2024 Leeds Grenville Entrepreneur of the Year, the Immigrant Entrepreneur Award & New Inclusive Employer Award Were Presented at the Annual Bridges to Better Business Event on Thursday

Additionally, Ten Starter Company Plus Graduates Were Recognized!

Maitland – The United Counties of Leeds and Grenville—Small Business hosted the annual Bridges to Better Business on Thursday evening at the MERC Hall in Maitland in conjunction with the Starter Company Plus graduation.

The event featured local entrepreneurs from across the region. networking and 6 talks to amplify business.

At last night’s event, the 2024 Leeds Grenville Entrepreneur of the Year, the Immigrant Entrepreneur Award, and the new Inclusive Employer Award were also presented. Ten Starter Company Plus graduates were also recognized with certificates of achievement.

The winner of the Leeds Grenville Entrepreneur of the Year was Scott Waldron of Gravitate Travel in Kemptville.

This year’s winner has over 28 years of industry experience and has been running his own business since 2016. Scott has built a reputable travel company based on ethical practices, community engagement, and exceptional service. Gravitate Travel, based in Kemptville, specializes in high-end luxury travel, offering personalized, exclusive travel experiences for individuals, families, and businesses.

Scott’s focus on small group tours and superior service has earned him a loyal client base and a strong brand presence. His commitment to the community is clear, as he actively supports local initiatives such as NG Pride, 100 Men Who Care, the North Grenville Chamber of Commerce, and more. Scott’s business has contributed travel prizes to local organizations like the RCMP Ride and the Kemptville Legion.

A lifelong learner, Scott participated in the Starter Company Plus program, graduating in 2023. He continues to work with business coaches and experts, always striving to improve his operations and grow his business. Scott Waldron’s dedication to both his business and his community makes him a deserving recipient of this year’s award.

Since 2008, the Leeds Grenville Small Business has recognized an exemplary business owner by naming them The Entrepreneur of the Year. Each year a business rises to the top in terms of these qualities: perseverance, a willingness to tolerate uncertainty, a willingness to take risks, patience, versatility, a high energy level, and a strong need to achieve.

The 10th Annual Leeds and Grenville Immigrant Entrepreneur Award went to Nicole Hudson of Katarina’s Coffee Shop in Prescott.

This year’s winner moved to Canada from the Philippines 8 years ago at age 19. Her willingness to gain experience through several jobs in Ontario and her dedication to the world of entrepreneurship earned her this year’s Immigrant Entrepreneur Award.

She and her family have turned a once seasonal café and ice cream shop in Prescott into a year-round food hub that offers a full breakfast menu, increasingly popular holiday platters, a full-time in-house baker, and 12-15 additional staff during the busy summer months.

The Leeds and Grenville Immigrant Entrepreneur Award, now in its 10th year, was designed to recognize, celebrate, and showcase the amazing immigrant entrepreneurs found throughout Leeds and Grenville and the contributions they make to local communities.

The 1st Annual Leeds and Grenville Inclusive Employer Award was awarded to Truespeed Internet Services and Sterling Home Renovations both in Brockville.

The winners of the first-ever Inclusive Employer Award have strived to be accommodating and inclusive to help immigrant staff feel welcomed through special offerings such as language support, mentorship programs, and letters of support for Permanent Residency applications.

By offering reliable, high-speed internet solutions, Truespeed empowers individuals, families, and businesses with the connectivity needed to thrive in today’s digital landscape.

Sterling Home Renovations specializes in transforming homes with expert craftsmanship and personalized renovation solutions.

The Leeds and Grenville Inclusive Employer Award was created to highlight and recognize local employers who strive to make their businesses welcoming and inclusive to local immigrant employees.

As well the Starter Company Plus adult entrepreneurship program is celebrating its 10th year!

In this round, 10 local businesses from Kemptville to Gananoque received training in business fundamentals, business planning, and cash flow management. After the training phase, participants pitched their business ideas to a local panel of business volunteers for the chance to receive a grant of up to $5,000, that was used for various business investments. Businesses continued with coaching and attended additional workshops to further develop their businesses.

This round’s businesses are:

Shane Doxtater, Empire Construction and Masonry, City of Brockville, specializes in providing top-tier stonework & masonry, custom tiling, and insulating concrete forms (ICF) services. The team of skilled artisans is dedicated to crafting unique, durable, and aesthetically pleasing structures that stand the test of time. Whether it’s a bespoke tiled kitchen that reflects personal style or sustainable and energy-efficient building solutions, Empire Construction & Masonry can bring dreams to life.

