Locked on Local

Batter up! Join us and Kevin McCarthy, owner of Launchpad Sports as Kevin shares his experience of building a business that can create opportunities and build community.On this episode of Locked on Local, we talked sports analytics, business support and the importance of community.Tune in to hear Kevin's advice and what played the biggest role in supporting his business journey.

Get ready to tee off with Ben and Rob from Good Guys Golf and The Fairway. On this episode of Locked on Local, Ben and Rob join us to talk about their business journey, the ups and downs, and the lessons learned along the way. Tune in as we chat about timing, networking, and what it really takes to stay above par in business.

On this episode of Locked on Local, we spoke to Laura Richard, co-founder of Saltwinds Coffee. We dove into the history of coffee on the east coast and followed Saltwind's journey from market stall to international exports and all the challenges in-between.Listen now to learn more about the science behind Saltwind's success

On this special edition episode we talk tariffs with our guest Morgan Peters, CEO of the Fredericton Chamber of Commerce. We discussed the basics of tariffs, how they affect the business community, and answered your questions about navigating tariffs as a business owner.

The Warehouse Barbershop in Fredericton is more than just a place for a haircut; it’s a vibrant, welcoming space where style and community come together. Founded by Chad McGarity, this barbershop is dedicated to offering expert grooming in a relaxed, inclusive atmosphere. Whether you’re in for a classic cut or a fresh new look, the talented team at The Warehouse Barbershop is committed to making you feel at home. Chad has always believed in the power of giving back, and through The Warehouse Barbershop, he has supported the Fredericton community in numerous ways. From organizing charity events to donating time and resources to local causes, Chad has made it a priority to use the barbershop as a platform for positive change. The shop embraces both tradition and trend, creating a one-of-a-kind experience that celebrates community, connection, and the art of barbering.

Consciously Clean Refillery in Fredericton is a haven for eco-conscious shoppers seeking sustainable alternatives to traditional household products. Founded by Carolyn Gibbons, the store offers a wide range of refillable and package-free items, including cleaning supplies, personal care products, and pantry essentials. By encouraging customers to bring their own containers and refill them with the products they need, Consciously Clean Refillery aims to reduce single-use plastic waste and promote a more environmentally friendly lifestyle. Beyond its commitment to sustainability, the store also prioritizes community engagement, offering workshops and educational events to inspire and empower individuals to make greener choices.  

The Daily Espresso in Fredericton is a local coffee shop known for its cozy atmosphere, expertly crafted brews, and welcoming environment. It has become a remarkable spot for coffee lovers, offering a wide selection of high-quality coffee beans and specialty drinks. The café attracts coffee enthusiasts of all kinds and fosters a sense of connection among its patrons. With its commitment to excellence in coffee brewing and dedication to creating a comfortable space for customers, the Daily Espresso has established itself as a must-visit destination in Fredericton for coffee lovers. 

Connell Farm in Lower Cambridge is a commercial flock of 80+ sheep for processing in an on-site abattoir established in 2021 right in the middle of a pandemic. The business/ farm is focused on selling meat (lamb and pork) direct to customers from the shop, at farmers markets, online, delivery, and to other butcher shops. Born on a farm in NB, Danielle Connell is sticking to her roots. She is a certified Chef, has a Bachelor's degree, and has worked in the academic R&D ecosystem since 2008. Danielle joined us to talk about the business and why she loves it.

Big Sky Ventures Inc. is a Certified Organic and Certified Kosher Sea Buckthorn Berry orchard and licensed winery in Chipman, NB. Beth Fowler and Clay Bartlett partner in the operation of the farm which, other than growing the whole fruit, also makes value added products such as raw juice, dehydrated powder, skin care and wine. Sea Buckthorn has nutraceutical, pharmaceutical, culinary, environmental and cosmetic applications, and Beth joined me to dig deeper into the business case and why the potential for growing a citrus fruit in New Brunswick was intriguing.

Jeff Mundee is a game designer with over 15 years of experience in the video game industry, working in a wide range of roles, projects, and companies and now the Director of Design and Development for Spandrel Interactive. Spandrel Interactive is a software development company that leverages leading-edge innovation and game design experience to build advanced virtual training simulations, products, sales experiences, and other interactive experiences for a wide variety of clients. The company was founded in Fredericton, New Brunswick, Canada, in 2020 and has been developing multiple projects across the country. Jeff joined the podcast to talk about what Spandrel is doing and to discuss the idea of using games for things that aren’t games.

