businessNOW™ is the most comprehensive weekly round-up of business and organizational news and events from Peterborough and across the Kawarthas.
This week’s business and organizational news features Peterborough company Purelygreat launching an online video campaign to promote its all-natural deodorants, nominations for the Junior Achievement of Peterborough Lakefield Muskoka 2020 Business Hall of Fame opening on Thursday, the Kawartha Chamber of Commerce & Tourism announcing its 20th annual Awards of Excellence recipients, and the opening of applications for the 2019 Cubs’ Lair youth entrepreneurship competition.
New regional business events added this week include the Bobcaygeon Chamber and Impact 32’s Small Business Week networking event in Bobcaygeon on October 23rd, the Trent Hills Chamber’s Instagram seminar in Campbellford on October 24th, the Innovation Cluster’s power breakfast on IBM’s Innovation Incubator Initiative in Peterborough on October 29th, the annual TD Economic Outlook Luncheon in Peterborough on October 30th, and the Haliburton Chamber’s Breakfast Club with Catherine Oosterbaan in Irondale on November 5th.
Peterborough company Purelygreat launches online video campaign to promote its all-natural deodorants
Purelygreat, a family-run business founded in Toronto in 2011 that recently relocated to Peterborough, has launched a new online video campaign to promote its line of all-natural deodorants.
The campaign includes two Monty-Pythonesque videos featuring peasants from the Middle Ages who are working in the fields and complaining about how bad they smell.
In one of the videos, they wonder why a fellow peasant smells so nice and, after first suggesting it may be because she has crafted a natural deodorant, conclude she must be a witch and raise the alarm.
VIDEO: Purelygreat – Natural Deodorant Commercial, Witch Hunt
The second video features the same two peasants discussing possible natural remedies for counteracting body odour.
The videos were developed and directed by Pete Henderson of Toronto-based boutique production company Someplace Nice. He explains the campaign is intended to help Purelygreat stand out in the crowded and competitive natural product category.
“It’s a tough market to break into,” he says. “You need strong, disruptive creative if you want to get noticed.”
VIDEO: Purelygreat – Natural Deodorant Commercial, Natural vs. The Competition
Founded by Debbie Cohen, Purelygreat produces all-natural deodorant products that are vegan friendly, cruelty free, and contain no aluminum, triclosan, parabens, or preservatives. The products have been verified by the non-profit activist organization Environmental Working Group (EWG).
“We’re a wholesome company at heart,” says Purelygreat co-founder Philip Pellat. “We use all-natural ingredients in an effort to get people to discover the health benefits of natural deodorant and it’s all handmade here in Peterborough.”
The video spots are airing on social media across Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube. Purelygreat is also offering free samples on its website as part of the campaign.
For more information about PurelyGreat, visit mynaturaldeodorant.com.
Nominations for 2020 Junior Achievement of Peterborough Lakefield Muskoka Business Hall of Fame open on Thursday
Nominations for inductees into the 2020 Junior Achievement of Peterborough Lakeland Muskoka (JA-PLM) 2020 Business Hall of Fame open on Thursday, October 17th.
Nomination forms will be available at the JA-PLM office at VentureNorth (270 George St. N., Peterborough) as well as online at www.jacanada.org/plm.
Nominations will remain open until the end of November.
The fifth Business Hall of Fame induction ceremony will be held on May 28, 2020 at The Venue (286 George St. N., Peterborough). More details will be available in early January when JA-PLM reveals the new inductees.
Kawartha Chamber of Commerce & Tourism announces 20th annual Awards of Excellence recipients
The Kawartha Chamber of Commerce & Tourism announced the recipients of its 20th annual Awards of Excellence on Thursday (October 10) in Lakefield.
