Fueling the resistance: The power of Canadian small businesses and buying local

Canada runs on small businesses. They power our economy, add resilience to our communities, and bring meaning to our way of life. Thanks to technology, the influence of small businesses has expanded and they can reach not only their main streets, but every corner of the globe. But make no mistake, these vital engines face mounting pressures that endanger their very survival. Each challenge that small businesses face—whether it’s trade barriers, regulatory red tape, or megastore monopolies—is not just a nuisance, it’s an existential threat. To make entrepreneurship more common, we must give small businesses the utmost support and every opportunity to thrive. Small businesses are our most powerful resistance against the encroaching sameness that is swallowing other communities whole. Without them, what makes Canada feel so special starts to fade. 

Think about it: approximately half of Canada’s private sector GDP comes from small and medium-sized businesses. This translates to nearly 46.8% of private sector employment. In fact, a staggering 97.8% of employer businesses in Canada are small businesses. That’s not just impressive arithmetic, it’s a warning. If these small businesses crumble under the weight of our society’s apathy, we risk losing the unique identities that shape our towns, and ultimately our national character. 

Dundas, Ontario is a living example of how small businesses, many of them powered by Shopify, form the backbone of the Canadian economy. It’s also a reminder of what’s at stake. Shopify’s data shows the number of Dundas businesses on Shopify increased 29% in the past five years. Nestled on the banks of Lake Ontario, its charming main street is lined with small businesses—with each storefront telling the story of entrepreneurs who took a brave leap to create something remarkable. Its small businesses rise as unsung heroes, fueled by the relentless passion of their founders and the endless possibilities of the commerce tools they trust. 

But Canadian towns like Dundas are not just a quaint dot on a map. In what can feel like a relentless tide of big-box retailers, Dundas is a bastion of community, creativity, and identity. 

“Small businesses have been what kept this place vibrant and lively throughout its history,” says Dave Tayler, the executive director of Dundas Business Improvement Area, a 40-year-old organization with the mission of promoting and protecting downtown Dundas and its businesses.

“We want downtown to be a good place to do business, a safe place to exist, and just a welcoming center of the community.”

Dundas small businesses like Ellenoire, The Handmade House, and Tydan Blades preserve the culture that makes small towns worth fighting for. Each purchase at these businesses affirms that the heart of Canada beats louder in small businesses than in the aisles of megastores. Supporting these local entrepreneurs is not just about economics. It’s a commitment to preserving the rich tapestry of community that defines us. In a world fixated on giants, Dundas celebrates its local champions, proving that small can indeed be mighty. This town also serves as a reminder to consumers everywhere of what’s possible when we champion entrepreneurship and vote with our dollars.

Crafting community at The Handmade House

In the center of Dundas’ historic downtown is The Handmade House. Specializing in artisanal goods made by local crafters, this charming shop is a go-to destination for those seeking unique gifts and home decor. In 2017, owner Lyndsay McAlpine took the plunge into entrepreneurship by seizing the opportunity to revive a modest shop. Up until that point, the store had been a side gig for its previous owner. 

Discovering the opportunity felt serendipitous: “It was like the world gave it to me. It felt like a dream come true,” she says.

She quickly transformed The Handmade House from a tiny storefront with 20 local vendors to a flourishing marketplace showcasing the talents of around 150 artisans. The mission was clear: create a platform that allows local Canadian makers to shine. All items in The Handmade House are sourced within a two-hour radius of the store.

“There are a lot of crafters who have no way of selling their stuff outside of going to a market or a show. This is a one-stop shop where they can sell their work and have it available to the community all the time,” says Lyndsay. 

“The whole concept just blew up, and vendors have done very well here. It made the idea of shopping handmade and shopping local just way more accessible to people.”

The Handmade House serves not just as a retail space but also as a gathering place for locals through Christmas markets, crafting classes, and charity events. Dundas shoppers know their dollars are staying in Dundas, creating a local multiplier effect that directly supports their neighbors——it's a feeling that big-box stores simply can’t replicate. Not only is The Handmade House helping to power Dundas but they can reach buyers around the world thanks to international shipping on their website.

“Buying from us means you’re supporting a maker, not just a store. As long as people keep supporting small, we’ll find a way to thrive,” she says.

