Eight Entrepreneurs Receive Training and Over $38,000 in Starter Company Plus Funding

Press Release – Small Business Advisory Centre (Smiths Falls, Lanark County, North Leeds Grenville)

The Small Business Advisory Centre (Smiths Falls, Lanark County, Northern Leeds Grenville) is proud to announce that eight local businesses from Lanark Highlands, Beckwith, Tay Valley, Smiths Falls, and Mississippi Mills have been awarded a total of $38,250 in funding through the Starter Company Plus Program.

This initiative, funded by the Government of Ontario, provides selected entrepreneurs with essential training, coaching, and the opportunity to pitch for microgrants of up to $5,000 to support their business growth.

“We are excited to see entrepreneurs from Lanark Highlands, Beckwith, Tay Valley, Smiths Falls, and Mississippi Mills take part in this program. Their commitment to launching and growing their businesses is truly inspiring,” said Cindy James, Manager of the Small Business Advisory Centre (Smiths Falls/Lanark County/Northern Leeds Grenville).

One of the recipients, Cole Gordon of Quick Coat, expressed appreciation for the program, stating, “The Starter Company Plus program has given me the opportunity to work on my business instead of in it. With the professional coaches, it has ensured this time was productive and focused on the exact areas of my business that need attention.”

The successful participants of the Starter Company Plus Winter/Spring 2025 cohort include:

Pictured above, front row (left to right):

• To The Moon and Back Almonte – Katrina Morrison, Almonte (www.tothemoonandbackalmonte.com)
• Cedar and Light Yoga – Lindsey Lambden, Mississippi Mills (www.lindseylambden.com)
• The Natural Tannery – Danielle Prophet, Maberly (www.thenaturaltannery.com)

Back row (left to right):

• Schofield Solutions Inc. – Amanda Schofield, Beckwith (www.schofieldsolutions@outlook.com)
• Jabreezy’s Doughnuts – Jessica Bree, Smiths Falls (www.jabreezysdoughnuts.ca)
• Elizabeth Confections – Dale Robertson, Lanark Highlands (www.elizabethconfections.ca)
• Quick Coat – Cole Gordon, Smiths Falls (www.quickcoat.ca)
• Trellis Mental Health Support Strategies – Beth O’Halloran, Almonte (www.trellishealth.ca/)

Thank you to our program presenters Karen McDonald Hurley and ByNan Business Solutions Inc. Plus, thank you to our grant committee: Crummy Media Solutions, Law & Orders and Jaeger Consulting Group.

About the Small Business Advisory Centre (Smiths Falls/Lanark County/North Leeds Grenville):

The Small Business Advisory Centre (SBAC) offers free information and advisory services for anyone interested in starting their own small business and for existing small business operators. The centre is an initiative of the Ontario government and partners with the Town of Smiths Falls, the County of Lanark and the United Counties of Leeds and Grenville.

A business advisor is available by appointment for one-on-one sessions. The SBAC provides a number of business webinars/workshops/programs throughout the year which you can find on our website www.smallbizcentre.ca, you can reach us at 613-283-0062 or by email cjames@smallbizcentre.ca.