Hatching Chickens and a Dream for Local Teen Entrepreneur

Local teen Drew McFadden launched his business, Drews Chicks, in October and hasn’t slowed down since.

Drew stands in front of some of his flock. Photo courtesy of Drew McFadden.

McFadden got his first few chickens at 13-years-old from the Millbrook Fair. He had never had chickens before but was excited to learn more about the animal.

A visit from McFaddens two-year old cousin who was quite intrigued with the chicks eventually lead to ‘Drews Chicks’ being born.

McFadden said provided his cousin with some supplies and let them take a few chicks home with them for a few days.

“He loved it. It was a great experience,” McFadden said. “My uncle said maybe there’s something behind this and I could start renting them out to people, make a business out of it.”

McFadden officially started Drews Chicks in October 2020.

Customers are supplied a kit that includes food, pine shavings, a water container, a heat lamp, a cage and two chicks. They keep the animals for two weeks and then return them to the farm.

An example of a kit provided by Drews Chicks

When it comes time to return the chicks, some people have a hard time leaving them at the farm, according to McFadden.

“Some people keep them longer but then it’s even harder for them to return them,” he said.

He says that there have been times customers end up buying the chicks to keep, but that can only happen if they live in an area with certain by-laws that allow chickens in yards or if they live on a farm.

The majority of his customers come from the Whitby area, so they are unable to keep chickens in their yards due to city by-laws.

Since he began this venture his business has been very sucessful and he has been able to expand his flock to offer a few different types of birds. Customers can now chose between chickens, ducks or quail.

Drews Chicks Facebook page suggests customers provide chicks with fresh water and cuddles daily. Photo provided by Drew McFadden.

This year McFadden earned a spot in Peterborough & the Kawarthas’ Economic Development’s Summer Company program, which provided him with mentoring and a $3,000 grant.

“It’s been a great experience with some great people too, they walked you through all of the behind the scenes things, basically the things that most people don’t see in a business,” he said.

To inquire about taking home a kit and chicks click here.

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Homegrown Chef Lives Dream of Opening Downtown Pizzeria

After almost 20 years in the cooking business, chef Sean Crooks gets to be his own boss by opening Pizza Bodega in downtown Peterborough in a grand opening on Friday.

Pizza Bodega’s logo was designed by Sean Crooks’s significant other. Photo by David Tuan Bui.

Pizza Bodega is Crooks’s first business and is located at the side of Spanky’s bar on Hunter Street beside the Simcoe Parking Garage.

The restaurant models after New York-style pizza with a thinner crust and a bigger pie compared to most conventional places.

The opportunity to open a business came from his friendship with Matt Russelle, Spanky’s owner, who asked Crooks to supply the food for his business.

"Spanky and I have jokingly talked about working together here and there over the years," said Crooks. "The timing just happened and it seemed to be the right time and here we are."

Sean Crooks has also worked in Prince Edward County and abroad in Western Canada. Photo by David Tuan Bui.

Crooks’s cooking career has had pizza follow him wherever he has gone. That made the decision to open a pizzeria as his first business venture.

Several of Pizza Bodega’s ingredients are sourced either locally or within Ontario including dry-cured pepperoni, smoked ham and spiced ground wagyu. Gluten-free and vegan options will be available on the menu.

"Everybody loves pizza and (I’m) trying to make the pizza fun and not too pretentious,” said Crooks.

Sean Crooks has worked in several Peterborough kitchens such as Primal Cuts, Gerti’s and Capra Toro. Photo by David Tuan Bui.

All customers attending Pizza Bodega’s grand opening will receive a free entry for concert tickets to The Arkells. The pizzeria is open from Tuesdays to Saturdays.

The restaurant opened this week for a friends-and-family event on Wednesday and a take-out window on Thursday. The grand opening will feature a full outdoor back patio with live music and beer samples.

"It is my very first venture out on my own so it's definitely very challenging, said Crooks. "There's a lot more to deal with than just the kitchen side of things now I'm taking on the entire animal but I'm super excited and super nervous. I just want to see where this goes."

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Entrepreneurs Are Preparing for Patio Season As Permitted By the City of Peterborough

As Downtown Peterborough increases space for pedestrians and patios, several entrepreneurs are eager to serve their customers with patio dine-in beginning Friday.

Chemong Lodge (pictured) has been sold by the Northey family to the Adam and Addison Brown, owners of Dr. J’s BBQ & Brews. File Photo

Existing approved patios are permitted to open with the province’s announcement of Stage one re-opening for the Peterborough region.  

