Designer Green in Prince Edward County

Contributed by Diana Cooper, Green Cluster, Economic Development Office

I am amazed as I sit in a cozy studio, surrounded by cutting tables, sewing machines and dressmaker mannequins. Although it is dull and rainy outside, inside there are flashes of pinks and reds, rich browns and greens, and blues of many hues. These gorgeous swathes of fabric and intricate embroidered details have all been collected by fashion designer, Koren Bellman, for her new spring line – collected from recycled clothing.

Koren moved to Prince Edward County in 2006 for the lifestyle and the developing art scene. A performance artist and painter, she explained: “I have always collected recycled clothing and like making things for myself. Traditionally women always made and designed their own clothing.”

Koren draws inspiration from such designers as Jean Paul Gauthier, Christian Lacroix, Tom Ford and Alexander McQueen. They all weave art concepts into their designs, going to the streets to get a pulse on people.

Koren sees her work equally as eco-conscious and as fashion. “I love fashion and designing high end couture and costume. I love colours and combining them. I can’t believe how many beautiful textiles are being put into landfills. I appreciate the work and detail that other’s have done and I love to give it new life.”

The great thing about recycling fabric is finding finished details. Koren pulled out examples of intricate embroidery, funky pockets, and quirky stitching. The clothing she recycles is out of style but the fabric is gorgeous. “I see the potential in the fabric but the fabric really dictates the final piece. I look for fabric that falls really nicely or has a nice weight: suede and leather, wool. This season it is suede, bright colours, pastels.”

Koren uses three different sewing machines depending on the fabric, sometimes using all three on one piece. Everyone one of her pieces is a work of art, each one-of-a-kind and fits like a dream.

To see Koren’s new spring line up, visit her on March 26 and 27 above Books & Company as part of Maple in the County.

To see more of her designs you can go to her on-line store or check out the article in the September 2010 Squared 2 Magazine.

“I have a hard time using new fabric now. I love that I save something from the landfill”.

If you are interested in the opportunities for green business in Prince Edward County or if you would like to know more about greening your business, please contact me at (613)476-7901 ext 215 or e-mail dcooper@pecounty.on.ca.

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Comments (0) | Posted over a year ago by Diana Cooper

Looking Back on 10 years of County Biz Columns

this blog is contributed by Janet Davies

Graham Davies, photographer | Lynn Leavitt, farmer | Jennifer Lester, web whiz

At the start of 2011 I decided to review the last 10 yrs of my Picton Gazette “Our Creative Rural Economy” columns about people doing business in the County. 10 years! I was surprised and delighted with how many people and businesses I’ve featured: 109 – and I’ve only scratched the surface, from brand new enterprises to venerable established firms, including a 180 yr old drug store. Most are still going strong, many have grown a lot, only 5 have folded – that’s a 95% retention rate! The full list is at the end of this post.

Of the 109, 62 were established, 47 were new and 20 focused on young people.  The Services sector got the most ink, which reflects the wider Canadian economy that is dominated by service industries and growing less labour-intensive &  more high-tech. Five were about Manufacturing, 9 Wellness; 10 Tourism; 10 Culinary; 11 Arts and Culture; 30 Agriculture (including several in a series we called Farmers Faces) and 35 Services – from financial to construction to dog grooming.

I showed my husband the list and he pointed out a glaring omission. Him. Oops. In business in the County for 11 years he deserves recognition, so I started the new year with a profile of my favourite County artist: Graham Davies. Very briefly: a fine art photographer with a photojournalist background. A rare beast these days: a master of the art of black and white, real film photography and darkroom printing. He came from the UK to Toronto in 1993 and to the County in 1999.  His Toronto colleagues thought he was crazy to leave the city back then. They don’t any more, not with PEC featured regularly in news and lifestyle pages. Best known for dramatic B&W nudes and landscapes, he shoots digital for commercial work but is a fierce champion of B&W for his fine art and portraiture – particularly those body portraits, as he calls them. He proves there is no age or weight limit to beauty and art.  A professional photographer since his teens, he looks puzzled when you mention retirement. He just finished shooting for the Arts and Taste Trail brochure and says his life and work have never felt better. A good quote, I think, to kick off another year of Our Creative Rural Economy columns. Now take a deep breath and check out that list of 109 business.

