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Economic Development eNews | April 2, 2024

Business Profile

Top photo: Sarah McGuire and boutique namesake Luella Charlotte pose by freshly stocked shelves

Above photo: Shop for quality, safe and fun toys, books and clothing; An embroidered Mama crewneck.

Below: Easily find the boutique on King Street, around the corner from the Brockville Farmers' Market.

Filling the Gaps Between Naps,

Baby Shop Realizes Opportunities

 

BROCKVILLE - A warm welcome and big smiles await you at Luella Charlotte Baby Boutique, a place where you’ll find “the baby things you actually want to buy,” says owner Sarah McGuire.

 

An aspiring nurse, Sarah moved to Brockville from North Grenville for college. “After becoming a mother to Luella Charlotte, (her first child and boutique namesake), I decided not to return to nursing full time,” she said. Very quickly, she discovered that her need for good baby products was rarely satisfied locally, let alone a single location. Finding her peers shared this problem, she kept this gap in mind.

 

Sarah's lightbulb moment happened in 2022. Driving in downtown Brockville, "I saw an empty storefront for lease and thought this is the opportunity!” she said. Owning a store was financially viable for her family, so she immediately began procuring her supply chain of clothes, nursery decor and gear, that matched her brand promise. She secured brands that fulfilled her affordable and high quality brand promise such as Bibs, Bunnies by the Bay, ezpz, KYTE Baby, Nudnik, Olli Ella, Small Foot and SnuggleMe Organic.

 

The store started out with a small footprint and as inventory arrived, left behind cubicle partitions were used to improvise each interior expansion. The plan was that as sales grew the revenue, revenue would expand the inventory and the partitions would move outward to allow the footprint to accommodate more products. The location had ample customer parking that helped customer satisfaction.


The location was in a high-traffic established core, around the corner from the Brockville Farmers' Market. "I knew that Saturdays would be busy so I coordinated my hours of operation to welcome market shoppers here too," Sarah said knowingly. “The Downtown Brockville Improvement Association helped me tremendously,” she added “they supported my grant application for $10,000 to the My Main Street program. The funds purchased ads and stock.” She's just submitted an application for the 2024 round and is awaiting approval. The Digital Main Street program also helped to buy a laptop and a point of sale system.

 

Luella, her daughter, is also a mainstay at the boutique. “She’s an entertainer and great at sales,” Sarah demonstrates new products online as Lu pulls stuffed toys down from shelves. The boutique is active on social media. There's a hands-on play and a breast-feeding area for customers. Some come from Ottawa and Kingston, ranging from parents-to-be, doting grandparents, friends and family.

 

The brand's custom embroidered Mama Crewneck line of tops are in high demand with tops for aunts, nanas, dads and more. The shop has its own machine which helps Sarah save delivery time and overhead cost. Her current promotion for Mother’s Day gives 10% off these tops when you use the code MOM24.

 

Shop ownership is a fulfilling journey for the McGuire family. The ability to flex responsibilities to correspond with family needs is first priority, and her customers agree. The future includes thoughts of expansion; but for the time being, Sarah procures the best items at the best price for her extended family and customers.

Find Luella Charlotte Baby Boutique at 11 King Street West in Brockville, call Sarah at 613-345-1378, email, visit the website to shop online and social feeds on Facebook and Instagram.

Tourism

Like * Follow * Share*

Let's collaborate!



Many businesses benefit from visitor spending. Leeds Grenville Economic Development has launched the tourism brand 1000 Islands Rideau Canal Waterways.  The brand promotes our internationally known iconic assets while giving exposure to all parts of the region’s attractions, activities and experiences. 


Support local businesses by checking out the tourism region’s Facebook and Instagram pages. Like, follow and share the great products and experiences the region has to offer!

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Instagram

Small Business

Intake: Starter Company Plus Program


We are getting ready to accept applications!


Keep reading to find out how you can apply. The next cohort of Starter Company Plus, a highly coveted and exclusive program designed to address critical areas and empower small business owners like yourself starts in May. This program, which is free to participants, offers a comprehensive package of support and resources to help you navigate the challenges of running a business successfully.


Receive step-by-step guidance in FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT, STRATEGIC PLANNING, MARKET RESEARCH and more. Through coaching, interactive workshops, and a network of like-minded entrepreneurs, you'll gain invaluable insights and build the skills necessary to propel your business forward.


Who is eligible? Business owners who ….

  •  Are over 18 years old, a Canadian citizen or permanent resident and residing in Leeds and Grenville.
  • Who have started a new company in the last 5 years, are expanding an existing company (may be over 5 years old) or buying a business.
  • Are working full time in their business (30 plus hours per week) or part time with a proven plan to be full time in their business in the next 6 months.
  • Are working with clients and/or generating an income.