The following businesses and individuals were recognized at the awards ceremony, held in the Bryan Jones Theatre at Lakefield College School:
- Commercial Development or Renovation: Kawartha Lakes Construction (finalists: Lock Stop Cafe, Sweet Competition)
- Customer Service Excellence: Home Suite Home Transitions (finalists: Bell’s Garage, Lang Pioneer Village Museum, Nexicom, Village Pet Food & Supply)
- Entrepreneur Innovation: Entomo Farms (finalists: Emily Mae’s Cookies, PKA SoftTouch, TreeWell)
- Not-for-Profit Excellence: Lakefield Literary Festival (finalists: BEL Rotary Club, Camp Kawartha, Curve Lake First Nation Cultural Centre, The Canadian Canoe Museum)
- Retailer of the Year: Griffin’s Greenhouses (finalists: Kingdon Timber Mart, Paris Marine, Village Pet Food & Supply)
- Service Sector Excellence: Whelan’s Flooring Centre (finalists: BALL Real Estate, Swanky Events)
- Tourism/Hospitality Excellence: The Kawartha Buttertart Factory (finalists: Scotsman Point Resort, Westwind Inn)
- Outstanding Business Achievement: Central Smith Creamery (finalists: Beachwood Resort, Cottage Toys, T.G. Quirk Garage )
- Young Professional: Jillian Harrington, Clearview Cottage Resort (finalists not announced)
- Citizen of the Year: Sally Harding, Nightingale Nursing (finalists not announced)
Applications now open for Cubs’ Lair youth entrepreneurship competition
Applications are now open for the fifth annual Cubs’ Lair youth entrepreneurship competition, presented by the Innovation Cluster and Peterborough & the Kawarthas Economic Development.
Aspiring youth entrepreneurs between the ages of 18 and 29 will have the opportunity to pitch their startup to a panel of judges for a chance at over $6,500 in prizes, including $1,000 in cash, at the Gordon Best Theatre in downtown Peterborough on Thursday, November 21st.
Those who are interested in the competition will apply online at www.innovationcluster.ca/programs/cubs-lair-2019/.
The application deadline is Friday, October 25th. Applicants will also need to attend a series of three mandatory workshops at the Innovation Cluster to help them build skills in creating a business model canvas, financing, and pitching to prepare for the Cubs’ Lair.
The final pitch competition on November 21st is open to the public and free to attend. To reserve your seat, register at eventbrite.com/e/cubs-lair-entrepreneurship-competition-2019-tickets-75854359431.
Free succession planning focus group and workshop for employers in Peterborough on October 15
The Workforce Development Board – Local Employment Planning Council (WDB/LEPC) is presenting a free succession planning workshop and focus group for owners, managers, and directors of any type and size of business or organization in Peterborough on Tuesday, October 15th in the board room at the Peterborough Public Library (345 Aylmer St. N., Peterborough).
Through succession planning, employers can develop existing employees with leadership potential, so they are ready to be promoted to critical roles when needed so there isn’t a gap in service and organizations can save money on recruitment
Project manager Carrie Wakeford will begin the session with a focus group, where employers can share their opinions about succession planning needs and learn more about succession planning in the process. This will be followed by a practical succession planning workshop led by business coach Colleen Carruthers, who has extensive experience training business leaders. In the workshop, employers will have the opportunity to work on their business’s or organization’s own succession plan.
Two sessions are available: one from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. and another from 7 to 9 p.m. To register, visit visit successionplanningptbo.eventbrite.ca.
Additional workshops/focus groups take place at the following locations and dates:
- Haliburton – Thursday, October 24th at SIRCH Community Services (49 Maple Ave., Unit 4 Haliburton)
- City of Kawartha Lakes – Thursday, November 21st at VCCS (370 Kent St. W. Unit 5, Lindsay)
- Northumberland – Thursday, November 28th at the Business & Entrepreneurship Centre Northumberland (600 William St. Suite 700, Cobourg).
To register for your preferred date and session, visit successionplanningptbo.eventbrite.ca. There is no cost to attend.
Peterborough DBIA breakfast network with Sacha Lai-Svirk and Michael Gallant in Peterborough on October 16
The Peterborough Downtown Business Improvement Area (DBIA) is hosting its next breakfast network meeting from 7:30 to 8:30 a.m. on Wednesday, October 16th at Empress Gardens (131 Charlotte St., Peterborough).
DBIA board members Sacha Lai-Svirk, director of digital health at Outpost379, and Michael Gallant, architect and design principal at Lett Architects, will speak aout the Smart City Challenge.
Breakfast begins at 7:30 a.m. with the guest speakers at 8 a.m.
The event is open to everyone. Tickets are $5 at the door.
Peterborough Chamber hosts 2019 Business Excellence Awards in Peterborough on October 16
The Peterborough Chamber of Commerce is hosting the 2019 Business Excellence Awards at 6:30 p.m. on Wednesday, October 16th at Showplace Performance Centre (290 George St. N., Peterborough).
Awards will be presented in 20 categories, including Business Citizen of the Year.
The event begins with a reception at 6:30 p.m. on the Nexicom Studio followed by the awards ceremony at 7:30 p.m. in the Erica Cherney Theatre.
