Business In The Open

For the finale episode of Season 3, host Vanessa Smith interviews Toshia Noye, owner of Toshco Home Store. Toshia shares her background growing up in Ontario as a high school dropout, experiencing a dark period, then moving to Fredericton where she met her Islander husband and became a mom of three. At 27 she returned to complete her Grade 12 diploma and began decorating for friends, launching Tos...

Host Vanessa Smith interviews Julia Campbell, co-owner of PEI's family-run North Shore Group, which includes the Anne of Green Gables Museum (connected to author Lucy Maud Montgomery), multiple Anne of Green Gables retail stores, Kindred Spirits Wholesalers, JEMS Boutique, and PEI Fashion Weekend. Julia shares her unexpected path from classical piano studies to teaching English in Korea, working s...

Host Vanessa Smith interviews Moyna Matheson, former owner of Samuel's Coffee House in Summerside. She discusses starting the business at 40 in 2011 after years in hospitality and self-employment, focusing first on specialty coffee and baked goods before adding food. Moyna shares how Samuel's grew from a 900-square-foot shop with six staff to a 4,000-square-foot operation, expanding into catering,...

Host Vanessa Smith interviews siblings and co-presidents Devin and Chelsea Cudmore about the Cudmore Group's fourth-generation retail legacy, from a 1914 PEI haberdashery to 17 stores across Canada (18 planned in June) spanning brands including Coastal Culture, Sea House, Cool as a Moose, Big Bear Trading Company, and the upcoming Canoe & Cabin in Montreal. They discuss shifting from departmen...

We welcome Jeff Ellsworth, co-owner of the HEAL Wellness franchise in Charlottetown, to discuss his path from municipal recreation director and elite softball player/coach to entrepreneurship. Jeff recounts inventing the Exit Speed Swing training device, appearing on Dragons' Den in 2017, securing an endorsement with Toronto Blue Jays player Lourdes Gurriel Jr., and how COVID disrupted momentum. H...

For Episode 32, Host Vanessa Smith interviews Jessica Fritz, a German-born entrepreneur who, with her husband Mike, owns The Gallery Coffee House & Bistro in Charlottetown, the seasonal Black & White Cafe & Bistro in St. Peters Bay, and Fritz Chocolates. Jessica shares moving from Germany to Toronto in her 30s, then relocating to PEI in 2015 for the ocean, affordability, and lifestyle,...

In this episode of the Business in the Open podcast, host Vanessa Smith sits down with Brett Poirier to unpack his journey from a media and journalism background to building Red Sands Group, which began in property management and has now expanded into vacation rentals, plumbing, electrical, cleaning, insulation and pest control divisions. Brett shares how buying his first duplex in Charlottetown a...

For Episode 29, we chat with PEI restaurateur Richard Court, owner-operator within Oyster Island Hospitality, including Pilot House, Sea Rocket, and Pink Crow in downtown Charlottetown, and opening this summer on the Rustico harbour, The Rustico Cannery. Richard shares how he started in restaurants at 13, later joining the Pilot House and eventually taking over ownership from founders Doug and Jud...

For Episode 28, we welcome 24-year-old Harrison Duffy, owner of Somerset Ice Cream Bar (opened July 7, 2018 at age 16) and the Harry's Dairy Bar brand. Harrison shares growing up around entrepreneurs, starting a car detailing business at 10 and working various hospitality jobs before planning his dairy bar at 15. He describes researching and refurbishing used equipment, securing land with his pare...

Today's episode features Sheila Kerry, co-owner of Double Loop Running Co.. Sheila details launching a boutique running specialty store with her husband Mike after she began running as an adult and trained for her first Marathon in 2023. Sheila shares her background in competitive sport, a 15-year communications career, and the shift from being “content” to feeling aligned through runn...

For episode 2 of Season 3, host Vanessa Smith interviews Sarah Ellen Clark, owner of The Seagull Grab & Go in Mount Stewart, PEI, which she opened October 1 in her late father's former restaurant building on his blueberry farm. Sarah Ellen shares her background, including years away traveling and working in marketing and hospitality, and how her father's passing motivated her to bring the spac...

In the first episode for Season 3, host Vanessa Smith welcomes Marsha Doiron to share her background growing up on PEI and a career that evolved through tourism and hospitality, including roles with a Japanese tour operator, the Confederation Bridge, and Holland College before joining and later leaving Coach Atlantic Group in 2019. Marsha and her husband Adam then expanded into multiple ventures,...

