Small business client success stories
Chrilleks Productions
Chrilleks Productions (external link) is a multi-award winning digital media house that creates leading edge motion content.
"Thanks to the Halton Region Small Business Centre team we have been able to properly achieve our goals. Catharine would work with us for hours to make sure our business plan was strong. She broke the process down for us and went through every detail with us. It can be scary to start, or expand a business but the Halton Region Small Business Centre helped us stay on track and believed in us. The resources are always there, we just wish we took advantage of it sooner! Thank you to the Small Business Centre and thank you Catharine - you are a big part of Chrilleks' success story." - Aleksandra Lason & Chris Grubisa, Owners
The Candy Cave
The Candy Cade (external link) specializes in retro candy and making life events memorable and unique. We offer customized birthday loot bags, gift baskets, candy buffets, corporate events and more! We use a simple approach that offers a large selection of candy at competitive prices.
"I had a pretty good idea of the path and considerations to start my business, but I contacted the Halton Region Small Business Centre because of the invaluable expertise, in-depth services and their genuine desire to help you succeed. I took advantage of the events and seminars offered, one on one Business Consultant meetings, literature and checklists available and online tools and information."
Ace2Putt
Ace2Putt (external link) is a portable mini-putt provider. Our unique service provides a fun and engaging activity during various events, such as business functions, conferences, fundraisers, team building activities and weddings. People of all ages, from children to seniors, will enjoy putting.
"Catharine Frith and Cameron Tulloch were very helpful and supportive for us. They provided us with the tools and knowledge we needed to open our business They gave us the guidance we needed to make a business plan, a forma budget and a marketing plan." - Maureen and Albert Winata, Founders of Ace2Putt
The Computer Gal
The Computer Gal (external link), provides home computer training and troubleshooting across Oakville, Burlington and Mississauga.
"I received assistance from Catharine, who referred me to Ryan Carson LL. B. for direction drafting my Terms of Service document. Thank you!"
The Clothespin
The Clothespin (external link) is the smart solution to laundry and dry cleaning needs for your clothes. We provide affordable laundry, dry cleaning and alteration services under one roof for your convenience.
"Thank you, Catharine from the Halton Region Small Business Centre for all your mentoring and guidance. You have been a great support for my business You provided great ideas and most important giving me that confidence and power that new small business owners need to continue the journey and let me take my business to the next level." - Patricia Hopkins, Owner
Two Gals and a Toolbox
Two Gals and a Toolbox is run by two handywomen. We tackle the jobs that are too small for other contractors. We provide our clients with quality work at reasonable prices in the Burlington and Oakville area. The services that we provide are: painting and trim work, gardening - planting and weeding, organizing and storage, and lawn cutting and edging just to name a few. We are pet and children friendly.
"We meet with our Business Consultant every one to two months just to keep on track. Catharine assisted us with our business plan and also suggested marketing tactics and helped us to decide what services we should offer. Claudia helped us to register Two Gals and a Toolbox on-line at the Small Business Centre." - Carole and Lynne Flory, Owners
Parand Design
Parand Design (external link) specializes in all aspects of stylish custom kitchen, bath, accessories and designs.
“When we were looking to open our business in Oakville and started to look for a location, we had little knowledge about the community and opportunities in the area. The staff at the Halton Region Small Business Centre were very supportive and gave us a much needed helping hand early on. Their website was a very useful tool for us with valuable information and the Centre was also generous to feature us in their large glass display cabinet to promote our business.” - Kamal Moshg, Owner
Arts At Work
Arts At Work (external link) supplies handcrafted Canadian glass art to inspire employees in their respective workplaces.
“Without exception, the Halton Small Business Centre staff are welcoming, enthusiastic and readily available to answer questions or share useful information. During the start-up phase of my new company, having them ‘on my team’ has been invaluable.” Lisa Penny, Owner
Stone+Aqua Design & Home Staging
Stone+Aqua Design & Home Staging brings together a passion for design with architectural experience to create amazing and distinctive spaces.
“Thank you Small Business Centre for all your mentoring, support and guidance, which has helped me in consolidating stronger my business and everyday do what I love.” Gisele Shepard, Owner and Founder
Effective Eloquence
Effective Eloquence (external link) offers home décor and renovation, home improvement products, residential and condo development, green building practices, construction and architecture.
“The Halton Region Small Business Centre helped me to gain a perspective on how to narrow my marketing focus so that I could gain more traction in my specialty sector.” Margaret Anne Fehr, Owner
Mimi Hanson - Yoga
Mimi’s Yoga offers classes with a focus is on recognition and identification of individual needs.
