businessNOW™ is the most comprehensive weekly round-up of business and organizational news and events from Peterborough and across the Kawarthas.
The week’s news features Emily Mae’s Cookies & Sweets officially opening its brick-and-mortar shop in Peterborough, the owners of Toe Beans Cat Café in Port Hope putting the business up for sale (cats not included), the opening of the federal government’s 2020 Canada Summer Jobs program to employers, and other notable business and organization news from across the Kawarthas.
New events added this week include the Township of Douro-Dummer’s launch party of its Sustainable Development Program in Peterborough on February 11th, the launch and open house of the Kawartha Lakes Incubator in Lindsay on February 11th, Peterborough & the Kawarthas Economic Development’s branding, marketing, and sales workshop in Peterborough on February 12th, the Innovation Cluster’s selling to government workshop in Peterborough on February 18th, and the Kawartha Lakes Small Business & Entrepreneurship Centre’s small business tax seminar in Lindsay on February 19th.
Emily Mae’s Cookies & Sweets officially opens brick-and-mortar shop in Peterborough
Jennifer Wight, owner of Emily Mae’s Cookies & Sweets, held the grand opening of her brick-and-mortar shop at 1135 Lansdowne Street West in Peterborough last Saturday (February 1).
Wight first launched Emily Mae’s Cookies & Sweets, which specializes in custom decorated sugar cookies, as an online business when she was on maternity leave in 2016. She named the business using her middle name, which is comprised of the first names of each of her grandmothers.
In 2017, she received a $4,000 grant from Starter Company Plus, a program funded by the Ontario government and administered by the Business Advisory Centre of Peterborough & the Kawarthas Economic Development. By that time, she had already produced around 16,000 personalized cookies.
“I started when my little one was a few months old,” she told kawarthaNOW at the time. “I was looking for something to do and I came across this idea, tried it, and this is what came out of it. I didn’t expect it to blow up like it has. The response has been amazing. I call it art on a cookie because that’s what it is. People are really curious. I think that has really helped with the success of the business.”
Emily Mae’s Cookies was one of the six finalists in the 2019 Bears’ Lair Entrepreneurial Competition, where Wight won the People’s Choice Award and a free 2019/2020 membership to the Women’s Business Network of Peterborough. Emily Mae’s Cookies was also one of four finalists in the entrepreneur innovation category for the 2019 Kawartha Chamber of Commerce & Tourism Awards of Excellence.
Prior to the February 1st grand opening, Wight has been preparing the location for several months and had her soft launch in November 2019. As well as offering her baked goods, Wight hosts workshops and live-streams her “Cookie Lookie” show most Friday nights.
While the grand opening was a great success, Wight shared some bittersweet news on Facebook after the launch. One of the namesakes of her business, Wight’s grandmother Emily, passed after a few hours after the grand opening was over.
“When I graduated culinary school in early 2000, Grammy gave me a baking book all about cookies,” Wight shares on Facebook. “She wrote in the front that someday I would have a cookie shop — how did she know!”
For more information Emily Mae’s Cookies & Sweets, visit emilymaes.com or follow them on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.
Toe Beans Cat Café in Port Hope is for sale (cats not included)
Alise-Ann Glover and Spencer Roffey, owners of the Toe Beans Cat Café (119 Peter St., Port Hope), have put their family-run business up for sale.
The wife-and-husband team, who are avid coffee drinkers and cat lovers, launched the popular cafe in September 2018. They are selling the business for personal reasons.
“We want to have a family,” Glover wrote on their Facebook page. “And having a human child is tough when you have a cafe baby. So we’re making the tough decision to list the cafe for sale.”
Toe Beans Cat Café partners with the Northumberland Humane Society and the municipal animal shelter to act as a foster home for adoptable cats, which can be seen in the cafe’s cat room. They have assisted in the rehoming of more than 160 cats since opening.
Glover and Roffey are asking $70,000 for the business in a turnkey sale, which includes all the cafe’s physical and virtual assets and a fixed lease with an option to renew. Cats are not included.
They expect to have sold the business by the end of February.
For more information and to contact Toe Beans Cat Café, visit toebeanscafe.com.
Federal government’s 2020 Canada Summer Jobs program is now open to employers
The Government of Canada has opened its 2020 Canada Summer Jobs program, which creates summer job opportunities for youth and young adults aged 15 to 30.
Small businesses with up to 50 employees, not-for-profit organizations, and public sector employers in Peterborough and the Kawarthas are eligible to apply.
Not-for-profit employers can receive funding for up to 100 per cent of the provincial/territorial minimum hourly wage and mandatory employment-related costs. Small businesses with up to 50 employees and public sector employers can receive funding for up to 50 per cent of the provincial/territorial minimum hourly wage.
