When Rachel Baker decided to open a small business, she chose an area where she had a lot of expertise – healthy eating.  She’d been following the Paleo diet for years and was a loyal believer, having reaped the rewards in weight loss and a higher energy level. The diet is based on the principle that people during the Paleolithic time thrived on a high protein, low carb diet of meat, nuts, vegetables and fruit.

Foods such as dairy products, grains, sugar, salt, alcohol and coffee are avoided and people with food allergies to dairy and wheat have found it beneficial. Rachel had been buying food specific to the Paleo diet from a Milton store and liked the food so much that she asked the owner about the possibility of opening another store in Burlington. The owner was receptive; however, while Rachel knew all about the diet, she knew little about running a business. She reached out to the Halton Small Business Centre who connected her with Futurpreneurs, a national, non-profit organization that provides financing, mentoring and resources to aspiring business owners who are between the ages of 18 and 39.

Since 2011, Futurpreneurs Canada has funded over 5,000 start-ups and 26 through partnerships with the Halton Small Business Centre. Stephanie Mazhari, the Centre’s manager of entrepreneur services, says the financing from the program provides up to $45,000 (as a low interest loan) per business as well as other resources. But for most, it’s the industry-leading entrepreneurs who provide the most value. “The mentoring piece will help sustain your business and make it successful from the get go,” she says.

Baker received a $15,000 loan, which she used to set up shop in a Mountain Grove plaza in north Burlington. Her mentor was Elaine Slatter, owner of XL Consulting Group, who helped her develop a business and marketing program. Baker says she was especially helpful in providing tips for media coverage, including her idea to invite the Mayor to the grand opening in March 2015. Baker, who is 37, was pleased that Elaine invested so much of her time and energy    into their relationship. “I learned a lot and it wasn’t just about getting the proper finances. It was about all those real life lessons that aren’t necessarily taught in the schools,” she says.

Baker’s business, Primal Cravings, has been growing in leaps and bounds. She transitioned from serving meals to selling pre-packaged food in the store and online.  Sandie Kay, who ran the Milton store, closed almost two years ago and now works with Rachel as they decided the kitchen was too small and everything could be done out of Burlington. Their customer base is still growing and they have people traveling to the store from as far away as Windsor, Orangeville and Barrie. It’s their menu that’s attracted the large customer base, especially among those who are gluten intolerant, as they guarantee the absence of soy, dairy, grains, legumes and refined sugar.

Many of their baked goods, like their chocolate cakes, are made with coconut. Their dinner menu includes beef zucchini lasagna with cauliflower mushroom risotto and coconut breaded chicken with sweet potato fries. “It’s very rewarding. I’m still learning, but the Futurpreneurs really helped point me in the right direction,” says Baker.

Halton also has a summer company program for youth entrepreneurs between the ages of 15 and 29 who want help setting up a small business. Participants in the program have started businesses in mobile peer-tutoring for students, selling skin care lotion, and pet sitting. Like Futurpreneur, the program provides hands-on business training and mentoring along with up to $1,500 to help with business start-up costs and up to $1,500 upon successful completion of the program.

If you or someone you know has a business idea germinating, the future looks pretty entrepreneurial.

Local Links

Halton Region
halton.ca

Futurpreneur Canada 
futurpreneur.ca

Primal Cravings Market, Burlington
#102 – 2188 Mountain Grove
primalcravingsfrozen.com

by Denise Davy

by Denise Davy

Nicole Paling snuggles two adorable kittens to her chest and smiles as she talks about the business of cat rescuing. Ben and Jerry, as she has named the kittens, are two of the 196 felines Nicole has rescued since setting up her group, Every Life Matters (ELM) two years ago.

ELM was born on impulse on a cold January night while Paling was reading Facebook and saw a post about a cat that had climbed into an old dryer outside of someone’s door. “I read through all the comments and saw no one stepping up to help so I commented on the feed that I would go get him and bring him to safety,” she recalls.

A few hours later, after fighting freezing cold temperatures and a stuck dryer door, Paling came home with a black and white male cat. What she didn’t realize was how many more would follow. Over the past two years, whenever she’s heard of an abandoned cat through social media or word of mouth, she has gone on a search and rescue through abandoned homes, woods, scrapyards…. you name it.

She recently hopped an eight-foot fence to grab five four-week-old kittens that had been abandoned. Her passion has opened her eyes to Burlington’s feral cat problem and it’s why she has all of the cats spayed and neutered before finding them homes. “I rely heavily on my village, and my followers who continue to encourage and support my efforts,” she notes. Animal rescue groups fill an important role in the community by overseeing the care of abandoned animals. They’re often run by volunteers, like Paling, who take on the medical expenses involved in healing the animals and having them spayed and neutered. According to the Canadian Federation of Humane Societies, there are at least ten million unowned cats across Canada. In 2015, 15,341 cats and 2,820 dogs were euthanized.

