Economic Development eNews | September 7, 2021 |
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Burdock Nettle products build on Power of Plants |
MALLORYTOWN - Burdock Nettle owner Linda Davis has created her business with the goal of offering people a way to take more control of their health.
A herbalist with more than three decades of experience, Linda says plants provide natural, chemical-free remedies and her wish is to pass along her knowledge and create quality products for people and animals.
"My life has rotated around learning about the abundance of nature," says Linda. Today, she grows herbs and wild-crafts the plants required to create her chemical-free skin care, outdoor sprays, salves pet care and horse grooming products. A new range of products called "Botanics Collection" will be launched this fall. These products, along with quality teas, are available at various retail outlets as well as her home store.
Her products can be found in Home Hardware in Gananoque, Lyndhurst and Brockville, as well as The Green Gecko and Wing's Live Bait & Tackle in Lyndhurst and the Tipsy Goat in Lansdowne.
"I believe in helping people help themselves," says Linda, adding the pandemic has inspired some people to be more self reliant. There has also been a "coming of age" for natural remedies in the past decade, she says, adding some doctors in the area are recommending some of her products to their patients.
Linda grew up in the Toronto area but spent more than 30 years in Australia and New Zealand where she did her training and later opened a healing centre in New Zealand. Her interest in herbs and medicinal plants started in 1980 when she was pregnant and sought natural products rather than taking pills. "That started my journey. It just grew from there, snowballed," she says.
Linda returned to Ontario in 2005. She operated a tea shop in Gananoque for several years and later moved to Mallorytown to grow her own herbs.
"Our products are developed and hand-blended in the beautiful Frontenac Arch Biosphere area of Mallorytown. Protection and care for the environment and the health of families and pets is the mission of Burdock Nettle," Linda says.
Burdock Nettle's products are made with organically grown, wild-crafted, and sustainably procured ingredients and are natural and chemical free. "All of our ingredients come together to create products that help your family and pets enjoy a natural, healthier lifestyle."
Linda began hosting workshops two years ago. Sessions are offered onsite and online. They include: Discover Nature's Medicine Cabinet, Understanding Nature's Energetics, Tea Tasting, Interconnectedness and Goddess Remembered.
Learn more about Burdock Nettle and Linda's full product line by visiting the website, send an email or call 613-213-2129. You can also order online.
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Above feature photo: Burdock Nettle owner Linda Davis with her tick spray, one of the top sellers. Below: Linda with her dog Bella, in her garden and her new line of products. |
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Today, the Government of Canada will re-open Canadian borders to fully vaccinated international travellers who meet the entry requirements. The Public Health Agency of Canada has developed a one-page document outlining requirements for all travellers, including discretionary travel (for example, non-essential, tourism) entering Canada by land or air. A detailed fact sheet has also been developed for vaccinated travellers entering into Canada.
The provincial government has also announced people will be required to be fully vaccinated and provide proof of vaccination to access certain establishments starting September 22. |
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Rapid Screen Test Kits for Businesses
Free rapid antigen tests for small- and medium-sized businesses (150 employees or less) are now available throughout the region.
These tests are NOT considered as a replacement for mandatory healthy screening that your employees complete daily. This program is open to non-chamber members no matter your location in the region.
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The Digital Transformation Grant is back!
You could receive a $2,500 Digital Transformation Grant through the Digital Main Street Program (DMS). Grants are available to eligible brick-and-mortar small businesses looking to improve or increase their digital presence. DMS is focused on assisting small businesses with the adoption of new technologies to expand and increase sales.
Applications will continue to be accepted until October 31st, or until funds are exhausted. The grant is administered by the Ontario BIA Association (OBIAA).
Initially launched 14 months ago, the program has already helped more than 700 area small businesses. For more information on the Leeds Grenville program contact Leeds Grenville Business Development Officer Jim Hutton via email or call 613-342-3840, ext. 5361, and visit our Digital Main Street webpage.
Participant requirements - must be a business that:
- Has a permanent 'brick-and-mortar' establishment in Ontario
- Is employing 1-50 employees
- Has not received the Digital Service Grant previously
- Is paying commercial property tax (commercially assessed), either directly or through commercial rent
- Is a registered business in Ontario and / or is incorporated
- Is open for business / operating at the time of application (not a start up)
- Is open to the general public for walk-in and onsite purchases of goods and services
- Is not a business supplying digital services to other businesses (website design / development, SEO, programming)
- Is not a franchise, including those individually owned and operated
- Is not a not-for-profit / charitable organization
- Is not renting office space on a temporary basis (month-to-month)
- Is not in a shared workspace such as a hot desk or dedicated desk
- Is not purely an online business
Owned by:
- An Ontario resident operating a business in Ontario
- An individual of 18 years of age or older at the time of application
- A Canadian citizen or permanent resident
Has completed the Digital Transformation for Main Street program, which includes:
- The Digital Main Street Assessment
- Has passed the eligibility quiz
- The online training
- Developing a Digital Transformation Plan
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Economic Development Summit |
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Save The Date - Submit your Chat room topic suggestions
The 2021 Leeds Grenville Economic Development Summit will again continue with a virtual format. Please hold the date of Friday, November 19 in your calendars!
Registration will be open by the end of September.
The afternoon agenda will again have open chat rooms. Please submit your topic suggestions to Ann Weir, Economic Development Manager, via email. |
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Economic Development Leadership Award |
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2020 Award winners Janet Campbell (top) and Wendy Merkley. |
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It's time to nominate an economic development community leader! |
The Leeds Grenville Economic Development Office is asking individuals, councils and economic development committees to identify candidates for the 11th annual Bill Thake Memorial Award for Economic Development Leadership.