The program’s local priorities for employers focus on cultural events (including arts and festivals), projects supporting environmental protection, programs for children and youth (e.g., summer camps), projects supporting not-for-profit organizations, and projects supporting small businesses.
According to Peterborough-Kawartha MP Maryam Monsef, the federal government has supported 1,236 youth summer jobs in Peterborough-Kawartha and has approved funding to more than 100 local employers annually.
Applications for the 2020 Canada Summer Jobs program can be submitted until Monday, February 24th. For more information, including a list of national priorities and how to apply, visit canada.ca/canada-summer-jobs or a local Service Canada Centre.
Other notable business and organization news from across the Kawarthas
Here’s a summary of other notable business and organizational news from across the Kawarthas over the past week:
- Riley’s Bar and Grill is now open at 50 Canal Street East in Bobcaygeon. Seasonal hours are 5 to 11 p.m. on Thursday and Friday and noon to 11 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday, with longer hours after the May long weekend.
- Kawartha Settlers’ Village in Bobcaygeon is planning to break ground on its new visitor centre in spring 2020. The new building will serve as a welcome centre, house offices for staff, and provide room for special exhibits. Normal operations and events will proceed during the construction period.
- Dr. Vern Chase, founder of Pine Ridge Veterinary Clinic in Cobourg, has received the Golden Life Membership Award from Ontario Veterinary Medical Association (OVMA). The award recognizes OVMA members who are retired from full-time career pursuits of veterinary medicine or who have been a veterinarian for a minimum of 30 years and have served the profession in an extraordinary manner. Recipients receive an honorary lifetime OVMA membership.
- Northumberland County’s Business & Entrepreneurship Centre (BECN) has entered into a new partnership with financial technology leader Lending Loop to will help local entrepreneurs gain access to capital. As a peer-to-peer lender, Lending Loop’s online platform connects small businesses seeking capital with interested lenders. Under a new memorandum of understanding, Lending Loop will become a key referral partner for BECN.
- Mrs. B’s Country Candy Inc. in Brighton opened at its new location at 8 Loyalist Drive, Unit 9 on Monday (February 3). The business, which has been located in downtown Brighton for the past 15 years, closed its previous location on December 31, 2019.
- Funding is available under The City of Kawartha Lakes’ Million Dollar Makeover program to support property and business owners in improving the visual and functional aspects of their commercial, mixed-use commercial/residential or heritage designated residential buildings. The municipality has more than $1 million in financial incentives available through loan and grant programs. The application deadline is Friday, February 28th. For more information, visit www.kawarthalakes.ca/makeover.
Peterborough & the Kawarthas Economic Development hosts new venture session in Peterborough on February 4
Peterborough & the Kawarthas Economic Development is hosting a “New Venture Session” from 4 to 5:30 p.m. on Tuesday, February 4th in the VentureNorth board room (270 George St., Peterborough).
Intended for entrepreneurs starting a new business, the session will provide an overview of the foundations of starting and running a business, resources and programs available to entrepreneurs in Peterborough & the Kawarthas, how to work with the Business Advisory Centre to build a plan of action for your business, and completing the start-up checklist
The session is free, but advance registration is mandatory at eventbrite.ca/e/new-venture-session-tickets-86583636989.
IG Wealth Management hosts free financial planning seminar for businesses in Peterborough on February 5
IG Wealth Management is hosting a free breakfast seminar entitled “10 things that should keep a business owner up at night” from 7:30 to 8:30 a.m. on Wednesday, February 5th at the Peterborough Golf & Country Club (1030 Armour Rd., Peterborough)
Guest speaker Ken Greenfield, director of tax and estate planning at Investors Group, will share expert insights and examples of situations that business owners may not realize are problems, and financial planning strategies that can reduce their impact.
Topics include how to grow and access the wealth from your business more efficiently, the new 2018 tax rules and how they influence your financial plan, how to use business incorporation to maximize capital gains exemptions, and why organizational structure matters.
To reserve a space, contact Kelley Giusti at kelleym.giusti@ig.ca or 705-748-9599.
Innovation Cluster hosts business development seminar in Peterborough on February 5
Innovation Cluster Peterborough and the Kawarthas is hosting “Hands-ON: From Goals to Wins” from 12 to 1 p.m. on Wednesday, February 5th in the small boardroom at VentureNorth (270 George St. N., Peterborough)
Ryan Smith, director of business development of Legendary Coaching, will look at how starting from a place of self-awareness and passion will set you up for success and allow you to not only meet your goals, but to inspire others in the process. You will learn practical tools and principles for goal setting on a team and organizational level.
