OV Boss Babes

Keanna MacKinnon was only 17 when she decided she wanted to go into business herself. She wanted to provide a new and contactless delivery service to shop for groceries and deliver them right to your front porch but didn’t necessarily have the money to launch her start up. That’s when she took it upon herself to complete Enterprise Renfrew County’s Summer Company Program, where she was successful and continued to run her business long after summer was over.

Keanna is now away at college, running Valley Grocery Delivery remotely, and has an employee doing her deliveries for her. Tune in to find out how Keanna has partnered with Family Children Services and how you can place a grocery order for delivery!

This week’s episode has been sponsored by:

Enterprise Renfrew County encourages and contributes to the enterprising spirit and economic development by assisting entrepreneurs with the development of new or existing companies. Learn more at http://www.enterpriserenfrewcounty.com

Laurentian Valley has adopted a Community Improvement Plan (CIP), a 50% grant matching program of eligible costs up to a certain amount per category. Laurentian Valley properties are eligible to receive up to $10,000 total (excluding building permit and planning fee rebates). Learn more here: https://www.lvtownship.ca/en/invest-and-build/community-improvement-plan.aspx

Agnew Renovations offers quality home renovations at affordable prices.

If you want honest, affordable, quality work give Steve a call at 613-639-5971 or check out their Facebook page to see their recent transformation projects!

What started out as a hobby crocheting turned into so much more for Laura Carlsson as she was given the push to register Dame with a Hook as a vendor in local markets, and has since become a staple piece for headbands, baby wear, her famous homemade faux-fur pom-poms (and hopefully in 2022, sweaters!)

Although she is not taking any more custom orders until the new year, you can find Dame with a Hook’s cute, comfy and warm crocheted products on social media, in several retailers throughout the Ottawa Valley, as well at upcoming Christmas markets, including Baby Mama Hustle and Vendors of the Valley’s Holiday Hustle.

This episode has been sponsored by:

Join the Renfrew County OSPCA for the Paw it Forward Online Howliday Auction in support of local animals in need and the amazing local businesses we all love in Renfrew County!

With Christmas around the corner, here’s your chance to paws to support local and help us care for animals at the Ontario SPCA Renfrew County Animal Centre. Learn more here: https://ontariospca.ca/who-we-are/events/paw-it-forward-online-howliday-auction-renfrew/

The brains behind the beans, Sarah Wright and her partner Neil wanted to offer fresh, small-batch roasted coffee to their community that would leave a lasting impression with all those that tasted it. Their handcrafted coffee can be found on shelves across Canada.

What initially started as a “start-up” concept has turned into so much more, with two thriving locations, over 300 wholesalers, and the consistent demand for our favourite freshly-roasted coffee. Tune in as Sarah spills the beans on Madawaska Coffee’s commitment to its community, expansion of their second location, and some great local talent shout outs!

This week’s episode has been sponsored by:

With Chéla Inc.: Chéla teaches small-town women and rural communities how to think strategically so they can achieve the elevated leadership required to make the change they need. Learn more at https://withchela.com

Bob’s Music Plus is a full-service music, offering audio and lighting rentals, as well as music lessons on a variety of instruments and styles, equipment repairs, and a full recording studio with a professional and certified sound engineer. Check them out at https://bobsmusic.com/tmp4678/

Join the Ottawa Valley Tourist Association’s #tourismfamily today by becoming an OVTA member. It’s completely free! http://www.ottawavalley.travel/About_the_OVTA/Become_an_OVTA_Member.html

The Township of Madawaska Valley is proud to support and promote their local businesses. Shop small and local businesses in Madawaska Valley and help support your local community: https://www.madawaskavalley.ca

Boss babes, friends and business partners Kait Smith and Sara Bulhoes, of Glass House Cosmetics are on a mission to simplify every day looks for busy women, without sacrificing time or luxury. They wanted to bring YOU 100% Canadian made, vegan and hypoallergenic cosmetics - and they did just that, launching their business admidst the pandemic.

So pull up a seat and using their words, put your best face forward girlfriend as they chat all things beauty, business, and being full fledged career women, fempreneurs, mom’s and friends!

OV Boss Babes Podcast is celebrating our one year in business - and we have invited four past guests who came on the pod last year and are celebrating with us. We are also celebrating these small business owners because they have survived the last year and have pivoted, adapted and changed the way they’ve done things, and we wanted to recognize their success and share with everyone what they’ve been up to, and what we can expect next!

Remember when Favourite Things used to be “Local” and held creative workshops? Find out why they changed their name and if their workshops will be held again!

The pandemic caused 𝙃𝙀𝙍 𝐸𝑚𝑝𝑜𝑤𝑒𝑟𝑚𝑒𝑛𝑡 𝐶𝑜𝑚𝑚𝑢𝑛𝑖𝑡𝑦’s inclusive and empowering boutique in Downtown Pembroke to close her doors, but that didn’t stop this powerful boss babe from continuing the empowering movement. Hear what Christal has been up to!

We first heard from Lisa when she first talked about opening her coffee community hub Ottawa Valley Coffee back in December 2020 but didn’t announce her opening date - let’s see how OVC has been doing more then just offering hot (and cold!) brews.

