Western NS Rising: the Western REN Podcast

Innovation is alive and well in Western Nova Scotia. In the first of three episodes featuring innovators from our region, host Wade Cleveland explores the Spark Competition, a regional startup competition and training program for early-stage innovators from rural Nova Scotia. Winners can receive up to $50,000 worth of funding to help kick-start their business.

Erinn Smith of the Nova Scotia Association of Community Business Development Corporations (CBDCs), which administers Spark, explains how the regions are divided and who sits on the judging panel. Western REN CEO Angélique Doucet has been one of those judges over the last couple of years.

First place in the Southwest Region in 2026 went to Nutrilolli Inc., based in St. Alphonse in Clare. Founded by Alex Dulay, Caroline Boudreau and Erich Daquioag, the company is building a lollipop that helps kids get the nutrients they need and can also tell you if they are running low on iron. No needles. Just a lollipop. Wade talks with Alex Dulay about the company and the idea behind it.

Follow Nutrilolli:
Webpage: https://www.nutrilolli.com/       
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nutri.lolli/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/nutrilolli/posts/

Follow Western REN:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WesternREN           
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/western_ren/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/westernren/
Connect with host Wade Cleveland on LinkedIn:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/wade-cleveland-02812176/

 What does Continuous Improvement actually look like inside a real business? On this episode, Western REN CEO Angelique Doucet joins host Wade Cleveland to break down what Lean thinking means in practice. It comes down to one idea: do more of what the customer values and cut out everything that wastes time or money. And  two very different businesses, a shipyard founded in 1938 and a print shop bought in 2022, share how it changed the way they work.
Learn more about Continuous Improvement and BusinessNow: https://westernren.ca/
Follow Western REN on
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WesternREN           
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/western_ren/ 
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/westernren/
Connect with host Wade Cleveland on LinkedIn:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/wade-cleveland-02812176/

Wade Cleveland has a conversation with Western REN CEO Angélique LeBlanc about who we are, what we do, and how our work supports businesses, communities, and economic development across the region.

 What does it take to transform 200+ km of trail into a true destination? Wade Cleveland sits down with Brenda LaGrandeur to find out what it takes to transform 200+ km of trail into a true destination. Brenda shares the story behind the Dark Sky T'Railway and Get Side-Tracked, a placemaking project weaving together business, infrastructure and art, impacting Western Nova Scotia.

Western NS Rising: The Western REN Podcast is a lively, conversational show hosted by Wade Cleveland that celebrates the people, businesses, and ideas helping Western Nova Scotia thrive. Through inspiring conversations with entrepreneurs, innovators, and community leaders, each episode explores the stories behind local success and the opportunities shaping our region's future. Along the way, you'll learn how Western REN programs support business growth, entrepreneurship, and stronger communities. New episodes release monthly beginning June 23.