Prescott – The United Counties of Leeds and Grenville is supporting 17 small businesses in building stronger foundations and greater resiliency through the Starter Company Plus program.
Over the next six months, participants will work to complete intensive training in business fundamentals, including developing business plans, applying cash flow best practices, and strengthening long-term strategies for growth.
Each entrepreneur will have the opportunity to receive up to $5,000 in funding to support essential business needs, from equipment purchases to marketing initiatives. The program will also provide personalized business coaching from experienced advisors through mentorship sessions that ensure participants have the best possible opportunity to launch and grow their businesses.
On Thursday, October 9th, graduates, local dignitaries, mentors, and community supporters gathered in the Grand Room at Prescott Town Hall to mark the start of this new round. The launch serves as a valuable networking opportunity to strengthen connections within the local business community.
This new group represents a diverse range of enterprises from health and wellness, psychotherapy, beauty, hospitality, agriculture, communications, creative arts, machining, and home services — with locations spanning the City of Brockville, the Municipality of North Grenville, and the Townships of Edwardsburgh/Cardinal, Elizabethtown-Kitley, Athens, Augusta, Leeds and the Thousand Islands, and Front of Yonge.
Township of Athens:
Nick Weymouth, Weymouth Machine Works
Provides: Custom precision machining specializing in CNC and manual milling/
Contact: nick@weymouthmachine.ca
Website: weymouthmachine.ca Instagram: @weymouth.nick
Township of Augusta:
Jennifer Slater, Hair She Goes
Provides: A private home-based hair salon with personalized hairstyling, colouring
Contact: jenn@hairshegoes.salon
Website: hairshegoes.salon Facebook: @HAIRSHEGOESJENN Instagram: @hairshegoes_jenn
City of Brockville:
Amanda Bender-Francois, ASB Psychotherapy
Provides: Adult, child, and family psychotherapy
Contact: 613-498-8682 / amanda@asbpsychotherapy.com
Website: asbpsychotherapy.com
Heather Savage, Creative Practice
Provides: A community art education studio offering classes and workshops
Contact: savage.art79@gmail.com
Bianca Timmerman, Queen Bees Café
Provides: A specialty tea and espresso café
Contact: queenbeescafe@gmail.com
Facebook: @QueenBeesCafe
Township of Edwardsburgh Cardinal:
Kathleen Greenwood, Design Symphony
Provides: Creative arts and design studio producing greeting cards, jewellery, ornaments, etc.
Contact: 613-371-8468 / kat@designsymphony.art
Website: designsymphony.art Facebook/Instagram: @designsymphony
Katie Malott, Epoch Acres
Provides: Organically grown farm and local produce hub
Contact: 519-577-4667 / epochacres@gmail.com
Website: epochacres.ca Facebook/Instagram: @epochgrowth
Timothy Markus, The Bedrock Depot
Provides: Home repair and maintenance, handyman work, renovations, and ongoing upkeep
Contact: 613-657-3106 / thebedrockdepot@gmail.com
Facebook: @TheBedrockDepot
Abby McIntyre, Abby McIntyre Consulting
Provides strategic communications consulting for public-sector and not-for-profit organizations
Contact: abby@abbymcintyre.ca
Website: abbymcintyre.ca
Township of Elizabethtown-Kitley:
Brian Healy, Accent Landscape Services Inc.
Provides: Professional lawn care, landscaping, and snow removal
Contact: brianhealy65@gmail.com
Website: accentlandscapes.ca
Saria LaRocque, MerkaMa Rejuvenations
Provides: Mobile beauty and wellness services, accessible, at-home
Contact: merkamarejuvenations@outlook.com
Township of Front of Yonge:
Alison Gibson, A 1000 Ways
Provides: Curated private regional tours and immersive small-group
Contact: 613-640-1743 / alison@a1000ways.com
Website: a1000ways.com Facebook: A1000WAYS | Instagram: @a1000waystours
Township of Leeds and the Thousand Islands:
Chris Brandsma, HagenWood Laser Products and Services
Provides: Wholesale laser engraving and cutting services for wood and
Contact: 1-647-870-4279 / chris@hagenwood.com
Municipality of North Grenville:
Brandon Bloomfield, Your Local Handyman Service
Provides: Local handyman services within 50 km of Kemptville
Contact: 613-851-8828 / info@YourLocalHandymanService.com
Website: yourlocalhandymanservice.com
Facebook: YourLocalHandyman
Sarah Nestor, The Nest Wellness:
Provides: Pelvic-health and orthopedic physiotherapy, chiropractic care
Location: Clothier Street East, Kemptville
Contact: 613-215-0400 / info@nestwellness.ca
Website: nestwellness.ca. Instagram: @thenestkemptville
Patricia VanderLaan, Saltastic Health and Wellness Spa
Provides: Salt therapy wellness spa, natural treatments, stress reduction, and overall well-being
Location: County Road 43, Kemptville
Contact: 613-215-0644 / info@saltastic.ca
Website: saltastic.ca Facebook/Instagram @saltasticlounge
Karen Trivett, Inanna’s Grotto
Provides: Hair salon and sanctuary spa specializing in extensions and holistic beauty services
Contact: 613-883-8059 / trivettk75@gmail.com
Website: book.squareup.com/appointments/1oi83gjecpj7ec/location/L8YB8SW40G9X3
For more information on the Starter Company Plus program and next dates for intake, visit the Leeds Grenville website: https://invest.leedsgrenville.com/en/smallbusiness/Starter_Company_Plus.aspx to register.
The Counties’ Small Business and Economic Development staff offer free consultations, resources, events, and workshops, assisting local entrepreneurs to continue to learn, grow and foster their presence within the region’s business network.
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