion." She believes long-term stability comes from structure, discipline, and accountability rather than short-term trends. "If you keep showing up and handling responsibilities properly, the business becomes stronger over time," she explained.
Brar is encouraging individuals to support the businesses they rely on every day by making more intentional local choices, practicing patience with frontline workers, and recognizing the work behind essential community services. She also encourages people to share these conversations within their own communities. "Responsibility matters," Brar said. "That applies to business owners and communities alike."