A-1 Excavating |  Alex Hunter – vineyard mgr  | Amans Abbatoir  |  Anne Van Vlack – Infolink   | Aspens Dog Grooming  | Avon Interiors  |
Avon Lady – Karen Mulima  | Baitley Farm  | Barley Days Brewery  | Benchmark Works  | Betty Chambers – organic  | Black River Cheese
Bloomfield Bike Co  | Books on Bay  | Breakaway Magazine  | Brent Timm – financial  | C B Fennel – concrete, gravel  | Carl Ferguson – mechanic
Carruthers Chocolatier  | Cascades Pub  | Chris Currah – catering  | Chris Skeat – property developer | Christian Marchsteiner – pastry chef
Christmas Trees – Moores  | Clearwater Canoes  | County Farm Centre  | David Gale – carpenter  | Debbie Moynes – seniors services
Debug Computers  | Della Bosca – organic  | Devonshire Inn  | Dick Prinzen – chicken farm  | Dough Control – music studio  | Drop n Flop
Falconer Farm  | Fosterholm Farm  | Glow Hair  | Goodfellow Meats  | Goreland Farms  | Graham Towers – elk farm  | Grand Bay Fisheries
Hagermans Farm  | Healing with Horses  | Honey Wagon – organic  | Ideal Bike  | Indulgence Spa  | Jackson Falls B&B  | Jenn Ackerman – catering  | Jenn Lester – new media  | Jim Hughes – Apples  | Justin Williams – Maple  | K. Foster Morgan – grief counsellor  | Kathy Kennedy – Taste the County  | Larry Spencer – planning consultant   | Laundry Farms  | Lindsey Reid – architect  | Lloyds Heating  | Loyalist Manor – retirement home  | Lynn Leavitt – farmer  | Main St Organics (left and came back as Just Sweets!  | Maple Brae Farm  | Martin Miller – farmer  | Merland Park Fishing  | Mindful Movements  | Mustang Drive In  | Noreen Vader – gift service  | Oeno Gallery  | Olivias Books  | Ostranders Farm  | Parx Fairies – porcelain  | PE Engine Services  | PEC Glass  | Peggy deWitt – photographer  | Peta Hall – arts activist  | Picton Ice  | Quinte Isles Camp Park  | Sunset Farms (& Cottages)  | Renata Claudi – organic  | Reachview Farm  | Renia Tyminski – educator  | Rick Clarke – barn restorer  | Rogers Hospitality  | Rosehaven Farm  | Saha Yoga  | Sandbankers – vacation shop  | Shyrl Nussey – 3 retail shops  | Slickers – ice cream  | Sidestreet Gallery  | Simpson Strawberries  | Smith & Smith – financial  | Spaah-go  | Spas in the County – multiple  | Stormys – autos  | Sunoco  | Teasels Drug Store  - est. 1829!  | Therapy on Bay  | Thru the Cedars – music producers  | Thunder Cycle  | Tom Wiltse – mechanic  | Timber Island Productions  | Town Line Processing  | Trevor Crowe – videographer  | Twilite Industries – carpentry & caskets  |Universal Fan – international R&D  | Vicki’s Veggies  | Walkers Greenhouse  | Willow Garden – Shetland sheep  | Winstead Dogs – training  |



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Comments (3) | Posted over a year ago by Jan Davies

Forms of Business Ownership – #4 in the Zillionaire series

 Contributed by Elsie Whitelock, Small Business Centre

Falling money

..ahhh such a dry topic but oh sooo important..
Of all the choices you make when starting your new and exciting business, one of the most important is the form of legal structure you choose. This decision will impact:
 1. how much tax you pay
 2. the amount of paperwork your business is required to prepare
 3. any personal liability you may face
 4. your ability to raise money
 
This decision should be made with some sound business counselling.
 
You need to think about the following as the answers will help guide you to the form of ownership that will work best for you.
 1. Your vision regarding the size and nature of your business
 2. The level of control you wish to have
 3. The level of structure you are prepared to deal with
 4. The business’ vulnerability to lawsuits
 5. Tax implications of the different ownership structures
 6. Expected profit (or loss) of the business
 7. Whether or not you need to reinvest earnings into the business
 8. Your need for access to cash out of the business for yourself

So what are the most commonly used forms of business ownership?

Sole Proprietorship is the simplest form.
 • owned and operated personally by you, the owner
 • easy to set up (may only require registration of the business name)
 • can be changed to a company or partnership at a later date

Partnership is similar to sole proprietorship except there are two or more owners running the business together and sharing any profits.
 • set up costs can be limited to registration of the partnership
 • should have a legal agreement which establishes the rules the partners will use to operate the business

Corporation or Company is a separate and unique legal entity which is separate and apart from its owners ie shareholders. It can enter into contracts, own property, is separate and distinct from its owners. The corporation has to pay tax on its income and hence  must file its own income tax return.
 • Provincial or Federal Corporations
  o provincial are most common and allows your business to operate in one province
  o federal corporations  allow your business to operate throughout Canada
  o setting up a one person or small non-reporting corporation, plan to do business in one province for now, and maybe another one or two later, likely no need to incorporate federally
 • Strongly advise that you consult with a lawyer to ensure that your company is set up in the manner that meets your business’ present and future needs

Conclusion:
 • vast majority of small businesses start out as sole proprietor
 • please get some good business counselling in this area before choosing

Hope this helps you in your journey of  owning your own business.

You can also reach us at email: info@smallbusinessctr.com,  or drop in Wednesdays and Fridays. We are here to help.
Small Business Centre
The Edward Building
Suite 103
280 Main Street, Picton,ON K0K 2T0
Ph: (613) 476-7901 x213

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Comments (1) | Posted over a year ago by Elsie Whitelock

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