With a Walmart set to open sometime in the next year in Steinbach, the Steinbach Chamber of Commerce hosted a workshop for small business owners.

The seminar ran Monday afternoon from 2:30 to 5:30 at Mennonite Heritage Village and was hosted by Roy Prevost.  Prevost(above) has 25 years of experience in the gift industry as an exporter, importer, wholesaler, retailer and manufacturer.  He's effectively done everything.  The workshop was called "Prospering in a Big Box Retail World," and was focused on helping small retailers coexist with mega companies such as Walmart.  Prevost says there was plenty of information to be found in the workshop.

"It teaches independent business or retailers how to thrive in the big box retail world, how to niche their markets, and some different ideas on customer service.  My sense of this community is that customer service is pretty good, but they'll always pick up two or three really good ideas that they can take back to their business."

He adds that there is one major area where you can beat the larger companies.

"In today's world, if you can find a niche, a product that people want and you are very knowledgeable and passionate about, people will come to you for that reason alone.  In today's world, people, particularly the older generation, wants connection.  They want someone they can talk to.  They don't want a machine, they want someone they can talk to who knows what their problem is and how they can relate to it."

Prevost's goal is to tell as many people as possible not to be afraid of big box retailers, because it is possible to coexist with them, and even find more success than before.  He says he has one bit of advice that he wants to impart on everyone.

"If the Chamber puts on events for small business or business in general, for heaven's sake, take the time and show up.  Invest in it, because you can one or two great ideas that could propel your business."

Prevost has put on over 300 workshops across Canada, and will soon be heading to Winkler for the third time.