We’d like to thank our anniversary episode sponsors:

Hyska’s Your Independent Grocer Petawawa: they bring more then just food to the table. Shop in store or online with PC Express at https://www.yourindependentgrocer.ca/store-locator/details/2692?utm_source=G&utm_medium=LPM&utm_campaign=Loblaws

Milano Pizza Petawawa: Browse their menu of Pizza, Wings, Subs, Italian Dishes and of course, Jenny’s famous and delicious cheesecakes! Order your next meal at https://mpetawawa.milanopizzeria.ca

Lily’s Closet Boutique is a Canadian owned womens clothing boutique offering the best in comfort fashion. They carry all sizes in tops, dresses, leggings, accessories and more! Shop online or in store at https://shoplilyscloset.com

Sweetened by Shelly would love to cater / create desserts for your next event or social gathering. Find her on Facebook and Instagram at Sweetened by Shelly.

Katie Clark and Louise Bimm are two small business owners who not only wanted to spotlight small businesses in the Ottawa Valley, but they also wanted to give back to their community. They held their first market, Vendors of the Valley, back in the fall, hosting a very successful event, with 100% of proceeds going towards the Pembroke Regional Hospital Foundation. Now, they’re back at it again holding their second vendor market, Holiday Hustle, taking place December 10, 2021, donating proceeds to the Child Poverty Action Network (CPAN). Find out what vendors will be there and why we are so excited to get back to in-person holiday markets again! This week’s podcast has been sponsored by:

Book Amanda Talker Media to help your business grow through social media, photography and brand identity by checking out her extensive portfolio at https://amandatalker.media/

Independent bookstores are becoming rare nowadays but when you talk to the owner of White Pine Books, Jen Rusheleau, she shares why passionate readers still prefer to browse through sections of bookshelves, searching for their next new read to get lost in, instead of scrolling online or reading on a kindle.

After taking over the business from her mom, Gwen Storie, Jen expanded the store fo include a children’s boutique, stocked with eco-friendly apparel. In the summer of 2021, Jen came up with The Pines Rides, a snowboard and surf lifestyle shop for the outdoor and adventure enthusiast!

This week’s episode has been sponsored by:

The Town of Arnprior - see how they can help grow your business by visiting www.arnprior.ca

Century 21 Aspire Realty is the gold standard in Canadian real estate. Search current listings, get insight into a particular neighbourhood, find out how much your home is worth and more! Visit https://aspirerealty.c21.ca to speak to one of their knowledgeable real estate agents today.

Labour Market Group Renfrew/Lanark County’s new LMI HelpDesk service is now available on their website to answer your Labour Market Information requests and questions related to occupation outlooks, industry trends, average wages, etc. Access the LMI link here: https://www.algonquincollege.com/renfrewlanark/lmi-helpdesk/

Get 10% off your first Bundle of Joy pregnancy subscription box + receive a free Baby box at the end of your subscripton using code OVBB at checkout: https://bundleofjoybox.ca

You’ve heard his voice and have seen him play across the Ottawa Valley for years, from events, weddings, dances, and even on the Valley Heritage radio but this year marks Gillan Rutz’s golden 50 year anniversary celebrating his musical career. Gillan hit the stage when he was brought in by The Valley Entertainers, a local group of musicians back in the day, but his love for music started well before that. Hear from one of the Ottawa Valley’s favourite local musicians who knows the history of the ottawa valley, its stories, and it’s music better then any historian.

Sarah Gunter and Mel Ribgy both started off teaching at Petawawa’s former yoga and fitness studio, Power of You, but after it closed, the ladies heard the cries of their yogi students who were devasted and desperately wanted to continue yoga here in their home community. So together, these instructors & friends opened their own studio doors, Beyond the Mat to share their passion of fitness yoga and overall well being with their clients.

Sarah & Mel talk about how their team and dedicated community kept their hopes and spirits high during the pandemic, what they each bring to the mat, and why you should totally sing & shazaam songs during their yoga & fitness sessions!

This week’s podcast has been brought to you by:

Start your Christmas shopping early by making your wish list at Favourite Things! Shop online at https://www.ftpembroke.com or in store!

Are you a business operating in the Town of Petawawa? Register your business to Petawawa’s business directory here: https://www.petawawa.ca/business/

Take advantage of the FREE Introduction to Intercultural Competency workshop featuring topics like Identity and Culture, Value-based Behaviours, Assigning Meaning and Unconscious Bias. Register here: https://algonquincollege.zoom.us/meeting/register/tJUqduqgpj0jHtPfQ_j_3Hq26-NL3eJDm-r6.

The Petawawa Military Family Resource Centre provides exceptional support to military families and its surrounding communities. Learn more at https://www.cafconnection.ca/Petawawa/Home.aspx

Have you ever wondered what is it like to work in radio and become well-loved, popular morning show hosts? Is there more that goes on behind the scenes then just talking with your co-host, listening to the same song playing 5x a day and saying “you’re caller #10, you win!”

On this week’s episode, we feature morning show hosts and friends Sandra Plagakis from Kiss 105.3 in Ottawa and Hilary Welch from Easy 101.3 in London. Sandra and Hilary are also co hosts of the Quick & Dirty Podcast, which features guests that share and bare all about sex, relationships and all things kinky!

Listen to the Quick & The Dirty podcast here: https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/the-quick-the-dirty-podcast/id1440617412