Stefanie Loukes is the founder of Rabbittown Beverage Company, a specialty craft beverage retailer located in Fredericton. Stefanie and her team create hand-crafted alternatives to traditional ready-to-drink iced teas. All of our drinks are rigorously made with the same high standards: Organic, raw & unpasteurized, non-GMO, gluten-free & vegan. In this discussion, Stefanie talks about how tea can be more than just a drink and how her business plays a role in the region.

Matt Clancey is a professional engineer with a background in project management. With a passion for innovation, he constantly seeks to pioneer new processes and methodologies in the aerial application space. As the Director of Ground Operations, Matt is responsible for the Field Operations, Fire Support, Research, and GIS teams at Forest Protection Limited and his team plans and executes FPL’s aerial application programs. Since 1952, Forest Protection Limited has had the mandate to preserve and protect the forests that sustain our ecosystems, our communities, and our economies. They are a global leader in full-spectrum forest health management.

Rosemary Gong owns RosieSKIN Salon Spa, a boutique salon here in Fredericton, which offers luxury facials, hot stone massages, manicure and pedicures, and more. Rosemary has two masters degrees, one is computer science and one in marketing, 15 years R&D experience, 7 years in the beauty industry and has her Medical esthetics diploma in Fredericton. Rosemary immigrated to Fredericton in 2018 and has a lot to say not only about her journey, but the role the community has played in her business.

Asad Khan, is the owner of Halal Station, an online grocery store that exclusively sells 100% halal products. Asad and his wife moved to Fredericton with his family in 2019 and decided to start their own catering business. While larger supermarkets sell some halal products such as packaged chicken, Asad says it is difficult to find other cuts of meat such as goat, lamb and beef. Halal Station offers a wide variety of South Asian products including spices, beverages, and the ever-popular range of halal meats. Asad spoke with me about how the Fredericton market makes it a great opportunity for potential growth and makes it a great place to test new products or services.

ThermTest innovates and develops laboratory equipment, which measures thermal properties, or the manner in which a material transfers heat. They manufacturer and supply various measurements systems for solids, liquids, pastes and powders to North American and International markets. Dale Hume, President and founder describes his research laboratory as being unique in Canada, if not the world, in terms of diversity of measurement equipment. Both Dale Hume and Lesley Hillier, the Chief Global Strategy Officer, joined me to chat about what’s next for Thermtest.

The Food & Accommodation sector has been significantly affected by the COVID-19 pandemic with restaurant owners facing new challenges every day. Mike Babineau has been in this game since the late 90’s, progressing from dishwasher to now owner of five local restaurants: Cora’s Breakfast & Lunch, RustiCo, Cannon’s Cross Happy Baker, and the Diplomat. Mike joined the podcast to talk about how he is keeping up with it all.

Cameron McNeil recently announced The Par 94 Bar and Golf Lounge: the first downtown golf destination in Fredericton, hosting golf simulations in its 3600 square foot location. Listen in to hear about why he jumped into the world of entrepreneurship.

Many businesses are looking to go full steam ahead in 2022, and that means implementing new action plans; creating new strategies; simplifying decision-making and more. I pulled in Andy Clark from Clarkie Consulting to walk us through what businesses can do right now to prepare for 2022.

#SupportFredLocal sounds like any other support local campaign, however with this iteration, currently in its fourth phase, the committee did something a bit different. The committee, which consists of the City of Fredericton, Fredericton Tourism, Ignite Fredericton, Fredericton Chamber of Commerce, Business Fredericton North and Downtown Fredericton, decided to focus on our regions local talent for this campaign, so the committee worked with creators within the city to help us build content and share the stories of our businesses. Laura Clendenning was the first creator. She not only has a strong following here in the region, but she is also a business owner, owning the sweat club and sweat supplements. Laura joined me to talk about her business how the Fredericton region has been supporting here (and vice versa) through the past couple years.

During a time of disruption such as the COVID-19 pandemic, demand for a business’s products/services can fluctuate dramatically. In speaking with our businesses, adapting to consumer behavior and maintaining your sales prospects can be quite a daunting task. This week, I asked the team at Atlantic Growth Solutions to join me. Specifically, Kent Murphy, Mark Haines-Lacey and Kyle Holder all took the time to talk to me and give advice to our business community on where their focus should be on holding onto those customer relationships.