Lakeside Shawarma
Q1 Tell us about your business. What is your product, what service do you provide?
We are a family owned Shawarma restaurant. You can either dine in or take out.
Q2 Who are your clients?
Our wonderful customers come from all over. We serve everyone from students to families
Q3 How was the idea for your business conceived? What made you think the business would be a success? (What
initial research, planning, etc. was carried out? What were some of your original goals and objectives?)
We have a background in Lebanese cuisine and shawarma, so when the opportunity came up, we wanted to share our delicious cultural
food with Carleton place!
Q4 What challenges have you met and overcome in the first years of business? (For example, financing, access to
start-up information, personal time commitment, labour market, product or equipment supply.)
We live in Ottawa south, so the drive was a minor challenge to get used it. The adjustment was well worth it in the end!
Q5 What advice would you give to other entrepreneurs in business?
Keep doing what you love, don’t give up and believe in yourself. Trust your product and results will follow
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Marked Ultimate Family Adventure Park
Q1 Tell us about your business. What is your product, what service do you provide?
I am in the business of entertainment. At Marked we believe in play at all ages and we offer a variety of activities for the young and
young at heart! From paintball, laser tag or airsoft to axe throwing or playing in a sandbox with heavy equipment and the OCR Ranch,
our facility has something for everyone.
Q2 Who are your clients?
Offering diversity in the field pur clients have been as young as 5 years old but we recommend ages 7 and up. We cater to moms and
dads, husbands and wives, kids, grandkids, the young and the young at heart. Our clients are anyone who wants to break free of the
ordinary and live a day of adventure!
Q3 How was the idea for your business conceived? What made you think the business would be a success? (What
initial research, planning, etc. was carried out? What were some of your original goals and objectives?)
After developing a full business plan, and then developing another one … I realized that if I could do something that I loved I would never
feel like I was working a day in my life. My goal was to bring sport and activity to a community and to get people out from behind their
video games and TV screens and playing I the Great outdoors just like I did. I was always an active individual who grew up playing
hockey and coaching so it was only natural for me to want to find something that used those same skills. My original goal was to have a
small business that was focused on paintball, but I have now shifted and partnered with some amazing like minded people to see if we
can expand upon that and bring even more to the community with a one stop adventure park. I still have my original goal in mind which
is to bring sport and play to a safe and family friendly environment.
Q4 What challenges have you met and overcome in the first years of business? (For example, financing, access to
start-up information, personal time commitment, labour market, product or equipment supply.)
I am very happy my family and wife are committed to seeing me through because I am not sure what personal time is anymore. I am
the person who is always apologizing for being on a call. I have not figured out the tricks and tips of Grant’s and financing so I work
another job to pay for it all. So there has been a learning curve to say the least but I believe that the space I am creating will continue to
be something that people can enjoy so it is all worth it. Personal sacrifice is part of it but it has also led to personal growth. I am
fortunate to have some key industry leaders who have been amazing to work with and supportive along the way.
Q5 What advice would you give to other entrepreneurs in business?
When you set a goal, commit to it 100%. Know that there will be challenges, it will be hard but with the support of family and others in
the community you can reach your full potential. That and always thank your partner (in my case my wife) … it can be hard, it can get
lonely but with someone in your corner it makes the journey worthwhile.
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Et Cetera Home
Et Cetera Home was established in 2017 for the purpose of reimagining and reinventing antique and vintage items to embellish your home and garden. Vintage chic, shabby chic, call it what you will but these won’t be your family’s hand me downs. Fresh colours and updated tyle provide a new life to furniture through the use of VOC free Canadian mineral/chalk paint and finishes from Aspire. We have a range of decor and accessories from funky to charmng, adding to the fun of giving your space just the right feel. Et Cetera is committed to providing it’s clients with affordable options for home decor and gift giving. We strive to offer every shopper a unique experience. Browse our charming space, as well as a range of Canadian made products perfect for personal treat or a special gift. We would like to extend a personal invitation to everyone to visit us at Et Cetera Home in the centre of Downtown Carleton Place. A visit to Et Cetera Home promises to be a fun and relaxing experience. We look forward to meeting you! Jo-Anne and Bart Seaton
We support our local community of Carleton Place and surrounding areas. Young and Old are sure to find just the right thing.
Jo-Anne had the opportunity to take on early retirement from the Provincial Government and had also struggled to fulfill her creative side. We researched the market and discovered that Carleton Place would be the idea spot to open Et Cetera Home. Research also determined that the Community had a strong BIA and Chamber of Commerce that supported new initiatives. We spoke with other merchants, who were very supportive of our ideas. So now Et Cetera Home calls Carleton Place it’s home.
Being an entrepreneur has it’s own challenges!!!! Jo-Anne had not been a “shop keeper” but had great vision and wanted to bring her dream to reality. Research, research and more research determined that funding was available. Several challenges presented themselves. Finding the right location, completing government forms, establishing social media connections and experiencing gift and trade shows. I had two great mentors who have established business. Their knowledge and experience smoothed the way. Et Cetera Home has been open since March 2017 and during this time, we have learned our client’s wants and wishes.
We encourage entrepreneurs to connect with their fellow entrepreneurs. We also encourage others to connect with their local Chamber of Commerce and BIA organizations. They are a wealth of information and support. One of the more difficult aspects of being an entrepreneur is finding the balance betwen “the business” and “personal”. It is a challenge on energy, effort, resources and time. Jo-Anne and Bart are slowly finding their balance and are thankful for supportive family and friends and Community of Carleton Place.
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The Good Food Tour
We provide guided culinary walking tours, sprinkled with interesting history in the towns of Carleton Place and Almonte. Guests on the 3-hour tour chat with the owners and chefs as they taste their fabulous dishes that rival any in the big city. We typically stop at 6 different venues and eat small dishes. It is a fun and memorable experience. Our tours run early May to late October. As our tag line states: It is Culinary. Historical. Tourific!
Our clients are people who like to explore, like food, like to discover new surroundings, and take a break from the everyday. We have hosted conference goers, team building events and community developing events. Most people are from the Ottawa area, followed by people from the local area. We have done tours from travellers from other countries as well.
The business was conceived from an “a ha” moment while taking my first food tour in Las Vegas. I loved the concept and felt it could be viable in Almonte where I live. It was also a dream-job for my self. It aligned with my passion for people, food and small towns. I began by asking a lot of questions of the food tour owner in Las Vegas. This led to interviews with other food tour owners. Having never been a business owner, I researched how to write a tourism business plan. I asked other business owners in town to critique my plan. I attended every workshop possible at the Small Business Advisory Centre in Smiths Falls and all events hosted by Lanark County Tourism and the Ontario Highland Tourism Organization. My first year objective was two-fold: run a high quality tour but also to market this entirely new experience. This continues into year 2.
Bringing this new experience to market is the most challenging aspect. When I am not running the tours or attending to day-to-day business, I am marketing the business to groups, organizations, travellers, foodies, history buffs. I now understand how hard small business owners work!!
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