This award recognizes a business owner/company that has been operational and completed five or more fiscal years at the time of the nomination deadline. The business has demonstrated professional integrity, excellence in customer service, success through innovation, and a commitment to the community. The business must be a member in good standing of the Carleton Place & District Chamber of Commerce at the time of the nomination deadline.
Award winners for Business of the Year from the last 3 years are not eligible in this category in 2022.
Read more about the Nominees for the Excellence in Business Award for 2022:
Braumeister –
Carleton Place Marine – Carleton Place Marine has been servicing the residents of Carleton Place, Beckwith, Almonte, Perth, Smiths Falls and beyond since 1973. We’re a family owned and operated company
and have been since day one. Walt Slack owned “The Mariner” from 1973 to 1986, he then sold it to Kirk Cannon and Colin Rowan who then owned it until 2003, renaming it to Carleton Place Marine. Blake Burgess started working there in 1995 as general laborer and continued to move up to parts & service manager before he and his wife Allie purchased the business in 2003 and continue to run their business along with their 9 dedicated employees. At Carleton Place Marine we want to make sure you’re getting the best service, and the best experience possible. Whatever your marine, outdoor power sports needs are, we have you covered. Our licensed technicians will provide you with excellent service and support, second to none. Our service department is here when you need us with friendly, knowledgeable staff and a well-stocked parts department. We offer experience, fair prices, and a friendly atmosphere. Our showroom is filled with an excellent selection of accessories and clothing. We are also an authorized dealer for Yamaha Products, Lund Boats, Bass Cat Boats, Yar-Craft Boats, Mercury Outboards, Minnkota, Humminbird, Lighthouse Docks & Shoremaster Products. From the trail to the dock, we’ve got something for everyone! As the industry evolved so have we. What was once small engine repair & sales facility has turned full sized service shop taking care of power sports and marine products alike.
What we enjoy the most about being in Beckwith is simply the people and the relationships that we have made over the years. Unlike big city dealers we have a personalized approach and relationship with all of our
customers. When you walk in the door here, someone greets you by your name. The relationship that we have with the local clientele is something that we wouldn’t trade for the world. Carleton Place Marine’s roots go right back to the beginning in Beckwith, since 1973 we’ve been in the same spot at the corner of 9th Line and HWY 15. Our name has changed over the years but our dedication to the region hasn’t. With the ongoing pandemic we don’t have any in-store event’s coming up. Every year we host our annual Vintage Snowmobile run where we raise money for local charities. Unfortunately this year we were unable to host the event however 2022 will be better than ever!
We also support the Carleton Place Hospital and just recently donated $5k to the new emergency room. We have supported the CP Canadians throughout the past several years, as long as I can remember them being here.
We were also awarded one of the top 25 Yamaha Dealers across Canada this year, which now lists us as an Elite dealer. (see below)
Out of 400+ dealers, we’re proud to be named an Elite Yamaha Dealer! We are one of 25 dealers from across Canada that have been recognized for our commitment, staff, and customer satisfaction. However none of this would have ever been possible without our amazing customers.
“Carleton Place Marine is one of the gems of the Ottawa Valley, we have been customers for over 18
years! Even when we moved 2 ½ hours away, we keep coming BACK, as they are the best in sales &
service. They are like family to us, always there to help you out, either buying a new toy or repairing
an old one so you can back be on the trail or in the water! Sales & service is fantastic, a real pleasure
to deal with them, as they will always go the extra mile for their customers!”