Tickets are $50+HST, available at excellencepeterborough.ca/tickets. Your tickets includes one complimentary beverage and light hors d’oeuvres catered by The Imperial Tandoor.
Kawartha Lakes Small Business & Entrepreneurship Centre hosts a marketing and social media workshop in Lindsay on October 21
The Kawartha Lakes Small Business & Entrepreneurship Centre’s next “Business Fundamentals” workshop is on marketing and social media and takes place from 5 to 7:30 p.m. on Monday, October 21st in the downstairs meeting room at the Lindsay branch of Kawartha Lakes Public Library (190 Kent St., Lindsay).
Sandy Greenberg (serial entrepreneur, established business coach, and former business advisor at Centennial College Centre of Entrepreneurship) will facilitate the workshop, which will cover topics including target marketing, how to create a brand for your business, choosing effective marketing channels, and online and offline marketing strategies.
Bring your own laptop (wi-fi access will be available) and refreshments.
Tickets are $10, available at eventbrite.ca/e/klsbec-business-fundamentals-marketing-social-media-tickets-73484862201.
Small Business Week events in Kawartha Lakes from October 21 to 25
Kawartha Lakes Small Business Week takes place the week of Monday, October 21st, culminating with the presentation of the 21st annual Kawartha Lakes Small Business Innovation Awards beginning at 10:30 a.m. on Friday, October 25th at the Lindsay Golf & Country Club (292 Lindsay st. S. Lindsay).
Nominations are now open for the awards, which feature a first prize of $750, a second prize of $500, and a third prize of $250.
For a list of all the events during Kawartha Lakes Small Business Week and to submit a nomination for the Kawartha Lakes Small Business Innovation Awards, visit www.smallbizweek.net.
To register for Innovation Day, visit sbw_innovationday2019.eventbrite.ca. Tickets are $35 and include lunch, with the awards ceremony beginning at 1 p.m.
Small Business Week event in Port Hope from October 21 to 25
The Port Hope & District Chamber of Commerce is presenting a series of events during Small Business Week in Port Hope the week of Monday, October 21st.
On Monday from 12 to 2 p.m., the Port Hope Chamber is hosting “Ask a Professional” at the Port Hope Town Hall Council Chambers (56 Queen St., Port Hope). At this free event, local professionals in the fields of accounting, finance, and law will be on hand to answer questions you may have about business. Professionals include John O’Keefe of O’Keefe Accounting Group, Scott McCracken of Schmidt Law Legal Services, and Adrian Pepper of the Bank of Montreal.
On Tuesday from 9 to 10:30 a.m., the Port Hope Chamber and the Port Hope Area Initiative (PHAI) are offering a bus tour for local businesses and contractors from a perspective of the PHAI project and cleanup. Space is limited to 18 registrants.
On Wednesday from 7:30 to 9 a.m., the Port Hope Chamber and the Business Development Bank of Canada are hosting “Women in Business” at Jack Burger Sports Complex (60 Highland Dr., Port Hope). The workshop features a presentation for local women in business from the Business Development Bank of Canada on the topic “Supporting your growing business with flexible financing and practical advice”. Light refreshments will be provided.
On Thursday from 5 to 8 p.m., the Port Hope Young Professionals group is hosting a trivia night at The Thirsty Goose (63 Walton St., Port Hope). There will be a cash prize for the winning team.
On Friday at 11 a.m., the Port Hope Chamber is hosting “Coffee Break with David Piccini” at the Port Hope Town Hall Council Chambers (56 Queen St., Port Hope). This event, open only to Chamber members, offers an opportunity to talk business with Northumberland-Peterborough MPP South David Piccini.
For more information about these events and to register, visit porthopechamber.chambermaster.com/events.
FastStart Peterborough hosts 2019 Pitch It! competition in Peterborough on October 22
FastStart Peterborough is hosting its fifth annual Pitch It! Competition from 6 to 8:30 p.m. on Tuesday, October 22nd in the large ground floor boardroom at VentureNorth (270 George St. N., Peterborough).
Modelled after the CBC television series Dragons’ Den, the competition will feature students from Trent University and Fleming College pitching their business ideas to a panel of judges in hopes of winning up to $350.
To attend this free event, register at eventbrite.com/e/faststart-presents-pitch-it-2019-tickets-73855627169.
Students who wish to enter the competition can do so at innovationcluster.ca/programs/pitch-it/. Applications close at 11:59 p.m. on Friday, October 11th.
