Twelve Local Entrepreneurs Turn Their Passions Into Businesses With Starter Company Plus

Peterborough & the Kawarthas Business Advisory Centre (BAC) has announced the twelve entrepreneurs that were recently selected to participate in the Fall 2021 Intake of Starter Company Plus program.

Photo courtesy of Peterborough and The Kawarthas Business Advisory Centre.

With assistance from a diverse group of subject matter experts from across the region, the program will provide a five-week course in business training. Six of the twelve participants will receive a $5,000 grant based on the overall strength of their business plan and pitch.

"On our first day, as the group introduced themselves, we heard from participants who were not willing to give up on their passions because of the pandemic," said Entrepreneurship Officer Hillary Manion. "They have adapted and created new businesses that allow them to continue to do what they love while offering products and services to their community."

The BAC will conduct all workshops for the Starter Company Plus Fall 2021 intake online. The classes will focus on marketing and business practices that have proven successful in Peterborough & the Kawarthas and financial acumen and mental well-being.

"This group of entrepreneurs are all subject and content experts. Many come with years of experience in their chosen fields and are now turning it into their own small business," said Manion.

An overview of the 12 participants follows below,

• Amanda O'Rourke: Belmont Farmstead, Havelock, ON – a small-scale farm and nursery growing ecological seedlings for home gardens and businesses, specializing in heirloom vegetable plants, culinary and medical herbs, and edible flowers.

• Angela McDonald: The Florest, Peterborough, ON – A local florist born out of a love for the outdoors and natural beauty offering fresh-cut flower bouquets with a selection of quality blooms.

• Brad Carson: Toureka!, Peterborough, ON – a mobile app and web-based platform that allows organizations of any size to offer their event-based tours in a brand new way.

• Caitlin Smith: ReCreate Space, Peterborough, ON – a professional organizing company helping residents and small businesses of Peterborough & the Kawarthas get more organized.

• Dawn and Lea Call: O & D's Fork in the Road Country Market, Lakefield, ON – a unique, upscale shopping experience offering fresh, wholesome, and local products.

• Dreda Blow and Bruno Merz: Shomakers Ptbo, Peterborough, ON - a musical theatre program for children all about making a SHOW!

• Jolene and Shawn Morris: Trim Time, Peterborough, ON – a family-run business offering mobile cannabis trimming and processing at your home.

• Kate Suhr: Voi-sings, Peterborough, ON – an independent voice-over business emerging in Peterborough & the Kawarthas in the winter of 2022.

• Lynda Todd: Vision Imports Ltd, Peterborough, ON – Manufacturer and distributor of keyboards and mice that can be disinfected and cleaned.

• Patrick and Deanna Leahy: Leahy Farm (final name TBD), Douro-Dummer, ON – A family farm that offers flavourful, top-grade, locally processed meat (beef, chicken, lamb, and turkey), as well as eggs from pasture-raised hens. Environmental sustainability and animal quality of life are priorities to The Leahy's.

• Rob and Denise Driscoll: Northern Cottage Comfort, Havelock, ON – Cottage furniture and designs constructed from recycled materials, including farmhouse benches, shelving, centerpieces, and seasonal signs.

• Travis Berlenbach: Trip Taco, Selwyn, Ontario – Peterborough's first and only Taco Truck inspired by flavours from around the world and offers a fresh and unique spin on a favorite.

Full biographies for each business can be found by visiting peterboroughed.ca/starter.

The Starter Company Plus program, offered through the BAC since 2017, is made possible through funding from the Government of Ontario.

The program is designed to provide business training for entrepreneurs aged 18 and over in the City and County of Peterborough in the process of launching a business or expanding an existing business.

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StoosNews Spotlight: Check Out The Business Beat This Week Featuring Chaska, Package Plus, Katmat Nutrition and Castle Building Centre

PTBOCanada is delighted to be running StoosNews columns each week here, spotlighting new businesses and startups in Peterborough and the Kawarthas. Here is this week’s edition… 

CHASKA is an East Indian word for Obsession. It is also the name of a Chain of Toronto restaurants that have now added Peterborough to their list of locations.

