Episode Duration: 45 minutes

Kelly Lindsay shares her inspiring journey of transitioning from a 20-year banking career to founding Corner Store Candy Co., a charming sweet shop in downtown Stratford, Ontario, Canada.

Corner Store Candy Co

https://cornerstorecandy.co/

27 York St., Stratford ON Canada

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• The leap from corporate banking to entrepreneurship
• Turning a lifelong dream of owning a candy store into reality
• Building successful collaborations with local businesses
• Managing rapid business growth as a solo entrepreneur
• Behind the scenes look at running a specialty retail store
• The challenges and rewards of being a hands-on business owner

Kelly Lindsay is the founder of Corner Store Candy Co., a unique sweet shop in downtown Stratford, Ontario, Canada. After dedicating over two decades to the banking industry, Kelly combined her business acumen with her passion for confectionery to create a welcoming space that offers carefully curated, high-quality sweets. Her shop has become known not just for its delicious treats, but for creating joyful experiences for both locals and visitors.

• How to successfully transition from corporate career to small business ownership
• The importance of building local business relationships
• Strategies for managing rapid growth as a solo entrepreneur
• Creating experiences beyond just product sales
• Balancing business operations with customer experience

Stratford Perth Centre for Business Website: https://www.stratfordperthbusiness.ca/ Email: info@stratfordperthbusiness.ca Book a Free Consultation: https://airtable.com/app2gRqysORdgAAlp/shrN489caaX9MAifL

The Centre offers complimentary consultation and resources for new and established small businesses, including:

• Business start-up services
• Strategic planning
• Digital marketing strategies
• Educational workshops and events

Presented in partnership with the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario (FedDev Ontario) 

Episode Duration: 45 minutes

Nia Bright shares her transformative journey from experiencing a severe health crisis to becoming the owner of Good Vibrations Rock Shop, a vibrant crystal shop and event space in downtown Stratford, Ontario.

• The unexpected path from health crisis to business ownership
• Transitioning into entrepreneurship with no prior experience
• Building and nurturing a team in a holistic wellness business
• The challenges and rewards of purchasing an existing business
• Expanding from retail to education through online courses
• Creating a space that combines commerce with healing

Nia Bright is the majority owner of Good Vibrations Rock Shop, a crystal shop and event space in downtown Stratford. Her journey into entrepreneurship began following a life-altering thyroid condition in 2016 that led her to explore holistic wellness. Today, she's an expert in the metaphysical properties of stones, curating rare and high-quality crystals from around the world. Beyond retail, Nia has developed online crystal courses, making crystal education accessible to a broader audience.

• How personal challenges can lead to unexpected business opportunities
• The importance of authenticity in wellness-based businesses
• Strategies for learning business management on the job
• Building a team that aligns with your business values
• Balancing commercial success with healing intentions
• Tips for purchasing and growing an existing business

Stratford Perth Centre for Business Website: https://www.stratfordperthbusiness.ca/ Email: info@stratfordperthbusiness.ca Book a Free Consultation: https://airtable.com/app2gRqysORdgAAlp/shrN489caaX9MAifL

The Centre offers complimentary consultation and resources for new and established small businesses, including:

• Business start-up services
• Strategic planning
• Digital marketing strategies
• Educational workshops and events

Presented in partnership with the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario (FedDev Ontario) 

Episode Duration: 45 minutes

Jacqueline Martin shares her unique experience as a young female entrepreneur co-running Kampkreek Dairies with her brothers, while also managing Pastoral Pond, an artisanal cider company, with her husband.

• Navigating family dynamics in a sibling-owned agricultural business
• Breaking barriers as a woman in agriculture
• Balancing pregnancy and farming responsibilities
• Bringing Gen Z innovation to traditional farming
• Modernizing agricultural business practices
• Managing dual businesses in the food and beverage sector

Jacqueline Martin is a co-owner of Kampkreek Dairies Ltd., a family-operated dairy farm bringing farm-fresh products directly to the community. Along with three of her brothers, she's revolutionizing traditional farming practices with modern approaches. She's also the co-founder of Pastoral Pond, a boutique cider company specializing in small-batch artisanal ciders, which she runs with her husband.

