Funding boost for seven entrepreneurs in Stratford and Perth County

Seven entrepreneurs in Stratford and Perth County are getting a big funding boost.

The Stratford Perth Centre for Business has presented seven grants totaling $35-thousand to the new businesses which includes the industries of design wholesale, landscape, retail, carpentry, fitness and the arts.

Each recipient also receives six weeks of business education and training along with $5,000 and ongoing mentorship and support.

The Stratford Perth Centre for Business is the Regional Grant Administrator of the Starter Company Plus Program where the funding comes from.

Recipients for this cohort included:

Nick Bohner – Nick is the owner of Nix Snowblowing located in the City of Stratford. As a teen, Nick was a recipient of the province’s Summer Company grant program and in turn, used that funding to create a landscaping and snow removal business that now employs around 20 people and services both Stratford and London. Nick is using the Starter Company Plus program to take his business in new and innovative directions in the landscape space.

Kim McCarthy – Kim is the owner of Heart Space Gifts, a gift wholesale business where Kim designs all the goods sold. Creating home goods and clothing that is both locally designed and made in Canada, Kim has already begun to sell her wares to retailers in the City of Stratford and beyond.

Andy Schofield – Andy is the owner of Wholly Cheese, a local cheese distributor and retailer. Andy got his start selling cheese at one of the local prominent grocery chains and ended up loving cheese so much, that he left there to start his own cheese distribution business. Now looking to expand into the St Jacob’s farmer’s market, Andy is the local go-to source for all things cheese and a trusted wholesaler for local cheese markets.

Pamela Coneybeare – Owner of La Osa Jewelry, Pamela has recently expanded her retail business and grown both her space and her partnerships to bring vintage style and her unique and sought-after creations to Ontario St., in Stratford. La Osa opened its newly expanded and renovated doors on March 28, showcasing her vintage clothing boutique, jewelry designs and her partnership with local woodworker, Halibut Woodworking. Andrew Hunter, owner of Halibut Woodworking, debuts his line of modern furniture inside of La Osa, creating a collaborative space.

Andrew Hunter – Andrew is the owner of Halibut Woodworking, a local design studio, where he builds and designs high quality, custom residential furniture, houseware and cabinetry. Andrew has just launched his first showroom series inside a collaboration with Pamela Coneybeare of La Osa Jewelry in downtown Stratford.

Leigh Cooney – Leigh is the owner of the newly re-imagined space, The Little Prince. Leigh along with his manager, Carla Coles, have opened this tiny theatre space and café right in the heart of Stratford. The Little Prince will not only host live, theatrical events, but cinematic projects, festivals and children’s programming along with a small café. All of this inside Leigh’s small space.

Nicole Smith – Nicole is the owner/operator of Cirquesmith, Stratford’s only school for the aerial arts. A former circus performer who has trained at the Ecole de National du Cirque, Nicole brings her big vision to her school. She currently offers classes in the aerial arts but hopes to one build a circus training destination.