Located at 441 George St. in the former Pete’s Subs location, Chaska offers a wide variety of dishes inspired by the sights, sounds and flavours of the truck stops, food carts and open-air markets of India.

CEO Naveen Seth is “obsessed” with eating happy, not heavy, which influences their menu of fresh, prepared daily, locally-sourced foods, savoury spices, herbs and marinades.

Many people know Bruce Stewart of Package Plus on Rink Street. Bruce started a video transfer business out of his basement in 1986 and rented a mailbox at Package Plus eventually taking over the business in 1998.

His son Adam is transitioning into the ownership role as Bruce slowly transitions into retirement. You will still find Bruce behind the counter though, watching over a business that provides a wide variety of business services, from courier services to printing, to yes, video transfer and mailbox rentals. Visit packageplus.ca for details.

Kathryn Matheson has spent the past three years studying nutrition in anticipation of launching her own business.

A graduate of the Institute of Holistic Nutrition and a certified Metabolic Balance Coach, Kathryn Matheson Nutrition provides nutritional consulting to individuals and organizations and with a particular focus on metabolic and mental health.

Whether it is a simple meal plan, a highly individualized nutrition program or some team coaching within your business, visit katmatnutrition.com or call 705-243-6485.

Frank Nunes and Tom Main are a growing concern out in the Havelock area. Their companies are On Demand Trims and HBM Metal Roofing and Trim which is also a Castle Building Centre.

The Castle Building centre is a hardware store with a bit more of an agriculture focus including supplying farm feed and seed. HBM Metal Roofing is a distributor of metal roofing and siding for residential, commercial and agricultural cladding and On Demand Trim is a custom trim shop, fabricating anything from window cladding to roof trim, eaves, gables, starters and more.

Visit the 11th line of Belmont, just West of Havelock, hbmmetalroofing.com or ondemandmetaltrim.com.

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Chamber of Commerce Announces Peterborough Business Excellence Awards

The Greater Peterborough Chamber of Commerce is hosted its 18th annual Peterborough Business Excellence Awards online on Wednesday.

Stu Harrison has been a member of the Peterborough Chamber of Commerce for over 16 years. File Photo.

This is the second year the award show has been hosted virtually due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Businesses and people in over 20 categories were honoured and recognized throughout Peterborough county for demonstrating excellence.

Up to three businesses and people were nominated for each category.

The Business Excellence Awards are available to watch on Youtube.

The following are the 2021 Business Excellence Awards finalists:

SKILLED TRADES (sponsored by Charlotte Products Ltd.)

• Kawartha Lakes Construction

 

Tourism

• Escape Maze Incorporated

Hospitality

• Jesse’s Tap & Grill

 

Micro Business — Fewer than 5 employees

• Jason McIntosh Auctions

 

Retail

• Avant-Garden Shop

 

Professional Services

• Pinchin Ltd.

 

Customer First

• Antoinette Bridal Boutique

 

Local Focus

• RMS Events — LIVE! at the Barn

 

Innovation/Research and Development

• OptiSolve Ltd.

Commercial Development or Renovation

• The Little Building Company

 

Entrepreneurial Spirit

• Emily Mae’s Cookies

 

Marketing and Promotion

• Peterborough Public Health

 

Green Initiatives

• Trent University — Forensic Crime Scene Facility

 

Health and Wellness

• Canadian Family Health Counselling

Not For Profit

• New Canadians Centre

 

Employer of the Year

• Trent University

 

Businesswoman of the Year — Entrepreneur

• Christine Teixeira — Accountability Financial

 

Businesswoman of the Year — Organization

• Julia Anderson — Canadian Partnership for Women & Children’s Health

 

Peterborough County Farm Family of the Year

• The Traynor Family (Traynor Farms)

4-Under-40 Profiles in memory of Kathy Windrem

• Jessica Dalliday

• Faith Dickinson

• Joon Kim

• Lyle Saunders

Business Student Leadership Prizes

• Sarah Moore (Fleming College)

• Mohamad Ellabban (Trent University)

New Canadian Entrepreneur of the Year

• Rosie Salcido-Schmidt (Agave Designs, Faces by 2)

Business Citizen of the Year

• Tom Minicola

All finalists were asked to record a thank you video. To view those videos click here.

