Economic Development eNews | May 31, 2022 |
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Newboro Soap Company is all about good, clean fun |
NEWBORO - The Newboro Soap Company promises products made in small batches and with love.
Owner Dani Warman holds true to blending her soaps with special care and quality ingredients. On top of that, she uses using compostable packaging with all of her products with absolutely no plastic.
"I'm in my happy place here," says Dani while mixing a soap batch at her shop on the edge of the village. She's been making soap for more than 8 years. In the 18 months, Dani has been expanding her physical shop space and building her online presence. About a year ago, she started selling her products at local farmers' markets.
"I'm so confident about my product and I really enjoy that I help people with the skin conditions they may have," says Dani. "That is the biggest reward."
There are 30 varieties of soap to choose from for all skin types. Dani has developed recipes using everything from calming oats and goat's milk to bars using locally-made beer and wine. She has created "Signature Bars" for the Station Cafe in Portland and the Westport Brewing Company and many local hotels and cottage rentals carry her soap.
Appreciating her soaps means you'll also enjoy her bath bombs, shower steamers, shampoo bars and other related items such as bath salts.
Becoming a soap maker is a big change from Dani's 18 years with WestJet. She worked in Calgary and later Ottawa with the airline. She and husband Paul decided to move to this area and they also operate Air BnBs. Even before leaving WestJet, she had decided a productive hobby was the way to go. Soap making fit the bill.
More recently she has been involved in the Digital Main Street program. Dani says it has changed her business for the better and she will continue to build her online presence. She also continues to attend area farmers' markets, including the one held in nearby Crosby.
"It has been perfect timing and I feel so much more confident. I love creating and designing," says Dani.
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Top feature photo: Newboro Soap Company owner Dani Warman in her shop, surrounded by her small-batch soaps, bath bombs and salts and her interesting collection of soap dishes. |
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Learn more about the Newboro Soap Company by visiting their website, Instagram and Facebook page, send an email or call 613-805-4449. The shop is located at 49 Drummond Street in Newboro. |
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1000 Islands and Rideau Canal Trail back Celebrating Year of the Garden |
Part of Canada's Garden Route, this area's Trail features 12 remarkable locations throughout Leeds Grenville. The famous garden tour gained national notoriety in 2017 as the only trail given the 'Canada 150 Garden Experience Designation.'
“After two years, it's exciting to be back," said David Cybulski, Trail Co-chair.
"We love to share our gardens and we hope the residents of Leeds Grenville, as well as visitors, take full advantage of this opportunity. The gardens are ever-evolving and you’ll see some really big changes in several gardens," he said.
Showcasing horticulture in this region, many of the gardens also have added special experiences including a Monarch butterfly Way Station, native butterflies, honeybees and birds, fountains, ponds, contemporary art exhibits, statuary and even classes in a teepee.
There is no admission fee to visit the gardens, though some owners welcome donations to their favourite charity. Both guided and self-guided tours are available throughout the season. Hours and contacts vary, so please visit each garden's page for full details as some are by appointment only.
In celebration of National Garden Day on June 18th, all of the 1000 Islands and Rideau Canal Garden Trail gardens will be open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. for all to enjoy.
Gardeners are encouraged to plant red this season to pay tribute to lives lost during the pandemic, to honour frontline workers, or to simply express their Canadian Pride!
The 1000 Islands and Rideau Canal Garden Trail launched in 2015. A modified Trail was offered last year due to the pandemic but despite that, it was a big success. Organizers saw people wanted a return to nature, spending time and learning more about caring for their own gardens or taking in local, low-key attractions.
Rideau Woodland Ramble, a garden centre near Burritt's Rapids, has been with the trail since the beginning. The Ramble experienced the busiest season in its 22-year history last year. It is expecting this year to be the same or even better.
"Everyone is craving the peace and serenity of the garden. Now, more than ever, the garden represents a tonic for these crazy times," said Ramble owner Dave Dunn.
"What a beautiful gift resulting from the efforts of planting and maintaining a garden! Come Ramble!" he said.
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Calling all Tourism Stakeholders |
The United Counties of Leeds and Grenville is in the process of preparing its first regional tourism destination strategy and action plan as part of the tourism and hospitality sector recovery and its future development.
We would like to hear your views on the challenges and opportunities facing the region’s tourism industry, your vision for tourism in the Counties over the next few years, and the programs and policies the region needs in place to help realize that vision.
As one of the region’s tourism stakeholders, you can participate in a survey and / or a virtual session. The survey will take you 5-7 minutes to complete, with your responses only analyzed in aggregate by the Counties project partner, Twenty31 Consulting. Responses will be kept strictly confidential and no personal information will be made public. The Virtual Consultation Session will be held Wednesday, June 8, from 7-9 p.m.
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Grow Your Business Online: $2,400 Grant Available to Small Businesses
The development and implementation of e-commerce is critical for businesses to remain competitive today. Eligible small businesses can receive a grant of up to $2,400 to help with the costs related to adopting a wide array of digital technologies. Make sure your business is digitally visible and making the most of selling online.
Grant money can be used to undertake the following:
- Creation or improvement of digital e-commerce platform (online reservation / booking tools, online ordering systems, electronic payments)
- Costs related to website search optimization
- Social media advertising
- Development of new e-commerce website
- And more - Grow Your Business Online webpage
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Workshops, Seminars and Webinar Library |
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Unpacking Language in the 2SLGBTQIA+ Context
This is part of the Lunch and Learn series being coordinated by the St. Lawrence-Rideau Immigration Partnership - Leeds and Grenville. Presenters are Nicole Croteau and Nancy Cassie, Community Outreach Workers with Brockville Pride. You will learn the definitions of the LGBTQIA+ acronym, appropriate and respectful use of language and solutions for everyday communication scenarios. The session is hosted by the Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Working Group, the Committee of Every Kid In Our Communities and Lanark County Child and Youth Services Collaborative.
WHEN: Wednesday, June 1, 12 noon to 1:15 p.m. via Zoom
COST: Free
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Cash Flow Management Strategies for Small Business
Running a profitable business is important to survival, but it’s equally important to have a positive cash flow to pay your expenses and to finance your growth. In this webinar, hosted by the Small Business Advisory Centre, you’ll learn proven cash management strategies and techniques. These include the main causes of cash flow problems, cash flow management tips that you can apply to your business, strategies to keep cash flowing in your business, the importance of developing a cash flow forecast and simple suggestions to ease cash crunches and improve your daily cash flow.
WHEN: Tuesday, June 7,
10-11:30 a.m.
COST: Free
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Creating and Interpreting Reports for a Profitable Business
This webinar hosted by the Leeds Grenville Small Business Centre will help you learn how to attain the lifestyle you want, provide you with the protection you need, and achieve the clarity to make great decisions for your business, for the next generation, and beyond. The speaker is Keeley Patterson-Phillips, a Certified Financial Planner & Partner with O'Farrell Financial. Keeley has been working in the financial industry for over 30 years. She worked in the personal and commercial banking sector for 20 of those years. She has helped countless individuals and business owners make important financial decisions.
WHEN: Wednesday, June 8,
12-1:30 p.m. via zoom
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 June 14th edition should be received by Monday, June 6th.
- Submissions for the June 28th edition should be received by Monday, June 20th.
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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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Shelbi McFarlane
Business Development Officer
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32 Wall Street, Suite 300, Brockville, ON K6V 4R9
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