Peterborough Blogs
StoosNews Spotlight: Check Out The Business Beat This Week Featuring Inspire Beach Resort, Re/Max, Zhawenim Wellness and Dreams of Beans
/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…
Inspire Beach Resort is a unique adults-only themed resort on Shadow Lake in Coboconk. Owners Sarah Larbi, Harry James and Joe Ferrara have created a number of themed cabins with unique furnishings and decorations.
The resort is located on six acres of grounds with 400 feet of waterfront, amenities include private cabins with hot tub, fireplace and a fully equipped kitchen. Whether it’s a romantic getaway, a girls’ weekend, a corporate retreat, a micro wedding or a family reunion, check out inspirebeachresort.com.
RE/MAX Rouge River Realty recently celebrated its grand opening in Peterborough at 1135 Lansdowne St. W.
RE/MAX Rouge began as a small start-up in 1987 and is now a multi-branch brokerage, with eight offices and over 180 associates across the GTA, Kawarthas, Northumberland, and Peterborough. Covering Residential, Cottage, Recreational or Commercial, visit remaxrougeriver.com
Zhawenim Wellness is a registered massage therapy and holistic wellness studio, located inside the Be Well Centre at 459 George St. N. in Peterborough.
Registered Massage Therapist Stefanie Wood utilizes indigenous principles of health and medicine to inspire each of her services, which include deep tissue massage, reflexology, craniosacral therapy and soul connection reiki.
Dreams of Beans Café on Hunter Street in downtown Peterborough has new owners.
Aurynn Jacobs Parkin and Andrew MacGregor have jumped right in with some creative changes to the business, creating a social enterprise, eliminating tipping, and pledging to pay their employees a living wage. Dreams of Beans offers fair trade organic coffees, locally roasted, loose-leaf teas, pastries and lots of lunch options. Stop into 138 Hunter St. between George and Water or dreamsofbeans.ca.
Innovation Cluster Announces Search for New Executive Director to Succeed Interim CEO
/The Innovation Cluster Peterborough and the Kawarthas have announced their search for a new Executive Director to replace Interim CEO Nicole Stephenson, who will be stepping down later this year to return to her role as the Chair of the Board of Directors.
photo courtesy of innovation cluster.
“I am proud to have served the Innovation Cluster during this transitional period. We continue to foster an environment that encourages entrepreneurship, innovation, and growth, and I am excited to see fresh leadership continue our vital work,” said Stephenson.
She is said to have been a driving force in guiding the Innovation Cluster through its transitional phase following the departure of previous CEO Michael Skinner and President John Gillis. Her leadership during this time has been invaluable as she led the organization through a new strategic direction and mindset shift.
Now, the Innovation Cluster seeks a dynamic and experienced Executive Director to lead its community of over 100 startups, entrepreneurs, investors and partners and support them in their journey. This pivotal role involves responsibilities including strategic planning, fiscal management, stakeholder relationships, and overseeing day-to-day operations.
The successful candidate will have at least 10 years of experience in a senior leadership role, ideally as a founder, innovator, or executive, with a deep understanding of the entrepreneurial journey and success factors. Other preferred qualifications include a post-secondary degree or diploma in business, management, entrepreneurship, public policy, engineering, or a related field and a proven track record in securing funding and managing complex organizations.
“The new Executive Director will play a key role in moving the strategic vision of the Innovation Cluster forward,” Stephenson added. “We are confident that the individual selected will continue to build upon the solid foundation established and drive the Cluster to new heights."
The Board of Directors is now accepting applications for the role of Executive Director. Full job details and application instructions can be found in the job posting. The deadline for applications is Sunday, July 16.
Voice of Business: Systemic Barriers Are An Issue For LGBTQ2+ and BIPOC Business Owners
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When you think about starting a business, you likely consider many of the same factors as every other business owner; What are your goals, where should you locate, what will you offer, who will you hire? Most importantly though, you will think, how will I fund this?
It’s a question every business owner asks when planning their business. Many entrepreneurs don’t think twice about applying for grants, loans, and other sources of business funding to get started. For those who identify as LGBTQ2+ or BIPOC, however, things aren’t quite so clear. There is a problem in our business world that is systematically creating barriers for business owners that are visual minorities or openly queer; funding is just one of these barriers.
