Victoria hosts a extraordinary and inspirational event: 

Colourful Business

Join us on Saturday, November 16 from 12pm - 5pm for Colourful Business 2024 at Royal BC Museum!

This year’s event will feature 25 vendors and businesses plus performances by August Thomas, Sol Aravena, Mariachi Sin Frontera, and Fiesta Latina. Additionally, registered exhibitors will be able to attend our small business workshop hosted by Griselda Martin of Alfajores by Griselda.

Colourful Business is a project of the Kulea Culture Society, Royal BC Museum, Indigenous Prosperity Centre, BC Black History Awareness Society, REP Here In Canada, Victoria Foundation, Greater Victoria Chamber of Commerce, the City of Victoria, and the Government of Canada; as well as, generous donations from the public.

Colourful Business proves that business does not have to be boring by displaying the innovation and vitality of Victoria's most vibrant communities. Plus, highly acclaimed live entertainment delighting those attending while browsing displays of Indigenous, Black, and immigrant entrepreneurs. Admission to both the exhibition and the entertainment is free. That's in keeping with the goal of Colourful Business, to tear down barriers between diverse businesses and the Victoria community.

Colourful Business puts the richness of diverse businesses in Victoria on view. Small and medium-sized businesses in the racialized, Indigenous and new immigrant communities represent a crucial route to social and economic incorporation. The pandemic has hurt the fragile sustainability of many of these businesses. They need access to resources and good public visibility to flourish. 

Colourful Business 2022  was a first-of-its-kind expo of racialised, Indigenous, and new immigrant businesses. The first expo occurred at the Victoria Conference Centre on Saturday, November 26, 2022. All participants had the opportunity to participate for free.

Colourful Business 2023 took place at the Royal BC Museum on Saturday, November 4, 2023. In the morning, the participating businesses attended a skill-building workshop to increase their capacity to run successful businesses. Colourful Business was open to the public, starting at noon. The event was free to attend for participants and the public.