A catered lunch will be provided.
The event is free, but registration is requested at eventbrite.com/e/hands-on-from-goals-to-wins-tickets-89609248675.
Peterborough & the Kawarthas Economic Development hosts business planning workshop in Peterborough on February 6
Peterborough & the Kawarthas Economic Development is hosting “Business Fundamentals: Business Planning” from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. on Thursday, February 6th in the VentureNorth board room (270 George St., Peterborough).
The session is designed to give entrepreneurs a strong foundation in business planning and to explain the importance of a comprehensive business plan. Tools available for creating a business plan will be shared as well as top tips for creating a plan ready to share with banks and funding agencies to secure financing.
The session is free, but advance registration is mandatory at eventbrite.ca/e/business-fundamentals-business-planning-tickets-90222206047.
Haliburton Chamber hosts members-only meeting with MP Jamie Schmale in West Guilford on February 11
The Haliburton Highlands Chamber of Commerce is hosting “Chamber Connection” featuring Haliburton-Kawartha Lakes-Brock MP Jamie Schmale from 7:30 to 9:30 a.m. on Tuesday, February 11th at Camp Medeba (1270 Kennisis Lake Rd., West Guilford).
This members-only event will include a breakfast and costs $25.
Register at events.r20.constantcontact.com/register/eventReg?oeidk=a07egu34jn913336f2f.
Township of Douro-Dummer launch of Sustainable Development Program in Peterborough on February 11
In partnership with Builders for Climate Action, the Township of Douro-Dummer is hosting a launch party for its Sustainable Development Program at 9 a.m. on Tuesday, February 11th at VentureNorth (270 George St. N., Peterborough)
Douro-Dummer Township Mayor J. Murray Jones will bring greetings and introduce Brian Fawcett of Fawcett Architectural and Chris Magwood of The Endeavour Centre. Local business leaders will share the positive impact this innovative project will have.
The event is free, but an RSVP is requested at dd-sdp-launchparty.eventbrite.com.
Launch and open house of Kawartha Lakes Incubator in Lindsay on February 11
The Innovation Cluster Peterborough and the Kawarthas is hosting a launch and open house of the Kawartha Lakes Incubator from 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. on Tuesday, February 11th at Kawartha Lakes Economic Development (180 Kent St. W., Lindsay).
The pilot project is a partnership between the Innovation Cluster and the City of Kawartha Lakes, with the support of FedDev Ontario through the Kawartha Lakes Community Futures Development Corporation, and will run through 2020.
The launch takes place from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m., with three half-hour open house sessions running from 1 p.m. to 2:30 p.m.
Members of the public who wish to attend one of the open house sessions must register for a timeslot in advance at eventbrite.com/e/kawartha-lakes-incubator-launch-and-open-house-tickets-91632183327.
Northumberland Chamber hosts business networking event in Cobourg on February 11
The Northumberland Central Chamber of Commerce is hosting a special Valentine’s Day meet-and-greet networking event from 5 to 7 p.m. on Tuesday, February 11th at BMO Private Wealth (76 King St. W., Cobourg).
Attendees will have a chance to tour BMO Private Wealth’s spacious newly renovated downtown office, meet investment advisors and staff, and do a little business networking in a social environment.
The event is free for Chamber members or $10 for non-members. Advance registration for this free event is required at nccofc.ca/events/details/nccofc-meet-greet-2645.
Peterborough & the Kawarthas Economic Development hosts branding, marketing, and sales workshop in Peterborough on February 12
Peterborough & the Kawarthas Economic Development is hosting “Business Fundamentals: Branding, Marketing and Sales” from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. on Wednesday, February 12th in the VentureNorth board room (270 George St., Peterborough).
The session is designed to give entrepreneurs a robust structure for formulating and identifying their business’s brand, and developing a marketing strategy and a customer relations strategy.
The session is free, but advance registration is mandatory at eventbrite.ca/e/business-fundamentals-branding-marketing-and-sales-tickets-91892505959.
Peterborough Chamber presents “Power Hour” in Peterborough on February 12
The Peterborough Chamber of Commerce is presenting “Power Hour” from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Wednesday, February 12th at The Venue (286 George St. N., Peterborough).
The annual chat with elected officials is an interactive lunch event and question-and-answer session with Peterborough-Kawartha MP Maryam Monsef, Peterborough-Kawartha MPP Dave Smith, City of Peterborough Mayor Diane Therrien, and Peterborough County Warden J. Murray Jones. A moderator will present questions from the audience.
Peterborough city and county councillors and chief administrative officers, as well as First Nations leaders, will also be invited to attend.
