A professional chef for the past nine years, Alex credits his love for food and entertaining with helping him to navigate the challenges the pandemic created in his industry, and find a way to continue to bring people together though food. His love for locally-sourced ingredients inspires recipes that are accessible and simple to recreate in your own home. Please welcome Alex! Find Alex on social! Instagram, Website, YouTube, Facebook
Like many entrepreneurs, my guests today started her own business because she couldn't find exactly what she was looking for when she was working on her own design projects. What started as unique tiles has expanded into wallpaper, yoga mats and custom work. She thinks the sky is the limit and you're only confined by your imagination. Please welcome Shay! Find Shay on social! Instagram, Website, Email
There isn't much Kari doesn't know about wine and she's on a mission to inspire people to 'Drink Better'. Her agency's aim is to showcase farms and families not factories and promote the purchase of better wines and spirits in the Ontario market. She's showing that supporting local doesn't just apply to our own community. Find Kari on social! Instagram, Facebook, Website
My guest today is someone who has felt like a kindred spirit since our very first conversation. When we went into lock down back in March I remember having a sick feeling in the pit of my stomach. Not knowing what was going to happen in the following weeks and months was scary. Taking calls from friends and clients who were worried about paying their bills after being forced to close their business was upsetting. This podcast was born from a desire to find a way to help. To give great local businesses a chance to talk about themselves and share their story. So it felt like serendipity, when an article came across my newsfeed about someone who was doing something similar for local restaurants. Giving back to his community isn't something that's new to Lindsay, but even he says he's blown away by what's happened since he had the idea to help local restaurants. Please welcome Lindsay Smith! Facebook Group - Restaurants in Oshawa, Whitby Clarington offering Take-out and Delivery
My guest today is Omid McDonald, Founder and CEO at Dairy Distillery, a mirco distillery in Almonte, Ontario located a short drive from Ottawa. At Dairy Distillery, innovation is at the heart of what they do along with a deep desire to champion the community and the environment. They have married artisanal distilling techniques with cutting edge science to transform unused milk sugar into an incredibly smooth and clean spirit. In doing so they have created new opportunity for dairy farmers while reducing waste. The result is great tasting spirits that do good. Please welcome Omid!
My guest today has taken creativity to a whole new level with a medium that I never would have thought could create such amazing pieces. As a kid of the 80's "Balloon Art" was either animal shapes or an old school arch you'd see at wedding receptions. At Three Sparrows Balloon Studio, Jenny aims to create dramatic balloon installations for all types of events. Her mission is to bring her client's creative visions to life with whimsy and a smidge of wild, while fostering a true sense of each event’s unique style and vibe. Please welcome Jenny! Instagram - @threesparrowsballoons Facebook - Three Sparrows Balloons Website - Three Sparrows Balloons
A landscape architect by trade, Michelle decided to pursue her passion this year and delve into the world of flower farming. Locally grown in the village of Uxbridge Ontario, her company, (cleverly named) Moss + Thicket Farm, never ceases to amaze their clients with their unique and breathtaking arrangements. No sprays, chemicals, or dyes added, Michelle allows Mother Nature to decide what will be ready for picking so each arrangement is a surprise. During the growing season of spring and summer, you can find her creations at local businesses such as Slab Town Cider and The Bridge Social to add a little colour to your home or brighten someone's day. Please welcome Michelle! Instagram - @mossandthicket ⠀
Hollis' ancestors first settled in what's now known as Alliston in 1913. Five generations later, she and her family are still farming on the same bountiful property. The 80's saw the addition of the retail farm market. Pick your own fruits and vegetables and other fun family farm activities were added in the 90's. Since then, the farm has gone through many iterations but has always been a constant in the community with their fruits, vegetables and baked goods being a staple at family gatherings and celebrations. Please welcome Hollis! Instagram - @murphysfarm Facebook - Murphy's Farm Market Email - info@murphysfarmmarket.com
The idea behind Square Spoon started in 2017 when Rebecca, a dedicated farmers market visitor, decided to open a booth at her local market. She had been making ice cream, gelato and sorbet for over 10 years at home, so testing it out at the market seemed like the perfect idea. After lots of research, Rebecca is focused on making the tastiest sorbets possible, inspired by all the flavours Ontario has to offer. You can find her scooping out cups and cones on the weekends at the Newmarket and Uxbridge Farmers Markets. Please welcome Rebecca! Instagram - @squarespoonscoops Facebook - Square Spoon Email - info@squarespoon.ca
"Wanna make moonshine?" One simple text that started an amazing adventure for my guest today and his business partner Mike. The Durham Distillery was founded on a single, core principle: fine craftsmanship depends on strong, local relationships. Their small batch, hand-crafted spirits are the result of a dedication to support local farms and businesses, but also nurture the community and society at large. The core values on which their business is based are especially evident as they added the production of liquid hand sanitizer to their roster to meet the needs of their community during the pandemic. Please welcome, Chris of The Durham Distillery! Get in Touch with The Durham Distillery: Instagram - @thedurhamdistillery Facebook - The Durham Distillery Email - us@durhamdistillery.ca
Like many of us, my guest today was looking for things to do and keep himself busy during the early days of the pandemic shutdown. What began as an age-old concept he happen to stumble upon and a desire to help people to enjoy some time outdoors safety, has become a rapidly growing business. It’s been a wild ride for him and his partner Jesse as they navigate their newly formed business but with their driving force being the desire to bring people together and help them create memories, they are enjoying every moment. Please welcome Josh of Canadian Candles! Get in touch with Canadian Candles: Instagram: @canadiancandles Facebook: Canadian Candles
As a mortgage agent it would be easy for me to only see one side of the housing market. The one where homes are selling quickly for well over their asking price. However there is a very real crisis affecting many people in our community that doesn't get as much media attention. The homeless in North Durham don’t live on the street, covered in sleeping bags. Rather, they’re your friend’s adult child who moved home with their children due to the high cost of rent, the cousin who sleeps on your couch while searching for an affordable apartment, or the teenager you frequently see in front of the corner store. My guest today is Karen Gillespie, a fellow board member of North House Uxbridge, an organization that works tirelessly to prevent homelessness within the community. Please welcome Karen!
