I Left The City

We're continuing our “Wildly Successful” mini-series with another organization that can help you move your business or start a new one in Hastings County.   The Small Business Centre in Belleville is a free service that helps entrepreneurs at every phase, whether they're just starting out or looking to exit. In this episode, operations manager Brittany Munro and entrepreneurship officer Amy Rushlo...

We're continuing our “Wildly Successful” mini-series with another organization that can help you move your business or start a new one in Hastings County. In this episode, Krystal Campbell, the vice chair of the Bancroft Business Improvement Area, tells us how the BIA supports businesses in downtown Bancroft, and why Bancroft is such a hidden gem for entrepreneurs that she almost didn't want to te...

The “Wildly Successful” mini-series continues with another organization that can help you move your business or start a new one in Hastings County. In this episode,  we're featuring the Municipality of Marmora and Lake’s Community Ambassadors Program, which matches seasoned locals with newcomers to answer their questions about living, working, and running a business in Marmora. Offering their pers...

We're continuing our “Wildly Successful” mini-series with another organization that can help you move your business or start a new one in Hastings County. The Central and North Hastings Chamber of Commerce helps business owners grow through networking, referrals, and education. In this episode, Shari Pearce explains how the chamber can help you integrate into the local business community, find res...

We’re doing something a little different with the I Left the City podcast. Our new “Wildly Successful” mini-series features organizations that can help you move your business or start a new one in Hastings County. In this first episode, Mary Lynn Rutledge tells us about the Community Futures of North and Central Hastings and South Algonquin’s flexible and affordable loans, free business counseling...

Paul Kite is the owner of the art gallery Quinn's of Tweed. In this episode, we talk about how this former software entrepreneur found himself moving to Tweed and taking over a gallery without any previous experience in the art world, how he managed to quickly settle into a small town after a lifetime of city living, and why he recommends Hastings County to any professional that can work remotely....

Tracey Starrett left her corporate HR job to do something many bookish people have fantasized about: open a bookstore. Tracey’s journey with the Stirling Book Company has lots of relatable lessons for anyone with a dream business percolating in the back of their mind. She talks about making the leap into entrepreneurship later in life, how small personal touches are the way to beat big competitors...

Dan Turcotte is a man who's worn many hats: radio host, record producer, professional stunt bicycle rider. These days, Dan is the CEO of Pet Shop Productions in Toronto and TerreMX, a first of its kind all-electric motocross facility in Hastings County. In this episode, Dan shares the TerreMX origin story (which started with buying a farm in Roslin), why running the business doesn't feel like work...

Shevon Sigouin is a graphic designer from Toronto preparing to move to Hastings County. In this episode, she shares her long-standing connection to the county, why now felt like the right time to leave the city, and how the move will (and won’t!) impact her work. She also shares free branding advice that could take your small businesses to the next level. Check out Shevon’s work: Website: shevonse...

Rick Dolishny and Jenn Carr are a world-travelling couple that bought a property in Hastings County and saw an opportunity to build a glamping experience unlike anything in Ontario. But getting Maynooth Station Lodge off the ground turned out to be more challenging than expected. In this episode, we dig into all of the glamorous (and not so glamorous) details of their business journey, why they lo...

After a three year hiatus, I Left the City is back with all new stories about business owners and professionals bringing their wildly authentic dreams to life in Hastings County. The episodes have a new sound, a new host, and a new option to listen or *watch* on the Hastings County Economic Development and Tourism YouTube channel. If you’ve ever fantasized about moving to cottage country, you need...

On this episode of the I Left The City Show, your host Andrew Redden, Economic and Tourism Development Manager for Hastings County, chats with Paul Backewich, an architect who recently left the big city and made Hastings County his home. https://www.theglobeandmail.com/real-estate/toronto/article-an-architect-flight-of-fancy-inspires-birdhouse-themed-getaway/

On this episode of the I Left The City Show, your host Andrew Redden, Economic and Tourism Development Manager for Wildly Authentic Hastings, chats with Zach Reid, co-owner of Align Coffee.

On this episode of the I Left The City Show, your host Andrew Redden, Economic and Tourism Development Manager for Wildly Authentic Hastings, chats with Susan Lewis who recently opened her new business the Emerald Earring in downtown Madoc.

On this episode of the I Left The City Show, your host Andrew Redden, Economic and Tourism Development Manager for Wildly Authentic Hastings, chats with Janice Chrysler of Mindful Journey in Marmora and Lake.

On this episode of the I Left The City Show, your host Andrew Redden, Economic and Tourism Development Manager for Wildly Authentic Hastings, chats with Shari Pierce, President of the Madoc and District Chamber of Commerce.

On this episode of I Left The City, your host Andrew Redden, Economic and Tourism Development Manager for Wildly Authentic Hastings, chats with Margaret Van Helvoort and Kees Morsink, owners of Kings Mill Cider in Stirling-Rawdon Township.

On this episode of I Left The City, your host Andrew Redden, Economic and Tourism Development Manager for Wildly Authentic Hastings, chats with Joyce Ioannou, a Certified Clinical Aromatherapist, Reflexology & Wellness Coach. Joyce owns and operates Cedars Wellness Clinic & Retreat in Marmora & Lake.

On this episode of I Left The City, your host Andrew Redden, Economic and Tourism Development Manager for Wildly Authentic Hastings, chats with Natasha Kasmaii Alves, a Technical Curriculum Developer, Presenter and Entrepreneur who recently purchased For The Halibut Fish & Chips in Bancroft with her husband.

On this episode of I Left The City, your host Andrew Redden, Economic and Tourism Development Manager for Wildly Authentic Hastings, chats with Kelly Beulieu, a teacher and owner/operator of The Good Daughter in Bancroft.

On this episode of I Left The City, your host Andrew Redden, Economic and Tourism Development Manager for Wildly Authentic Hastings, chats with Christine McLean, found of Creative Minds Retreat, a consultancy and career coaching business.

On this episode of I Left The City, your host Andrew Redden, Economic and Tourism Development Manager for Wildly Authentic Hastings, chats with Emily O'Donnell MacKinnon, owner and operator of Mack Attack Outdoors.

On this episode of I Left The City, your host Andrew Redden, Economic and Tourism Development Manager for Wildly Authentic Hastings, chats with Dionne Baker, founder and owner of Shop Boss Secrets.

On this episode of I Left The City, your host Andrew Redden, Economic and Tourism Development Manager for Wildly Authentic Hastings, chats with Laura Reavie, founder and owner of Skootamatta Environmental Consulting Inc.

On this episode of I Left The City, your host Andrew Redden, Economic and Tourism Development Manager for Wildly Authentic Hastings, chats with Lee Knuttila, founder and owner of Quietly Coffee.