In this week’s businessNOW™, our round-up of business and organizational news from Peterborough and across the greater Kawarthas region, we feature the launch of the unique Afrocentric social business Zingha in Peterborough, owned and operated by Peterborough residents Cheryl Edwards and Charmaine Magumbe.
Also included this week is the United Way Peterborough and District’s announcement of a new board chair and the 2020 campaign chair, local illustrator Jason Wilkins’ design for PARN’s harm reduction outreach truck, Peterborough law firm Miskin Law raising the alarm about an imposter website and an inheritance scam, the opening of applications for the Lindsay and Bobcaygeon Legacy CHEST funds, COVID-19 energy cost credits that are available for small businesses and registered charities, and grants of up to $5,000 for COVID-19 expenses available from Canada United Small Business Relief Fund Program.
Now that September is upon us, business events (mainly virtual) are returning in force. New events coming next week include the Kawartha Lakes CFDC’s Regional Relief and Recovery Fund virtual information session on September 9th, the Kawartha Lakes Economic Recovery Task Force hosting working group meetings on September 14th, 16th, and 17th, the Peterborough Chamber’s virtual ChamberAM on September 15th, the Kawartha Lakes Small Business and Entrepreneurship Centre’s small business webinar on September 15th, RTO8’s webinar on tourism in Kawarthas Northumberland on September 15th, the Innovation Cluster’s app-building webinar on September 15th, Northumberland CFDC and Venture13’s sales webinar on September 17th, and the Trent Hills Chamber’s members-only coffee chat with MPP David Piccini on September 18th.
Other upcoming events include the Port Hope Chamber’s September 24th webinar on preparing for the second wave of COVID-19, the Port Hope Chamber’s Business Excellence Awards in Cobourg on October 1st, and the first virtual Tri-Association Manufacturing Conference on October 22nd.
Unique Afrocentric social business Zingha launches in Peterborough
Peterborough residents Cheryl Edwards and Charmaine Magumbe successfully launched their new business Zingha at an event held Saturday (September 5) at the Silver Bean Cafe in Millennium Park in downtown Peterborough. The launch event featured a musical performance by Alana Bridgewater and Beau Dixon.
Zingha is an Afrocentric social business that specializes in Afrocentric merchandise including t-shirts, mugs, masks, and tote bags printed in Peterborough. It’s also a self-education community resource for people who wish to increase inclusiveness as well as eliminate sexism and anti-black racism.
“We’re so grateful for the support the Peterborough community gave us,” Edwards and Magumbe write in an email. “We’re an Afrocentric business in a predominantly Caucasian town, so yesterday’s turn-out and purchase volume were definitely better than expected.”
Each Zingha product features a black-oriented design by Edwards as well as a West African symbol. The Zingha logo was designed by Canadian artist Stu Adams, a former Peterborough resident.
Born in Jamaica, Magumbe is a Zimbabwean-Canadian community activist, co-founder of Black Lives Matter Peterborough, past board member and staff at Jamaican Self-Help, present chairperson of Community Race Relations Committee of Peterborough (CRRC), fiddler with the English Country dance, and a model and actor with Strutt Central Models in Peterborough. She also was the 2017 YMCA Peace Medal recipient.
Born and raised in Canada by Jamaican parents, Edwards is a local artist who is actively involved in craft shows and has been running them for at least eight years.
Their business is named after Nzingha Mbande, the 17th-century queen of the Ambundu kingdoms of Ndongo and Matamba (located in present-day northern Angola), who ruled during a period of rapid growth in the African slave trade and encroachment into southwest Africa by the Portuguese Empire, which was attempting to control the slave trade. Nzinga, who fought for the freedom and stature of her kingdoms against the Portuguese during her 37-year reign, is celebrated for her intelligence, political and diplomatic wisdom, and brilliant military tactics.
For more information about Zingha and to purchase products, visit www.zingha.ca. Zingha is currently running two Afrocentric contests for children and youth, whose winners will be announced during Black History Month in February 2021. More details are available on the website.
United Way Peterborough and District announces new board chair and 2020 campaign chair
The United Way Peterborough and District recently announced the new chair of the board of directors and the 2020 campaign chair.