Hi there, I'm sharing a quick podcast update on Season 3 and introducing The Ref(y)nery Mini Mastermind - a small, in-person experience I created for PEI entrepreneurs craving connection, clarity, and collaboration. I hope to be back in your ears regularly very soon! We're currently seeking sponsors for Season 3. Interested? Reach out to Vanessa@refyagency.com . Let me know if you have any questio...

In this episode of the Business in the Open Podcast, host Vanessa Smith interviews Luke Beck, Co-Owner of Kay's Wholesale. Luke shares his journey from playing and coaching hockey to becoming a leader in the wholesale business. He discusses the importance of building relationships, the transition and acquisition of businesses like A1 Vacuum, and his approach to leadership and business growth. Luke...

In this episode of the Business in the Open podcast, host Vanessa Smith sits down with Stephanie Andrews, a financial planner who specializes in advising female entrepreneurs. Stephanie shares her journey from starting out in the financial industry to developing a niche in helping women business owners. She emphasizes a lifestyle-driven planning approach and the importance of making immediate and...

In this episode of the Business in the Open Podcast, Vanessa Smith interviews Mike Thompson, a 26-year-old entrepreneur who has built a successful media company, Odyssey Virtual, specializing in real estate photography and videography. Mike shares his journey from starting with a basic GoPro to expanding his business to capture over a thousand properties a year. He recently launched a real estate...

On today's episode, we sit down with Janson Simmonds, owner and operator of Apex Auto in Charlottetown. We chat about the challenging leap from employee to entrepreneur, keys to opening an independent automotive business, and adapting marketing strategies to compete with national brands. Janson also shares insights on the automotive and service industry trends, managing a seasonal rental fleet alo...

In this episode, host Vanessa Smith speaks with Craig Fair, founder of Craig Fair Productions. Tune in to hear about Craig's journey from his early beginnings in Ontario, his serendipitous start at the Charlottetown Festival, and his extensive career in theater and music that eventually led him to establish his production company on Prince Edward Island. Discover the challenges he faced, the innov...

In this special bonus episode of the Business in the Open podcast, we sit down with Jackson Reddin from Provincial Credit Union. Jackson shares his five essential business banking tips to help listeners manage their business finances effectively. Tip #1 - Understand your business's financing structure to save you money in the long run Tip #2 - Utilize a credit card over a debit card to save on tra...

In this episode of the Business in the Open podcast, host Vanessa Smith sits down with Shallyn Hendry, co-founder of Nine Yard Studio, an architecture and design firm. Shallyn shares insights on navigating the complexities of starting a business, her unique partnership with co-founder Silva Stojak, and the transition from being an employee to a boss. The conversation delves into standout projects...

In this episode, Vanessa Smith interviews Kristina Allen, owner of Elysian Weddings and Events. Kristina shares her journey into wedding planning starting in 2016, emphasizing the value of networking and community in business growth. They discuss the evolution of her services, adapting to changing trends, and her personal experiences navigating ADHD and COVID-related challenges. Kristina highlight...

On today's episode, Vanessa Smith sits down with Stephanie MacDonald, founder of Beauty Mark Medaesthetics in Charlottetown. Stephanie shares her journey from working in acute care and emergency rooms to becoming an entrepreneur in the field of medaesthetics. They discuss the challenges and fears Steph faced transitioning from a stable job to starting her own business, and the educational pursuits...

In this Business in the Open podcast episode, host Vanessa Smith speaks with Sarah Bennetto O'Brien, founder and CEO of The Handpie Company. Sarah shares her entrepreneurial journey, from starting in the culinary industry to establishing her successful hand pie business in Prince Edward Island and expanding into Sobeys stores across the Maritimes. The discussion covers Sarah's struggles and succes...

In this episode of the Business in the Open podcast, host Vanessa Smith interviews Sara Dykerman, owner of Plank and Pine Interior Design. Sara shares her unconventional journey from aspiring veterinarian and healthcare professional to successful interior designer. She talks about the pivotal moments that led her to pursue her passion for design, despite not having traditional schooling in the fie...

In this episode of the Business in the Open podcast, host Vanessa Smith interviews CeeJay Amadi, the founder of Wheelie Bin Doctors. Vanessa and CeeJay delve into his entrepreneurial journey, starting from his roots in Nigeria to establishing a garbage bin cleaning business in PEI. They discuss CeeJay's early struggles, his inspiration from his mother's business acumen, and the transition to Canad...