The article is a series of case studies on small businesses across Canada. There are two lessons related to this one article. This is lesson two.

Appropriate Subject Area(s):

Marketing, entrepreneurship

Key Questions to Explore:

• How are smaller main street businesses able to thrive in the shadow of large corporations?

Introduction to lesson and task:

This lesson explores the phenomenon of family-owned businesses, especially larger ones that have been in existence for many generations.

Action (lesson plan and task):

• In the home groups from lesson one, have students do a PMI about the case studies. (Plus (what did they find positive) Minus (what did they find negative) and Interesting (what did they find interesting and neither positive or negative?)
• In the home groups, have students create a mind map, digitally or on paper, to brainstorm all the characteristics that were common to the entrepreneurs in the case studies.
• Using a Venn diagram, have students outline common characteristics and those that are different.
• Discuss: how does this compare to the theory of entrepreneurial characteristics?
• Discuss: how have these characteristics contributed to the success of main street businesses?

Consolidation of Learning:

• Have students write a brief note on the entrepreneurial characteristics they possess and what they want to develop by using them.

Success Criteria:

• Students realize how small businesses thrive in the shadow of large corporations.

Confirming Activity:

• Have each group discuss the contribution that main street businesses make to the community and the economy. Ask each group to put their ideas on a flip chart or digital recording to share with the rest of the class. Do a walkabout so that students can review each group’s ideas.