Establishing a robust community is a key focus of the Strathroy Middlesex General Hospital Foundation (SMGH Foundation). In leading the Building Foundations Project, the foundation aims to tackle important issues such as enhancing the accessibility of affordable housing, inspiring youth to consider careers in skilled trades, and enhancing the capability of rural hospitals to support […]
Established in 2019, the Saugeen Student Start-Up Program (SSUP) provides students in Grades 6-12 with the opportunity to launch their businesses during the summer break. So far, SSUP has supported over 250 students and businesses through funding and engaging training sessions. This summer, 51 students have initiated 47 diverse businesses such as body scrubs, natural […]
On this episode of What Keeps You Up at Night – The Life of a Rural Entrepreneur, host Shauna Rae sits down with Luke Sedgewick, owner of Glen Oro Farm, located in Oro-Medonte, ON Glen Oro Farm has been in Luke’s family since 1967 and after years of working in the hospitality industry, he brought […]
AWAKE is a company committed to enhancing the environmental sustainability of cremation interments. AWAKE celebrated its second anniversary in business this past Friday, April 5th, and we are excited to have sat down with co-founder Amanda Kelly. Along with her partner Lauren Andrew, AWAKE is bringing a different mindset and opening peoples’ eyes to new […]
On this episode of What Keeps You Up at Night – The Life of a Rural Entrepreneur, host Shauna Rae sits down with Alicia Ryckman, owner of COBS Bread. located in St. Thomas Ontario. Alicia, a franchisee of COBS Bread, shares her journey as an entrepreneur and the unique experience of being a franchisee. She […]
On this episode of What Keeps You Up at Night – The Life of a Rural Entrepreneur, host Shauna Rae sits down with the 2023 winner of the Elgin Business Centre Pitch competition Tanya Buttinger owner of Dogs on 3 located in St. Thomas Ontario. Tanya shares her journey as a rural entrepreneur in the […]
On this special 2-part episode of What Keeps You Up at Night – The Life of a Rural Entrepreneur, host Shauna Rae sits down with Elaine Beck and Philip Morris, owners of Retro Rollers Inc. located in Stratford Ontario. Philip and Elaine, share their journey of starting a roller-skating business and the challenges they faced. […]
On this special 2-part episode of What Keeps You Up at Night – The Life of a Rural Entrepreneur, host Shauna Rae sits down with Elaine Beck and Philip Morris, owners of Retro Rollers Inc. located in Stratford Ontario. Philip and Elaine, share their journey of starting a roller-skating business and the challenges they faced. […]
On this episode of What Keeps You Up at Night – The Life of an Entrepreneur, host Shauna Rae sits down with Evan Sitler Bates, co-founder of XpertVR, located in Niagara Falls Ontario. XpertVR was launched through Brock University’s BioLinc Incubator. What started out as an experimentation with a 360-degree camera quickly transitioned into marketing […]
On this episode of What Keeps You Up at Night – The Life of an Entrepreneur, host Shauna Rae sits down with Mostafa Heikal, owner of Angels Childcare and recent winner of the Community Futures Ontario Entrepreneur of the Year award for 2022. What started out as one location in Arva, Ontario has now grown […]
In St. Thomas, Ontario, COBS Bread received support from the Community Futures Program through the Elgin Business Resource Centre. COBS Bread operates under the umbrella of Bakers Delight, an Australian bakery franchise with 145 establishments throughout Canada. Following extensive research, Alicia Ryckman identified St. Thomas as the ideal community to embark on her journey as […]
READ MOREEstablishing a robust community stands as a key focus for the Strathroy Middlesex General Hospital Foundation (SMGH Foundation). In leading the Building Foundations Project, the foundation aims to tackle important issues such as enhancing the accessibility of affordable housing, inspiring youth to consider careers in skilled trades, and enhancing the capability of rural hospitals to […]
READ MORESmith Cycle is a family-run business that is part of a legacy of bike enthusiasts who have been serving Chatham-Kent since 1932. Today, Smith Cycle is owned by Matt and Tanya Ytsma, who personally share a passion for cycling. In September 2023, Matt received support from the Community Futures Program through the Community Futures […]
READ MORESome entrepreneurs realize from a young age that entrepreneurship is their calling. This was the case for Tanya Buttinger, the owner of Dogs on 3 in St. Thomas, Ontario. Dogs on 3 offers enrichment opportunities for dogs, while providing boarding services during the day or overnight. Realizing that it was the moment to heed the […]
READ MORELocated in the central hub of Grey-Bruce County, within minutes of the beautiful beaches of Lake Huron is the award-winning Best Western Plus Walkerton Hotel & Conference Centre, offering guests amazing accommodation for business and pleasure. Best Western Plus Walkerton Hotel & Conference Centre is owned and operated by Andrew Windsor and his wife […]
READ MORERiver Road Nature School was founded in 2023 by Carrie and Joshua Loyer. It is a private school located in Cayuga (Haldimand County), and it is situated on 30 acres of land. The space is private and serene, offering plenty of access to green space and the Carolinian forest. The site has been carefully […]
READ MORESnack Wacky Foods, a beloved family-owned business in St. Thomas, Ontario, takes pride in offering top-quality food to locals and tourists alike. The family’s secret to success lies in using fresh ingredients, locally sourced produce, and a special family recipe for their mouth-watering burger patties, ensuring customers keep returning for more. In 2006, Hermann […]
READ MOREIn June 2016, Sarah Sklash and April Brown took a leap of faith by buying and relocating to a roadside motel named the Sportsman Motel. Throughout the years, the two friends openly discussed leaving their jobs to embark on a business venture together. After numerous brainstorming sessions, they settled on an idea: creating an […]
READ MOREIn Chatham, Ontario, Oasis Beads & Crystals Inc. was assisted by the Community Futures Program through the Community Futures Development Corporation of Chatham-Kent. Oasis Beads & Crystals Inc. originated as a small jewellery-making business and blossomed into a successful venture in St. Thomas during the pandemic. The store offers a diverse range of drilled gems, […]
READ MORENottawasaga Futures is proud to shine a spotlight on Monx Design, a pioneering startup located in Bradford West Gwillimbury, Ontario, that is revolutionizing the housing landscape with their innovative approach to tiny house architecture. Founded and led by Brandon Mills, Monx Design is making waves by combining sustainable living principles with practical design solutions, offering […]
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