Second Intake of ‘Spark’ Program Now Open to Support Tourism Innovation in Peterborough and The Kawarthas

A second intake of the Spark Mentorship and Grants program has been launched Tuesday, encouraging local entrepreneurs, small businesses and non-profit organizations to create new tourism ideas for Peterborough and the Kawarthas.

Robyn Ivory Pierson (pictured) of Indigenously Infused was the 2022 Spark Program Winner. Photo courtesy of Peterborough & the Kawarthas Tourism.

The program provides selected applicants with a $3,000 grant, industry mentorship and additional partner support to help them launch their new tourism idea.

In 2022, the program’s inaugural year, successful ideas included camping equipment rentals, a busker festival, outdoor culinary experiences, a bunkie resort, Indigenous experiences and an immersive maple syrup experience.

“We are inspired by the creativity, passion and innovative spirit of our past Peterborough & the Kawarthas Spark program winners, and are excited to foster and support new tourism ideas and entrepreneurs in the region,” said Justin Lafontaine, program lead at Tourism Innovation Lab.

Entrepreneurs, small businesses, nonprofits and community groups are encouraged to apply with their new tourism ideas for Peterborough & the Kawarthas from Feb. 14 to March 20. Following a juried review process, finalists will be invited to a virtual Pitch Session where three winners will be selected.

The Peterborough & the Kawarthas Spark program is being led by the Tourism Innovation Lab in collaboration with Peterborough & the Kawarthas Tourism, a division of Peterborough & the Kawarthas Economic Development, and the official Destination Marketing Organization for the City and County of Peterborough. The goal of the program is to find, foster and support new tourism ideas that will enhance current offerings, address gaps in the market and motivate longer stays and increase year-round visits to the region.

“We are really excited to offer this opportunity again this year for tourism businesses in this region to develop and launch new products or experiences” said Joe Rees, director of tourism for Peterborough & the Kawarthas Economic Development. “This successful collaboration in innovative tourism development supports sustainable growth and expansion of tourism businesses through experiential product development.”

For more information and to register for an upcoming information session visit the website.

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Sponsorship Opportunities Available At the New Peterborough Recreation Complex and Library Branch

Sponsorship opportunities are available for the City of Peterborough’s newest recreation complex and community hub that is under construction, with an opening date expected in fall 2024. 

photo courtesy of The City of Peterborough.

To invite sponsorship inquiries, a Notice of Intention to Solicit Sponsors has been posted to the City website to outline potential sponsorship opportunities associated with the new facility that will include a twin-pad arena, a library branch and other amenities.

Businesses are invited to reach out to the City to express interest in sponsoring this new facility. Sponsorship opportunities, including naming rights and a commercial lease space, offer businesses access to advertising, marketing and engagement of audiences at the new facility. Details about the facility, different sponsorship opportunities, contact information and an outline of the process can be found within the Notice of Intention.

The City’s new multi-purpose facility will serve a significant segment of the community and offer sponsors the chance to connect with audiences enjoying the services in the facility, said Scott Elliott, corporate sponsorship program manager with the City of Peterborough.

“Sponsorship is an excellent way for businesses to align their brands and products or services to facility users. Review the Notice of Intention to see if these opportunities are a fit for your business,” he said. “Sponsorship is about making meaningful connections with community, customers and audiences.”

Opportunities are limited, and the City reserves the right to select sponsors based on strategic fit with the facility operations and alignment to facility users. For more information visit the website.

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StoosNews Spotlight: Check Out The Business Beat This Week Featuring Enticing Cakes, Riverside Respite, Power Hour and Lakefield Hot Chocolate Festival

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…

Enticing Cakes opens Tuesday in Lakefield.

Founded in 2011, Enticing Cakes offers over 60 different cupcake and cake flavours, pies, squares, tarts, cookies and macarons, as well as catering services for Weddings and special occasions. They can customize wedding cakes, dessert trays, cupcake and cake towers or dessert bars and they offer rentals, delivery and set up. The new Lakefield location, at 18 Queen St. includes new treats and expanded hours.

Tammy Fraley launched her new business last week.

Riverside Respite Adult Day Program offers a program for adults with a developmental disability including meals and snacks, life skills, a sensory room, supervision for ADLs, a mechanical lift, diabetic monitoring, assistance with feeding and medications and more. Tammy is accepting clients now at 705-875-3421.

A lot of businesses and organizations are having conversations around Diversity Equity and Inclusion and are either actively creating a DEI workplace or would like to.