The cost is $65 for Chamber members or $75 for non-members (tables for seven are also available for $450 for members and $525 for non-members). For more information and to register, visit www.peterboroughchamber.ca.
Kawartha Lakes Arts Council hosts social media for cultural businesses seminar in Bobcaygeon on February 12
The Kawartha Lakes Arts Council is hosting “Social Media for Cultural Businesses” at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, February 12th on the upper floor of the Bobcaygeon Municipal Building (123 East St. S., Bobcaygeon).
Robyn Barton of Barton Creative will share tips on how to use social media platforms to promote your art, attract patrons and customers to your business, and sell your products and services online.
There will be a question-and-answer session at 8 p.m. followed by refreshments at 8:30 p.m.
The cost is $15 for Kawartha Lakes Arts Council members or $20 for non-members and guests.
Port Hope Chamber hosts coffee meeting with MP Philip Lawrence and MPP David Piccini in Port Hope on February 14
The Port Hope & District Chamber of Commerce is hosting a Valentine’s Day coffee meeting with Northumberland-Peterborough South MP Philip Lawrence and Northumberland-Peterborough South MPP David Piccini from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on Friday, February 15th in council chambers at Port Hope Town Hall (56 Queen St., Port Hope)
Light refreshments will be provided by Empire Crossing. There is no charge to attend this members-only event.
RSVP by contacting the Chamber at admin@porthopechamber.com or 905-885-5519.
Innovation Cluster hosts selling to government workshop in Peterborough on February 18
The Innovation Cluster Peterborough and the Kawarthas is hosting “Hands-ON: Selling to Government” from 12 to 1 p.m. on Tuesday, February 18th at the Innovation Cluster’s third floor office at VentureNorth (270 George St. N., Peterborough)
Gregory J. Stulen, a specialist in strategic communications and public policy transformation at PathwayGroup Inc., will share information on becoming a vendor of record, accessing existing funds, creating new funding streams, and generating opportunities through regulatory change.
There will be a catered lunch supplied to workshop attendees.
The workshop is free, but advance registration is required at eventbrite.com/e/hands-on-selling-to-government-tickets-89786047485.
Kawartha Lakes Small Business & Entrepreneurship Centre hosts small business tax seminar in Lindsay on February 19
The Kawartha Lakes Small Business & Entrepreneurship Centre in partnership with the Canada Revenue Agency is hosting a tax seminar for small business owners from 1 to 4:30 p.m. on Wednesday, February 18th in the lower level meeting room at the Lindsay Library (190 Kent St. W., Lindsay).
This seminar is offered to owners of small businesses and self-employed individuals who need help in understanding their tax obligations. The presentation is geared towards sole proprietorship and incorporated businesses and will provide participants with the basic principles and resources needed to navigate the tax system.
Register for this free seminar at eventbrite.ca/e/canada-revenue-agency-tax-seminar-for-small-business-tickets-92108931293
Kawartha Chamber holds annual general meeting in Lakefield on February 19
The Kawartha Chamber of Commerce & Tourism is holding its annual general meeting beginning at 5 p.m. on Wednesday, February 19th at The Village Inn (39 Queen St., Lakefield).
Open to all Chamber members, the meeting will feature highlights from 2019, networking, and light refreshments. Members will vote for the Chamber’s 2020-21 board and elect the executive. The 2018-19 annual report will be circulated before the meeting.
Trent Hills Chamber hosts lunchtime seminar on WSIB in Campbellford on February 25
The Trent Hills Chamber of Commerce is hosting a “lunch ‘n’ learn” seminar on the WSIB Health and Safety Excellence Program from 12 to 1:30 p.m. on Tuesday, February 25th in the boardroom at Team Eagle (10 Trent Dr., Campbellford).
Find out more about the program and how it can help your bottom line. Bring your own lunch and a refreshment to the meeting.
There is no fee to attend, however -registration is required in advance at business.trenthillschamber.ca/events/details/lunch-n-learn-wsib-health-safety-excellence-program-4507.
Port Hope Chamber holds annual general meeting in Port Hope on February 26
The Port Hope and District Chamber of Commerce is holding its annual general meeting from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Wednesday, February 26th in the Sculthorpe Theatre at Cameco Capitol Arts Centre (20 Queen St., Port Hope).
Open to all Chamber members, the meeting will include a review of by-law changes and “Fostering an ecosystem of entrepreneurship”, a presentation by Lindsay Jeremiah, manager of entrepreneurship services at Durham College.
A light lunch will be served by Brandon Manor Bed & Breakfast.
To RSVP, contact the Chamber at admin@porthopechamber.com or 905-885-5519.
For more business-related events in the Kawarthas, check out our Business Events column.