Restaurants have been unable to serve dine-in customers since late March due to the emergency brake shutdown announced by the Government of Ontario.

“After a quiet winter and two months of being on lockdown, we’re very excited to see people out on the street again enjoying all that downtown has to offer,” said Susan Tung, owner of Hanoi House.

Tung is a first-time entrepreneur with her Vietnamese restaurant located in downtown Peterborough on Hunter Street and on Lansdowne St. W.

Tung outside her first of two locations of her Vietnamese restaurant: Hanoi House. She opened her business on February 14, 2020. Photo Courtesy of Hanoi House.

Tung is not the only restaurant owner excited to be able to serve dine-in customers again. Taso’s Restaurant & Pizzeria is eager to open its doors to the public for dine-in.

“We’ve been crazy busy this week making sure everything is in place to be able to open our patio for Friday,” said Taso Hatzianastasiou, owner of Taso’s Restaurant & Pizzeria. “We’re really excited to be able to bring back our serving staff and finally welcome customers.”

Taso’s is known for their homemade pizza and Greek cuisine. Hatzianastasiou took ownership of the property on March 30, 2019 and renovated it into Taso’s. Photo courtesy of Taso’s Restaurant & Pizzeria.

The re-opening of restaurants is one more step towards normalcy from the COVID-19 pandemic that has drastically affected the world since March 2020.

”The sentiment of opening is an overwhelming feeling of relief,” said Adam Brown, co-owner of Dr. J’s BBQ and Brews and Chemong Lodge. “I’m relieved that our staff can get back to work, that our guests can feel some sense of normalcy and that we can get back to what we love to do.”

Adam and Addison Brown of Dr. J’s BBQ & Brews and Chemong Lodge will have their first summer owning both businesses. Photo courtesy of Adam Brown.

The City of Peterborough released guidelines that businesses opening patios need to follow under the easing of its emergency orders.

Establishments must take measures to ensure physical distancing of at least two metres between patrons from different households, including: 

• Using reservations – no lineups. 

• Limiting the number of patrons allowed in the outdoor space at one time. 

• Ensuring enough space between tables, including to allow for movement. 

• Access to indoor facilities is limited to patio/outdoor dining area access, food pickup, payment, washrooms or other health and safety purposes. 

• Liquor sales licensees who wish to temporarily extend the physical size of their existing licensed patio, or temporarily add a new licensed patio within the approved period are authorized to do so if all the following criteria are met 

  • The physical extension of the premises is adjacent to the premises to which the licence to sell liquor applies. 

  • The municipality in which the premises is situated does not object to an extension. 

  • The licensee can demonstrate sufficient control over the physical extension of the premises. 

  • There is no condition on the liquor sales licence prohibiting a patio. 

Peterborough Public Health and the City of Peterborough have collaborated to determine precautions that must be followed by businesses choosing to reopen existing, previously approved patios. These precautions include: 

• the restriction of the number of patrons on the patio to a maximum of 50% of the previously approved capacity; 

• the prohibition of any overhead structures such as tents and canopies; the use of umbrellas is encouraged to provide shade

• ensuring that tables and chairs are at least one metre from the outer limit of the patio, in order to facilitate physical distancing. 

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New Entrepreneur Revs Up With Motorcycle Service and Repair Shop

After 15 years of working with road hogs, Cody Carslake of Lakehurst opened his new motorcycle service and repair business, Carslake Motorcycle & Powersports in early May.

Living in Lakehurst and having his business in Buckhorn lets Carslake have a shorter drive to work instead of having it in Peterborough. Photo By David Tuan Bui.

With the business located in Buckhorn, — and named after his last name — Carslake is a certified Harley-Davidson motorcycle technician; a service that has become scarce in Peterborough County.

”With the local Harley Davidson dealership recently closing shop, I did feel like there was a void in the area and the market to be brought to the table,” he said.

Carslake working on a customer’s 2020 Harley Road Glide Special. Photo by David Tuan Bui.

The 31-year-old is the only employee in the business so far. With having two sons, Carslake can make his own schedule while balancing life as a father. Despite being open for only a few weeks, the new entrepreneur is enjoying the business he has been getting.

“It's been great,” said Carslake. “It's a challenge. Every day is a new experience. At the end of the day, every day I've enjoyed it whether it's a challenge or not.”

Carslake has been riding motorcycles since he was five-years old. Photo by David Tuan Bui.

The business offers motorcycle maintenance, repairs, — both minor and major — customization and carries some basic supplies such as motor oil. While the shop services all motorcycles and ATVs, Carslake specializes in Harley-Davidson bikes.