According to a study done by the Canadian Gay and Lesbian Chamber of Commerce and Deloitte, 20 per cent of the members of the LGBTQ2+ community face business scaling challenges with financing as one of the top items on their list of barriers. In the same survey, 62 per cent of respondents stated that they would not disclose their LGBTQ2+ identity in official materials or to stakeholders.
For those who are BIPOC, there is even less opportunity to hide your identity and therefore even more barriers to business. Another study conducted by The Canadian Black Chamber of Commerce found that 35 per cent of respondents never take advantage of funding programs presented, with eligibility (36 per cent), lack of time/resources (16 per cent), and less than 10 staff members (14 per cent) listed as the main reasons they never apply.
Combined, the LGBTQ2+ and BIPOC communities account for roughly 25% of the Canadian population. Together, they are huge contributors to our economic, social, and cultural societies. Preventing LGBTQ2+ and BIPOC businesses from opening or operating at their full potential impacts the community as a whole. These individuals offer so many talents, perspectives, and experiences that are not shared or experienced due to business barriers. When these groups suffer, we all do.
In order to address systemic discrimination, there are many things that need to occur. Two main objectives could be:
Ensuring that start-up funding is accessible and equitable
Providing more mentorship opportunities to LGBTQ2+ and BIPOC communities
What can small business owners do?
Promote diversity in your workplace
The next time you’re hiring, consider a candidate that falls into a marginalized group. Contact organizations like The New Canadian Centre, Trent Queer Collective, Curve Lake First Nations Employment Resource Centre, or the Nogojiwanong Friendship Centre to connect to candidates searching for local employment.
Address your own (un)conscious biases
Take a moment to reflect internally and address any race, ethnicity, age, gender, sexual identity and ability biases. Shift your perspective and look at things through their lens.
Practice mindfulness. Once you identify your biases, be more mindful in your decisions and thoughts.
Provide resources
Don’t just say you're inclusive; provide the resources to BE inclusive. Set a workplace discrimination policy that honours all races, religions, and identities and enforce it with your team. ○ Attend diversity training. We recommend EQU for DEI training and support.
June is Pride Month and National Indigenous History Month in Canada. Now is the perfect time to unite with members of the LGBTQ2+ or BIPOC groups and declare yourself an active ally. We encourage you to take the next few weeks to learn, grow, and install a plan in your business to become more inclusive.
Content provided by the Peterborough and the Kawarthas Chamber of Commerce.
Engage with us on social media on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook and Tiktok. Write to us at tips@ptbocanada.com. Sign up for PTBOBuzz newsletter here.
StoosNews Spotlight: Check Out The Business Beat This Week Featuring On Your Journey, Carrot Bacon, Peterborough County and GreenUP
/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…
After 40 years working as a Registered Nurse and caring for palliative and long-term care patients, Tracey Wilson is launching a new business, On Your Journey.
It offers end-of-life doula care services, advanced care planning and end-of-life education and workshops. Wilson is using her own personal experience with loss and grief combined with her professional experience to help people with the end-of-life journey to provide people with dignity and integrity and to ensure no one dies alone. Connect with Tracey through onyourjourney.ca.
Peterborough-based startup and Innovation Cluster client Carrot Bacon is shaking up the plant-based snack industry with two new products — Beet Jerky and Onion Cracklings.
Their investments into their line of crispy whole-plant jerky are attracting attention as they have begun making deliveries across the US and recently secured a $100,000 grant to fuel innovation and job creation. Check out the delicious Carrot Bacon products locally at Sobeys and Jo Anne’s Place or at carrotbacon.org.
Congratulations to Peterborough County on winning the prestigious Professional Development Award from the Canadian Association of Municipal Administrators for its ‘Prime for Lean’ initiative.
Peterborough County is recognized for developing a culture of continuous improvement. The program was established in partnership with the Ontario Municipal Leadership Institute and WSCS Consulting to develop a customized training program focused on core principles and methodologies of lean six sigma, change management, and project management.
Seeing a need in the community, the GreenUP Store & Resource Centre is expanding its offerings including a larger bulk refill station for household products for people looking to reduce their use of single-use plastics.
They also now carry Feather Friendly window tape to reduce bird collisions. GreenUp offers sustainable home goods, ecological cleaning supplies, rain barrels, composters and serves as a drop-off for hard-to-recycle items like disposable razors and coffee bags. Check them out at 378 Aylmer St. N. or at shop.greenup.on.ca.
Voice of Business: Untapped Staffing Resource
/The Peterborough and the Kawarthas Chamber of Commerce held its annual Business Summit last month.