– Karen Crain & Doug Pinard
Costello Family Dentistry – Costello Family Dentistry was established in July 2020 right in the middle of the COVID-19 pandemic. We understood the tremendous need in our community for dental work, which is why Dr. Yazdani decided to push through and opened our dental clinic. Costello Family Dentistry provides a wide range of services including General Dentistry, Preventative care as well as cosmetic dentistry. We also have 2 other sister companies under our umbrella called Yazdani Family Dentistry located in Kemptville and the Kanata Centrum. All three of our clinics provide the same services. If you visit one or all of our clinics, you will receive the same care and attention. Dr. Yazdani’s vision is to have 5 dental practices each contributing to $500,000 of free dentistry every year. We started on this journey in 2011, and since then, we have given away more than $530,000 of free dentistry to date. We have done this through free monthly emergency clinics, Smiles on Us – Free day of dentistry as well as our annual $20,000 Smile Giveaway. Dr. Yazdani is committed to his communities by providing bursaries to local high schools, and supporting community initiatives through donations and sponsorships. The ultimate goal is to change the face of dentistry from a place people dread to a place people love to go. Dr. Yazdani also wishes to have other dental practices adopt his dentistry model to encourage more free dentistry in our communities. This year, we provided a total $8,233 worth of free dentistry on our Smiles on us day that just happened on Saturday, September 10th. Simultaneously, we hosted this event in Kanata and Kemptville as well. We were able to provide a total of $10,719 of free dentistry in Kanata and $17,967 of free dentistry in Kemptville for a grand total of $36, 919 of free dentistry between our three clinics. Dr. Yazdani has also purchased land out in Winchester to have a fourth practice built in the next 3-4 years. This is just another way for us to spread our mission and vision across multiple communities. We are all very passionate about his vision and can’t wait to keep expanding and providing even more free dentistry in the coming years.
Granary Bulk and Natural Foods (The) – The Granary Bulk & Natural Foods is your local health food store. The seven staff at The Granary share a love of sustainability, natural health and community spirit. We are dedicated to helping customers on their own path to great health while trying to improve our small corner of the world. We are here to help customers navigate the sometimes difficult world of natural health including supplements, vitamins, holistic herbs and clean eating. We are committed to creating a more sustainable world by offering many products for zero waste shopping and living. We have a strong focus on our core values and use them whenever possible when making purchasing decisions. These values include sourcing local, organic, fair trade and zero/low waste. The Granary has been an established business since 1978 and Dena has had the honour of owning it since 2009.
Thanks to dedicated staff and loyal customers, The Granary has been able reach and exceed many milestones in the past 14 years. Since 2020 we successfully navigated the pandemic and managed to keep our doors open to provide a safe shopping alternative for customers. We have regularly expanded our zero waste and local shopping offerings with new products added regularly. The Granary’s business model and reputation has helped us attract and secure highly trained and committed staff including two registered holistic nutritionists and a student of naturopathic medicine. This has been another year of change and adaptation as we excitedly await a new bridge and mitigate the downtown rehabilitation effects. Maintaining a full roster of staff and prioritizing customer accessibility have been positive achievements this summer. I am looking forward to new goals in the coming year.
The Granary is also a proud supporter of the Plant a Seed Foundation. This is a national foundation that supports community gardens and youth education around food and gardens. Our support in this program has resulted in new gardens at our local Youth Centre.
Houle Healthcare – Jeremy started his career as an RMT in 2014. In 2018 Jeremy decided to settle down in his home town of Carleton Place. After 2 years of working in Carleton Place and the overwhelming support from the community Jeremy opened Houle Healthcare on May 1st, 2021 and the clinic now employs 4 people. Two physiotherapists, a technician and Kelly his Operations Manager. Jeremy’s passion for helping people was the catalyst for him to create a one-of-a-kind therapy and mobility clinic. Jeremy identified a gap in the healthcare service industry while working regularly with clients who require mobility aids. He decided it was time for some change and he was the right person for the job.
Jeremy combined his education as a healthcare professional, understanding of human functional movement and years of mechanical experience to beautifully meld two different industries. The Healthcare Professional and Mobility Aid industries existed in harmony but lacked proper understanding of each other. Due to this disconnect it results in clients not receiving the healthcare advice that is best for them. At Houle Healthcare the goal is to provide mobility aids when necessary and therapy when possible. Our clinic will change the way you think about therapy, mobility aids and pain relief.