Bobcaygeon Chamber and Impact 32 presents Small Business Week networking event in Bobcaygeon on October 23
The Bobcaygeon Chamber of Commerce and Impact 32 are co-hosting “Networking @ Night”, a networking event from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. on Wednesday, October 23rd at Kawartha Coffee Company (58 Bolton St., Bobcaygeon).
Celebrating Small Busienss Week in Bobcaygeon, the networking event is also an opportunity for local business owners to find out more about upcoming events and programs. It will include a short presentation on plans for the Mingle and Jingle event taking place on November 23rd in Bobcayegon.
To register, visit www.bobcaygeon.org/event-3586809/Registration.
Trent Hills Chamber presents Instagram seminar in Campbellford on October 24
The Trent Hills Chamber of Commerce is presenting “The Power of Instagram” seminar from 6 to 8 p.m. on Thursday, October 24th in the Acorn Room at Campbellford Community Resource Centre (65 Bridge St. E., Campbellford).
This seminar is designed to empower entrepreneurs to use Instagram to grow their business by providing the knowledge base to post with confidence.
Offered as part of the Advanced Seminar Series with Business & Entrepreneurship Centre Northumberland, the seminar is $10 for Chamber members and $15 for non-members.
Due to limited space, all participants must register in advance at business.trenthillschamber.ca/events/details/the-power-of-instagram-seminar-3965.
Innovation Cluster presents a power breakfast on IBM’s Innovation Incubator Initiative in Peterborough on October 29
The Innovation Cluster is presenting “Power Breakfast: Adapting to Disruption” from 8:30 to 10:30 a.m. on Tuesday, October 29th at The Venue (286 George St. N., Peterborough).
Over a hot breakfast, IBM technology evangelist Sarmad Ibrahim and IBM senior innovative executive Dave Robitaille will host a session to introduce IBM’s Innovation Incubator Initiative.
Register for the free event at eventbrite.com/e/power-breakfast-adapting-to-disruption-with-ibm-tickets-76250508323.
Disability and accessibility in the workplace information session in Lindsay on October 29
In collaboration with the Lindsay & District Chamber of Commerce and My Lindsay Downtown, the Workforce Development Board/Local Employment Planning Council is hosting “Employer Education Series – Disability & Accessibility Information Session” from 8 to 10 a.m. on Tuesday, October 29 at Days Inn & Suites by Wyndham Lindsay (134 Angeline St. S., Lindsay).
Guest speaker Barbara Condie, accessibility coordinator with the City of Kawartha Lakes, will be sharing best practices for employers to navigate the issue of disability and accessibility in the workplace. Condie has extensive experience with research and resource information, development of policies, corporate procedures, and communications pertaining to disability and accessibility.
For those who are unable to attend person, you will have the opportunity to attend this event via webinar upon registration. Register for this free event at eventbrite.ca/e/employer-education-series-disability-accessibility-information-session-tickets-71529545797.
Annual TD Economic Outlook Luncheon in Peterborough on October 30
TD Bank Group vice-president and deputy chief economist Derek Burleton will speak at the 2019 TD Economic Outlook Luncheon. (Photo courtesy of Derek Burleton)
Peterborough & the Kawarthas Economic Development, along with TD Bank Group and Baker Tilly, are presenting the 2019 TD Economic Outlook Luncheon from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. on Wednesday, October 30th at Peterborough Golf and Country Club (1030 Armour Rd., Peterborough).
The annual event explores trends, opportunities, and challenges within communities in Peterborough and the Kawarthas and across the globe. It features TD Bank Group vice-president and deputy chief economist Derek Burleton and Peterborough & the Kawarthas Economic Development president and CEO Rhonda Keenan.
Tickets are $35+HST and include lunch. Register by October 23rd at eventbrite.ca/e/td-economic-outlook-luncheon-2019-tickets-75222012063.
Haliburton Chamber presents The Breakfast Club with Catherine Oosterbaan in Irondale on November 5
The Haliburton Highlands Chamber of Commerce is presenting its next Breakfast Club from 7:30 to 9 a.m. on Tuesday, November 5th at Bark Lake Leadership and Conference Centre (1551 Bark Lake Dr., Irondale).
The event features Catherine Oosterbaan, agriculture and rural economic development advisor with the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, on the topic “The Role of Business in Community Economic Development”.
The cost is $20 for Chamber members and $25 for non-members. Register in advance at events.r20.constantcontact.com/register/event?llr=lu6q9flab&oeidk=a07eghooqzcd857ace5.
For more business-related events in the Kawarthas, check out our Business Events column.
