Peterborough Blogs
Check Out The Business Beat This Week Featuring Big Mama’s, Black Honey, JA-NEO and Marlin Travel
/PTBOCanada is delighted to be running the Business Beat columns each week here, spotlighting new businesses and startups in Peterborough and the Kawarthas. Here is this week’s edition…
Looking for some delicious meals that you can take home and reheat?
Big Mama’s Community Kitchen is offering just that at 441 Rubidge St. Based out of Right to Heal PTBO, Big Mama’s Community Kitchen offers a place of gathering to nourish the mind, body, and soul. Pre-order your food online or over the phone for pickup at a later date. They offer custom catering options for the workplace, community events and special occasions. You can find them online at righttoheal.ca.
Black Honey is officially under new ownership.
Lisa Dixon opened the business at 217 Hunter St. W. 18 years ago. Since then, the café, bakery, and catering business has become a fixture of downtown, leading Hunter Street to become a thriving café and restaurant district. New owner Jennifer Miles has been working with Lisa and is a trained chef herself. Take a stroll down Hunter Street and grab a hot drink and a warm treat.
Junior Achievement has announced the inductees to its ninth annual Business Hall of Fame.
Inductees are selected for their lasting contributions to economic development locally, their leadership and their innovation. They serve as inspiring role models and mentors to the students that benefit from Junior Achievement’s programs. A big shout out to Tim Barrie, John Cunningham, Gwyneth James, Richard Labelle, Jill and Robert Staples, Jeannine Taylor, Nicole Truman, Cora Whittington, and the crew at Winslow Gerolamy – you have all shown yourselves to be exceptional community and business leaders.
Dreaming about a vacation to somewhere warm?
The Peterborough and the Kawarthas Chamber of Commerce is partnering up with Marlin Travel to bring back their popular travel program. Head to Northern Italy for nine days this October and take in Venice, go on a Prosecco Winery Tour, and check out the Dolomite mountains. The trip is open to both members and non-members and provides guests with premium accommodations, a chance to try some authentic Italian cuisine, and an opportunity to see northern Italy with local colleagues and friends. Visit PKChamber.ca or contact Marlin Travel for more details.
JA-NEO Unveil Kawartha Lakes Class of 2024 Business Hall of Fame Inductees
/Junior Achievement of Northern and Eastern Ontario (JA-NEO) has revealed this year’s Kawartha Lakes exceptional business leaders into the class of 2024 second-annual JA-NEO Business Hall of Fame (BHF), announced at the Launch Kawartha in Lindsay on Wednesday morning.
Photo courtesy of JA-NEO.
The nominees are being inducted at an event at Mackey Celebrations in Lindsay on May 9. Each year, JA-NEO highlights nominees and their contributions that have significantly impacted the local business landscape, according to a press release.
“We are thrilled to unveil the distinguished class of inductees for the second consecutive year,” said John McNutt, JA-NEO CEO and president. These outstanding business leaders exemplify the spirit of entrepreneurship, demonstrating to local youth that building a successful business is both attainable and rewarding, with the potential to span generations.”
2024 JA-NEO Business Hall of Fame Inductees:
Brad Bird: Birdhouse Realty
John Fox: Boston Pizza Lindsay
Kyle Hussey: Waste Logix Inc
Linden Mackey: Mackey Funeral Home Inc. and Mackey Celebrations
Marlene Morrison Nicholls: Stewart Morrison Insurance
Anthony and Carlo Polito: Polito Ford Lincoln & Kawartha Lakes Honda
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Voice of Business: Direct Access to Government is a Key Part of Advocacy
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More than 100 local business and community leaders gathered at Market Hall last week for a chance to discuss business issues with Minister Anita Anand, President of the Treasury Board of Canada.
It was an opportunity to raise concerns and address pressing issues to someone in the inner circle on Parliament Hill, a discussion that hopefully leads to stronger public policy.
The Peterborough and the Kawarthas Chamber of Commerce as well as our colleagues at the Ontario and Canadian Chambers of Commerce regularly meet with and voice our concerns to our elected leaders, but it’s important that we aren’t the only voices they hear from. While we do our research to understand a variety of issues — we don’t know it like those who work with it day in and day out.
As chambers, we can appreciate that the best solutions come at the grassroots level from local business, non-profits, charities, and community-minded people. Our own policy and advocacy process is built on grassroots advocacy. We take local discussions and issues raised by businesses and organizations and turn that into advocacy policy that we then bring to the provincial and national levels. It’s a direct pipeline to our elected leaders.
But the chamber advocacy process is just one part. We strive to provide opportunities for local business and community leaders to directly talk with their government leaders. Events like the discussion with Minister Anand allow the decision makers to hear the concerns and creative solutions directly from those experiencing them. Opportunities like this are a key part of the Chamber’s role in the community.