“The Halton Small Business Centre helped me identify the appropriate demographic for my clientele base. The business consultant also suggested programs that I may be able to incorporate into my business to further build my client base.” Mimi Hanson, Owner, Yoga Instructor
Futurpreneur Canada success stories
Futurpreneur Canada is the only national, non-profit organization that provides financing, mentoring and support tools to aspiring business owners aged 18-39. The Halton Region Small Business Centre is the local community partner for Futurpreneur Canada in Burlington, Halton Hills, Milton and Oakville.
We offer:
- monthly information sessions
- pre-launch coaching
- business plan development and review
Primal Cravings Burlington
Rachel Baker met with the Halton Region Small Business Centre and successfully applied for and received a loan through the Futurpreneur Canada program. She opened Primal Cravings Burlington (external link) in April 2015 and offers a full range of unprocessed (paleo) and gluten, sugar and sodium-free takeout meals and baked goods.
Starter Company Plus success stories
Starter Company Plus is an entrepreneurship program designed to help young people in Ontario between the ages of 18 and 29 start, grow or buy a small business. The program provides training, mentoring and a micro-grant of up to $5,000 for eligible participants.
We offer:
- one-on-one training from a knowledgeable small business consultant
- mentoring with experienced, local entrepreneurs
- an opportunity at funding for eligible participants of up to $5,000 to help start, grow or buy a small business
Peggy Sue Collection Inc. (Starter Company participant 2015)
Peggy Sue Collection Inc. (external link) is a ready-to-wear, luxury clothing line for women to revitalize the North American farm and natural fibre industry. Deaven-Smiltnieks works directly with farmers, start-up mills and artisans to design and produce sustainable clothing.
To learn more about Peggy Sue’s experience with Starter Company, view her video. (YouTube link)
Le Cordon Vert Cuisine (Starter Company participant 2015)
Caitlin Iten-Scott, a passionate chef, is the owner of Le Cordon Vert Cuisine (LCVC) in Oakville. LCVC is a mobile business that teaches interactive cooking classes, provides private chef services, develop meal plans and shopping strategies to improve daily eating habits.
Artifact Skin Company (Starter Company participant 2014)
Artifact Skin Company (external link) is a partnership formed by Narae Kim, (majority shareholder) and Elie Nehme. It is a natural skincare manufacturing company, specializing in facial masques – wash-off treatments used for general skin health and specific skin conditions
Summer Company success stories
The Summer Company program provides hands-on business training and mentoring to help enterprising students between the ages of 15-29 start and run their own summer business.
Successful applicants receive up to $1,500 in the spring to help with business start-up costs, and up to $1,500 in the fall upon successful completion of their Summer Company experience.
The Small Business Centre co-ordinates the program locally, and delivers it with the help of volunteer business advisors from the community.
Summer Company Participants 2018
Chad Nadin - Nadin Furniture
Nadin Furniture is located in Oakville, and sells high-quality natural wood cutting boards, dining and coffee tables tailored to the customer’s wants and needs. The company specializes in custom live edge pieces which incorporates the natural edge of the wood in the piece. Chad will be selling his pieces through his website and at various trade and craft shows throughout Halton.
Jeffrey Bitar Smith - GenZ marketing
GenZ marketing provides various marketing services to Halton businesses throughout the region. Some of their services include website development, social media marketing, digital marketing, search engine optimization and website analytics.
Noah Morgan - Expressive Media
Expressive Media is a digital media company that specializes in the production and creation of wedding videos, corporate videos, live event videos and online music videos (i.e., YouTube).
Matthew Sadecki - Ivespark Solutions
Ivespark Solutions is a tutoring service that offers in-home and online services to students in Halton. Qualified university students will use practice tests, exams and questions tailored to the student’s needs.
Maeve Sharkey - Groovy Babe
Groovy Babe upcycles vinyl records to make and sell unique, vinyl purses. Based out of Georgetown, these bags are sold online, at vendor-friendly events and in stores in the Halton area.
Kieran Sagar - The Cat’s Tongue
The Cat’s Tongue, located in Burlington, makes fermented hot sauce through an aging process that adds extra flavour and spice. The hot sauce is sold in farmers markets around the region.
Sarah Sheppard - Creativity for a Cause
Creativity for a Cause aims to find a simple way to communicate a company’s corporate social responsibility standards through children’s books. Owner Sarah Sheppard works in collaboration with local businesses to write, illustrate and distribute children’s books that address the values or issues chosen by the customer.
Dave Thomson - Thomson Turf
Thomson Turf is a lawn service that offers lawn cutting, trimming, and leaf blowing services. Thomson Turf operates in the Georgetown area.
Anna Apara - Lemon and Honey Skincare
Lemon and Honey Skincare sells handmade skin creams, bath bombs, candles, soaps, and scrubs. These all-natural products are sold online and in various markets in the Halton area.
Hassan Imran - Modern Closet Design
Modern Closet Design in Oakville is a closet renovation service for those who are looking for custom storage solutions. This business provides professional renderings prior to renovation to help customers build their custom dream closet.