Making it in the County

Contributed by: Gillian Chapman, Business Development Manager,PELA CFDC

There are all sorts of new businesses coming to Prince Edward County to make their mark. The Carriage House Cooperage is a great example of people with a dream, and the passion and drive to make it a reality. Pete Bradford and Marla Cameron have brought a whole new level of skills to the local wine region, and are ‘pushing the envelope’ with innovative ideas, including barrel flavouring with locally sourced wood.

PELA CFDC, as part of the marketing campaign for the Small Business Stimulus Loan, visited The Carriage House Cooperage to see if we could offer some support for this new, ‘old’ business. The timing worked out perfectly, and Pete and Marla took full advantage of the business support offered. PELA CFDC now considers itself a strategic partner with this business, offering free business advice and access to capital (Loans and Grants), along with the other 150+ businesses in its loan and grant portfolio’s.

The video above shows how The Carriage House Cooperage viewed its dealings with PELA CFDC.

If your business needs support, come and talk to Gillian Chapman on 613-476-7901 x203 or gc@pelacfdc.ca.

PELA CFDC is a Not For Profit, federally funded ‘grass roots’ organisation run by volunteers. It’s the volunteers that make the decisions on the direction of the organisation, and who receives loans and grants. This is a volunteer opportunity which disburses over $2m per year in loans and grants. If you want to help shape the future of small business in Prince Edward or Lennox and Addington County, contact Craig Desjardins, Executive Director, PELA CFDC on 613-476-7901 x201 or cd@pelacfdc.ca

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Comments (1) | Posted over a year ago by Gillian Chapman

From Nunavut to Picton to make a dream come true

this blog is contributed by Janet Davies
photo by Graham Davies

picton dog groomer

Natalie Babcock gives handsome Brooklyn a holiday groom.

As far as I know, Natalie Babock & Kyle Wood are the first couple to come to the County from Nunavut. Kyle is a conservation officer working with the MNR at Glenora. Natalie is a professional dog groomer, originally from WaWa, about 200 kms north of Sault Ste. Marie. Here’s what she told me.

“We loved Nunavut, but not much call for dog grooming up there, so I somehow became the postmistress! When Kyle got a job in the County I was excited because this place is like a mecca for small business. I knew I could open a shop, what I didn’t expect was to be so successful so quickly. I took a business plan to PELA CFDC – very aware that I’m not like other businesses opening here, not a winery or tourism-based. But they gave me a loan. Then I met Dave Cleave who offered me affordable space in Picton. He converted what was storage space in the Lockyer Building for me, and it’s worked perfectly. We’re right on Main St. but set back, private and safe for the animals. It’s the best of both worlds. My business is called Aspen’s.

Other local groomers have been awesome! Friendly and welcoming. Not like some places I’ve worked where it’s all competitive and catty. Here people work together. I remember one of them saying “There’s easily enough animals to go round.” We refer clients to each other. I use Parkers Barkers products, and I have adoptable kittens in the shop for the Humane Society.

Are most dogs easy to work with? It varies. I’m very calm. Rescued dogs can be touchy. You need tons of patience to do this job, and I have that. I love my work. Winter slows down, but summer is crazy busy. I get walk-ins, visitors who say, ”Can you help me? Our dog stinks!”

It’s just like creative hair cutting. There are classic cuts, and owners have their own ideas, but I have ideas, too, and we can have fun with it. I do a little dyeing on request, lion cuts for cats, sometimes a coloured Mohawk on a small dog. Some of my clients used to take their dogs to Belleville. Now I have Belleville dogs coming to me.”

Natalie looks much younger than her 31 years, and new clients don’t always recognize her as Aspen’s owner. But that’s what she is: owner of a thriving business servicing locals and visitors, a young woman who came to the County for the opportunities it offers.

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Comments (2) | Posted over a year ago by Jan Davies

Grab it while you can!

Contributed by Gillian Chapman Business Development Manager PELA CFDC

PELA CFDC Logo and details of eligability and stimulus loan

We at PELA CFDC have grabbed $1.5 million of Federal Government Stimulus money for small businesses in Prince Edward County and Lennox & Addington County by creating the Small Business Stimulus Loan (aka the 25, 5 &5). This is a loan of up to $25,000 at 5.0% fixed rate over 5 years. This loan is easy to apply for and simply secured.

Local businesses know a good deal when they see one, and since Sep 2009 PELA CFDC has disbursed over $1 million in Stimulus loans to 49 businesses in our area. The good news is that we still have half a million dollars left to loan out, but the Stimulus package ends on 31st March 2011, and what we don`t loan out, we have to return to the Federal Government. And nobody wants to do that!

So, PELA based businesses, this is your challenge. Identify your investment needs, go to www.pelacfdc.ca, and grab your slice of the Federal Stimulus Package while its still available. For more information call Gillian Chapman on 613-476-7901 x203.

(Application deadlines are the last Friday of every month, and if your application is successful, funds should be in your hands by the end of the month following, so there are only 3 deadlines left for this loan).

The Stimulus loan is only one product available from PELA CFDC. We are able to lend up to $250,000, and we have a monthly approval cycle. We have plenty of funds available, so for all your business funding and support needs, come and talk to PELA CFDC.

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Comments (1) | Posted over a year ago by Gillian Chapman

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