Chamber of Commerce to Host Peterborough Business Excellence Awards This Week

The Greater Peterborough Chamber of Commerce is hosting its 18th annual Peterborough Business Excellence Awards on Wednesday.

Stuart Harrison has been a member of the Peterborough Chamber of Commerce for over 16 years. File Photo.

The event can be viewed for free online on Wednesday at 6:00 p.m. by following this link.

To virtually attend the pre-show ZOOM party, obtain a copy of the event program and a $15 restaurant gift card, attendees must purchase a ticket for $30 here.

The Gala will be emceed by Deb Crossen, Wendy Smith and Cindy Windover.

This is the second year the award show has been hosted virtually due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

"Our small business community has a big impact. They employ more than two-thirds of our private sector employees and spend millions of dollars in our community on taxes, wages, services, products and more. They’re often the first to step up with support when people in our community need it,” said Stuart Harrison, president and CEO, Peterborough Chamber of Commerce. “Our small business community has shown over the last 18 months that they are incredibly adaptable and resilient, creating opportunities and driving economic growth, even during challenging times."

Businesses and people in over 20 categories will be honoured and recognized throughout Peterborough county for demonstrating excellence.

Up to three nominees are chosen for each category.

Screenshot.

The following are the 2021 Business Excellence Awards finalists (listed alphabetically):

SKILLED TRADES (sponsored by Charlotte Products Ltd.)

• Cardinal Plumbing & Electric

• Goodwin Creations

• Kawartha Lakes Construction

 

Tourism

• The Canadian Canoe Museum

• Escape Maze Incorporated

• Lang Pioneer Village Museum

 

Hospitality

• Black Honey desserts coffee catering

• Haven Brewing Company

• Jesse’s Tap & Grill

 

Micro Business — Fewer than 5 employees

• Accountability Financial

• CMD Technology Solutions Corp

• Jason McIntosh Auctions

 

Retail

• Avant-Garden Shop

• Watson & Lou

• Wild Rock

 

Professional Services

• Century 21 United Realty Inc.

• Gauvreau Accounting Tax Law Advisory

• Pinchin Ltd.

 

Customer First

• Antoinette Bridal Boutique

• Griffin’s Greenhouses

• Morello’s Your Independent Grocer

 

Local Focus

• Lang Pioneer Village Museum

• Living Local

• RMS Events — LIVE! at the Barn

 

Innovation/Research and Development

• Noblegen

• OptiSolve Ltd.

• PKA SoftTouch Corp.

 

Commercial Development or Renovation

• Cambium

• Central Smith

• The Little Building Company

 

Entrepreneurial Spirit

• acorn30

• Emily Mae’s Cookies

• Social Kat Media

 

Marketing and Promotion

• acorn30

• Central Smith

• Peterborough Public Health

 

Green Initiatives

• Green Street

• Lockside Trading Company

• Trent University — Forensic Crime Scene Facility

 

Health and Wellness

• Canadian Family Health Counselling

• Euphoria Wellness Spa

• Peterborough Public Health

Not For Profit

• New Canadians Centre

• Peterborough Humane Society

• YMCA of Central East Ontario

 

Employer of the Year

• Gauvreau Accounting Tax Law Advisory

• Pinchin Ltd.

• Trent University

 

Businesswoman of the Year — Entrepreneur

• Brenda Ibey — Avant-Garden Shop

• Carlye Mongraw — Shaw Computer Systems Inc.