• Strategies for successful family business management
• Innovation opportunities in traditional agricultural sectors
• Challenges and solutions for women in agriculture
• How Gen Z perspectives can transform traditional industries
• Balancing multiple business ventures
• Modern approaches to agricultural product marketing and distribution

Stratford Perth Centre for Business Website: https://www.stratfordperthbusiness.ca/ Email: info@stratfordperthbusiness.ca Book a Free Consultation: https://airtable.com/app2gRqysORdgAAlp/shrN489caaX9MAifL

The Centre offers complimentary consultation and resources for new and established small businesses, including:

• Business start-up services
• Strategic planning
• Digital marketing strategies
• Educational workshops and events

Presented in partnership with the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario (FedDev Ontario) 

Episode Duration: 45 minutes

Please note that there were technical difficulties on the audio side, so turn it up once Kelly and Mel start to chat. This episode contains 20 years of knowledge that you don't want to miss!

Kelly Ballantyne, chef and owner of Sirkel Foods, along with her wife Mel Lang, share their remarkable journey of building and sustaining a successful restaurant in downtown Stratford, Ontario for two decades.

• The evolution of Sirkel Foods over 20 years in downtown Stratford
• Navigating business partnership changes and growth
• Leadership lessons learned from running a local restaurant
• Successfully pivoting from sit-down dining to takeout during the pandemic
• Candid discussion about imposter syndrome and women in business
• Behind the scenes of running a from-scratch kitchen in a tourist town
• Insights on business and life partnerships

Kelly Ballantyne is the chef and owner of Sirkel Foods, a beloved café in the heart of downtown Stratford. Known for its made-from-scratch menu and commitment to quality, Sirkel Foods has become a staple of the local dining scene under Kelly's leadership. Joining the conversation is Mel Lang, Kelly's wife and supporter in her business journey and genius in the Sirkel Foods' kitchen.

• How adaptability and resilience helped transform business challenges into opportunities
• The importance of authentic leadership in the restaurant industry
• Strategies for managing major business transitions
• Real talk about overcoming self-doubt while building a successful business
• Balancing personal and professional relationships in business

Stratford Perth Centre for Business Website: https://www.stratfordperthbusiness.ca/ Email: info@stratfordperthbusiness.ca Book a Free Consultation: https://airtable.com/app2gRqysORdgAAlp/shrN489caaX9MAifL

The Centre offers complimentary consultation and resources for new and established small businesses, including:

• Business start-up services
• Strategic planning
• Digital marketing strategies
• Educational workshops and events

Presented in partnership with the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario (FedDev Ontario) 

Episode Duration: 45 minutes

Virginia Ehrlich shares her journey of creating Acre75, a subscription box service that celebrates small-town Canadian makers and captures the essence of local community spirit.

• Creating a business model that celebrates small-town Canadian culture
• Managing a subscription-based business single-handedly
• Navigating Canadian supply chain and shipping challenges
• Dealing with imposter syndrome as a solo entrepreneur
• Prioritizing mental health while running a business
• Building relationships with local artisans and makers

Virginia Ehrlich is the founder of Acre75 Gathered, a subscription box service that brings the charm and craftsmanship of small-town Canada to subscribers' doorsteps. Her business model not only celebrates local artisans but also captures the authentic, comforting essence of small-town life through carefully curated Canadian-made products.

https://acre75.ca/

• Strategies for running a successful subscription-based business
• Solutions for managing supply chain challenges in Canada
• The importance of mental health awareness in entrepreneurship
• Tips for working effectively as a solo business owner
• Building authentic connections with suppliers and customers
• Maintaining quality and consistency in curated products

Stratford Perth Centre for Business Website: https://www.stratfordperthbusiness.ca/ Email: info@stratfordperthbusiness.ca Book a Free Consultation: https://airtable.com/app2gRqysORdgAAlp/shrN489caaX9MAifL

The Centre offers complimentary consultation and resources for new and established small businesses, including:

• Business start-up services
• Strategic planning
• Digital marketing strategies
• Educational workshops and events

Presented in partnership with the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario (FedDev Ontario) 

Books Mentioned:

Throughout our podcasts, we will occasionally mention books as a resource to dive deeper into the conversation. Please note that we provide a link to our local independent bookstore, Fanfare Books, to make it easy for you to buy. We also recommend checking your local library for a copy of the books we love.

