History
The Home Business Association of the National Capital Region is a non-profit association of self-employed people, predominately working from their homes. We are located in the Canada's National Capital Region including the Regional Municipality of Ottawa-Carleton, it's neighbouring communities and l'Outaouais.
The HBA-NCR was formed in April 1996 to address the needs and concerns of home-based and micro business professionals. HBA-NCR members understand the revolution that is occurring in North America - more and more people are making the decision to take charge of their own destiny. As this movement grows stronger every year, so is the need for a forum that will strengthen and support each other.
The growth in the number of home based businesses nation-wide (now estimated at 2.5 million) is leading governments, policy institutes, the media, and those who provide goods and services to business to pay increasing attention to this sector.
In 1996, the non-profit Home Business Association of the National Capital Region (HBA-NCR) was established to bring together home business operators in the Ottawa area.
Our membership has already reached approximately 200 home based or micro businesses (i.e. businesses with fewer than 5 employees).
This substantial growth is driven by the fact that home businesses have to deal with many business and social challenges (some unique to home businesses), such as:
- isolation
- separating work and personal life
- managing all aspects of a business
- developing credibility with clients
Furthermore, a number of public policy issues are affecting home businesses, including:
- municipal bylaws
- taxes
- telecommunications
- insurance
- competition with larger businesses
- financial services
The HBA-NCR serves as a voice on these and similar issues for home businesses in the National Capital area. It can provide meaningful comment to policy makers and reporters.
There are also many questions about the impact that the trend towards home based businesses will have on our community. For example:
- How will the increase in people working from home affect transportation systems, neighbourhood policing requirements, telecommunications infrastructure, the construction and renovation sector, health care requirements, environmental quality, to mention only a few areas likely to be influenced?
- How do home businesses contribute to the economy?
- What impact does a home business have on the children of home based entrepreneurs?
The HBA-NCR does not have answers to all of these questions, but in the years to come it hopes to develop a dialogue on such issues and work with other interested parties on related research.