Organizations of all shapes and sizes came together to discuss ways they can grow and prosper in the future. Businesses in the community seem to be all facing one common problem: staffing. Businesses are finding it nearly impossible to attract and retain employees.
There may be an untapped resource that businesses may have overlooked: the New Canadians Centre (NCC).
Andy Cragg, Executive Director of the NCC, was a panellist at the Summit’s discussion on the workforce. Cragg pointed out that many new residents come to Canada willing and able to join the workforce.
On top of providing newcomers assistance to settle and integrate locally, the New Canadian Centre also offers employment support. This includes providing information about the local work environment, information on the accreditation and credential evaluation process, and a connection to other support programs and services.
“We have approximately 15 adult clients and 15 youth clients, but this number is always fluctuating as new people arrive in our community. Even if someone is not necessarily actively looking, if a good opportunity for them arises, our counsellors will still reach out to them; for newcomers especially, it can take some time to make the connections in Canada to secure work that is in line with their previous training and experience,” stated Michelle Nguyen, Peterborough Immigration Partnership (PIP) Officer of the New Canadians Centre.
Information on Labour and Immigration Statistics:
Employers and governments are increasingly relying on immigrants to fill labour shortages as more Canadians are reaching retirement age
Peterborough faces labour shortages in the healthcare industry, skilled trades, and business and finance sectors
Over 1.3 million new immigrants were admitted to Canada from 2016 to 2021, more than the last five-year period
Immigrants aged 25 to 54 account for 36.3 per cent of all core-aged employment in accommodation and food services; 37.8 per cent in transportation and warehousing, 34.1% in professional, scientific and technical services and 20.1 per cent in construction
The Workforce Development Board predicts that, between 2019 and 2026, 22.5 per cent of all new workers are expected to come from immigration Nguyen also stated the NCC helps newcomers navigate the process of training in the industries in Canada.
Nguyen also stated that the NCC helps newcomers navigate the process of acquiring the training needed to work in specific industries in Canada.
“We can help clients pursue recertification or attain new certification through programs we run (CPR/First Aid, Smart Serve, Heights Training). In addition, we've been working to address language barriers for essential/ministry-mandated training with a local health & safety training provider (HRS Group Inc.). Fleming Employment has run promising programs like Pathways to Prosperity but language level is an issue for some newcomers to participate successfully. More generally, we conduct language assessments and refer people, when relevant, to language courses, depending on the client's needs,” Nguyen explained.
As well, the Federal Government has introduced the Economic Mobilities Pathway Pilot program. This program would match, “skilled refugees and other displaced people” with businesses to fill “in-demand jobs in Canada.” More information on this program can be found at this link.
If you are interested in learning more about the programs offered by the New Canadians Centre, check out their website nccpeterborough.ca.
Content provided by the Peterborough and the Kawarthas Chamber of Commerce.
Engage with us on social media on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook and Tiktok. Write to us at tips@ptbocanada.com. Sign up for PTBOBuzz newsletter here.
StoosNews Spotlight: Check Out The Business Beat This Week Featuring Propel Physiotherapy, The Vine, Escape Maze and Kingdon Timber Mart
/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…
Propel Physiotherapy is celebrating its new clinic in Peterborough with a grand opening on Thursday, June 22 from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. in the Kawartha Heights Business and Professional Centre at 1600 Lansdowne St. W., Unit 9.
The clinic features four private treatment rooms and an open gym area with treatment tables and specialized equipment. Find out more about their services, meet the team, or book an appointment at propelphysiotherapy.com.
A new pescatarian-friendly restaurant is open at 165 Sherbrooke St., Unit A in the former Electric City Bread Company location.
The Vine opened its doors May 30 and offers comfort food and a weekend brunch with a plant-forward philosophy. Owners Tyrone Flowers and Lauren Mortlock plan to offer dishes that include salads, soups, sandwiches, entrées and pizza. Check out their menu at thevineptbo.com.
Get ready to battle it out with friends, family, or co-workers as Escape Maze launches its new indoor/outdoor laser tag space.
Located just south of Peterborough at 156 Cedar Bank Rd., Escape Maze offers a variety of group activities, including escape rooms, games, adventure trails, glamping and a variety of experiences from corn farmer zombies to weekend packages solving secret case files. You can find more details at escapemaze.ca.