How do you apply?

In order to receive an application to apply for Starter Company Plus you must first attend one of our online Information Sessions.


This is where you will learn more about the program, full list of eligibility criteria, program dates, and any other requirements so you can see if this program is right for you and your business at this time.


At the end of the Information Session you will be able to request an application. All the dates and information you need to know about the program will be given to you at the information session.

April 4th Information Session
April 9th Information Session

Intake: Summer Company Program


Imagine...

doing something you love and getting paid for it

starting your own business and being your own BOSS

spending summer learning new skills, gaining leadership skills, and earning some extra money?


If you are between the ages of 15 - 29, we are here to help you make it happen. Be a part of a group of young entrepreneurs in Leeds Grenville and EXPERIENCE an unforgettable summer! How? By starting your own business with the help of the Summer Company program.


With the Summer Company you will get...

  • training, mentorship and
  • grant money to help get your business started and earning money!

Limited number of applicants accepted.

For more information email or call Carol at 613-342-3840 x 5367.

Visit website
Apply here

Business Consults


There are two convenient centres that service Leeds Grenville; the Small Business Advisory Centre and Leeds Grenville Small Business. We understand that starting a business poses questions, challenges, and uncertainty. Experienced staff can assist in identifying marketplace opportunities. They can also help with market research, writing an effective business plan structure, government regulations, licensing information and sourcing finances.


Consults are free. These 45 minute business sessions offer answers to your questions and give you guidance on next steps. Available consults offered at the offices in Smiths Falls and Brockville are flexible.

Upcoming sessions: North Grenville

Host: Leeds Grenville Small Business

When - Updated: April 23, from 9 - 12 p.m.

Where: North Grenville Municipal Centre,

285 County Road 44, Kemptville, Ontario

Book a North Grenville Session
Book a Leeds Grenville Session
Book a Merrickville, Rideau Lakes and Westport Session

Biz Bytes

Watergirl Quilt Co. Wins Contest


PRESCOTT - An update on the March 5th eNews Business Profile, Watergirl Quilt Co. is the grand prize winner of the Local Quilt Shop Contest. Owner Michelle Peters is a proud supporter of Quilts of Valor Canada and is donating the fabric winnings for quilts to be made for veterans.

Read more

Upcoming Events

Maple Weekend


Visit Leeds Grenville sugar bushes this weekend, April 6th and 7th to enjoy the sweetest taste of nature:





Learn more

Eclipse List of Events


The total eclipse of the sun will occur on Monday, April 8th. The path of totality aligns directly along our region, meaning we will experience the maximum effect.


There are plenty of fun and educational activities happening to mark this event from Augusta to Gananoque through the Rideau Lakes. Cruise the St. Lawrence River, lunch and learn on a farm, drink solar beer, eat some barbequed food


Please follow safety guidelines when viewing the eclipse.

Visit website

District Mayors Panel Discussion Breakfast


Join an insightful and engaging panel discussion featuring these six distinguished mayors from across the district:


Roger Haley - Township of Front of Yonge

Brant Burrow - Township of Elizabethtown-Kitley 

Matt Wren - City of Brockville 

Jeff Shaver - Township of Augusta

Gauri Shankar - Town of Prescott 

Tory Deschamps - Township of Edwardsburgh Cardinal


This event promises a robust exchange of ideas, strategies, and visions for fostering community growth and development.

To Register

Hosts: Brockville and District Chamber of Commerce and South Grenville Chamber of Commerce

When: April 17, 7:30 - 9:30 a.m.

Where: MERC Hall

120 E McLean Blvd - Maitland

Cost: $39 plus HST


Sponsors:

North Grenville Spring Home & Trade Show


Trade show seeking vendors, open to businesses, artisans, trades, and professionals. Discounted rates for North Grenville Chamber or an Ontario Approved Professionals member.


When: April 26 - 27

Where: North Grenville Municipal Centre

Rink #2

285 County Road 44

Kemptville, Ontario

Learn more

Workshops, Seminars and Webinar Library

Why Businesses Fail


Presenter: Kevin Savoy, Business Coach, Bynan Business Solutions


Learn tips and techniques to avoid pitfalls any business owner faces. Cover ways to avoid landmines and successfully maneuver a business. 


Host: North Grenville Chamber of Commerce

When: April 24, 5:30 - 7 p.m.

Where: Grenville Mutual Insurance, 380 Colonnade Drive, Kemptville

Cost: Chamber members $30, Non-Chamber members $40

To register

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 April 16th edition should be received by April 8th.
  • Submissions for the April 30th edition should be received by April 22.
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