• Christine Teixeira — Accountability Financial

 

Businesswoman of the Year — Organization

• Julia Anderson — Canadian Partnership for Women & Children’s Health

• Joëlle Favreau — YWCA Peterborough Haliburton / Nourish Project

• Gail Moorhouse — Community Futures Peterborough

 

Peterborough County Farm Family of the Year

• The Traynor Family (Traynor Farms)

4-Under-40 Profiles in memory of Kathy Windrem

• Jessica Dalliday

• Faith Dickinson

• Joon Kim

• Lyle Saunders

Business Student Leadership Prizes

• Sarah Moore (Fleming College)

• Mohamad Ellabban (Trent University)

New Canadian Entrepreneur of the Year

Congratulations to this year’s recipient!

• Rosie Salcido-Schmidt (Agave Designs, Faces by 2)

Business Citizen of the Year

• Recipient to be announced at the awards ceremony on Oct. 20

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Tonic Karaoke Searches for New Owner to Carry on Legacy

Tonic Karaoke, a popular karaoke bar on George Street, is looking to pass the mic on to a new owner and Jason Gravel is hoping he will be the one to take over.

Jason Gravel and his daughter Emilia. Photo by David Tuan Bui.

Tonic Karaoke, Peterborough’s only private-room karaoke bar, has been in operation for over ten years. They offer eight private rooms for parties as well as a lounge area and bar for guests.

“Unlike a lot of bars there’s a major therapeutic part to Tonic - there’s research on it. The act of going up and singing a song that speaks to you, and putting emotion behind it - it’s extremely cathartic. For some people this is more than just a bar it is a form of therapy.”

Gravel says that he, along with the other patrons, hopes that the bar will stay in ‘the family’ of dedicated regulars.

“It’s a very accepting group,” he said. “They’re all accepted equally because we love the music and the atmosphere. There’s no judgement on age, race, sexuality, everyone’s welcome as long as you’re respectful, it’s always been a safe space for any one of any type.”

Owners Greg and Mira McClenaghan went public with the sale of Tonic Karaoke earlier this month, after government restrictions enforced on their establishment encouraged them to pursue other ventures.

“When we get ready to go back to normal what’s going to be left?,” said Gravel. “We’ve lost the Twisted Wheel we’ve lost Hot Belly Mama’s and Old Stone, Pete’s is gone. What is really left of downtown at this point?”

To donate to the ‘Keep Tonic in the Family’ click here.

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Peterborough Regional Farmers Market is Heading Indoors for the Season

The Peterborough Regional Farmers Market (PRFM) is folding it’s tables and moving inside for their winter market on Saturday.

The market will be inside Peterborough Square from 8 a.m. - 1 p.m. every Wednesday and Saturday until spring.

The indoor market will feature both new and returning vendors.

“Most of our indoor vendors are people who are also outdoor vendors,” said Emily Shapiera, market administrator. “It’s still busy inside, there’s a lot of crossover.”

Shapiera points out that many farmers who sell fresh produce at the outdoor market don’t have much product to sell during the winter months, though some shift to sell produce and other products that are in season.

The winter market features vendors selling things like potatoes, apples and root vegetables as well as farmers selling meat, eggs honey and maple syrup.

The PRFM is one of the only farmers markets in Ontario that did not have to shut down throughout the COVID-19 pandemic.

“It’s been really amazing to continue to be open during COVID,” Shapiera said. “There’s all these local businesses that have been really struggling with what’s going on. The market is great because it’s this venue for local businesses to come and sell and it’s an easy way for the people of Peterborough to come and support local. You’re giving your money to someone in the community and it’s going back into the community - it’s a great cycle and I think it’s more important than ever these days.”

COVID-19 protocols will be followed at the indoor market.

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A New Indian Street Style Restaurant is Coming to Peterborough

Chaska, a fast casual Indian Street food restaurant is bringing savoury spices, with flavourful herbs and marinades to Peterborough at it’s fourth location on George Street, on Oct. 18.

Photo courtesy of Chaska restaurant.

The restaurant first opened it’s doors in 2017 in Mississauga. After a successful launch, the chain opened three more locations in Toronto.