In Oakville, a large group of passionate volunteers form the backbone of The Dog Rescuers Inc. They’ve been rescuing and re-homing dogs since 2009, including their most “famous” rescue, a Great Pyrenees pup who was found a few months ago tied up in a bag inside a dumpster. Cupid – as they called him – was born with partial front legs and has now been outfitted with a prosthetic device that looks like mini-skis. They take in between 100 to 150 dogs a year, and facilitate more dogs getting into other rescues or humane societies.  President Joan Znidarec said they cover all of their own expenses such as gas and phone bills and raise funds to cover the dogs’ medical bills through events like bake sales, art auctions and bowling parties.

In Hamilton, an abiding friendship combined with a love of animals lead to the formation of the Ladybird Animal Sanctuary back in 2011. Since then, Janine Stoll, Lisa Winn and Melissa McLelland have rescued 784 animals, including dogs, cats, rats and guinea pigs. The best friends also share a love of music and McLelland and her husband, 

Luke Doucet, form the songwriting duo known as Whitehorse. “We’ve all shared a passion for animal welfare and we saw a need in our community,” says McLelland. Over the years, they’ve found 20 to 30 volunteer foster homes who they work with to rescue animals from high-kill shelters in the community. Every worker is volunteer, from the people who foster animals to those who adopt them.

They also rescue a lot of the smaller animals some shelters won’t take, like rats and guinea pigs. “We’ve seen an incredible difference in the six years we’ve been a registered charity,” she claims. McLelland says she and her friends felt they had no choice but to do something when they learned that high-kill shelters were bursting at the seams with unwanted pets who had been abused, abandoned and neglected. “It’s been amazing to see everyone come together to help animals in need.”

Local Links

Every Life Matters, Burlington
elmcatrescue.com

Ninth Life, Oakville / Mississauga
ninthlifecatrescue.org

The Dog Rescuers Inc., Oakville
thedogrescuersinc.ca

Ladybird Animal Sanctuary, Hamilton
ladybirdanimalsanctuary.com

… building confidence for budding thespians
by  Allison Dempsey

“All the world’s a stage” ~Shakespeare

The next time you find yourself telling your child to “stop being so dramatic,” maybe consider enrolling them in a theatre program instead, where they can emote to their heart’s content all while developing critical thinking skills, self-assurance and a sense of empowerment.

Theatre programs offer a variety of performance options, including, to name a few, musical theatre, acting for the camera, drama, Glee and show choir. Not only do they provide an incredible creative outlet, but musical theatre and acting classes can help foster confidence, empathy and courage. For someone who is shy or has anxiety about public speaking, acting and singing onstage can be truly terrifying. And that’s exactly why these programs can be hugely inspiring and beneficial in a number of ways.

There are numerous schools and programs available in the area including the Burlington-based Centre Stage Theatre School, that caters to both excited beginners and seasoned performers, focusing on strong acting skills, expression and individual style. Innovative Arts in Oakville for ages eight to 18 teaches singing, acting and dancing while casting students in challenging musical roles.

“It’s all about confidence,” says Producer and Managing Director, Nathan Mcleod of Innovative Arts. “Even first time students are given a leading role here. There’s no sitting around and watching. We challenge them and encourage them to take a risk.”

Mcleod acknowledges that students are often in a vulnerable position when they first come into the program, especially if they’ve never participated in the performing arts before, but it’s all about building confidence while ensuring they get to experience the numerous aspects of being on the stage firsthand. “Theatre promotes selflessness,” he says. “Students make lifelong friends as they support and encourage one another to try and do their very best.”

Along with making friends and having a wonderful time, students learn the vital lessons of empathy and self-discipline says Burlington Arts Theatre Program Director, Rainer Naock. “Encouraging your kids to be a part of something bigger in life is vital,” he says. “Kids need to know that they’re making a difference, big or small, and that the arts are everywhere in the community. Walking in another person’s shoes inspires empathy and confidence.”

Burlington Student Theatre, bringing Broadway to Burlington since 1978, helps children and youth to participate in a wide range of performing arts opportunities, building opportunities and tools that can be used in daily life. “The arts is a hidden gem,” says Naock. “It’s not instant gratification, but the benefits pay off down the road, when you realize how much you’ve learned and what you can give back to the community and to yourself.”

Other positive qualities associated with participating in theatre programs include presentation and speaking and communication skills, imagination, concentration and focus, physical fitness, self-discipline, and a sense of commitment. All this while being creative and having fun. “They may accomplish something they never thought possible,” says Mcleod. Really, what is more amazing than that?

SUMMER THEATRE CAMPS

Burlington Performing Arts Camp,
Burlington Performing Arts Centre:
July 4 to 7
July 17 to 21
July 24 to 28

Centre Stage Theatre School,
Mainway, Burlington:
July 10 to August 18

Innovative Arts Summer Day Camp,
Oakville:
July 17 to 21 (Junior)
July 24 to 28 (Senior)

The Creative Theatre Acting Camp,
Harry Howell Arena, Flamborough:
July 24 to 28

Local Links

Centre Stage Theatre School, Burlington
centrestagetheatreschool.com

Burlington Student Theatre
burlington.ca

Innovative Arts, Oakville
innovativearts.com

The Oakville Academy for the Arts
oakvilleacademy.com