My guest today didn't always know she was destined for a future in the food industry but she says growing up there were definite signs. When she worked on cruise ships she loved going ashore and sampling the best local desserts. In her role as a corporate event planner, she loved going to tastings and choosing the menu. But it wasn't until the rise in popularity of shows like 'Cake Boss' that she saw a way to combine her love of food and her life long love of art and do something she was truly passionate about. Art could be edible, and THAT could be a real business. Please welcome Michelle Tiller! Get in touch with Michelle Instagram: @cupcakesnstuds Facebook: Cupcakes & Studmuffins hello@cupcakesnstud.com
My guest today grew up working in the family construction business but it wasn't until many years later that he would find himself ready to carve out his own path and start his own business. What began as small side projects like decks and fences has grown into a thriving business creating beautiful custom creations that turn a house into a home and bring his client's visions to life. Please welcome Walter Lazzaretto! Get in Touch with Walter Instagram: @a_friend_of_mine_custom Facebook: A Friend of Mine Custom Creations waltlazzaretto@gmail.com
If your were to take a look at Dallas' social media account you'd be inclined to think that she's been farming all her life so I was surprised to learn that's not the case. But what they lack in knowledge they make up for in passion, desire and determination and are enjoying the journey to figuring it all out. At her farm Dallas believes in connecting people with each other and with nature. Whether you stop in to learn how to tap a tree for syrup, harvest honey, collect eggs, or you just want to stay for dinner and homemade wine, you will be welcomed, just as you are. Get in touch with Dallas! @jamesfamilyfarm jamesfamilyfarm.ca jamesfamfarm@gmail.com
Nutritionist Seanna Thomas took one look at her son eating a bag of neon-orange, deep-fried corn chips at 8:00AM after hockey practice and knew that she could do better. She's since launched a business that is aimed at helping to solve a challenge many busy parents face and that is, how to feed our kids nutritiously while shuttling them from activity to activity and without having to spend hours in the kitchen meal prepping. As a mom of three hockey players she knows the important role nutrition plays and is here to share easy and healthy ways to fuel the athletes in our life. Get in touch with Seanna! hockeysnacks.com seanna@hockeysnacks.com
Crystal Mountain is the immensely talented owner of Maude Interiors. One look at her clean, modern designs and it's easy to see why the homes she stages sell so quickly. We talk about how she decided to take the plunge into the world of entrepreneurship, what she likes best about being a small business owner in her community and what her top three low cost, high impact things are that homeowners can do around their home even if they have no plans to sell. Get in touch with Crystal! maudernliving.ca @maudeinteriors crystal@maudeinteriors.ca
Welcome! I am on a mission to bring awareness to as many local businesses, entrepreneurs and organizations as possible. I believe that small businesses are an integral part of a community but are often its best kept secret. This podcast was designed to give local entrepreneurs a platform on which to shine. I look forward to sharing their stories with you. Enjoy the show!
Like many entrepreneurs, Lisa's journey was spurred by becoming a mom and deciding to trust her inner voice that told her returning to her employer after mat leave wasn't the right decision. Her start was tentative, making a few items for friends as wedding and housewarming gifts. She began attending local farmers markets and before long the orders started piling up and she had an entire season of farmer's markets lined up. While she occasionally struggles with imposter syndrome, because she has no retail or business experience, she's letting her inner voice guide her, learning form her mistakes and relishing in the ability to let her happiness be her driving force. Please welcome Lisa! Instagram - @littlegreyfarmhouse