“We did a lot of research, and Peterborough seems to be lacking good quality Indian food,” said Naveen Seth, CEO and Founder of Chaska. “It has enough of a population both Indian and non-Indian to justify bringing this brand to Peterborough.”

Located at 441 George St. N, the former site of Pete's Subs and Burgers, Chaska will be both a dine-in and a take-out restaurant.

“We see this as an ‘Indian Chipotle’,” Seth said. “It’s made in front of you, it’s fast, but it’s good quality food, it’s not ‘fast food’.”

Customers will be able to chose menu items that are different from traditional curries and sauces that are commonly found at Indian restaurants, according to Seth.

“A lot of non-Indians only have knowledge of four or five dishes,” he said. “I wanted to make people aware of the modern, light and fresh Indian flavours that we can offer, which is true authentic Indian food.”

Seth says that Chaska, the Hindi word for obsession, was born from his childhood spent in India.

“Looking back on my childhood in India, some of my favourite memories are those of family road trips to different cities to visit friends and relatives. These trips were a feast for the senses; from the vivid colours and artistry of the trucks we would pass along the way and the distinctive sounds of their horns, to the delicious flavours and aromas of the street food,” said Seth on chaska.com

The new restaurant will open on Oct. 18.

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StoosNews Spotlight: Check Out The Business Beat This Week Featuring Lavender Moon, Zeebon's Signs, Kawartha Food Share and Ashburnham Foot

PTBOCanada is delighted to be running StoosNews columns each week here, spotlighting new businesses and startups in Peterborough and the Kawarthas. Here is this week’s edition… 

Lavender Moon is a new store in Downtown Peterborough. Owned by Derek Morley and Bethany Telford, the store features products that have been hand-picked from markets and bazaars from around the world. You will find clothing, crystals, tarot, incense, plants and more.

Located at 181 Charlotte St., next to Tribal Voices, Lavender Moon is a sister store to Modern Primitives in Kingston, Ottawa, Smith Falls and Cornwall. You’ll find @lavendermoonptbo on Facebook and Instagram

Zeebon’s Signs is now a division of Ricart Promotions and Recognition. Warren Davis started Zeebon’s 39 years ago and is still involved under the new ownership.

The companies are now located in the same building at 259 Lansdowne St. with Zeebon’s offering the same great custom signage products and services that they are known for. zeebonsigns.ca or ricarts.ca

The Porch Pirates for Good are gearing up for their annual food drive in support of Kawartha Food Share. Meg Murphy and her merry band of bandits will be spreading out across the City on Oct. 30 looking for bags of non-perishable food items that citizens have left on the porch.

Local businesses can also participate in the new business-to-business challenge. Business donations will be picked up on Oct. 29. Please register for the business challenge with Susan Dunkley at susan@suzihomemaker.ca or call 705-768-7894. If you would prefer to make a cash donation, just look for porch pirates for good on Facebook.

Congratulations to Peter and Kathryn Ferguson who after more than 30 years in the footcare business recently handed over the keys to Ashburnham Foot and Ankle Centre to Chiropodists Kurtis Borland and Krista Harris.

Located at 120 Hunter St., Kurtis and Krista are continuing to operate the full-service clinic, offering everything from orthotics, to various therapies, to diabetic foot care, to surgery. Healthyfeet.ca

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List of City Services Open on Thanksgiving

The City of Peterborough has released a list of the many City facilities that will be closed or offering modified services on Thanksgiving Monday, October 11.

File Photo.

City Hall 

City Hall, including Building Services, the Clerk’s Office and the Tax Office, will be closed. Online services are available at www.peterborough.ca. 

Public Works 

Public Works can be reached at 705-745-1386. This line is answered 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. 

Arenas Division 

The Arenas Division office will be closed. 

The Peterborough Memorial Centre and Kinsmen Arena will be closed. 

The Healthy Planet Arena will be open for user groups from noon to 10 p.m. for scheduled ice time.  

The Healthy Planet Arena will host a walk-in vaccine clinic from 10 a.m. until 3 p.m. on Monday, October 11. 

Art Gallery of Peterborough 

The Art Gallery of Peterborough will be closed on Monday, October 11. 

