The Just Drew Podcast

Today's guest is Martin Gaudet. Originally from Shediac NB, home of the Giant Lobster! Martin grew up a 2 minute walk from a fishing wharf and the beach on the North Humber land straight. He lived between a smoke fish factory and a crab factory. He was raised eating all things seafood, including oysters! Martin has since settled in Port Dover. A small town near water and a beach, where he felt home right away. He's never lost his love of the east coast and seafood and is now known locally as "The Shucking King". Martin now has a mobile Oyster Bar that brings his passion of oysters to Norfolk County! You can hire Martin directly or you can find him at many events around the area.

Paul is a BMX, cross country and downhill mountain bike racer. Over his career he has won 16 Ontario Cups for down hill mountain biking, two Canada Cup wins and a silver at the Canadian National Championships. In 2002 Paul raced a perfect season going six for six in Ontario wins. He was the first in Ontario to receive a Pro-Elite Status (pro license) as a Masters Age rider. Paul is a founding member of the Turkey Point Mountain Bike Club which was established in 2011. Paul is also the owner of Elevation Mountain Bike Camps & Coaching which specializes in mountain bike tours, rentals and lessons.

Shelli is the Executive Chef and General Manager of the Marsh view Patio, a popular dining destination in Norfolk County. Shelli is a dedicated mother to a 10 year old son. She has built a dynamic career rooted in culinary expertise and an entrepreneurial spirit. While growing up on a farm, she learned the importance of fresh food. After earning a Culinary Management diploma from Niagara College and her Red Seal Certificate she has honed her skills working in various restaurants locally and in Niagara on the Lake. After a short stint at Trends Restaurant in Simcoe she found her long-term home at Long Point Eco Adventures, where she has been for the past nine years. Shelli's life is a blend of dedication to the culinary arts, an entrepreneurial mindset, and a deep commitment to family.

Hannah Dolson is a 26 year old singer, born and raised in Simcoe, Ontario. You can find her dabbling in several areas of local entertainment; whether it’s playing at local music festivals and events with her band “The Echelon”, taking part in local short films and modelling projects, or strutting the stage in pinup pageants. You can even find Hannah taking on an array of fun roles at the Simcoe Little Theatre… you’re sure to see her somewhere! Hannah has also made her debut directing her very first play "The little Shop of Horror's" which you can see at The Little Simcoe Theatre running November 21st – December 8th, 2024.

David was born and raised in Norfolk County. A father of 4 kids with his wife Cathy. David has been an entrepreneur for over 50 years. The first business he purchased was a gas station in Waterford at age 27. He later purchased Ryerse's in 1989 from the Ryerse family which is now known as the Rysere Garden Gallery . At the time, he didn't know anything about the flowers or the garden industry, but grew up in farming and was familiar with agriculture. David has since ran a successful flower shop and garden centre for 35 years and continues to overcome unforeseen adversity (which we discuss in the podcast) and build the business back up at the age of 72. Megan BioMegan was also born and raised in Norfolk (on the same property as the shop) but currently lives with her partner in Hamilton.

Megan went to school for Film and Television Production after high school. Following this she left in her 20s living in place such as Australia and even teaching English in Hong Kong. After her adventures Megan went back to school to become a teacher. She had always worked seasonally Ryerse Garden Gallery between traveling and schooling. Megan has since left teaching and now works with her father David at the shop full time. Together alongside their amazing staff they are rebuilding the business after a devastating fire from a lightning strike earlier this year.

Brendan Barnard is a Toronto-based filmmaker that also spends a lot of time living in a van. His career started by making music videos varying in scale and genres. He’s recently found a love for documentary filmmaking with his first film, One Man’s Trash, earning a spot on the shortlist a the 1.4 Awards in London. He is currently working on a couple new projects that aim to find a middle ground between his interests in the music video and documentary spaces.

Ryan Cowan is a producer with a portfolio of over 40 music videos for both independent artists and major music labels, including Warner Music and Universal Music. Alongside music videos, Ryan works in Film / TV production, most recently as the Associate Producer on the documentary series Secrets of the Forest for TVOkids. He’s also one of the Co-Founders of the Toronto International Music Video Festival (TIMVF), which brings filmmakers and artists together annually. Ryan is passionate about bringing stories to the screen, and is currently in development on a new feature.

Jordan moved to Norfolk County back in 2010 with a degree in psychology where he worked at the sprucedale Youth Centre. Over the past 10yrs Jordan has since left to pursue and develop his DJ company Black Creek Music, a real estate company, and his most recent project Capitol and Lounge 33. Outside of his current ventures Jordan had also created the Veil & Tie Show Wedding Expo, The Norfolk Wedding Lounge and Black Creek Limousine. Jordan Loves doing business with friends, spends his time how he chooses and loves to give young people opportunities to be great at what they do. When I first entered the freelancing business Jordan was my first mentor and is still someone I go to for business advice today. As they say "the proof is in the pudding".

Amanda is a Norfolk County native and lover of all things Norfolk. She is the Co-owner along with Susan Judd with Ride The Bine, a craft beverage tour company, . Ride the Bine was started in 2017 - with the launch of many new wineries and breweries in Norfolk, as a way to ‘connect the dots’ and get people out exploring into their own backyard. Amanda is also a first generation farmer with her husband Hayden. Together they own Suncrest Orchards - growing 7 different varieties of apples across 80 acres. I've experienced Ride the Bine first hand and it's been incredible watching the company grow over the years. I've also had the privilege of witnessing Sun-crest Orchards during bloom and it's a site to see.

Todays guest is Gaston Fernando Lacy Valenzuela. He was born in Sonora Mexico where he earned a Bachelors degree on “International Businesses” before moving to Canada in 2010. In 2011 he started Beach Burrito in Port Dover. In 2014 he went mobile with a food truck and finally in 2021 he opened the famous Tacos & Tequila. Fernando has a passion for mountain biking and food. I've known Fernando for a few years now and he has to be one of the happiest people I know. Not to mention our shared passion for Norfolk County which we've both made our home.

Dusty Zamecnik is a 4th generation Farmer currently managing one of North America’s leading strawberry plant propagators. Continuing his family business of EZ Grow Dusty has been a pioneer in his industry bringing him both provincial and national recognition for his work.

Not to mention In January of 2017 Dusty and his two cousins founded the Hometown Brew Co. The brewery is committed to growing and incorporating as many of its own ingredients as possible and is deeply rooted in the local community.

I've personally witnessed Dusty grow and expand his two business over the years, and it's truly humbling.