Business headlines from last week that you may have missed.Visit ⁠huronchamber.ca/newsletter⁠ for more details on these headlines and to subscribe to the newsletter.

This week, Colin chats with Katrina McQuail of Meeting Place Organic Farm, a multi-faceted family farm in northern Huron County that blends certified organic and regenerative farming with direct-to-consumer sales, seasonal events, and a strong commitment to community. Katrina talks about taking on the role of second-generation farmer, building on the vision her parents began in the 1970s, and adapting the business for a new era without losing what made it special in the first place.

The conversation explores how the farm has evolved into far more than a place that produces food. From grass-fed beef, pastured pork and poultry, and orchard products to seedlings, flowers, on-farm gatherings, and family-friendly events, Meeting Place Organic Farm has become a destination that connects people to local food and to one another. Katrina also reflects on what it meant for the farm to be named Business of the Year at the Huron Chamber’s Spirit of Success Awards, and on the deeper value of doing business in a way that supports both land and community.

Business headlines from last week that you may have missed.

Visit ⁠huronchamber.ca/newsletter⁠ for more details on these headlines and to subscribe to the newsletter.

This week, Colin chats with John Miners, owner of Experior IT, about what it really means to provide IT support for small businesses in a world where technology touches almost every part of daily operations. Based in Exeter and serving clients across southern Ontario, John has built his business around a simple but increasingly important idea: smaller companies may not have their own in-house IT department, but they still need experienced guidance, reliable support, and strong cybersecurity.

Their conversation explores the gap between what many people think IT is and what businesses actually need. Beyond setting up computers and solving day-to-day problems, John helps clients think strategically about technology, from equipment planning and budgeting to remote monitoring and security. He also talks candidly about the transition from running Experior IT as a side business to doing it full-time, including the challenges of sales, communication, and building a company around technical expertise. It is a thoughtful discussion about risk, productivity, and the practical value of having trusted local support behind the scenes.

Business headlines from last week that you may have missed.

Visit huronchamber.ca/newsletter for more details on these headlines and to subscribe to the newsletter.

This week, Colin chats with Michael Sklad of the Fishing Friendzy Foundation, an organization that is building something many families may not realize has been missing for years: a true youth fishing league. Often described as “minor hockey for fishing,” Fishing Friendzy gives kids a structured, welcoming way to learn the sport, even if no one in their family fishes already. Michael talks about how the idea grew from years of teaching kids, running interactive fishing exhibits, and seeing first-hand how many parents were looking for a way to introduce their children to the outdoors.

The conversation also explores the bigger purpose behind the program. Fishing Friendzy is not just about catching fish. It is about ethical angling, conservation, patience, family time, and helping kids build a real connection to nature. Michael also shares how the foundation is working to keep leagues inclusive through community partnerships, local sponsorships, and supports for families who might otherwise be left out. For Huron County listeners, this is a thoughtful look at a local initiative that combines recreation, education, and community in a way that is both practical and far-reaching.

Link: https://www.fishingfriendzy.com/

This week, Colin chats with Tricia Denomme of the Huron Business Centre about Summer Company, a program that helps young people across Huron County turn business ideas into real summer ventures. Designed for students returning to school in the fall, the program combines business training, one-on-one support, and grant funding to give participants a practical introduction to entrepreneurship.

The conversation explores what makes Summer Company more than just a summer job. Tricia explains how students learn not only to deliver a product or service, but also to handle the behind-the-scenes work that comes with running a business, from marketing and scheduling to invoicing and planning. She also talks about the confidence, resilience, and workplace skills participants gain along the way, even if they do not see themselves as future entrepreneurs.

It is a timely conversation about youth opportunity, local business development, and the value of giving young people the tools to build something of their own.

Links:

• Huron Business Centre
• Summer Company Program

This week, Colin chats with Natalie Steenstra, Executive Director of Community Living - Central Huron, about the work of building a more inclusive community in practical, everyday ways. Based in Goderich and rooted in local families’ advocacy going back to 1958, Community Living Central Huron supports people with intellectual disabilities in living the lives they want to lead, whether that means help with daily living, respite for caregivers, community participation, or finding meaningful paid work.

Natalie speaks about what that looks like in a rural place like Huron County, where geography, transportation, and limited services can create very different challenges from one community to the next. She also shares how inclusive hiring can benefit both employees and employers, and why matching people’s strengths to real workplace needs is better for everyone involved.

It is a thoughtful conversation about leadership, local partnerships, and the importance of making sure more people can fully participate in community life, not as a gesture, but as a matter of fairness, dignity, and common sense.

This week, Colin chats with Michael Daley and Chapin Korosec of EpiSense, a Goderich-based startup working at the intersection of public health, data, and practical decision-making. Their goal is simple, but ambitious: to make disease forecasting easier to understand and more useful in everyday life.

In this conversation, they explain how EpiSense pulls together public health data on illnesses like influenza, RSV, COVID, measles, and the common cold, then turns it into clear, accessible information for families, travellers, and anyone trying to make more informed choices. Rather than telling people what to do, the platform is built to give them timely insight, much like a weather app for community health.

The discussion also looks beyond the product itself. Michael and Chapin talk about building a startup while balancing day jobs, young families, and community involvement, all from Huron County. It is a thoughtful conversation about innovation, local talent, and the kind of business that can grow in rural Ontario when expertise, purpose, and community-mindedness come together.

This week, Colin chats with Alex Jebson of Huron County Pride, an organization that is helping build connection, visibility, and inclusion for 2SLGBTQIA+ people across Huron County. Alex shares how Huron County Pride has grown quickly since its founding in 2022, from launching its first Pride Festival to creating practical programs like its decal initiative, which helps businesses show visible support while also learning more about inclusive practices.

The conversation explores what inclusion can look like in everyday business settings, from small visible signals to broader changes that make workplaces more welcoming for everyone. Alex makes the case that inclusion is not just about policy, it is about helping people feel safe, seen, and respected in the communities where they live, work, and shop.

Colin and Alex also talk about the organization’s upcoming Spring Fling Comedy nights in Exeter and Goderich, as well as plans for the 2026 Huron County Pride Festival and a full week of events across the county. It is a thoughtful and practical conversation about community leadership, belonging, and the role local organizations and businesses can play in making Huron County a more welcoming place.