Kingdon Timber Mart recently celebrated the grand opening of its location at 1873 8th Line Smith on the edge of Lakefield.
The celebrations included deals, food, and activities. The huge new facility first opened its doors back in 2020, but this year is the time to throw a party and make it official. Locally owned and operated, Kingdon Timber Mart has been serving the community for more than 90 years, providing the products that have literally built our communities. The team at Kingdon are ready to help you with your home projects, whether you’re looking for supplies, expert advice or need to rent some specialized equipment.
Voice of Business: Make Better Business Decisions With Data
/There is no shortage of data in this day and age.
We live and work online, we survey and poll, our services run through digital systems — much of what we do is tracked and analysed in some shape or form. Economists often refer to data as the new oil both in terms of its global economic value and in what it means for growing businesses.
We get a number of requests at the Chamber for data on a variety of subjects and business sectors. While we can help provide some data and analysis, we also rely on our community and industry partners for raw and aggregate data.
Here are a few places to look for free, high-quality data for making decisions for your business:
Business Data Lab
The Canadian Chamber of Commerce launched the Business Data Lab (BDL) a year ago. It brings together data from a variety of sources to track evolving market conditions and provide Canadian businesses with critical information to help make better decisions and improve performance. The BDL provides timely reports and analysis on things like the economy, workforce mobility trends, and business conditions.
The BDL also includes the Business Conditions Terminal, which provides access to real-time data on markets that matter to your business with high-quality, high-frequency indicators.
Workforce Development Board
Looking for information on local workforce trends? The Workforce Development Board is able to access data that isn’t always available to the general public or can be expensive for an individual business to purchase. They also track local labour activity. With this data, they provide analysis and reports with valuable insights businesses can use to help grow their workforce and figure out what are competitive salaries.
Peterborough and the Kawarthas Economic Development (PKED)
The website is branded Invest Peterborough and the Kawarthas for a reason — the Data and Resource hub on their website includes information on all things Peterborough, including market information, quality of life data, logistics, talent, demographics, economics, major employers, reports on various sectors and economic development opportunities, and more. PKED is in the midst of their annual Business Count, a comprehensive survey of local businesses that runs through August and provides in-depth tracking and analysis on local businesses.
Canadian Chamber of Commerce
The policy team at the Canadian Chamber of Commerce (CCC) have put together some comprehensive reports and policy papers on various business issues. Where the Business Data Lab offers large swaths of data that can be narrowed down to specific sectors and geographics, the CCC provides data based on issues like cyber security, international trade, cannabis regulation, supply chains, Indigenous affairs, and more.
Ontario Chamber of Commerce
Similar to the CCC, the Ontario Chamber of Commerce (OCC) provides a lot of resources, including data, relating to issues with a provincial scope, like healthcare, Ontario’s economy, transportation and supply chain, and cyber security. Their publications include some very in-depth reports, often partnered with other industry associations, on specific topics like tourism and aggregates.
Peterborough and the Kawarthas Chamber of Commerce
Our website has a Resource Hub where we have compiled resources and information on topics like starting or growing a business, exporting, training, workforce, and research. Some of the information links to work from our partners and some of it will point you to services offered by our members. It’s a great place to get started and find some new places to source information.
Statistics Canada
If there’s data regarding people and businesses across Canada, there’s a good chance Statistics Canada tracks it. A lot of businesses and agencies, including the Chamber, rely on data from Statistics Canada for our research and reports. They offer raw data and non-partisan analysis.
Your own business!
When it comes to market research, no one knows your customers and their habits better than you and the technology you use to run your business. Your point-of-sale system, website, social media, customer relationship management (CRM) software, newsletter, and advertisements are all gathering valuable information on who your customers are, how and when they spend money, where they are, what they like, and what motivates them. It can also find people who have similarities to your customers, but aren’t currently spending money with you. If you’re unsure how to fully access the potential of your data, we have a Digital Service Squad member ready to connect and offer one-on-one help for free. Additionally, the Chamber has several experts within our membership and grants to cover some of the cost.
This list is nowhere near exhaustive, but is a good place to start. Chances are, there is an industry group with specific knowledge and data on your business sector. There are also a host of businesses, non-profits, charities, and government agencies with data on pretty much any issue and sector. Not sure where to look? Connect with the Chamber and we can help.
Content provided by the Peterborough and the Kawarthas Chamber of Commerce.
Engage with us on social media on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook and Tiktok. Write to us at tips@ptbocanada.com. Sign up for PTBOBuzz newsletter here.
