Six new businesses are receiving a helping hand to get up and running in the Stratford area.
The Stratford Perth Centre for Business has given out six grants totaling $30,000 to local entrepreneurs in Stratford, St.Marys, and Perth County.
Each of the recipients took part in the Starter Company Plus program which is funded by the Province of Ontario, and the Ministry of Economic Development, Job Creation, and Trade.
It delivers 2 cohorts each year with the most recent graduates having completed the 6-week training program online.
Current Program Graduates:
Ana Carolina Costa Reis, Sambelina Atelier: Making the world a kinder place, one doll at a time, with out-of-the-ordinary, beautifully handcrafted dolls that celebrate diversity and inclusion.
Jonathan Sippel, The Thumbnail Guy: With a background in photography and digital design, Jonathan began creating thumbnails for friends publishing YouTube videos. The more he created, the more requests he got to create more and help YouTubers craft a design strategy. His business offers services that include thumbnail creation, consultations and coming in 2023, courses to learn how to create your own thumbnail.
Amanda Hohner, Hollyhock Hair Studio: Amanda opened Hollyhock Hair when she realized that her life as a busy mom required a more flexible work schedule. She wanted control over her hours and income, so she created Hollyhock Hair in downtown Stratford Also, as an environmentally conscious business, she has introduced systems and products that allow her clients to contribute to saving the planet.
Jamie Gibbings, 519 Safety: Jamie is a certified Ministry of Labour trainer who has spent years in the training space and is taking all his experience and knowledge to create a customized program designed for small business owners. Specializing in workplace safety, HR and policy creation, Jamie’s company can help you and your employees come to work in a safe and legal workspace every single day.
Gabrielle Arkett, Singing Nettles Herbs: Singing Nettles Herbs is about connecting people to the plants that grow where they live, and inspiring people to work with local plants in sustainable, creative ways. Through growing and selling dried herbs and herbal products, and through educational workshops, SNH hopes to give people the tools they need to support their own personal growth and healing and get excited about medicinal plants.
Christianna Strahan, Cricket Care: As a certified PSW who was coming off maternity leave, she knew she wanted to be in control of her days and income, so Christianna created Cricket Care, a support service for the ill, elderly or those in need of daily assistance. She is already growing her team and plans to specialize in various areas of care.