We have plans for quite a few upcoming opportunities. Power Hour, a signature annual Chamber event, is returning on Friday, February 23. This event features a discussion with the Warden of the County of Peterborough, the Mayor of the City of Peterborough, our provincial Member of Parliament, and our federal Member of Parliament. Attendees can submit questions ahead of time or write them down during the event.
In 2024, we are planning events with as many of our local elected leaders as we can, including a Warden’s breakfast scheduled for April 19 and another breakfast with several township mayors planned for June.
On top of these public events, we hold regular roundtable discussions. These events are typically a smaller group of 10 – 20 businesses and organizations with interest in a particular topic. We have a few coming up in the next couple weeks, including one on skilled trades and another on Employment Insurance. Our aim is to keep the groups small enough to be able to have a meaningful and candid conversation with the government representatives on hand. To do this, we do have to limit numbers and offer space by invitation-only. If you’re a Chamber member interested in being part of these conversations, let me know.
In addition to discussions directly with government representatives, we work with chambers across Canada where businesses are dealing with similar issues to work together on our efforts for change.
Together, we have a stronger voice in addressing the issues and opportunities that will help our communities thrive.
Content provided by the Peterborough and the Kawarthas Chamber of Commerce.
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Check Out The Business Beat This Week Featuring Turney’s, Unity Design Studio, Nurse Your Soles and Peterborough Chamber
/PTBOCanada is delighted to be running the Business Beat columns each week here, spotlighting new businesses and startups in Peterborough and the Kawarthas. Here is this week’s edition…
A big congratulations to Turney’s Truck and Auto Centre on winning the CARS Magazine 2023 Shop of the Year Award.
Turney’s has been working on vehicles in Peterborough for nearly 100 years. They were awarded for their dedication to fostering a successful shop by encouraging training, allowing for a flexible work schedule, longevity in the community, and maintaining loyalty among its patrons. Owned by McWilliams Moving and Storage, you can find Turney’s Truck and Auto Centre at 691 The Kingsway in Peterborough.
Lett Architects is rebranding and expanding.
Going forward, the company will be called Unity Design Studio and will have additional offices in Kitchener and Collingwood. The practice has been around for 55 years and the rebrand to Unity is seen as a reflection of their shared values and their work. Their local projects include the new Peterborough Animal Care Centre and the upcoming Canadian Canoe Museum. It’s encouraging to see a thriving local business that has left a lasting positive impact on our community continue to grow with more projects throughout the province.
Jessica O’Rafferty is launching a new foot care business called Nurse Your Soles.
A registered Nurse with specialty training in Advanced Foot Care, she can safely assess and manage foot skin and toenail concerns, providing clients with education and preventative solutions. Whether you are diabetic, suffering from calluses/corns/thickened toenails or just can’t reach your toes, she is happy to assist you in caring for your feet. You can find her online at nurseyoursoles.janeapp.com.
Peterborough and the Kawarthas Chamber of Commerce is hosting a free workshop on mental health in the workplace on Wednesday from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m at the New Canadians Centre.
This event is in partnership with the Canadian Mental Health Association, the New Canadians Centre and Bell Canada as part of the Bell Let's Talk initiative. The event will feature local experts on creating a safe and supportive workplace. Find out more and register at pkchamber.ca.
JA-NEO Unveils Class of 2024 Business Hall of Fame Inductees
/Junior Achievement of Northern and Eastern Ontario (JA-NEO) has revealed this year’s exceptional business leaders into the class of 2024 Ninth Annual JA-NEO Business Hall of Fame (BHF), announced at the Venture North Building on Wednesday morning.
Photo by David Tuan Bui.
The nominees are being inducted at an event at The Venue on May 23. Each year, JA-NEO highlights nominees and their contributions that have significantly impacted the local business landscape, according to a press release.
“We are thrilled to unveil the distinguished class of inductees for the ninth consecutive year,” said John McNutt, JA-NEO CEO and president. These outstanding business leaders exemplify the spirit of entrepreneurship, demonstrating to local youth that building a successful business is both attainable and rewarding, with the potential to span generations.”
The 2024 JA-NEO Business Hall of Fame Inductees for Peterborough are:
Tim Barrie: Merrit Precision Limited
John Cunningham: Community Alternative, Ashburnham Funeral Home, Kawartha Aquamtion
Gwyneth James: Formerly Cody & James Chartered Professional Accountants, Silverthorn Management Consulting
Richard Labelle: The UK Shoppe
Jill and Robert Staples: Staples Maple Syrup
Jeanine Taylor: KawarthaNOW
Nicole Truman: Fox Law Professional Corporation
Cora Whittington: Golden Pathways Coaching, Facilitation, Retreat, and B & B.
Andrew Winslow, Chris Winslow, Mike Winslow, Steve Gerolamy and Tom Gerolamy: Winslow Gerolamy Motors Limited
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Voice of Business: Navigating Economic Uncertainty: The Prudent Choice of Chamber Membership
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Guest Column by Olivia Farr, Communications Specialist, Peterborough and the Kawarthas Chamber of Commerce.
