Watson & Lou is a downtown staple and a place to experience the best of Peterborough makers and get crafty. We asked Katie about her experience owning her own shop downtown and her work with our Loans Manager, Braden Clark, to make her dream a reality!
This is what she had to say:
- What do you love about owning a business in Peterborough?
"The community in Downtown Peterborough is pretty incredible. There's a genuine sense of support from fellow business owners - people who truly understand what it takes to run a business. That camaraderie makes it easy to love doing what I do here." - What is one piece of advice or motivation that you would give other entrepreneurs?
"Accept help. When someone trustworthy offers a hand, take it. You don’t have to do it all alone. The people in your life want to see you succeed - and when you do, everyone benefits. Let support be part of your journey." - What did you love about working with Community Futures Peterborough?
"They took the time to really understand my situation and helped me find the loan program that fit best. As a young entrepreneur navigating uncertain times, I was turned away by bigger institutions, but Community Futures didn’t flinch. They believed in me and thanks to that, here we are, building something great in Downtown Peterborough." - Her final thoughts:
"Owning a business isn’t easy—but it’s worth it. The people you meet and the impact you have on your community make the challenges worthwhile."
Don't forget to check out her beautiful shop, Watson & Lou and support local makers!
