Leeds Grenville Business Leaders Exhibit Grit, Growth and Greatness at Forum

BROCKVILLE – The Small Business Success Forum brought together regional entrepreneurs and dignitaries for an evening of networking and professional development. Celebrating Small Business Week under the theme “Grit, Growth and Greatness,” the sold-out event moved to the Brockville Memorial Civic Centre this year to accommodate growing demand.

The Forum included the graduation and recognition of 11 new Starter Company Plus entrepreneurs followed by presentations of the Leeds and Grenville Immigrant Entrepreneur Award and the Leeds Grenville Entrepreneur of the Year Award.

Attendees gained industry insights during a panel discussion and Q&A featuring local business leaders Annie Ly of Sweet Ofelia’s Café & Market, Barry Moss of 401 Electric and Mariam Hussain, Senior Account Manager at BDC. The evening also featured complimentary professional headshots and digital marketing assessments.—

Starter Company Plus Graduates:

• Township of Athens:
  • Sarah Benning | EPICut Inc.
    • EPICut Inc. is a creative business specializing in custom laser engraving and personalized products, including gifts, glassware, keepsakes, promotional items, and awards for individuals and businesses.
• City of Brockville:
  • Aiko Mackie | Pau Hana Coffee Inc.
    • Pau Hana Coffee Inc. is a welcoming café offering specialty coffee, Japanese teas, and homemade treats. Inspired by Japanese and Hawaiian influences, the café provides a comfortable space where customers can relax, connect, and enjoy a unique café experience in the heart of downtown.
  • Cara Dixon | The Unapologetic Femme
    • The Unapologetic Femme is a unique fashion boutique offering size-inclusive women’s clothing and accessories, with a focus on body positivity and personal style.
  • Siobhan Mullen | Aluminators Eastern Ontario
    • Aluminators Eastern Ontario provides exterior property maintenance services, including roof rejuvenation, hand-scrub siding cleaning, gutter cleaning, window washing, and deck cleaning to help homeowners protect and maintain their properties.
  • Tatiana Nedecheva | The Locks Therapy Centre Inc.
    • The Locks Therapy Centre Inc. offers in-person and virtual mental health therapy services to children, teens, adults, families, and couples, as well as psychoeducational assessments to children and teens.
  • Tyler Holmes | POOHDINI
    • POOHDINI is built around taking care of a chore that every dog owner knows all too well! Specializing in providing professional dog waste removal services for residential and commercial properties, helping keep yards and outdoor spaces clean and sanitary.
• Township of Elizabethtown-Kitley:
  • Candice Berseth | French Touch of Colour
    • French Touch of Colour offers personalized colour analysis and style consultations, helps individuals discover the colours and styles that complement their natural features and reflect their personalities.
  • Lauren Hurley | Nurturing Roots Consulting
    • Nurturing Roots Consulting provides compassionate counselling, coaching, and parenting support for mothers, helping them manage stress, navigate parenting challenges, and improve their emotional well-being.
• Township of Front of Yonge:
  • Ian Burnett | I.S.B Tree Consulting and Care
    • I.S.B Tree Consulting and Care provides arboricultural consulting services that integrates LiDAR technology for precise 3D tree mapping and site understanding. Serving homeowners, developers, municipalities, and engineering firms delivering practical, evidence-based solutions that support tree preservation, and responsible development.
• Township of Leeds and the Thousand Islands:
  • Karen Lowry | Rideau Fit Co
    • Rideau Fit Co is dedicated to helping individuals improve their health, fitness, and overall well-being. Through a supportive and encouraging approach to fitness, Karen helps clients work toward their personal goals while promoting active, healthy lifestyles within the community.
• Municipality of North Grenville:
  • Shannon Thompson | The Shanry Collective
    • The Shanry Collective is a flexible coworking hub in Kemptville. The business offers professional workspace, meeting rooms, and opportunities for collaboration, providing a welcoming environment where entrepreneurs, remote workers, organizations and businesses can work individually but not alone.

Starter Company Plus participants received professional training in business fundamentals, business planning, and cash flow management. Following the training phase, they pitched their business ideas to a local panel of business volunteers, and became eligible for grants of up to $5,000, to support business investments.

Graduates also receive ongoing coaching and attended additional workshops to further develop their enterprises. They are encouraged to remain connected to the local business network.

Starter Company Plus is funded by the Province of Ontario, the United Counties of Leeds and Grenville, and the City of Brockville. Leeds Grenville Small Business also thanks the Thousand Islands Community Futures Corporation and Community Futures Grenville for providing the additional $1000 in support for each participant.

Leeds and Grenville Immigrant Entrepreneur Award Recipient: Meet Prajapati, SWAGAT Indian Grocery Store, City of Brockville

Meet moved to Canada from India 12 years ago. Like many newcomers, he faced the challenges of adapting to a new country, establishing himself professionally, and building a life from the ground up. What began as a dream has grown into a thriving local business offering authentic Indian foods, spices, and cultural products while creating a welcoming space where people from diverse backgrounds can connect through food and culture.

Meet’s contributions extend beyond his business. He has supported the local food bank, helped newcomer families find housing and employment opportunities, and championed cultural celebrations throughout the region.

The Immigrant Entrepreneur Award is an initiative of the St. Lawrence-Rideau Immigration Partnership’s Employment & Settlement Working Group that recognizes immigrant business owners whose determination and innovation strengthen the local economy and enrich communities.

The working group includes the United Counties of Leeds and Grenville, CSE Consulting, Upper Canada District School Board Settlement Services, the Employment + Education Centre, and the Volunteer Centre of St. Lawrence – Rideau. Each of these organizations are dedicated to creating supportive business environments for newcomers.

Leeds Grenville Entrepreneur of the Year Award Recipient: Nicole Hudson, Katarina’s Coffee Shop, Town of Prescott

Katarina’s Coffee Shop in Prescott has grown into a local favourite and year-round destination offering a diverse menu of food, beverages, specialty products and catering. Owned by Nicole Hudson and her mother, Carla, the business serves breakfast, sandwiches, homemade soups, baked goods, desserts and custom cakes.

As a Starter Company Plus graduate, Nicole has benefited from business development support through Community Futures Grenville, helping her build and grow her entrepreneurial venture. Previously recognized as the 2024 Immigrant Entrepreneur of the Year, Nicole exemplifies the determination, adaptability and entrepreneurial spirit that strengthen the local economy and create opportunities for business growth in Leeds Grenville.

The award recognizes an exemplary business owner who demonstrates perseverance, a willingness to take risks and navigate uncertainty, patience and versatility, high energy, and a strong drive to achieve.

Throughout the year, Leeds Grenville Small Business staff provide free consultations, tools, resources, events, and workshops to support small businesses across the region. For more information visit the Leeds Grenville Small Business webpage.