In times of economic uncertainty, businesses often find themselves at a crossroads, grappling with tough decisions to safeguard their interests and maintain stability.
One strategic move that stands out as a beacon of support and resilience is joining your local chamber of commerce. This age-old institution has proven to be a valuable ally for businesses during periods of economic turbulence. In this article, we will explore why Chamber membership makes profound sense in the face of uncertainty.
1. Collective Strength in Unity
Economic uncertainty tends to breed challenges that no single business can face alone. By joining a chamber, businesses become part of a unified front, collectively navigating the storm. Chambers of commerce serve as powerful advocates for their members, leveraging their collective influence to shape policies that favour local businesses and stimulate economic growth. This unity allows businesses to pool resources, share insights, and face challenges with a stronger, more resilient approach.
2. Access to Critical Resources and Information
In periods where the economy is shifting, information becomes a priceless asset. The Chamber plays a crucial role in publishing timely and relevant information to their members through formats much like this Voice of Business blog. From legislative changes and market trends to funding opportunities and industry insights posted on our Resource Hub, chambers keep their members informed, helping them make well-informed decisions. This access to critical resources empowers businesses to adapt swiftly to changing circumstances and stay ahead of the curve.
3. Networking Opportunities for Survival and Growth
In times of budgetary anxiety, the importance of networking cannot be overstated. Chambers provide a structured platform for businesses to connect, collaborate, and forge partnerships. The PK Chamber hosts a minimum of three monthly networking events and several annual events. These networking opportunities can be a lifeline for businesses looking to weather the storm.
Chamber networking enhances your job-related support in two key ways—facilitating both job seekers and employers. For those seeking employment, the network offers a valuable avenue to discover opportunities in the concealed job market before they become publicly available.
On the flip side, for employers seeking to fill positions, engaging with peers in similar roles through the chamber can contribute to crafting comprehensive job descriptions. This collaborative approach ensures a more robust hiring process, fostering a better fit for your organization. This interconnectedness exemplifies the crucial role of networking, a lifeline for businesses navigating economic uncertainty. Chambers of Commerce provide the structured platform needed to establish these vital connections, enabling businesses to share resources, explore new markets, and devise innovative solutions to shared challenges.
4. Advocacy and Representation in Government Affairs
Economic uncertainty often coincides with shifts in government policies and regulations. Navigating this complex landscape requires a united voice to advocate for the interests of businesses. Your chamber actively engages in government affairs, representing their members' concerns and advocating for policies
that promote economic stability and growth. Being part of a chamber ensures that your business has a seat at the table when crucial decisions are being made that could impact business operations.
5. Educational Programs for Adaptable Skill Sets
The ability to adapt to shifting economic positions is a key determinant of success. The Chamber frequently offers educational programs, workshops, and seminars to equip our members with the skills needed to thrive in a rapidly changing business environment. From digital transformation to crisis management, these programs empower businesses with the knowledge and tools necessary to navigate uncertainty and emerge stronger on the other side.
6. Cost-Effective Marketing and Visibility
Maintaining a visible presence in the market is challenging during economic downturns when marketing budgets are often under scrutiny. Chamber membership provides businesses with cost-effective marketing opportunities, such as sponsorship of events, inclusion in business directories, and access to promotional channels like our newsletter and social media platforms. This increased visibility can be a lifeline for businesses seeking to maintain and expand their customer base despite economic headwinds.
7. Collective Problem-Solving and Support
Uncertain times can be isolating, with businesses feeling the weight of their challenges alone. Chamber membership fosters a sense of community and support, creating a space for businesses to share their struggles and successes. Collective problem-solving becomes a hallmark of chamber membership, as businesses work together to find innovative solutions and offer support to those facing particularly challenging circumstances.
Conclusion:
In today's state of the economy, businesses are confronted with the imperative to adapt or risk stagnation. Chamber membership emerges as a strategic move, offering a lifeline of support, resources, and collaboration. The collective strength, access to critical information, networking opportunities, advocacy in government affairs, educational programs, cost-effective marketing, and a supportive community all make chamber membership a wise investment in times of economic uncertainty. As businesses navigate uncharted waters, the chamber of commerce stands as a steadfast partner, guiding them through the storm and towards a more resilient and prosperous future.
Content provided by the Peterborough and the Kawarthas Chamber of Commerce.
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Community Futures Peterborough To Give $50,000 To Peterborough and County Projects In New Funding Program Launch
/Community Futures Peterborough (CFP) has launched a new funding program called the Community Advancement Program (CAP) to distribute $50,000 to projects driving economic stability, job growth and job creation which was announced at the Venture North Building on Tuesday morning.
(From left to right) Charlina Westbye, CFP board chair; Devon Girard, CFP executive director; Bonnie Clark, Peterborough County warden and Jeff Leal, Peterborough mayor. Photo by David Tuan Bui.