For information about gallery exhibitions, programs and how to book a visit, please visit www.agp.on.ca.

Downtown Youth Space 

The Downtown Youth Space at 201 McDonnel St. will be closed. To learn more about free, drop-in programs for youth aged 13 to 18, visit www.peterborough.ca/DYS. 

Garbage, recycling and green waste 

There will be no change to curbside collection of garbage, recycling and green waste. 

The Peterborough County and City Waste Management Facility (landfill) and the Household Hazardous Waste Depot will be closed on Monday, October 11. 

The Pido Road Recycling Depot remains open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. 

For more details, please call the City of Peterborough Waste Management Division at 705-742-7777 ext. 1657. 

Marina 

The Marina will be open from 8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. on Monday, October 11. This is the final day of Marina operations for the 2021 season. To contact the Marina, please phone 705-745-8787 or email marina@peterborough.ca. 

Peterborough Museum and Archives 

The Peterborough Museum and Archives and gift shop are open from noon to 5 p.m. on Monday, October 11. 

Information about current exhibitions, programs and COVID-19 protocols for visitors is available online at www.peterborough.ca/museum. 

Peterborough Public Library 

The Peterborough Public Library will be closed on Thanksgiving Monday. Information and digital resources are online at www.ptbolibrary.ca. 

Provincial Offences office 

The Provincial Offences office at 99 Simcoe St. will be closed on October 11. Fine payments can be made online at www.peterborough.ca/POA. 

Social Services office 

The Social Services office at 178 Charlotte St. will be closed.  

Child care centres 

City-operated child care centres will be closed on October 11. 

Emergency shelter services 

Emergency shelter services remain open: call 705-926-0096 after hours, during weekends and on holidays. 

Sport and Wellness Centre 

The Peterborough Sport and Wellness Centre will be closed. Visit www.peterborough.ca/pswc for information about schedules and programs at the Wellness Centre.

Transit 

Peterborough Transit will operate on a Sunday/Holiday service schedule on October 11. 

The Customer Service desk at 190 Simcoe St. will be open from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. for pass sales and inquiries only.  

Visit the website www.peterborough.ca/transit or call 705-745-0525 for detailed schedules. 

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StoosNews Spotlight: Check Out The Business Beat This Week Featuring Habitat Restore, Baked4U, Petebororough & Kawartha Chamber

PTBOCanada is delighted to be running StoosNews columns each week here, spotlighting new businesses and startups in Peterborough and the Kawarthas. Here is this week’s edition… 

Habitat Restore recently opened a new clothing-only Thrift Shop in Lansdowne Place Mall! Located on the lower level next to Sport Chek, the shop promises lots of sustainable fashion with recognizable brands for a fraction of the price!

Habitat Restyle is open seven days a week. Please note that donations will not be accepted at the Lansdowne Place location but you can drop off clothing or any other donations at your local Habitat Store.

Friday was a big day for Janet and Brian Healey. It was the last day as owners of Baked4U, the west-end bakery they started six years ago. Oct. 4 is a big day for Sandi Wiggins as she is the new owner.

Baked4U offers tarts and pies, squares, cupcakes, cookies, bread, muffins, gluten-free and lots more. Stop by at 1837 Lansdowne St W. or visit baked4u.ca

The Greater Peterborough Chamber of Commerce and the Kawartha Chamber of Commerce and Tourism, recently confirmed that they will consolidate their operations at the end of this year.

Following a member vote that demonstrated 97 per cent support for the move, a provisional Board of directors will work throughout next year to ensure a successful transition. The Chamber both operate within the County of Peterborough and provide their members with advocacy, marketing and curated business information.

Both Chambers are putting the finishing touches on their annual business excellence awards. The Chambers asked the community to rally behind our businesses this year and both received a record number of entries.

The Peterborough Chambers virtual event will be held on Oct. 20. Details are at peterboroughchamber.ca The Kawartha Chamber event goes on Oct. 28 with details at kawarthachamber.ca.

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