Grants and guidance awarded to 10 Sarnia-area entrepreneurs

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Ten Sarnia-area enterprises were selected for this year’s Starter Company Plus program with the Sarnia-Lambton Economic Partnership and each will receive a $5,000 grant along with training and support.

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The provincially funded program is open to entrepreneurs starting a new business or looking to grow an existing one and has been offered annually through the partnership’s Business Enterprise Centre since 2015, said partnership chief executive Matthew Slotwinski.

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“We’re a decade into offering what has been a highly successful program,” he said. “A $5,000 grant has a significant impact on a developing business.”

The vast majority of the businesses selected for the program in past years are still operating, and growing and thriving, Slotwinski said.

That track record justifies the effort and resources going into the program, he said. “What is ultimately a small dollar value is having an impact across the community.”

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This year’s businesses range from bridal fashion and specialty cafés to health and wellness, recreation, and advanced manufacturing in Sarnia, St. Clair Township and Lambton Shores, the partnership said.

“Entrepreneurship takes courage, diligence, and resourcefulness,” Alison Minato, the enterprise centre’s manager, said in a release. “This program is designed to recognize and encourage all three.”

Applicants not selected for this year’s grant program are still able to take advantage of the centre’s advisory support and programs, Minato said.

Training and support that accompanies the funding includes one on one sessions with staff at the enterprise centre, as well as workshops and seminars, Slotwinski said.

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Entrepreneurs and the small businesses they create make a significant contribution to the local economy, according to the partnership.

“The reality is small businesses make up the vast majority of business operations” and collectively generate the most jobs, he said.

“More significantly, small businesses represent the greatest opportunity for growth,” Slotwinski said. “These are entrepreneurs and business owners who chose to invest in Sarnia-Lambton and will make efforts to expand.”

“They’re looking for opportunities to do more in the community,” he said.

Slotwinski said the partnership encourages small businesses to reach out to its Business Enterprise Centre for information about how to apply for next year’s grant program, and to take advantage of its services.

This year’s Starter Company Plus participants:

• Red Bird Grief Care, Rebecca Sletten, Sarnia
• Aliya Bridal Fashions, Gamze Sayin, Sarnia
• Siren Section, BoWaine Ma & Amber Harding, Lambton Shores
• Stone And Barrel, Andreane Longpre & Sherri Morrison, St. Clair Township
• Tempest Industries, AJ Collins, Sarnia
• Cakebook Café & Classes, Svetlana Alekseeva, Sarnia
• All Hours Home Care, Kelly Gleeson & Heather Taylor, Sarnia
• The White Lantern B&B, Beatrice Powell, Sarnia
• Heroic Audio Productions, Eric Westelaken, Sarnia
• JLS Pro Painting, Jacob Serratore, Sarnia

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