Our slogan is “We put the C.A.R.E. in Healthcare”. C.A.R.E. stands for Community, Accessibility, Respect & Education. We believe these are the four pillars of healthcare and that we can only have true healthcare when all pillars are present.
Ottawa Mortgage Market/Mortgage Alliance – Donna MacDonald – I have worked in the financial industry since 1985. I spent until 2012 in banking until I began my brokering career. I have a background in financial planning and have always had an entrepreneurial spirit and a passion for finding solutions for my clients. I have a team of 6 agents and 2 full-time staff. I take pride in the strategic planning I do with clients to build wealth and help my clients improve their standard of living and financial position. In my 10 years as an independent mortgage agent, I have built a solid business with a strong reputation in my industry, in my community, and with my large client base. I donate my time to sit on the local regional committee for Mortgage Professionals Canada, and I have volunteered extensively in my community over the years. I value the role I play as mentor and coach to my team and others in my industry. I am an advocate of young people, entrepreneurs and women. I would like to continue to grow my business and extend my reach to help as many clients as I can. I want to continue to influence and mentor new entrepreneurs and inspire others to be business owners.
I am now in my 10th year of brokering and I continue to land in the top 5% of the agents in Mortgage Alliance across Canada. In 2021, my business grew by 64% which resulted in the hiring of 2 more staff. I was chosen from thousands of brokers across Canada as Broker of the Year for 2021 in Mortgage Alliance. My clients have recognized me with many exceptional Google reviews which has helped me grow my business. In the past, I have received recognition as the Brand Ambassador for Mortgage Alliance highlighting my marketing and advertising initiatives.
I make a concerted effort to support my community in many ways. Of course, one of the primary organizations that is near and dear to me is the Chamber of Commerce. Having spent nearly 15 years on the Board of the Chamber and at least 10 of those years on the Executive. I served with passion as Chair of the Chamber for many years and I continue to be a supporting member now. I openly volunteer my time and energy to the treatment of addiction which is a disease that has touched many people close to me. I regularly present to high school students about being a business owner, marketing and advertising. I am always available to present the Junior Achievers and the Personal Finance module. I support Interval House, a local sports league, Lanark County’s 100 Women Who Care, Ottawa’s Women’s Business Network, and of course the Carleton Place Hospital Fundraising initiative.
Sunrise Lasers Medical Aesthetics – My name is Sandy Pitre, and I’m the owner of Sunrise Lasers Medical Aesthetics. I focus on helping people with their skin issues and have done this for over 15+ years. Professional quality services and products for all skin types are offered with facials being a specialty of mine. Recommending the right products after a service is conducted with a small educational talk and hand out provides the right use for my professional products. A doctor just joined us, so we can now carry a medical grade product line called ScinCeuticals that is committed to advanced skincare products that is backed up by science. Other services offered are photo rejuvenation, permanent hair removal, acne treatment, micro needling, microdermabrasion, LED light therapy and much more. I have graduated from Versailles Academy College in 2004 to offer the above listed services along with certificates for Medical Aesthetics from Gina’s College of Advance Aesthetics of Canada. I am always looking to further my education yearly. I currently rent out space to a Precision Nurse Injectionist who offers services such as Botox and fillers, sclerotherapy and more. We are a growing business, and the main goal is for the clients always leaving happy after their service.