Blending heritage and haircare at Ellenoire 

Noelle of Ellenoire has deep roots in Dundas, her parents brought her family there in 1967. Having grown up here, Noelle intimately understands the importance of supporting small businesses that contribute to the town’s character, including her own.

Launched in 1994, Ellenoire has become more than just a retail shop. It represents a legacy of crafting beautiful scented products by hand, a tradition that started in Noelle’s childhood. Her mother would make potpourri, candles, and other items from her garden, selling them at local church fairs. 

“I didn’t realize it then, but those early experiences with my mother ignited my love for scented products,” Noelle says. “The seed for my business was planted long before I ever saw it coming.”

After building a following for body care and skincare, Ellenoire has expanded into hair care—particularly for curly hair. The boutique has really blossomed into a hub for the community and her Shopify store has been able to adapt and grow alongside her.

“I create an inclusive environment where everyone—regardless of their hair texture or skin color—can feel comfortable,” Noelle says. “Those moments when someone walks away feeling seen and valued are why I do this,” she says.

While she celebrates her successes, Noelle remains candid about the challenges small businesses face in today’s economic climate. 

“People look at these shops and think they’re fixtures and will always be there. But that's a dangerous way to think because that can change so easily. Even with fixtures you need to continue to support them.”

Sharpening a legacy at Tydan Blades

Blocks away from Lyndsay and Noelle is Tydan Blades. Owner Tyler Usselman is also a product of Dundas, Ontario—born and raised in this welcoming community that he proudly calls home. 

“I’ve been here for 28 years, and what I love most is the small community vibes,” he says, recalling his childhood spent playing hockey. “You get the sense that everyone knows everyone—even as the town has gotten bigger over the past five years.”

Tydan Blades, named as a blend of Tyler's name and his mother Danielle's, specializes in the sharpening and profiling of hockey skate blades. Tyler’s family ties run deep in this business—it was founded by his father, Jim, back in 1996. Their client list is a roster of hockey’s elite, as they maintain blades for many National Hockey League teams and players. But they’re also firmly embedded in the community, working with local hockey families.

“We’re extremely honored to service the NHL, but I also love talking to moms and dads that come in and giving them advice on what can help their kid succeed in the sport.”

Their online store has now extended its customer base far beyond Dundas. With Shopify empowering him to launch an online store, Tyler has shown that local businesses can thrive on a national stage, all while keeping the spirit of community front and center.

“Our site has become the main driving force for us. There are a lot of rural communities in Canada and in the U.S. where there’s no access to these types of services,” says Tyler. “People will package their blades and ship them to us from wherever they are in the world.”

Tyler says Tydan Blades never would have reached its level of success without the support of the Dundas community. Locals made sure his store stayed afloat even during more difficult times.

“Dundas is really good about shopping local, and that became clear during COVID. People never stopped being there for us, and we relied on that community support for our livelihood. And it all comes back to us being able to put out a superior product and earn their trust.”

The power of local

In this modern world, technology has shattered barriers, empowering entrepreneurs to launch and manage their businesses from anywhere in the world. That being said, consumers still have a crucial responsibility: the need to actively vote with their dollars and stand shoulder to shoulder with the very entrepreneurs who drive the economy forward. In good times, this support fuels innovation and creativity. In challenging times, it becomes a lifeline, an act of resilience in the face of adversity. As the threat of homogenization looms larger, we must champion these local businesses—not just for their own sake but for our own. Small businesses stand at a tipping point, and it’s up to us to defend them through our choices.

In Dundas, these entrepreneurs don’t just sell products—they create experiences, foster connections, and nurture the sense of belonging that makes Dundas feel like home. Whether it’s about hockey, haircare or handmade goods, the stories unfolding in Dundas serve as a reminder that small businesses are the engine of the Canadian economy. In a world that often prioritizes convenience over connection, these small businesses are heroically transforming challenges into triumphs and dreams into realities. With the support of tools like Shopify, they’re ready to take on anything that comes their way. They adapt, they innovate, and they bravely face challenges head-on. 

“Canadians are very lucky to have such a good number of robust small towns,” says Noelle. “There are a lot of places where villages like this simply don't exist because a megastore dropped 10 minutes outside of town and chased the mom-and-pops out. That’s why supporting small businesses is so vital.”

Shopping in Dundas feels different—it’s personal. You’re not just a customer, you’re part of the story. Dundas’s small businesses enrich the town’s identity and social fabric, creating a community that believes in itself and in each other.