Big Dreams, Small Businesses
When I visit restaurants in Durham, I can’t help but think of the life experiences that can be found in every kitchen.
We’re in the middle of Small Business Week in Canada, a time to celebrate the entrepreneurs and local shops in our communities.
Small businesses are where many Canadians chase big dreams.
Nearly 10 million people are employed by small businesses in Canada. Countless families depend on small businesses for opportunities, in addition to goods and services. Small businesses are often the first entry point to the economy for students, recent graduates, newcomers, tradesmen, tradeswomen and entrepreneurs.
My family is no different. For us, the restaurant industry has provided opportunities to earn a living and gain skills. I paid my way through college and university working as a line cook and dishwasher. My last job in the restaurant industry was for a small business in Toronto, about fifteen years ago.
Looking back, some of life’s most important lessons were available in those kitchens. A full day of prep, lunch, dinner and closing taught me the value of a hard day’s work. Getting an entire chit (that’s kitchen slang for ‘order ticket’) done on time during a rush required strong teamwork and communication across the line, from salads to pastas to the grill. And my coworkers showed me what it was like to shoulder the weight of providing for a family. They held multiple jobs to afford rent in one of the most expensive cities in the country.
My journey in the restaurant industry pales in comparison to my father’s. I was just tracing a few of the many footsteps that he left behind.
Dad’s time in the restaurant industry is a heroic tale. He grew up in difficult circumstances in Nairobi, having been born an orphan, adopted as an infant and then back on his own again as a teenager. Cooking was his special talent. He spent countless hours behind stoves, perfecting his craft. He completed an apprenticeship at the Hilton Hotel in Nairobi and was transferred to a Hilton in London, England.
Eventually, dad found himself in Toronto, at a cousin’s wedding, where he met my mom. He decided to relocate to Canada. And it was in Toronto’s local industry where he would find a home for over two decades. The tough road he traveled from boyhood to manhood had given him a different perspective on life, with the right mix of ambition and creativity to find success as a chef. Today, he is a small business owner, running a restaurant in Ajijic, Mexico.
I carry these memories with me in the next chapter of my career. When I visit restaurants in Durham, I can’t help but think of the life experiences that can be found in every kitchen, students earning their first paycheques, parents providing for their families, and entrepreneurs taking risks to make dreams come true. I want to fight for these community members, families and businesses.
Join me in celebrating Small Business Week by supporting local restaurants:
If you’d like to support my campaign to become the next Conservative Member of Parliament for Durham, please consider making a donation or volunteering.
My close friends winter in Ajijic and I've visited there. If you can provide the restaurant name I'll pass it on to them to visit his place for dinner.
Anthony Dayton