On August 24th at the organization’s annual general meeting, Jim Hendry was announced as the chair for the upcoming year. A former journalist and managing editor at the Peterborough Examiner, Hendry joined the United Way board in 2017 and has chaired the community impact committee for the past two years.
“During my three years on the board, United Way has taken a bigger role in shaping the social service delivery model in Peterborough, particularly in regard to homelessness, and I am really looking forward to continuing that work, ” Hendry said. “Fundraising on behalf of our partner agencies remains a big part of our work but this added focus is also vitally important.”
On August 27th, the United Way also announced that Marcus Harvey is the campaign chair for 2020. Harvey has served on the campaign cabinet since 2017 and joined the board in 2019. He has been very active in the local campaign at Trent University where he is employed as executive director of the Trent University Faculty Association.
“Most of us lack the understanding, skills, and patience to do the work performed every day by staff and volunteers in United Way partner agencies, ” Harvey said. “The rest of us, however, do have what it takes to be kind and generous. My role is simply to remind everyone of that fact.”
Harvey, who will be faced with the challenge of fundraising during the COVID-19 pandemic, says he is optimistic.
“Crises tend to bring out the best in communities,” he said. “This is probably because adversity is a thing that we all like to beat.”
Local illustrator Jason Wilkins creates design for PARN’s harm reduction outreach truck
Peterborough freelance illustrator and muralist Jason Wilkins, owner of Wilkins Art & Creative Inc. in Peterborough, recently created his first design for a vehicle wrap.
The artwork adorns the harm reduction outreach truck operated by PARN-Your Community AIDS Resource Network.
Signarama Peterborough was also involved in the project.
Peterborough law firm Miskin Law raises alarm about imposter website and inheritance scam
Peterborough law firm Miskin Law has raised the alarm about a website impersonating the firm along with an inheritance scam.
In early September, staff at the firm were contacted by more than 100 people who suspected they were the victims of a scam. The scammers created a duplicate of the Miskin Law website, but used different contact phone numbers and email addresses. The scammers then faxed a letter to victims offering to help them (for a large fee) collect a huge inheritance from a deceased person who may be related to them.
Miskin Law has contacted police and the Law Society of Ontario, is warning people of the scam, and is working to get the fake website taken down.
The fake website operated by the scammers is located at miskinllp.com. Miskin Law’s authentic website is at www.miskinlaw.ca. You can tell you are on the authentic website because it includes a warning about the scam.
Applications now open for the Lindsay and Bobcaygeon Legacy CHEST Funds
Applications are now open for the 2021 Lindsay and Bobcaygeon Legacy Community Hydro Electric Systems Transfers (CHEST) funds.
The annual funds provides financial assistance to non-profit, community-based organizations for programs, projects, services or activities that enhance the quality of life for residents in the areas of health, arts, culture, leisure, heritage, education and the environment.
Eligible projects include capital project grants, special events, projects that provide greater accessibility, start-up programs or events, and more. For the Lindsay CHEST fund, funds will also be available to assist with the COVID-19 relief efforts of charitable non-profit organizations.
The application deadline is 4:30 p.m. on Friday, October 30th. For more details, including application forms and guidelines, visit kawarthalakes.ca/en/municipal-services/grants-and-funding.aspx.
COVID-19 energy cost credits available for small businesses and registered charities
The Ontario government’s $8-million COVID-19 Energy Assistance Program for Small Business is available for small business and registered charity customers of utility companies who are having difficulty paying their energy bills because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The program provides a one-time credit on the bills of these customers, with a credit of up to $850 for customers who primarily use electricity for heating (up to $425 otherwise), and up to $425 for customers who use natural gas.
Customers must apply to the program through their utility. For more information, visit oeb.ca/rates-and-your-bill/covid-19-energy-assistance-programs/covid-19-energy-assistance-program-small.
Grants up to $5,000 for COVID-19 expenses available from Canada United Small Business Relief Fund Program
Applications for the Canada United Small Business Relief Fund Program opened last Monday (August 31).
The national fund, which is managed by the Ontario Chamber of Commerce, will provide grants of up to $5,000 to reimburse small businesses for pandemic-related recovery expenses, including the purchases of personal protective equipment (PPE), renovating physical space to adhere to public health guidelines, or for the development or enhancement of e-commerce.
For more information, including eligibility criteria, visit the Ontario Chamber of Commerce website at occ.ca/canada-united-small-business-relief-fund/.
