613-283-7002 x 108

Small Business Advisory Centre

Smiths Falls / Lanark County /Leeds Grenville

Small Business Advisory Centre (Smiths Falls/Lanark County)

PLEASE SEE COVID 19 BUSINESS RESOURCES (under resources)

Are you thinking about starting a small business, need help with questions on your existing business? Are you starting a business in the Lanark, Smiths Falls, Perth, Carleton Place, Mississippi Mills area? If so, the SBAC is here to support you, the entrepreneur! Getting a small business started or growing it, can be very challenging, but can also be very rewarding.

Our office provides confidential business advisory services to small business start-ups, as well as on-going support for existing small businesses. The Small Business Advisory Centre is a business information source designed to point entrepreneurs in the right direction whether they are just starting out or growing their business.

 

SBC Ontario Launches Covid-19

Economic Recovery Network Website!

 

Virtual Business Advisory Service

The funds for this program have been fully allocated, as of September 27th, 2021

The Good Food Tour

The Good Food Tour is our Featured Business for November 2021 and it brings a delicious story of good (make that excellent) food, philanthropy, and community enhancement. The business, which is owned and operated by Cathy Reside, started off with an “ah-ha!” moment during a Las Vegas food tour in 2016. While enjoying the tour, Reside realized she could blend her experience and passion working as a food advisor together with her knowledge of excellent, local cuisine and start off a venture like the tour she was on. Thus, the business concept was born and Reside knew that Almonte, Ontario, was the perfect locale for such an endeavour.

The tours, hosted in either Almonte or Carleton Place, Ontario, lead guests around some of Lanark County’s most beautiful and historic downtown settings, some of which have been used recently for popular holiday-themed movies. The delicacies vary due to seasonality but have included savoury crepes, artisanal cheeses, buttery scones, craft beer pairings, and French bistro fare, to name a few.

Reside has a beautiful connection with the town of Almonte. In 2015, she became involved with a Syrian refugee project that sponsored and helped relocate families to Almonte. Through this program, Reside became enamoured by the strength of community spirit and willingness to help and built important connections which would eventually be able to assist her with the business plan.

 

Starting a business, as many an entrepreneur will know, is no easy feat. It takes hours of time, dedication, sweat, and many tears. Reside poured herself into the creation of her business, including signing up and successfully completing the Starter Company Plus program. Through the program, Reside developed key business skills that would give her the boost of confidence to launch the business and start calling on her key connections within the Almonte community.

The challenge in developing proof of concept for the business plan was attracting key business partners: the restaurant owners. Many of the now partners were initially apprehensive about how they would benefit from the Good Food Tour business plan and had concerns on how much more work it was going to take out of their already exhausting workdays. Fortunately, a few businesses took the chance and after the initial launch and success, other restaurants followed.

The Good Food Tour has been on hiatus since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic started, but plans are underway for the 2022 season. Check out The Good Food Tour website at https://thegoodfoodtour.com/ and sign-up for their newsletter which will include exciting updates for the 2022 season.

Starter Company Plus 2021

Finalists

The following entrepreneurs will be receiving business coaching throughout the next few weeks to further develop and hone their business skills.

Picnic Rx

Picnic Rx is a grab and go kiosk serving the staff and patrons of a busy medical arts building. Items will include a baked from scratch muffins, cookies and squares, grab and go pre-packaged snacks and beverages, and prepackaged lunch or light snack items.

Wild River Carpentry

Wild River Carpentry provides natural, locally sourced, unique, custom built saunas and sauna rentals.

Spinner Aas

Spinner Aas is a retail company that sells the latest brand name fishing tackle and fishing supplies along with 100% lead-free custom-made fishing tackle made in-house.

Matos Apiary

Matos Apiary is a business that sells honeybees, services, and equipment to local beekeepers and farmers.

Bouffage Kitchen

Bouffage was started by two friends who care a whole lot about food. Our owners Anna and Mike met working in restaurants and catering in the Ottawa area. When COVID-19 hit, they joined forces on Bouffage, to help more people share great food together.

The Craft Witch

The Craft Witch, established in 2021 is an arts and crafts supply store based in Smiths Falls, ON.

Gather Restaurant

Gather is a restaurant located in Perth that sells modern, wholesome comfort food focusing on local and fresh, curated and served by Sommeliers supporting local businesses and farmers.

23 & Co.

23&co. is a small batch gourmet cookie company founded on Lake Opinicon in the Rideau Lakes.

On the Move Physio

"On the Move Physio” is a mobile physiotherapy service, which provides a vast array of treatments in areas including geriatric, acupuncture, pelvic floor therapy and post-operative care.

Our Partners

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