This year has been the biggest leap and goals achieved. I leased a new location to move my business to Bridge Street in Carleton Place. From renting one room to now having my business on main street, is a great accomplishment of mine that I’ve worked hard for! Before the doors official opened this year, I needed to get a building permit to tear down the walls so I can build what I needed. I hired an Architect, Mechanical and structural Engineer. My family and friends contributed a lot with the construction! Hiring trades workers as well we were able to achieve my goal of opening the first week of June. It was hard to line up all the trade workers at the proper times, with shortages of workers and supplies. Yet it didn’t all fall in place as nice as it sounds. When inspections failed, I quickly actioned to fix it, calling the correct people back ASAP. From Feb – May, I worked with the Engineers and Architects to try and get a building permit. I got my building permit May 1st and then I would work my normal hours 5 days a week, then headed over to Bridge Street and did the demolition, put back up the wall and finished the place. This meant I would work my day job and then would work at the unit until about midnight some nights with my family and friends. I was committed to this space, and I was there long hours, but I had a goal, and achieved that goal! We are now open 5 days a week until October and then we will be open 6 days a week. I’ve hired a full and part time receptionist to help with paperwork and to welcome clients. I also hired another medical aesthetician that started in July.
I’m now actively a BIA Member and will be attending their meetings come fall. We are also a Chamber Member, with the Carleton Place & District Chamber of Commerce and have been helping with their events, networking, and donations.
My Main Street had 10 opportunities for successful applications out of 175 businesses in the downtown core. Once I heard about this program, I jumped on the opportunity! Work wise, it was busy, but this sounded like something I could benefit from. I applied, did all the work required and was the second one accepted and received $10000! We put it towards furniture and tools for the business. I then applied for a grant to help pay for an employee. We have monthly meetings, that we always order food from the local businesses around us, and we always order fresh flowers from the Blossom shop next door. I have 18 years of clients, and many come in from outside of Carleton Place and like to walk down the street and shop at our local stores. I’m thankful for being at this location as my clients seem to like it better and it benefiting the supporting businesses.
Surrounding Memories – Custom picture framing, home decor, art gallery…all in one, self-contained, stunning space that’s easy to lose yourself in! Michelle Bedel initially stumbled onto the idea of opening a custom picture framing shop just after moving to Carleton Place in 2004. A local gallery owner expressed the Town’s need for a custom picture framer, since at the time, framing was being shipped to Ottawa and back. Well, no problem. As an artist with experience in many art forms, Michelle fell naturally into a role that was clearly her calling. Measuring, sawing, cutting, and drilling was nothing new to this military mom who was already quite the handy-person around the house. Michelle decided to go “all-in” and obtained her framing certificate from the International Picture Framers School in Kingston, Ontario. In 2005, Michelle decided to open Surrounding Memories. Her keen interest in picture framing and a specific vision would carry her towards the business we all know and love today. Have a special piece that needs the perfect custom frame? A collection of items that you feel should be beautifully displayed? Michelle and Serena’s shadow boxes will certainly be a conversation starter. Stop into the shop to see some stunning samples. A photo you would like to have added tribute? That special trophy? You name it, Michelle or Serena will frame it…with love, care and attention.
For Michelle and Serena, it seemed like a natural fit to also showcase some of our incredibly talented local artists. Surrounding Memories offers intriguing and original works by artisans, expressed in a variety of ways. Pottery, wall art, artifacts, and other unexpected finds are here for you. Think of it as discovering that treasure that everyone else somehow missed. 
Although Surrounding Memories started out as custom picture framing, they expanded in 2010 to include home decor and giftware. You won’t have to look hard to find the perfect gift for that special someone in your life. All in all, Surrounding Memories offers a charming browse for art lovers and home decor enthusiasts alike. You might also find it interesting that they carries the Canadian beauty product line: Barefoot Venus but it shouldn’t be too much of a surprise. This botanical bath and body line from Kelowna, BC includes products with no Parabens, Sodium Laureth Sulfate, Propylene Glycol, or synthetic colours!
That said, let’s not forget the furniture renewal products. Have an old piece that needs new love? Be sure to consult with Michelle or Serena on techniques for restoring and renewing. Shop from her collection of Canadian made paints or sign up for an in-store furniture painting class. There’s a comfort in surrounding yourself with the precious and meaningful moments of your life. It is no wonder that Surrounding Memories is such a popular destination that is best experienced firsthand.
Taste Blooms Pastry Shop and Eatery –