Small Business Consulting - Lacroix and Associates

The best indications of the quality of our services are the testimonials of our clients and participants. From the hundreds of similar comments, we have chosen the following to indicate what people say about our work. Each is real and unsolicited. The original letters and comments are available to you upon request.

"I used to be a Minister of the Crown in British Columbia. ... in all those years I didn't really have any idea what a 'business plan' was. Now I run a non-profit community services organization. I need to know how to make a business plan.... I don't have $20 billion to make mistakes with or economists to advise me or anybody to blame when things go wrong. So we hired Bruce Lacroix...

I would advise anybody else to do the same... Bruce is a bargain, a teacher and a smart guy. When he was finished, we knew we could do it ourselves."

Corky Evans, Administrator, Arrow and Slocan Lakes Community Services
Nelson-Creston NDP MLA 1991 - 2001
Minister of Transportation and Highways
Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food
Minister Responsible for Rural Development
Minister Responsible for Seniors
Minister of Health

"Bruce presented the best short and brief Labour Market Information presentation I have ever had the honour of experiencing. Hire Bruce again. He does a great job."

Gregory Claeys, Policy and Program Advisor, BC Ministry of Small Business, Tourism and Culture.

"I had the opportunity to hire Wendy to help me prepare for my first facilitation on Occupational safety and Health and Prevention of Violence in the Workplace for the BC Ministry of Children and Family Development. Wendy was a tremendous help to me and my first facilitation was a huge success mostly because of her. She is an incredibly valuable 'personal coach'."

Zoyia Burgoyne, British Columbia Ministry of Children and Family Development

"You addressed the participant's individual questions and managed the flow of new ideas while following a successful format. It was an honour to have had the opportunity to observe a master at work."

Debby Johnson, Enterprise Facilitator

"Bruce has been exemplary in his ability to deliver the (business) program within time and budget guidelines. ... Additionally, Bruce's unique presentation style and encouragement provided a favourable learning atmosphere, and as a result many participants went on to successfully launch their own businesses. I would not hesitate to contract with him again."

Janis Cookson, Program / Policy Officer, BC Ministry of Competition, Science and Enterprise.

"It was a pleasure to share your achievements with my listeners across Canada. Very inspiring. It is people like you that make Canada the very best country in the world in which to live. When are we going to do a seminar together?"

Dick Drew, Bank of Montreal "The Canadian Achievers" radio program

"The work conducted by you and your colleagues has given the concept (United Nation Funding for Entrepreneur Development) a large boost and started it on a positive note. The folks here had such a wonderful time they were calling us from Providencialles to ask when you guys were coming back."

Colin Heartwell, Chief Executive Officer, The Turks and Caicos Islands Investment Agency

"Both the delegates and the conference organization committee are very pleased with the workshop presentations and the discussion of the advanced materials showcased at the conference. ... our sincerest appreciation for your presentation."

Michael Eibl, Conference Coordinator, Provincial Youth Self-employment Conference for Service Providers

"We have heard nothing but praise for your marketing workshop. It was informative and most of all FUN."

Joyce Austin, Training Coordinator, Rossland Chamber of Commerce

"Putting on these types of days is a real pleasure when you have polished and professional speakers like you. I got nothing but very positive feedback; as a matter of fact everyone wanted to know when the next seminar would be."

Wilf Warner, VP and General Manager, 760 CKQR

"Thank you again for the excellent presentation that you and Linda offered to the Self-employment Assistance workshop. As you can see from the enclosed evaluations, well over 90% of your audience found all aspects of the workshop to be excellent."

Lonnie Propas, SEA Coordinator, Community Futures BC / Yukon Region, Employment and Immigration Canada.

"Your article on small business was a great addition to our show program, and your interviewing skills and professionalism made a wonderful success of the Shaw Cable Show."

Kay Ryan, Self-employment Coordinator, Community Futures Development Corporation

"Thank you for providing us with an excellent Home Based Business Workshop. (It) was very well researched and presented. All participants indicated that they got much more out of it than they expected and that it was definitely worth the course fee and money invested."

Dale Nielsen, Interim Manager, Castlegar Chamber of Commerce

"Both the students and myself enjoyed your presentation very much. Your experience, your interest in students and your speaking ability will enhance your success."

Tom Wright, Department Head, Mount Royal College

"Thank you for doing such a great job with the Entrepreneurial Training Program - you made quite an impression."

Tracey Whiting, Community Futures Development Corporation of South-east BC

"I would like to express our appreciation for the outstanding work you did for the Entrepreneurial Training Program for Persons with Disabilities. Your philosophy of encouraging participants to focus on what they 'CAN DO', combined with your clear and supportive training techniques provided an excellent learning environment for the participants. This contributed to the outcome of nine participants (of ten) completing their business plans."

Jan Wright, Manager, Career Development Services

"Here is some of the feedback from our fourth year students: 'Enjoyed the class. Great enthusiasm. Would be interested in another class from Bruce.' 'Great class... delivery... presentation.' "

Christine Sutherland, Instructor, Business Administration, Academy of Classical Oriental Sciences

"Bruce's wealth of knowledge, life experience, and passion for his work and for living has been the greatest asset to the YouBET! program!!"

"Bruce is a talented facilitator: he brings complex issues to a manageable level, without being condescending. Excellent humour along with brilliant insight. Bravo!"

"Bruce Lacroix is an excellent facilitator. I took a college level entrepreneurship program and found this business course to be equivalent."

"I had such a good time and learned so much that I hadn't even considered about opening, starting and running a business. This course has given me a good perspective and a well rounded knowledge towards those skills and resources I will need for the paper trail, amongst other things."

"I learned as much in one day in Mr. Lacroix's business proposal meeting as I did in the six months I attended the Horticulture course at (a local college). Not only was Bruce incredibly motivating but also quite informative."

"I liked the course very much, found it very informative, lots of information, and you presented it in a fun and down-to-earth manner. It was well worth the money, I would recommend it to others, and would pay more."

"I'm writing to say thank you for a pleasant and entertaining weekend. No wonder you are in demand and well paid! I walked away with new information and best of all, a reminder - do what I love."

"We have found the (start your own business) program to be beneficial in numerous ways. The coming together of so many like minded people has helped us realize that we are not alone in our dreams of running our own business. Due in part to your excellent leadership and advice, YouBET! has greatly surpassed our expectations."