Kawartha Lakes CFDC hosts Regional Relief and Recovery Fund virtual information session on September 9
Kawartha Lakes Community Futures Development Corporation is presenting a virtual information session on the Regional Relief and Recovery Fund (RRRF) from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on Wednesday, September 9th.
RRRF is a loan program for small business owners who have been unable to access other federal COVID-19 relief programs.
RSVP to jbain@klcfdc.com by Tuesday, September 8th to receive your online registration details.
Kawartha Lakes Economic Recovery Task Force hosts working group meetings September 14, 16, and 17
Kawartha Lakes Economic Development is hosting three virtual working groups of the Economic Recovery Task Force in September to help the task force shape economic recovery in the community.
The tourism working group (for businesses in tourism, downtowns, culture, retail and restaurant industries) takes place from 10 a.m. to noon on Monday, September 14th, the construction and innovation working group (for businesses in construction, tech, innovation and real estate industries) takes place from 9 to 11 a.m. on Wednesday, September 16th, and the agriculture and industry working group (for businesses in agriculture, manufacturing and food processing industries) takes place from 9 to 11 a.m. on Thursday, September 17th.
To register, visit jumpinkawarthalakes.ca/economic-recovery-task-force/news_feed/business-leader-input-requested-in-session-2-working-groups. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the selected meeting.
Peterborough Chamber of Commerce hosts virtual ChamberAM on September 15
The Peterborough Chamber of Commerce is hosting its next virtual ChamberAM from 8 to 9 a.m. on Tuesday, September 15th.
ChamberAM is a drop-in virtual networking event with a focus on professional growth for businesses, managers and leaders in the community. This event opens an opportunity for attendees to connect, share news with each other while absorbing relevant information, tips and tricks from a local expert.
The guest speaker is Paul Bennett of Ashburnham Realty.
The free event will take place on the Zoom video-conferencing platform. For more information and to register, visit web.peterboroughchamber.ca/events/VIRTUALChamber%20AM-743/details. A Zoom link will follow in the registration confirmation email.
Kawartha Lakes Small Business and Entrepreneurship Centre hosts small business webinar on September 15
Kawartha Lakes Small Business and Entrepreneurship Centre is hosting the “Small Business in 2020” webinar from 9 to 10:30 a.m. on Tuesday, September 15th.
This virtual workshop is for new start-ups and existing business owners to help explore the changes to doing business in response to the new normal and customer expectation as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. The workshop will discuss removing obstacles to entrepreneurship and to build resilience, getting back to business with new goal setting, rethinking your customers new normal, and product and service delivery options (e.g., Digital Main Street programs). Each participant will create a simple business model canvas that covers all elements of a classic business plan and provides a clearer vision of the direction to take their business.
This free webinar will take place on the Zoom video-conferencing platform. To register, visit kawarthalakes.zoom.us/meeting/register/tJAlfuCoqTIjGNdGSX5IhTmr82oLZQ2v6iaN?fbclid=IwAR25-eHObNRLvm9hTS2gMw0l0QvkOsvy5Uuj8j6fiPCR1fvMcUPlVdfOW5Y.
RTO8 hosts webinar on tourism in Kawarthas Northumberland on September 15
Regional Tourism Organization 8 (RTO8) is hosting a webinar on tourism in Kawarthas Northumberland from 11 a.m. to noon on Tuesday, September 15th.
David Coletto, one of the founding partners and CEO of Abacus Data, a research and strategy firm with offices in Toronto and Ottawa, will share results specific to the Kawarthas Northumberland region from a province-wide survey of 2,000 travellers in central Ontario about how travel preferences have changed as a result of COVID-19. He will also share results from his firm’s ongoing polling on public perceptions and attitudes towards the pandemic.
The free webinar takes place on the Zoom video-conferencing platform. Register at us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_pyZHN5oiSQ2HbfJOv9Hxdw.
Innovation Cluster hosts webinar on building an app on September 15
Innovation Cluster Peterborough and the Kawarthas is hosting a virtual workshop called “Hands-ON: Business Digitization and Building an App with Gyroscopic Inc.” from noon to 1 p.m. on Tuesday, September 15th.