EQU Consulting can help. Founders Marlene Morrison Nicholls, Rachael Nicholls, and Lisa Trefzger, along with associate Ashley Lamothe, have teamed up to help your organization stand out by welcoming everyone in. They can help you design training and policy development that focuses on creating a welcoming, barrier-free and shame-free culture. Services include team and leadership training, DEI Policy and Practice Review and Ongoing Consulting Support.

The annual Chamber of Commerce Power Hour runs February 24th from 11 a.m. - 2 p.m. at Stonehouse Hall.

Our four elected leaders, MP Michelle Ferreri, MPP Dave Smith, Mayor Jeff Leal, and County Warden Bonnie Clark, will take to the stage to answer questions of interest to the business community. It’s an award-winning event and a must-attend for local business.

You have until the end of this week to check out the annual Lakefield Hot Chocolate Festival.

There are 10 participating businesses so you won’t have to look far to find a nice warm treat.

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Starter Company Plus Showcase Returns To Celebrate Local Small Businesses

Peterborough & the Kawarthas Economic Development (PKED) will host their Starter Company Plus Showcase on Feb. 28 at Market Hall Performing Arts Centre; celebrating the program’s successes in launching and growing local small businesses.

photo courtesy of Peterborough & the Kawarthas Economic Development.

The Starter Company Plus Program launched in 2017 and have assisted over 215 local entrepreneurs and more than 174 small businesses to date; creating over 200 jobs in the local economy.

After a hiatus due to COVID-19, the event will celebrate participants and grant winners from the seven intakes of the Starter Company Plus program that occurred from 2020 to 2022.

The Peterborough & the Kawarthas Business Advisory Centre (BAC) delivered virtual entrepreneurship and small business training to 86 individuals in the City of Peterborough and Peterborough County during the pandemic. The participants have been eagerly anticipating the return of the event which celebrates their successes through their businesses.

PKED says more than 24 businesses are confirmed to participate, with more to come. Businesses ranging from culinary, wellness and local goods to tourism experiences and professional services will showcase their products and services while networking amongst fellow local entrepreneurs.

Staff and board of directors at PKED are inviting members of the media, community partners and stakeholders to attend and show their support for the small business community from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. on the 28th. To register for the event and view the list of participating businesses, visit their website.

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StoosNews Spotlight: Check Out The Business Beat This Week Featuring Riverside Massage Studio, Natural Way Woods, Women's Day and Business Hall of Fame

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…

Claire Voigt opened her own massage therapy studio last week in Lakefield.

She was on the Canadian National Fencing Team, competing at an international level, so she understands biomechanics, kinesiology, and the importance of therapy. A Registered Massage Therapist, Voigt can treat anything from rehabilitation after an accident, to helping to deal with neurological conditions, palliative care, HIV, sleep disorders, anxiety, depression, pain, migraines and sports injuries. You’ll find riversidemassagestudio on Instagram or call 705-977-5222.

Natural Way Woods is a local family-run business making beautiful wooden products, from décor to toys.

The Doughty’s utilize local hardwoods and high-quality paint to create custom signs, letters and numbers, puzzles, bowls and vessels and everything can be customized for a special gift or occasion. Just look for Natural Way Woods on Instagram.

INSPIRE: The Women's Portrait Project will be hosting its inaugural International Women’s Day Event in March.

The day should be amazing with award-winning Inuk Singer-Songwriter Susan Aglukark and local indigenous leader Ashley Lamothe providing empowering talks, as well as six workshops facilitated by inspiring female community leaders. An Artisan’s Market featuring the works of 25 local makers will be set up, and everything will be hosted by the talented Megan Murphy. The event will be held at the Holiday Inn and you can grab tickets at the early bird price of $60 until Feb. 18 at inspirethewomensportraitproject.com

Congratulations to all of this year’s inductees into the Junior Achievement Business Hall of Fame.

The impressive list includes Allan and Gerald Bolton, Peter, Anne, and Greg Elmhirst, Bill Lett and Michael Gallant, Craig Mortlock, Neil Morton, Effy Peel, Peter Robinson, Jaime Stringer, and Scott Murison, Kieran Andrews and Jonathan Moreno – Wild Rock Outfitters.

The formal induction ceremony takes place at the 8th Annual JA Business Hall of Fame, May 25, at The Venue in downtown Peterborough. Tickets are at ja-neo.org

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Voice of Business: It’s Time to Take a New Look at Getting Goods to Market

When all is running well, supply chains operate largely invisible to consumers.

