Success Stories

Farm Boy Productions Update Now wrapping up my second year of operation, Farm Boy Productions has grown faster than I ever could have imagined. I am a third year marketing management student at the University of Guelph, and after my summer in the Summer Company Program, the official campus publication did a story on my business. As a result of the story, the director of research...
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Mike Janke founded Onager Solutions Inc. as a result of small and medium sized businesses demanding a solution that would support their growth and allow them to access the various government incentive programs available.  Onager helps businesses access and leverage government funding by determining who is eligible for government grants and preparing grant applications for eligible...
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Lynn Neals had always loved the idea of running her own   small business, and after years of working as a seamstress by trade she decided to follow her dreams to be self-employed launched her own business, Special Treatment Salon and Day Spa.     You will find Lynn's multi-service and eco-conscious salon located in downtown Lindsay, offering full salon services...
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Alex DeCunha is a driven young entrepreneur who is already proving himself in the unique business of playground inspection and installation.  Certified as a Canadian Certified Playground Inspector (CCPI), Alex recently launched Guardian Playgrounds in November 2010 through assistance from the Kawartha Lakes Small Business Enterprise Centre (KLSBEC) and the Canadian Youth Business Foundation...
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Donna Wilson is an experienced hair care professional specializing in cuts, colour, foils and perms, as well as facial waxing.  She has been working as a hair stylist for several years before embarking on self-employment in February 2006 after the hair salon she was working for closed its doors.   Following the closing of the salon Donna’s former clients were still calling on...
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The entrepreneurial spirit runs deep in the veins of Rick Lynch, founder of Trillium Construction.  After several years of gaining education and experience in construction and mechanical design, Lynch made the decision to break away from his family’s tradition of blue-collar employment and today is living his dream of building next generation, high quality homes and cottages in the...
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Clearly Windows and The Lawn Squad founders Scott Faulknor and Lydia Fogwell started the company in 2008 when they both were in need of a career change that would bring them closer to home and present new challenges.  Clearly Windows first started as an expansion to an existing business called The Lawn Squad that Lydia started as a teenager and has since grown into a successful...
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Justin Kylau is one of many small business owners who ventured into entrepreneurship at a young age and has never looked back. He is the founder of Deep Green Lawn Care & Landscaping, a full service landscape provider offering lawn care maintenance, odd job services, garden clean up, mulching, dump runs, delivery of landscape supplies and landscape construction to residential, commercial...
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A successful business often starts with a gem of an idea.  But as entrepreneur Diane Grubbe would tell you, it takes a village to implement and nurture that idea in order to succeed in today’s marketplace. For Diane Grubbe, owner and operator of Blue Oak Bed & Breakfast and Sweet Bottoms Coffee in Fenelon Falls, entrepreneurship has been a way of life for over 25 years. ...
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It’s no secret that children of entrepreneurs are especially likely to go into business for themselves and Janet Reeds is no exception.   Having grown up in a home with self employed parents she started her first business at the young age of 21 and has never looked back.  After 20 years in her initial venture, Galaxy Needlecraft and Picture Framing, Janet decided to try...
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One of the most fundamental ingredients in building a successful business is passion.  Passion creates excitement and drives motivation.  Kevin Beer realized his passion for art and photography over 30 years ago when he first began taking photos as a hobby.  In 2003 he began taking online photography courses while pursuing his career at General Motors and quickly realized that his...
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Mothers only want the best for their babies.  As such it is not surprising that the most unique and practical products for babies are created by mothers. Here is another unique business that the Kawartha Lakes Small Business Enterprise Centre has had the privilege to work with. Django Mango founder Amanda Sharpe is a mother and an entrepreneur.  She started the business in April...
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James Todd has been heating up the Kawartha Lakes for over 20 years, specializing in propane and expanding to natural gas, oil and now indoor air quality and duct cleaning. Comfort Air & Ventilation was established in the Spring of 2008 founded on the principles of outstanding workmanship, dedicated and courteous customer service, and a guarantee to achieve 100% satisfaction with each...
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After years of working in the lawn care industry and obtaining a business-marketing degree, Nicole Hutchings was eager to start up her own property maintenance business. The perfect opportunity arose when a local lawn care business owner was looking to retire and sell the business assets. The first step Nicole decided to take was to contact the Kawartha Lakes Small Business Enterprise Centre...
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Paul Clark is a “reel” expert when it comes to the fishing and hunting industry.  Kawartha Lakes Outdoors opened for business in the Spring of 2009 servicing the Bobcaygeon and surrounding area as a professional source for fishing and hunting supplies in Kawartha Lakes.   Since then this lucrative business has experienced significant growth and expansion of their...
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