In the shop’s first few weeks, he has already seen overwhelming business as the phone is “constantly ringing” according to Carslake.

Carslake Motorcycle & Powersports is located at 3192 Buckhorn Rd. Photo By David Tuan Bui.

Carslake became a certified Harley-Davidson technician after attending the Northern Alberta Institute of Technology. He has also worked in Harley-Davidson businesses to become an expert technician for their bikes.

“I put a smile on every day when I get up because I'm going to do what I enjoy at the end of the day,” said Carslake. “It's doing something that I love and it's the game-changer.”

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Innovation Cluster First Rural Organization In Canada To Offer Start-Up Visa Program

The Innovation Cluster is now among only 31 current other business incubators across Canada designated to offer the Start-up Visa Program.

They are also the first rural organization in Canada to offer the Start-up Visa Program, allowing immigrant entrepreneurs to build businesses in Canada that are innovative, can create jobs for Canadians and that can compete on a global scale.

Photo courtesy Innovation Cluster

The Innovation Cluster, along with other Business Incubators, Venture Capital Funds and Angel Investor Groups, have been designated to accept proposals by entrepreneurs with an innovative business idea.

There is an extensive application process that can take anywhere from 12 to 16 months. If the business in question meets all of the eligibility criteria provided by the Government of Canada and the Innovation Cluster supports the proposal, a letter of support will be provided to go along with the applicant’s full Start-up Visa application. Other requirements include having a qualifying business, meeting the language requirements and enough money to settle. 

Photo courtesy Innovation Cluster

“This is a win for the region,” says John Gillis, President of the Innovation Cluster. “The Innovation Cluster has been working for years to receive this game changing designation so that we can bring more innovation and high-tech job opportunities to Peterborough and the Kawarthas. We could not be more excited to begin rolling out the program.”

This program will bring many benefits to the region including bringing the best and brightest minds from around the world. It enables immigrant entrepreneurs to launch innovative companies that will create jobs locally and compete globally, provides entrepreneurs with valuable assistance in navigating the Canadian business landscape which can sometimes be challenging for newcomers and it will provide private sector firms with access to a broader range of entrepreneurs. 

The region is already known for its large immigration population including entrepreneurs. In the Peterborough’s New Canadians Centre Annual General Report this year, 1,147 clients were served from 78 countries to date since 2018. 

Designated organizations are able to customize their own eligibility requirements for accepting those out of the program. Key requirements for the Innovation Cluster include:

• Ownership of a business that is generating revenue that is scalable, sustainable, and in one of Innovation Cluster’s four key sectors or have intellectual property behind the business. 

• Applicant is willing to live and work in Peterborough and Kawartha Region in Ontario.

• Applicant is willing to work/co-locate at the Innovation Cluster for the first year of operation in the province, and sign a one year Innovation Cluster service contract.

Those that are interested in applying can provide the Innovation Cluster with more information in order to be personally contacted when the program officially launches early 2021. For more information, click here.

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Peterborough-based Streambed Media Wins Highly Competitive Wyoming Sandcastle Startups Challenge, Advances To Finals In Dubai

Streambed Media, a Peterborough company headed by Trent University alumna Jenna Pilgrim, has won the highly competitive Wyoming Sandcastle Startups challenge.

The company's prize includes $12,500 USD, and a guaranteed spot for the Sandcastle finals in Dubai at the World's Fair next October to compete for up to $250,000.

The competition was led by the Sandcastle Startups Foundation, which aims to advance the discovery of new technology and solutions to humanity’s largest problems through emerging startups. The Prize money for the regionals was sponsored by the University of Wyoming in Laramie, WY.

Photo of Streambed Media co-founder Jenna Pilgrim courtesy Innovation Cluster

Streambed is a social media tool that uses a blockchain tracking system to delegate analytics to all parties involved in creating, publishing and distributing a piece of video content (sponsors, talent etc). It immutably links them, their video posts and their interactions by hashing the content metadata to the blockchain, creating richer, more reliable and informative data on that content’s performance.

“We are incredibly excited to have been recognized by the Wyoming Sandcastle Startups Challenge,” says Jenna Pilgrim, CEO and co-founder of Streambed Media. “Amidst a competitive playing field of amazing companies, we are honored to see that blockchain-powered social media tools are a much needed and wanted innovation.” 

Jenna Pilgrim participating in the Sandcastle startup challenge

The Sandcastle Startup Challenge finals will host 16 teams including Streambed in a bracket style cryptocurrency/blockchain startup competition during the opening month of the World’s Fair in Dubai next year. The company will compete for a Grand Prize package valued at over $250,000 and receive a competitor package, complimentary badge, media coverage, flight and airfare, valued at over $35,000.