Waun Broderick, chief technology officer of Gyroscopic Inc., will walk you through the beginning steps of making your app idea a reality. He will explain how to proof the right app solution for you and your business, architecting the technical foundation for your application, and building a team and product to best prepare for an uncertain future.
This free webinar will take place on the Zoom video-conferencing platform. Register at eventbrite.com/e/hands-on-business-digitization-and-building-an-app-with-gyroscopic-inc-tickets-117766511807.
Northumberland CFDC and Venture13 host sales webinar on September 17
Northumberland Community Futures Development Corporation and Venture13 are hosting a webinar called “How to Create and Benefit from a Strategic Sales Plan” from 10 to 11:30 a.m. on Thursday, September 17th.
Ruth van Vierzen, founder of REVsquared, will provide a step-by-step guide to creating your own strategic sales plan, explaining how to generate more sales for your business and how your strategic sales plan can help you in other areas of your business operations.
The webinar is free. Register at eventbrite.com/e/how-to-create-and-benefit-from-a-strategic-sales-plan-tickets-119305049615.
Trent Hills Chamber hosts members-only coffee chat with MPP David Piccini in Hastings on September 18
The Trent Hills Chamber of Commerce is hosting a members-only coffee chat with MPP Northumberland-Peterborough South David Piccini at 7:30 a.m. on Friday, September 18th at the Grand Maple Event Centre (19 Albert St. E., Hastings).
Doors will open at 7:30 a.m. for networking and to pick up your refreshments. The meeting will begin promptly at 8 a.m. Masks will be required with the exception of when you are seated, when the required physical distancing will be maintained. Attendance will be limited to 15 members. Advance registration is required. If you are not comfortable attending the meeting in person, a limited number of spots will be available to attend via the Zoom video-conferencing platform.
Register at business.trenthillschamber.ca/events/details/members-only-coffee-chat-with-mp-david-piccini-4693.
Port Hope Chamber hosts webinar on September 24 on preparing for the second wave of COVID-19
The Port Hope and District Chamber of Commerce is hosting “Preparing for the Second Wave – What Businesses Need to Know” from 2 to 3 p.m. on Thursday, September 24th.
This candid online discussion features Linda Davis, president and CEO of Northumberland Hills Hospital, and Varouj Eskedijan, president and CEO of Campbellford Memorial Hospital, who will speak on the serious implications of a second wave of COVID-19, how businesses could be impacted, and what can be done right now to prepare for the coming challenges.
The webinar is free, but advance registration is required at porthopechamber.chambermaster.com/events/details/preparing-for-the-second-wave-what-businesses-need-to-know-447.
Port Hope Chamber hosts Business Excellence Awards in Cobourg on October 1
The Port Hope and District Chamber of Commerce is hosting its 23rd Annual Business Excellence Awards from 7 to 10:15 p.m. on Thursday, October 1st at the Port Hope Drive In Theatre (2141 Theatre Rd. S., Cobourg).
Billed as “a night under the stars”, the awards will celebrate the best in Port Hope business while practising physical distancing. A one-of-a-kind premiere movie is being made and shown to announce the 2019 nominees and winners of the Port Hope and District Chamber of Commerce Business Excellence Awards. This family-focused celebration will follow COVID-19 safety guidelines.
The cost is $25 plus HST per carload.
Tickets can be purchased at porthopechamber.com/events/details/23rd-annual-business-excellence-awards-under-the-stars-446.
Tri-Association Manufacturing Conference goes virtual on October 22
The Northumberland Manufacturers Association, Quinte Manufacturers Association, and Kawartha Manufacturers Association are presenting the Tri-Association Virtual Manufacturing Conference from 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. on Thursday, October 22nd.
The theme of the virtual conference is resilience: how Canadian manufacturers innovate, create, and overcome disruption. The virtual conference features keynote speaker Liane Davey on building resilient teams, plant tours with Harco Enterprises and Research Castings International, a panel discussion, four workshops (Create a Team of Problem Solvers, A Mobile Workforce – Infrastructure & Security, Building A Resilient Health & Safety Culture, Supply Chain Disruption), and a virtual trade show with 20 exhibitors.
The cost is $100 for members and $125 for non-members. For more information and for tickets, visit themanufacturingconference.ca.
For more business-related events in the Kawarthas, check out our Business Events column.