Most of the time the massive choreographed dance of production, ships, ports, rail, trucks, planes, warehouses, couriers, border crossings, delivery systems, and 820,000 Canadians works relatively seamlessly, moving $1 trillion in goods. Your local business either already has the product you’re after or is able to get it to you in short order.

But all that changed in recent years as the words ‘supply chain’ entered our common lexicon as we talked with businesses, friends, and co-workers. We shared the common frustration of not being able to get the products we want when we want them.

Some of what led to these challenges has largely been resolved, like public health shutdowns and closed borders. Like many things, the pandemic accelerated issues the industry was already facing. Meanwhile, the world changed dramatically.

A report titled ‘A time of renewal for Canada’s supply chains’ from KPMG and the Ontario Chamber of Commerce delves into the challenges facing the industry and how it can get back to invisibly running in the background.

The report notes that current risks for governments and businesses include:

• Chronic underinvestment in supply chain modernization

• Continued risk-laden dependence on single suppliers

• The need to innovate amid soaring goods and services costs

• Evolving and ever-increasing consumer expectations

• Ongoing labour shortages and skills gaps

KPMG’s 2022 Global CEO Survey reveals a total of 55 percent of leaders agreed or strongly agreed that supply chain risks will have an impact on their business over the next three years.

One key area they highlighted is that governments need to collaborate with each other in new ways to reshape supply chain capabilities and mitigate risk in the global digital economy. This includes innovative trade agreements, investments in infrastructure, and the re-orienting of supply chains amid over-reliance on individual nations such as China.

Nearly three quarters of global CEOs agreed that access to capital for new investments in their supply chain is having an impact on their business. The report makes continued references to the need to spend time and money on innovation. Rather than putting band-aids on the current system, we need to take a hard look at new ways to provide consumers with the goods they want.

The industry is moving away from a ‘just-in-time’ to a ‘just-in-case’ mindset. Saving money through single-supplier relationships has made the supply chain rigid, resulting in inefficiency and vulnerability.

The report pushes the need to foster and accelerate digital technology adoption to increase supply chain visibility, become more efficient, manage rising costs, and meet consumer expectations.

There are also issues around people’s expectations. Without some serious investment and innovation, our supply chain is struggling with the flexibility, speed, and reliability necessary to meet the standard that Infinite choice and instant delivery have set.

Like many sectors, the supply chain network is struggling to attract and retain workers with the skills they need. Answers lie in upskilling, reskilling, and automation.

Our economy and the standard of living we have come to enjoy require that the public and private sectors modernize our supply chain through innovation and strategic investments. These issues aren’t going away on their own. The time to invest is now.

Read the full report online.

Content provided by the Peterborough and the Kawarthas Chamber of Commerce.

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StoosNews Spotlight: Check Out The Business Beat This Week Featuring Hearts 4 Joy, Royal LePage, Confident 2 Be Counselling and Fleming College

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…

Hearts 4 Joy is a Peterborough-based Not-For-Profit organization made up of young adult Artists with Down Syndrome and they are thrilled to be celebrating the opening of their new Artisan Shoppe in Charlotte Mews on Feb. 11 from 10 a.m. - 3 p.m.

Just over a year ago, eight young adults with Intellectual Exceptionalities came together to form this unique, creative and innovative Non-Profit organization called Hearts 4 Joy. The organization has now grown to 14 new artists! Join the celebration on Feb. 11.

Royal LePage recently announced that Ken Barrick, owner of Royal LePage Parkway Realty in Peterborough has merged operations with Royal LePage ProAlliance Realty.

Owner Mark Rashotte says the brokerage will now trade under the Royal LePage ProAlliance Realty name, joining a network of 25 other offices from Brockville to Port Hope, Kingston, Quinte, Ottawa to Cornwall. Ken Barrick and his daughter Laura will continue with the brokerage. Congratulations Ken and Mark and the rest of the team.

Ann-Marie Sullivan recently launched Confident 2 Be Counselling, working with teens and youth with low self-esteem or confidence.

An elementary school teacher for 22 years, Ann-Marie brings degrees in Psychology/Sociology, Social Sciences/Humanity and the Emotional Health Practitioner course through the Canadian Family Health Counselling Center. Ann-Marie uses a series of Neural Network Therapy exercises that are intended to develop new and improved pathways in place of old unwanted ones. The 50-minute sessions are online or in-person, determined on a case-by-case basis.

Handing over day-to-day operations can be tough for any business owner.

