13 New Entrepreneurs Accepted into the Small Business Programs

Prescott – Summer Company, now in its 25th year, along with Starter Company Plus, celebrated the start of their program journey.

Dignitaries, mentors and program supporters met the 4 youth and 9 adult entrepreneurs who gathered in the Prescott Town Hall Grand Room on the evening of June 10th to launch the two United Counties of Leeds and Grenville Small Business foundational programs.

“It’s a milestone year for the Summer Company’s program that contributes to the economic growth of the Counties,” says Carol Hardy, Small Business Development Officer. “Our programs are about more than business training—they’re about building confidence, fostering innovation, and connecting entrepreneurs to a community that believes in their success.”

About Summer Company:

Local youth are given the opportunity to start and operate their own businesses over the summer break. Successful applicants receive a $3,000 grant, business training, and ongoing mentorship.

This year’s Summer Company participants include:

Carter Leduc, 1000 Islands Property Care, Town of Gananoque:

• Offers a wide range of property maintenance services designed to boost curb appeal and protect your investment. From lawn care and window washing to pressure washing and gutter cleaning, Carter delivers convenient, high-quality service to keep homes and vehicles looking their best. Contact Carter at carterleduc01@icloud.com.

Owen Henderson, Rim to Rim Detailing, City of Brockville:

• Provides exceptional interior and exterior car cleaning services with a focus on precision and care. Dedicated to making every vehicle look brand new, Owen takes pride in the details so you can enjoy a spotless, polished ride. Reach out to Owen at rimtorimdetailing@outlook.com.

James Richardson, James Richardson Lawn Maintenance, Municipality of North Grenville:

• A yard care business offering reliable and affordable seasonal services, including mowing, trimming, yard tidying, and watering. With a friendly, dedicated approach, James delivers quality lawn maintenance to keep your yard looking its best. Contact him at richardson.lawns@outlook.com

Lincoln BevAcqua, Astronomical Clothing Co., Municipality of North Grenville:

• A unisex streetwear brand offering bold matching sets like graphic tees and mesh shorts. Focused on clean design, Astronomical delivers high-quality, easy-to-style outfits that stand out. Connect with Lincoln at lincolnbevacqua@gmail.com.

About Starter Company Plus:

Starter Company Plus participants receive training in core business fundamentals, develop business plans, and learn how to manage cash flow. They pitch their ideas to a panel of local business leaders and mentors for a chance to receive a grant of up to $5,000. Grant recipients also benefit from personalized coaching and ongoing mentorship.

This year’s Starter Company Plus participants include:

Ian O’Brien, I/O Tech, City of Brockville:

• A local telecommunications company specializing in the installation of high-quality network cabling and Wi-Fi equipment for businesses and homes. From connecting workstations to boosting your signal at the cottage, I/O Tech can help. Visit www.ioinstalls.ca.

Bre Audet-Martel, Nature’s Hum Clothing, Township of Edwardsburgh Cardinal:

• A regenerative clothing line for women, offering 100% linen garments that are breathable and temperature-regulating. Nature’s Hum plants five trees for every garment sold, fostering a truly regenerative and Earth-positive cycle. Learn more at www.NaturesHumClothing.com.

Sacha Pritchard, Practical Magic, Town of Prescott:

• A senior support and house cleaning service. Through love and compassion, Practical Magic offers a wide range of services to support seniors’ independence and well-being. Book Sacha at practicalmagic3@hotmail.com.

Pattie Curran, Curran Reading Corner, City of Brockville:

• A Master Reading Teacher licensed through Remediation Plus Systems, offering a Right to Read-approved, evidence-based literacy program. Pattie supports struggling readers of all ages, including those with dyslexia. Contact her at narruc@live.ca.

Mike Piovesan, Spicy Riffs Hot Sauce, Township of Front of Yonge:

• A small-batch hot sauce company creating bold, flavour-forward sauces. Also offers BBQ sauces, spice blends, and rubs made with passion and care. Shop online at www.spicyriffshotsauce.ca.

 Sheri Hatherly, Lyfstyle Training & Consulting, City of Brockville:

• Offers two streams of mental wellness support: customized workplace training and specialized services for Hoarding Disorder. For bookings, contact sheri@kcspencer.ca.

JD Van Allen, Eden’s Refuge, Town of Prescott:

• Helps transform lawns and neglected spaces into edible landscapes and community orchards. JD is also the author of Before the Design, a book for aspiring growers. Learn more at www.edensrefuge.ca.

Susan Howard, LightWater Sanctuary, Township of Leeds and the Thousand Islands:

• A home-based wellness practitioner offering massage and movement therapy, holistic therapies and personalized treatments. Book an appointment at sue_howard@me.com.

Heather Rowat, Meringue Patisserie, City of Brockville:

• A Le Cordon Bleu Certified Pastry Chef offering handcrafted European-style pastry using the finest Canadian ingredients. Experience the magic at www.meringuepastry.com.

Both programs are designed to ignite entrepreneurial spirit and provide vital support through training, mentorship, and funding. Graduates leave better equipped to build sustainable businesses and contribute to a stronger regional economy.

Year-round, Small Business staff offer free consultations, tools, resources, events, and workshops to support entrepreneurs across Leeds Grenville. These programs are funded by the Province of Ontario, the United Counties of Leeds and Grenville, and the City of Brockville.

Find out more at: https://invest.leedsgrenville.com/en/small-business/small-business.aspx