Stolen Focus

The War of Art

If you are experiencing a mental health crisis please click here to find immediate support or head to your local emergency department.

Episode Duration: 45 minutes

In today's podcast, we interview Katie DeBlock Boersma of KDB Law to explore what it means to build a modern workplace inside a traditional profession.

From growing up on a farm near Mitchell to launching a thriving rural law practice and leading community organizations, Katie shares:

✨ How listening to your team and clients builds stronger outcomes. 🌾 The unique challenges and opportunities of rural law. ⚖️ Her approach to workplace culture, conflict mediation, and community impact.

Don’t miss this thoughtful conversation with a lawyer, leader, and changemaker redefining what’s possible in the legal world.

KDB Law

https://www.kdb.law/

14 Erie Street Stratford, ON

Katie’s ambition to become a lawyer took root at the age of 7 while growing up on a farm near Mitchell, Ontario. She attended law school at Osgoode Hall, and then moved back to the family farm where she lives with her husband and two daughters. Katie enjoys the unique opportunity afforded by practicing law in rural Ontario. Balancing the complexities of a diverse and challenging legal practice, she has fostered deep connections with her community. 

She is Chair of the Local Community Food Centre and Chair of the Stratford Perth Museum. She is also a certified Mediator, specializing in mediating workplace and farm succession conflict. In addition, she formerly sat as a Vice Chair on the Ontario Agriculture, Food & Rural Affairs Appeal Tribunal. Katie is a firm believer in creating the world we want to live in with every move we make.

Show Notes:

In this episode of Evolving Entrepreneurship, hosts Holly and Janis interview Katie DeBlock Boersma, a lawyer and owner of KDB Law in Stratford, Ontario. Katie shares her journey from practicing law in Toronto to establishing her own law firm in a small town, emphasizing the importance of community, flexibility in the workplace, and creating a supportive environment for her team. The conversation explores innovative practices in the legal industry, the significance of giving back to the community, and the evolving perceptions of lawyers. Katie's insights highlight the potential for change in the legal profession, particularly in how law firms can operate in a more human-centered and flexible manner.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Evolving Entrepreneurship 00:58 Katie DeBlock Boersma: A Journey into Law and Business 03:00 Small Town Roots and Their Influence on Law Practice 06:06 Transitioning from Employee to Business Owner 09:04 Creating a Flexible and Supportive Work Environment 11:53 The Unique Culture of an All-Female Law Firm 14:59 Innovative Practices for Employee Well-Being 18:11 Redefining Client Experience in Law 21:13 Humanizing the Legal Process 24:09 Conclusion and Future Aspirations 25:12 Embracing Growth and Expansion 28:08 Maintaining Balance and Sanity 30:24 The Importance of Community Involvement 35:07 Choosing the Right Legal Support 40:11 Changing Misconceptions About Lawyers 42:12 Excitement in the Evolving Legal Landscape

In this episode, we sit down with Joani Gerber, CEO of investStratford and former Stratford Business Leader of the Year. From her early days working in the family business to steering Stratford through economic uncertainty, Joani shares powerful lessons on:

• Tackling trade and tariff challenges
• Supporting small businesses
• Championing women in leadership

Her message is clear: leadership means lifting others. As Joani puts it, "When your rocket ship is on the way to the moon, you don’t shut the doors—you jam in as many people as possible so everyone gets the same shot at success."

Tune in for a conversation that’s equal parts practical and inspiring.

Episode Duration: 35 minutes

In this bonus episode of Evolving Entrepreneurship, we chat with Cindy Teknedjian about her internship at the Stratford Perth Centre for Business, her Change Management studies, and what she thinks about the world of entrepreneurship.

Stratford Perth Centre for Business Website: https://www.stratfordperthbusiness.ca/ Email: info@stratfordperthbusiness.ca Book a Free Consultation: https://airtable.com/app2gRqysORdgAAlp/shrN489caaX9MAifL

The Centre offers complimentary consultation and resources for new and established small businesses, including:

• Business start-up services
• Strategic planning
• Digital marketing strategies
• Educational workshops and events

Presented in partnership with the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario (FedDev Ontario)