Lakeside Shawarma
Q1 Tell us about your business. What is your product, what service do you provide?
We are a family owned and operated middle eastern shawarma restaurant. You can dine in or take out
Q2 Who are your clients?
Everyone is welcome at our restaurant from all over!
Q3 What were your business’s most important achievements in 2018? (Include examples such as financial success,
awards, recognition, growth of markets, new products, job creation, on-going stability. Examples may also include
leadership, economic spin-offs, payroll, community involvement, attraction of new markets)
Winner of the customer service award in 2017!
Q4 In your opinion what is exceptional about your business? Why do you feel that your business merits a nomination
as People’s Choice Business of the Year?
We not only serve you delicious, fresh food, but you will feel at home when you come in to our establishment. We take the time to get to
know you and your families and develop a friendship
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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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Parkit360
Q21Tell us about your business. What is your product, what service do you provide?
We manufacture and sell Power Trailer Movers.
Q2 Who are your clients?
Our customers are any camping, boat, or leisure trailer owners across North America.
Q3 Please describe how your business or staff have been active in the community over the last year. (Include a
description of the type of support, whether it be financial, products in kind, or volunteer time of owners, managers
and employees)
Throughout the year, we volunteer our services and money to supporting local charities like the Carleton Place Hospital, CHEO, Susan
Shirley, Cornerstone Landing Youth Services, Senators Foundation, and the Calvary Christian Academy. We sponsor and participate in
fundraising events for these charities, for example attending various Charity Golf Tournaments this summer and creating signage for
these events.
Q4 Why is the business committed to community involvement? (Make Carleton Place a better place to live? Help
people in need? Partner with specific organizations? Is the policy written or informal? How is it communicated to the
employees and the community? How is the policy reflected in the work the business does?)
We want to do everything we can to support our local hospitals and charities. At one time or another, these special groups have touched
the lives of many in our community, and this is our way of thanking them for all of their hard work and dedication.
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The Good Food Co.
Cafe – Breakfast, lunch, private suppers
Regulars from Carleton Place, Almonte, Stittsville, plus ‘day-trippers’ from further out
I have been investing time and money towards improvements in the cafe every year – this year was repairing the old kitchen floor and installing new flooring as well as replacing the two old residential sinks and counters with a commercial sink system and a mechanical dishwasher! (we had been doing all of our dishes by hand for 20 years) We celebrated 21 years in business in August of this year. In response to the minimum wage increase on January 1st, I raised all of my employees’ wages by the same $2.40 per hour increase, feeling this was the only fair thing for an employer to do for the people already making above minimum (i.e. one of my cooks was making $14.50 per hour, so she would have been making only $0.50 more than minimum wage after the legislated increase – she is now making $16.90 per hour). I raised my prices by 10% and am taking a personal paycut in order to pay for this.
We are still open after 21 years! I have kept the business small but have veered away from my original business plan in order to stay relevant in my market. I have always emphasized seasonal dishes with as many local ingredients and suppliers as possible. We have composted and recycled since Day 1. I have aimed for consistency in the quality of food and service, but there is always room for improvement and I am still learning!
Luxart Homes
Homebuilder – we build beautiful and friendly neighbourhoods.
Our neighbourhoods are filled with wonderful people and we welcome new friends every day!
We are proud to continue to be very involved in supporting our community, and to continue to provide the excellent service for which we are known.
We work very hard to make our homeowners and our community happy!