Sharbot Lake Retirement Residence, was established by Andrew Kovacs in 2014 with the doors opening to residents in 2017, following extensive facility renovations.

It is now known as a premier retirement facility designed to be home to 20-23 residents and well-appointed on a picturesque lakefront property in the heart of the village. Sharbot Lake Retirement has created a family-like atmosphere, distinguishing itself from larger institutions by offering personalized housing options for independent and semi-independent retirement living. The facility offers a variety of living spaces, from standard rooms to full suites, with all costs associated being combined into an all-inclusive price.

During the renovations, Frontenac Business Services provided grants for upgrades which included an elevator and automatic doors. These renovations were necessary to support the safety and accessibility for residents and staff in the home.

Operating at full capacity, Sharbot Lake Retirement has become a trusted name in retirement living and senior care. They consistently demonstrate their commitment to quality and have earned the trust of the community.

Andrew Kovacs suggests new business owners conduct thorough research, create connections and a strong network for support and always align the business with the needs of the community. These guiding principles have sustained the success and ongoing evolution of Sharbot Lake Retirement. Sharbot Lake Retirement continues to cultivate a model of excellence in the retirement care sector and is a true testament to the amazing outcomes when community care meets professional service efficiency.

The resort has flourished under Mike Hage and Nawar El-Khouri’s ownership, evolving the resort into a sanctuary of relaxation and adventure. The resort offers a 7 bedroom lodge, a suite, and five cottages, with many amenities including a swimming pool, hot tub, beach, children’s area and unique experiences year-round. The resort is further enhanced by the Red Barn Zone Food Truck, which was added by the owners and fills a distinct culinary niche with an evolving menu, including breakfast bagels, cappuccino, pizza, and the signature vegetarian samosas.

Frontenac Business Services has been influential in the resort’s growth, particularly in the most recent project of converting an existing barn into additional lodging, with financial support made possible through Frontenac Business Services and Business Development Corporation. This expansion emphasizes Myers Cave Resort’s commitment to enhancing guest experiences and accommodation options
in Frontenac County.

Myers Cave is focused on the barn transformation, with plans to fuse modern comforts with the rustic charm of cottage life, boosting its status as a destination for luxury and nature enthusiasts. The owner’s advocate for taking risks, but understand the importance of a robust business plan, and leveraging community support, all three of which are principles that have contributed to their success.

Myers Cave Resort clearly displays the impact of strategy, support, and community involvement as it impacts business landscape, offering a narrative of growth, modernization, and the value of establishing strong connections.

Since opening their doors, they have evolved from a modest business into a 5,600 square foot retail leader in the agricultural and building supply sector. The business is well-known for its extensive range of high-quality farm supplies, building materials and hardware, and caters to assorted needs with products like bale wrap, tractor parts, feeders, fencing, and an extensive line of feed, seed, and fertilizer.

Since 2017, they have worked with Frontenac Business Services, which has provided financial and business development support to build the new retail space for their expansion. This collaboration enabled the Bovey’s to lay a solid foundation for future business.

Today, Maple Country Home & Farm is an essential supplier in the region, recognized for delivering quality, and practical solutions for agricultural, commercial, and industrial projects. The Bovey’s have a strong commitment to customer service and retail excellence with plans for expanded offerings in the future.

Their business journey was reinforced through their strategic planning, market analysis, and the support they received from Frontenac Business Services. The Bovey’s demonstrate the power of a strong vision combined with practical business strategies. Maple Country Home & Farm’s success is well-defined when you parallel their initial start, to where they are today as a key player in the agricultural retail market, clearly illustrating the impact of support and innovation.

Katie Heath co-founded Crimson Cider in an 1850’s stone farmhouse on a picturesque 24-acre rural lot in Prince Edward County, Ontario, where she planted an apple orchard. It was shortly after the female entrepreneur had finished building a new production facility for her craft cider company that the pandemic struck.

The word pivot has become embedded in the lexicon of most successful entrepreneurs. It means making a decisive turn in direction when faced with temporary or permanent impediments to moving forward towards your goals.

Empty storefronts and boarded up businesses have long been a blight for many rural towns hit by declines in traditional industries and dwindling numbers of young families. Rebuilding and revitalizing Main Streets has been a slow and steady labour in many places, with progress measured in years, as new enterprises take root and people make their way back downtown.

At Topsy Farms, Canada’s top sustainable sheep farm on Amherst Island in Lennox and Addington county, certain things are a given. Sheep are born in the pasture and winter outdoors because happy sheep make better wool. Spraying or fertilizer is strictly forbidden. Land is kept green, a rewilding program proudly exists, and in keeping with the founders’ ethos, a percentage of proceeds keep land open to the public. While core values are being honoured and maintained, business  challenges abound. Even though their 100% sustainable wool blankets are highly popular, they’re not always available. As  Jacob Murray, co-owner of Topsy Farms, recently shared, “We may have 590 mature sheep, but can’t supply enough wool to meet blanket demand.”

Nestled amidst the rolling hills and pristine lakes of Lennox and Addington County, Ontario, the remarkable Birch Babe story continues to unfold. A skincare company born from a family's passion for clean living, it’s blossomed from a local gem into a force for good in the skincare industry.