StoosNews Spotlight: Check Out The Business Beat This Week Featuring Scott McDonald, Viamede Resort, KMA and Grace Murphy
/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…
Scott McDonald is an industrial engineer who has just opened his own consulting firm.
With 25 years experience with Ford, GM, GE, Suzuki and Viceroy Homes, McDonald is a continuous improvement expert on techniques like Kaizen, Lean, and Six Sigma. He can help your business with Strategic and Operational Planning, KPI development and alignment, Capital planning, project management, Interim management support, and Board advisory services. Visit Scott-Mcdonald.ca or call 705-930-0522.
Viamede Resort is getting nine new cabins this Summer.
Mortlock Construction is the construction manager and as usual, Craig Mortlock has lined up over 25 local suppliers and trades to complete the project. Local companies include Apsley and Chemong Home Hardware, Cambium, Earle Excavating, E. Carter and Kawartha Concrete, Engage Engineering, Floortrends, Gord Crosby, Painter Plus, Vandermeulen Plumbing and more. The project includes 9 two-bedroom cabins, regrading and landscaping, and a new septic system and services. Viamede is taking bookings for the new cabins now. Viamede.com and mortlockconstruction.com.
Are you a Manufacturer in Peterborough or the City of Kawartha Lakes?
The Kawartha Manufacturers Association is now accepting annual memberships which will give you access to training events, best-practice sharing, and a chance to network with others with common interests. If you started your local manufacturing business after January 2020, the KMA is offering you a free one-year membership to welcome you to our community. For more information, please visit thekma.com.
I love to include young entrepreneurs and Grace Murphy is a good example.
Murphy is running a multi-sports camp out of the Hybrid Athletic Facility this Summer. She is a multi-sport athlete, qualifying for OFSAA 10 times in five different sports! Grace will teach life and sports skills including a team-based mindset, leadership skills, work ethic and more. There are four week-long camps, running 8:30 – 4:00 p.m. from the Hybrid Athletic location at 1575 Chemong Road at $200 per person. For details and to register just email gemurphy22@gmail.com
The Vine Bringing a "Plant-Forward" Pescatarian-Friendly Menu As Peterborough's Newest Restaurant
/Showcasing vegetables and incorporating seafood in a ‘plant-forward’ approach is the philosophy of Peterborough’s latest restaurant, The Vine which is having its soft opening over three days from Thursday to Saturday.
Flowers had the soft opening on Thursday and Friday with the brunch on Monday. Bookings for the first two days have already filled up. Photo by David Tuan Bui.
The business is owned by couple Tyrone Flowers and Lauren Mortlock and is located at 165 Sherbrooke St. at the former Electric City Bread Company location. Flowers took a leap of faith when he discovered the business was closing down.
“Just on a whim, I came to look at it and then decided, 'You know what? We talked about this five years ago when we moved to up Peterborough that we wanted to open a place,'" said Flowers.
Flowers has worked in the restaurant industry for 20 years from dishwasher to head chef. He worked at the Publican House for four years.
The menu showcases salads, soups, sandwiches, entrées and pizza. A brunch menu that also incorporates eggs and dairy is available on Sundays. Pitchers of Gatorade and Kool-Aid and a tater-tot waffle are ‘hangover specials’ that are featured in the brunch.
Despite Flowers being a meat-eater, he believed offering a pescetarian-friendly restaurant and beyond would offer a different dining experience for Peterborough. He still strives to make plant-based ‘meat’ taste like the ‘real thing.’
“I was given the idea from a former colleague and we went with it,” he explained. “We did some research and we saw all the fun things we could do with making everything like all the vegan options seem real and everything so that's why we did it.”
He recognized the vast and diverse range of restaurants that already existed in town and that going pescatarian would be a unique take that would not trample on other businesses.
“There's already a bunch of great places in town that do the meat well, you've got some vegan restaurants too and we didn't want to step on anybody's toes by doing one thing so we decided, ‘Why don't we combine it?’” explained Flowers.
The Vine is having its grand opening on Tuesday beginning at 11 a.m. The restaurant is currently trying to obtain its liquor license at the publication of this article.
The following are the restaurant’s operating hours:
Tuesday to Friday: 11 a.m. - 9 p.m.
Saturday: 9 a.m. - 9 p.m.
Sunday: 9 a.m. - 3 p.m.
Monday: Closed