“We are excited to see this local tech company and Trent graduate reach this milestone, as they are recognized for developing innovation that is essential,” says Michael Skinner, CEO of the Innovation Cluster.

“Streambed is designed to democratize social media, share valuable data back to creators and empower brands to find their authentic audiences,” says Jenna. “In a world where we have even more platforms fielding an explosion of content over the next five years, the time is now to fix and make these platforms work for everyone.” 

Streambed is currently in beta, and is bringing on users slowly. To be one of the first users or be notified when they are live, visit streambedmedia.com/subscribe.

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Innovation Cluster Announces 10 Women Breaking Barriers Accelerator Program Participants

The Innovation Cluster has announced the 10 participants that will take part in Women Breaking Barriers, a six-month cohort acceleration program designed specifically for women in science, technology, engineering, mathematics (STEM) and social innovation.

Chosen businesses range across STEM and social innovation including mobile applications, safety technology, community development, new and innovative products, agriculture innovation and more. 

Photo courtesy Innovation Cluster

TOP 10 FEMALE-LED COMPANIES THAT MAKE UP THE COHORT ARE:

• Amy Arthur, Founder of Claxon: A personal safety device that can be initiated without using your hands.

• Andrea Buckley Gilders, Founder of Community Equity Housing Partners: Collaboration opportunity to create affordable residential units for individuals and families.

• Danielle Greene, Co-Founder of Canadian Custom Genetics: Assist agri business’ in obtaining animal genetics for herd health, growth and prosperity.

• Ellen Edney, Founder of Mariposa Woolen Mill: Creating sustainable wool food packaging.

• Jennifer Andersen, Founder of Coupon Addict Inc.: Mobile app that streamlines grocery saving opportunities.

• Jessica Dalliday, Founder of Pilates On Demand: A membership website that offers live and on-demand exercise classes taught through video.

• Dr. Margaret Kalmeta, Founder of Rapid Nexus, Inc.: A wound healing platform with a rapid wound healing and infection control technology able to close open, diabetic wounds.

• Othalia Doe-Bruce, Founder of InnovFin Consulting Inc.: An online education platform teaching emerging technologies using emerging technologies such as blockchain.

• Robin Linton & Katherine Porter, Co-Founders of Undu Wearables Ltd.: A modern, wearable solution that leverages the age-old use of heat to combat pain caused by menstrual cramps.

• Stephanie Hendren, Founder of Peterborough Microgreens: Harvesting live organic microgreens year-round from sustainable urban farm.

The program is supported by the Ontario Trillium Foundation funding through its Seed stream. A total of $75,000 will go towards needs including hiring professionals, supplies and workshops and events.

“We were blown away by the interest in this program and the amount of applications we received,” says Rosalea Terry, lead of the Women Breaking Barriers program, Marketing Manager and Senior Innovation Specialist with the Innovation Cluster. “The 10 female-led startups are sure to break barriers and make a dent in the Canadian startup ecosystem with their innovative solutions.”

Participants have every opportunity to accelerate their company during the program, which includes specific and advanced training sessions, weekly mentorship with advisors, peer-to-peer learning, community networking and more. 

The program ends with each participant guaranteed to pitch to the local Peterborough Region Angel Network, which currently has over 30 investors and has invested over $6 million dollars in companies over the years.

To learn more about the program, click here.

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Innovation Cluster And City Of Kawartha Lakes Open Incubator In Lindsay

The City of Kawartha Lakes and Innovation Cluster, with the support of the Kawartha Lakes Community Futures Development Corporation through the Rural Innovation Initiative Eastern Ontario (RIIEO), have opened an incubator for high-growth entrepreneurs in Lindsay. 

An official launch for the incubator took place on Tuesday (February 11th) in Lindsay. Partners supporters and the public joined together for speeches, a ribbon cutting, and a tour of the space. Speakers included Mayor Andy Letham, John Gillis, President of the Innovation Cluster, MPP Laurie Scott, MP Jamie Schmale and Jil Quast, Chair CFDC.

John Gillis, President of the Innovation Cluster, speaking at the announcement

The Innovation Cluster has successfully accelerated hundreds of startups for over a decade, supporting companies in the agriculture technology, clean technology, digital and healthcare technology sectors.

Launching its 10,000 sq.ft. incubator in the heart of downtown Peterborough in 2017, the not-for-profit organization has coached, mentored, and provided a space for more than 80 startups to find their best path to market.