Visit the website at https://www.empireconstructionandmasonry.ca/ and Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/empireconstructionandmasonry/

Chantel (CT) Ehler, ERB Legal, LLP, Town of Gananoque, provides notary services and paralegal representation for civil litigation and limited criminal matters. Additionally, she provides elder care wills and estate mediation, family mediation, and workplace mediation. CT’s partners provide extended services across Ontario.

You can learn more about ERB’s services at:
 https://ehlerservices.com/ and https://www.instagram.com/erblegalllp/

Alyssa Gallant, Monday Nutrition, Township of Edwardsburgh Cardinal, Alyssa is a Registered Holistic Nutritionist and operates from her small storefront in Spencerville. She provides nutritional consultations and advice on supplements to support a holistic lifestyle. Alyssa also hosts many classes like yoga and macramé.

Alyssa’s website is https://www.mondaynutrition.com/ and you can find her on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/mondaynutrition/

Diane Gordon, Golden Creek Horticulture, Township of Elizabethtown-Kitley, is a family-run market gardening business producing fresh vegetables, flowers, and microgreens for customers at the Brockville Farmers Market and through a website. Golden Creek also has a summer CSA program.

You can visit the website: https://www.goldencreekhorticulture.ca/ and follow her on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/goldencreekhorticulture/

Elizabeth Green-Verkerk, South Coast Design Build Ltd, Township of Leeds and the Thousand Islands, provides custom home design and building services in Eastern Ontario. Along with her business partner and husband, Tyler Verkerk, they are a Tarion licensed new home builder, offering full warranties on all new builds. Liz and Tyler envision a future where all
homes are net zero, providing comfort, functionality, sustainability, and enjoyment through good design. They provide all of the design and permitting services as part of the custom home package, making every home fully customizable for the client’s needs and budget.

To see their beautiful designs visit: https://southcoastdesignbuild.com/ and on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/southcoastdesignbuild/

Ray Heffernan, Ray Heffernan Photography, Town of Prescott, offers images in every genre, from baby photos to that must-have family portrait, from professional and acting headshots to romantic boudoir shoots. A wide selection of landscape and fine art prints for all your gift-giving and decorating needs. Ray Heffernan Photography serves as a top-quality photography solution for clients wherever their imagination takes them. Although the vast majority of his work happens in the studio, location shoots can be arranged.

Learn more at: https://www.rayheffernan.com/ and on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/ray_heffernan_photography/

Tracey Hughes, Flutter & Fly Makers Cove, City of Brockville, provides space where local crafters can display and sell their creations. Space is rented by the shelf or size of wall to local artisans. Tracey hosts over 40 makers and makes her items like custom tumblers, tea towels and more.

You can find out more at: https://www.facebook.com/flutternflymakerscove

Kim Matthew, Drinks in Tow, Municipality of North Grenville, is a mobile beverage catering company offering unique mobile bar rentals and bartending services. The three bar options are perfectly suited for weddings, festivals, and corporate events, as well as more intimate affairs such as anniversaries, birthday parties, bachelorette parties, baby showers, and cocktail parties. The service packages can be custom-tailored to each event and what the client is envisioning for their special day/event.

To learn more visit: https://drinksintow.com/ or https://www.instagram.com/drinksintow/

Connor Wilhelm, Wilhelm’s Manual Osteopathy, Township of Augusta, is a manual osteopathy business. It is a hands-on holistic approach to healthcare dating back to 1874. Connor provides individual care for people who experience chronic, but also acute pain. He can treat a wide variety of musculoskeletal disorders, as well as neurodevelopmental disorders.

Visit: https://wilhelmsmanualosteopathy.ca/ to learn more or email Connor at connor@wilhelmsmo.ca

Claudia Zuniga Muroya, CAZM Bookkeeping Services, Township of Elizabethtown-Kitley, offers bookkeeping and payroll services for small businesses, including data migrations to QuickBooks online. Claudia is a Certified Quick Books ProAdvisor and can assist in balancing books and providing a clear view of finances to help small businesses achieve success.

You can reach Claudia at cazm.canada@outlook.com or on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/claudia-zuniga-muroya-8a229a305/ or https://www.instagram.com/cazm_bookkeeping_services/

In addition to the provincial funding, Community Futures Grenville distributed an additional $1000 grant to each of the Grenville County participants. The Leeds Grenville Small Business said they would like to thank the organization for the additional support granted to these small businesses.

Starter Company Plus programs is funded by the Province of Ontario along with the United Counties of Leeds and Grenville and the City of Brockville. Throughout the year, Counties Small Business staff provide free consultations, tools, resources, events, and workshops to support small businesses in the region.