Many volunteers help to improve the economic vitality of Leeds Grenville and its many communities. Our goal is to honour them for their ongoing efforts.
Since the award was launched, 14 area economic development leaders have earned the award with a total of 38 nominees also recognized for their outstanding community work.
If you have someone in mind within the 10 member municipalities of Leeds Grenville, consider putting their name forward. You can connect with us at [email protected] or call Deanna Clark at 613-342-3840, ext. 5360.
The award will be presented at the annual Economic Development Summit on November 19, 2021, which is being held virtually.
The deadline for submissions is Friday, September 24, at 4 p.m.
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Women's Entrepreneurship Program |
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Are you a woman looking to start your own business or grow your new business? If you are looking for guidance, mentorship and support, you can achieve your goals through the FREE Women's Entrepreneurship Program (WEP).
What you get from WEP:
- Step-by-step guidance in creating your business plan
- What you need to know about the Basics of Business
- Leadership skills - learn time management, goal setting and team-building skills
- Social media training - learn the importance of social media and how to use it effectively
- Mentorship and support from other women entrepreneurs
Application deadline is this Friday, September 10th
The program start date is Monday, September 27th.
To learn more or to apply, visit the Leeds Grenville Small Business Centre website. |
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Workshops, Seminars and Webinar Library |
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Starter Company Plus - information sessions
Are you starting or expanding an existing business? Did you want to increase your profits, be more focused and stop feeling overwhelmed? With Starter Company Plus you will receive guidance, coaching, training and funding.
What does it look like? It is one-on-one guidance from a Leeds Grenville Small Business Centre advisor, participation in a business plan boot camp, coaching and training from professional consultants and coaches, funding of up to $5,000, and more.
To find out more and to apply, to you must attend one of the online Information Sessions on Wednesday, September 8th, or Thursday, September 9th.
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Financial Empowerment for Entrepreneurs
This three-part series will be led by Financial Coach Tara Tennant and is hosted by the Small Business Advisory Centre (Smiths Falls, Lanark County / north Leeds Grenville). Tara will walk you through a complete financial check-up.
In this 3-week guided webinar series you will:
- Uncover what you're doing really well
- Learn where to look for warning signs
- Be given templates and outlines for best practices along with guidance on which tools are best suited for your business
WHEN: Friday, September 10th, 10-11 a.m. - Hang-ups, hiccups & habits (Week 1)
Friday, September 17th, 10-11 a.m. - Accentuate the positive & eliminate the negative (Week 2)
Friday, September 24th, 10-11 a.m. - Go With the Flow (Week 3)
COST: Free
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Canva 101: Beginners
This webinar will focus on developing the skills and knowledge you need to effectively utilize Canva, an online graphic design tool, to create beautiful images and graphics for use on your social media channels. Participants will be guided through account set-up and platform navigation, as well as simple design strategies. The session features Jennifer Baker and is hosted by the Small Business Advisory Centre (Smiths Falls, Lanark County / north Leeds Grenville).
By the end of the webinar participants will be able to:
- navigate Canva
- search for designs and templates
- upload graphics, videos, and logos
- download files in appropriate file formats
- customize a pre-existing template on Canva
- view free and paid Canva features
WHEN: Wednesday, September 15, 10-11:30 a.m.
COST: Free
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Wholesale for Handmakers: Ask the Expert
Speaker Emily Arbour of Cheerfully Made will discuss the basics of expanding your small business into the world of retail. The session is hosted by the Small Business Advisory Centre (Smiths Falls, Lanark County / north Leeds Grenville)
You will leave this mini course with a better understanding of:
- the difference between wholesale, consignment and retail
- how to formulate your pricing for sustainable growth
- how to add efficiency to your creative process for greater profitability
- how to source materials for greater pricing efficiency
- the importance of packaging your goods for retail
- how to create a wholesale line sheet and catalog
- how to find potential stock lists to carry your work
- how to successfully approach retailers
- how to craft a more sustainable future for your small business
WHEN: Tuesday, September 21, 10-11:30 a.m. (final 30 minutes will be Q&A)
COST: Free
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Canva 201: Intermediate
Focus will be on increasing the participant’s existing knowledge of Canva. It is recommended that participants have pre-existing knowledge of Canva or have attended Canva 101. This course is designed for users who want to improve their design skills on Canva through photo-editing tools, and animation. Participants will also learn how to batch-create content, and resize canvases. The speaker is Jennifer Baker and the session is hosted by the Small Business Advisory Centre (Smiths Falls, Lanark County / north Leeds Grenville)
By the end of the webinar participants will be able to:
- batch-create multiple pieces of content
- resize canvases
- utilize photo editing tools, including background remover
- add animation to a canvas
- understand tips and tricks to be time efficient on Canva.
- see both free and paid features on Canva
WHEN: Wednesday, September 22, 10-11:30 a.m.
COST: Free
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Leeds Grenville eNews Deadlines for submitting information:
If you have an upcoming workshop, seminar, or business-related event, please email it to us in advance.
- Submissions for the September 21st edition should be received by Monday, September 13th.
- Submissions for the October 5th edition should be received by Monday, September 27th.
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Ann Weir
Economic Development Manager
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Deanna Clark
Economic Development Officer
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Joanne Poll
Administration / Communications Support
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Jim Hutton
Business Development Officer
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32 Wall Street, Suite 300, Brockville, ON K6V 4R9
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