Throughout 2018, the Innovation Cluster supported eight CKWL companies, which created an economic impact of $2,355,633 and the creation of 22 jobs for CKWL. With this success and a clear need for more robust support and programming for entrepreneurs creating innovative new startups, the Innovation Cluster is looking forward to bringing its services on-site.

Ribbon cutting in Lindsay

“We are excited to launch our incubator in the heart of Lindsay to give current and future startup clients the opportunity to access our resources closer to home,” says President and CEO of the Innovation Cluster, John Gillis.

“The Innovation Cluster has been supporting clients in the Kawartha Lakes for a number of years remotely,” adds Gillis, “and many of those clients have been driving into Peterborough to work in our world class incubator. They have been waiting for us to make this expansion happen.”

Congratulations to @kawarthalakes on your partnership and the grand opening of the Innovation Cluster @InnovationPtbo here in Kawartha Lakes! We are proud to support this pilot project through @FedDevOntario #RIIEO #innovation funding. We can't wait to see the benefits in CKL. pic.twitter.com/WE94ACUKXA

— Kawartha Lakes CFDC (@KawarthaLakesCF) February 11, 2020

Left to right: Innovation Cluster CEO Michael Skinner, President John Gillis & ICPK Board Chair John Desbien

The Innovation Cluster will now provide a creative incubation space for new ideas to blossom with entrepreneurs working side-by-side in Lindsay’s first full-service incubator in CKWL.

Some of the entrepreneurs moving in tweeted out about it…

New office space @InnovationPtbo in the Lindsay incubator! ☀️ pic.twitter.com/OJjfViIKni

— MAMASOUP APP(Joanne Ilaqua) (@mamasoupapp) February 11, 2020

Our new home in the @InnovationPtbo Kawartha Lakes.#newdigs pic.twitter.com/VTQIArkwp1

— Graeme Barrie (@grbarrie) February 11, 2020

Through this partnership, startups working in more remote areas throughout the Kawarthas will have easier access to dynamic programming, network connections, funding, investment and business opportunities, as well as marketing and commercialization support. 

The Kawartha Lakes Incubator is officially open! @InnovationPtbo has brought their “start-up ecosystem” closer to home for #HKLB! I commend the collaboration exemplified to make this vision a reality. Welcome! #OpenForBusiness pic.twitter.com/fJpZYD9fQJ

— Laurie Scott (@LaurieScottPC) February 11, 2020

The opening of this incubator is another sign of the times as an increasing amount of people are looking to run a successful startup outside of large cities, to ensure a better quality of life.

Incubators in smaller communities that provide an abundance of professional resources at one site allows those entrepreneurs to achieve their goals without having to move.

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Paper Plant Project Wins Fifth Annual Cubs' Lair Entrepreneurship Competition

The Innovation Cluster and Peterborough & the Kawarthas Economic Development (PKED) have announced the winner of the 5th Cubs’ Lair Entrepreneurship Competition. Six finalists competed to win the grand prize valued at over $7,000 at the Gordon Best Theatre on Thursday evening (November 21st).

Vanessa Mathieu, Joao Borges, Alesha Colaco and Jo Ho took home the grand prize for their innovative business, Paper Plant Project. Started by the Enactus Fleming team at Fleming College, these students are leading the project which involves the production of paper planters from recycled paper waste as educative kits for schools to promote biodegradable practices.

Paper Plant Project team from Enactus Fleming

“It was a lot of work that we put into this project,” says Joao Borges of the winning team. “It really speaks volumes to the fact that we are on the right track and starting to see value for the accomplishments that we’re doing on our product lines and all the impact that we could potentially create. We are looking forward to keep working hard and keep making wins like this one tonight.”

Joao Borges and Alesha Colaco from winning team

“With [the winning] package, we are definitely going to be investing into some marketing research with teachers as well as other marketing niches,” Borges adds.

“We will also be updating our website with Shopify as well as investing a lot into the manufacturing process to make sure we are being as efficient and consistent as possible. We also are going to take advantage of being connected with the community and get into the minds of the people around us because by the end of the day, we want to help Fleming College as a whole but also ultimately help our community.”

Left to right: Runners-up Flow Codes & Eco Care with winners Paper Plant Project

Runners-up included Shane Willis and Tanner Morrow with their business idea Eco Care, a property maintenance company focused on electric powered landscaping equipment, as well as Telsi Szanyi of Flow Codes, a subscription service for wellness resources with a focus on promoting well-being for employees in the workplace.

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