Diane Richard of Diatom Consulting understands that and has recently designed a new one-day Succession Planning course for Fleming College Continuing Education. The new course will show you the path to moving into an oversight position, whether your goal is business expansion, semi-retirement or more time for yourself, without compromising your operations, your brand or your assets. You'll learn the tools for a governance role that ensures your interests are well managed, as well as a customized action plan from Diane. There are several dates to choose from, and you may be eligible for funding. Go online to register for this course

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Haven Brewing Company Builds Giant Beer Can In Honour Of 'Beer Can Appreciation Day'

The first beer can was developed on Jan. 24, 1935 and Haven Brewing Company honoured the occasion with a giant beer can standing in front of their Rye Street business.

Haven Brewing Company co-owners and brothers Andrew (left) and Nathan Anker (right) took over the the former Smithhavens Brewing Company Apr. 9, 2020 but bought the company in October 2019. Photo by David Tuan Bui.

“It was idea that we had probably a year ago,” said Nathan Anker, Haven Brewing co-owner. “We realized that January 24 is ‘Beer Can Appreciation Day.’ The biggest part of the idea was we needed something out by the road to make it clear that we're here.”

The can is a repurposed water silo from one of their farmers that had gotten damaged and could no longer be used.

“It froze and cracked so it wasn't really holding water anymore,” explained Nathan. “We got that from him thankfully and they we took it to an auto shop to get it wrapped like you would a car, we did up a design to make it as much like a beer can as much as possible. It's nice to see ideas coming together after a couple of years.”

The process took two weeks for it to be developed once the design and plans were completed. Anker was astonished and impressed with the turnout of the giant beer can when he and his brother went to pick it up.

“It's just awesome, it turned out perfectly, it's exactly the right colouring, it looks like a beer can and you know exactly what it is supposed to be,” said Nathan.

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Trent University Launching Master of Management Degree Beginning This Fall

Trent University’s six-month professional Master of Management degree is being expanded and accepting applications for this September 2023 at the Peterborough campus, announced on Wednesday.

Photo courtesy of Trent University.

“It’s exciting to see how quickly the program has grown, and now by expanding to include the Peterborough campus we’re offering students even more options for study,” said Dr. Bruce Cater, program director. “Our graduates have found that the intensive coursework, followed by a four-month professional placement, provides them with the skills and knowledge they need to enter the business world at a highly competitive level.” 

The program was originally offered at Trent’s Durham GTA campus since 2018 and has expanded to Peterborough for this fall. The program is designed to train the next generation of business leaders, equipping them with knowledge and hands-on learning through a unique summer work-integrated learning placement according to a press release.

Applications are due by March 1 to start in September.

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Junior Achievement Unveils City of Kawartha Lakes Inaugural Business Hall of Fame Inductees

Junior Achievement of Northern and Eastern Ontario (JA-NEO) unveiled its inaugural JA Business Hall of Fame (BHF) inductees for the City of Kawartha Lakes announced on Wednesday.

Photo courtesy of JA-Neo.

The inductees strengthen the economy and community through their exemplary accomplishments of vision, leadership and commitment to excellence in business over a lifetime according to JA-NEO.

“JA-NEO is excited to unveil the inaugural class of inductees to first ever JA Business Hall of Fare for the City of Kawartha Lakes," said John McNutt, JA-NEO president and CEO. "These exceptional business leaders are helping to inspire and show local youth that starting your own business can be rewarding and last multiple generations much like the business leaders being honored today.”

The inductees will be formally inducted at the inaugural JA. Business Hall of Fame May 11 at Mackey Celebrations in downtown Lindsay.

Tania-Joy Bartlett. Photo courtesy of JA-Neo.

Jim Bogar. Photo courtesy of JA-Neo.

Jack and Ila Crowe. Photo courtesy of JA-Neo.

Nicki and Dedes Costas. Photo courtesy of JA-Neo.

Liz Grimes. Photo courtesy of JA-Neo.

Ted Smith. Photo courtesy of JA-Neo.

Jeff Strybosch. Photo courtesy of JA-Neo.

Jason and Karissa Ward. Photo courtesy of JA-Neo.

The following are the 2023 JA BHF inductees:

• Tania-Joy Bartlett - Nev Beginnings Contracting Services

• Jim Bogar (Posthumously) - Cameron Steel

• Jack and Ila Crowe (Posthumously) Kawartha Dairy

• Nicki and Dedes Costas - Olympia Restaurant

• Liz Grimes - Cathy Allan Ladieswear

• Ted Smith - TS Manufacturing

• Jeff Strybosch - Kawartha Wholesale Bakery

• Jason and Karissa Ward - Ward Lawyers Professional Corporation

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