Building Business in Muskoka: Recent Episodes
Building Business in Muskoka
Hear from established entrepreneurs in the Muskoka area on starting, and growing their successful businesses. From unconventional paths, to selling businesses, we cover all the fascinating stories of entrepreneurship through thought-provoking conversations with local business owners. Hosted by Stuart Morley and Sarah Haefling, this podcast will cover all the milestones, setbacks, and plateaus of business. Muskoka isn’t just a vacation destination, but a thriving business community with great stories to tell.
Welcome to a new episode of Building Business in Muskoka, featuring Daniel, President and owner of CREATIVE ONE®, an innovative Muskoka-based brand, web and technology firm known for its creativity and results for clients.
The first recipient of the 2003 Muskoka Business Plan Challenge Award, Daniel has continued to pursue entrepreneurship with passion. He has travelled to over 30 countries and has served with the Muskoka Community Foundation since 2012. He is also the current Chair of Muskoka Futures.
Stuart & Sarah speak with Daniel about how CREATIVE ONE® came to be, changes he’s been seeing throughout the technology industry over the years, key tools in creating a successful business plan, and much more.
Listen in to learn more about:
1:00 - Introduction & background
3:00 - Self-taught resources
4:55 - Summer Company
6:20 - Business Planning
9:00 - CREATIVE ONE®
11:10 - Evolving needs in the technology industry
15:00 - Web3
18:00 - Challenges for small businesses
22:30 - Client care & marketing
27:00 - Challenges of running a business
29:55 - Protecting your data
35:20 - Muskoka Futures & Muskoka Community Foundation
44:30 - Adjusting business with COVID
46:00 - Travelling to over 30 countries
51:00 - Building a business plan
Don’t forget to subscribe so you never miss an episode, and if you enjoy the podcast, please feel free to leave a review on the podcast platform!
Resources:
Website: https://creativeone.ca/
Muskoka Futures: https://muskokafutures.ca/
Muskoka Community Foundation: https://muskokacommunityfoundation.ca/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/daniel-bradbury/
Connect With Us:
Instagram: @businessinmuskoka
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/buil...
Podcast website:https://anchor.fm/muskoka
Welcome to a new 2 part episode of Building Business in Muskoka, featuring Lance DeCaire.
“Born in Parry Sound, I spent my early years in Muskoka and Ontario until at 14 my family moved to Vancouver. I returned to Ontario in the late 1970’s. I have two children, Mary, who works in a Law firm in Toronto and Greg, who works in the entertainment industry all over the world. My partner Elga and I live in somewhat unique house across the street from Gull Lake in Gravenhurst.
I developed a love of music in High School. I had taught myself to play drums and joining the high school band brought a measure of structure and I learned to read music. I took six months off in 1974 and my girlfriend and I went to Europe, bought a car and toured around from Spain to Greece to north of the arctic circle in Norway.
What would become Promeric Technologies Inc. started as a supplier of hardware and networking equipment. One of my early customers was an importer of mid to high end watches that became an important piece of the early success of the company.
We launched our new software after working through development with several firms including BDO. We entered a market where our competitor had 98% of the market and our product was about four times more expensive.
I currently sit on the Board of Parry Sound Muskoka Community Network and in the past I have been on the Boards of the Muskoka Lakes Chamber of Commerce, Wahta Mohawks Trust Fund and worked with Skills for Change, a Toronto based non-profit working with foreign trained engineers to get Canadian accreditation.”
Listen in to learn more about:
1:00 - Introduction & Background
4:10 - Transition from moving to different locations
8:10 - First career & getting involved in music
11:45 - Getting into entrepreneurship
30:00 - Technology Space
43:00 - Managing staff
46:55 - The music business
52:40 - Building his software business
1:22:00 - Attracting the right people
Part 2:
1:00 - Lessons learned in selling the business & overall entrepreneurship
7:50 - Insights on investors
17:00 - Advice for a successful business
21:20 - Creating a unique business
26:20 - Bankruptcy Trustees
36:23 - Life since selling the business & starting an Airbnb
47:00 - Advice for moving your business to Muskoka
Resources:
Lance LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lance-decaire-aa474b28/?originalSubdomain=ca
Welcome to a new 2 part episode of Building Business in Muskoka, featuring Lance DeCaire.
“Born in Parry Sound, I spent my early years in Muskoka and Ontario until at 14 my family moved to Vancouver. I returned to Ontario in the late 1970’s. I have two children, Mary, who works in a Law firm in Toronto and Greg, who works in the entertainment industry all over the world. My partner Elga and I live in somewhat unique house across the street from Gull Lake in Gravenhurst.
I developed a love of music in High School. I had taught myself to play drums and joining the high school band brought a measure of structure and I learned to read music. I took six months off in 1974 and my girlfriend and I went to Europe, bought a car and toured around from Spain to Greece to north of the arctic circle in Norway.
What would become Promeric Technologies Inc. started as a supplier of hardware and networking equipment. One of my early customers was an importer of mid to high end watches that became an important piece of the early success of the company.
We launched our new software after working through development with several firms including BDO. We entered a market where our competitor had 98% of the market and our product was about four times more expensive.
I currently sit on the Board of Parry Sound Muskoka Community Network and in the past I have been on the Boards of the Muskoka Lakes Chamber of Commerce, Wahta Mohawks Trust Fund and worked with Skills for Change, a Toronto based non-profit working with foreign trained engineers to get Canadian accreditation.”
Listen in to learn more about:
1:00 - Introduction & Background
4:10 - Transition from moving to different locations
8:10 - First career & getting involved in music
11:45 - Getting into entrepreneurship
30:00 - Technology Space
43:00 - Managing staff
46:55 - The music business
52:40 - Building his software business
1:22:00 - Attracting the right people
Part 2:
1:00 - Lessons learned in selling the business & overall entrepreneurship
7:50 - Insights on investors
17:00 - Advice for a successful business
21:20 - Creating a unique business
26:20 - Bankruptcy Trustees
36:23 - Life since selling the business & starting an Airbnb
47:00 - Advice for moving your business to Muskoka
Resources:
Lance LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lance-decaire-aa474b28/?originalSubdomain=ca
Welcome to a new episode of Building Business in Muskoka, featuring Donald MacKay, President of Muskoka Highlands Golf Links.
Don was born in Sudbury, Ontario in 1952, and attended High School in Aurora at St. Andrew’s College. He then went on to the University of Waterloo, and become a Chartered Accountant in 1976. Don is married to his wife Joyce, with three sons, and have lived in Muskoka since 1980.
The MacKays built Muskoka Highlands starting in 1993, opening the first 9 holes in July 1994 and the second 9 in 2001. In 1997, the first 1000 square feet of the clubhouse was erected, and in the Spring of 2001 they added another 1000 square feet.
The Highlands is a member of Golf Muskoka, Golf Ontario, Golf Canada and the National Golf Course Owner’s Association. Don is also a Rotarian, a Director at Explorer’s Edge, the Muskoka Airport Board and the Ontario Trillium Foundation.
Stuart & Sarah speak with Don about how he first got into the golf industry, what made him decide to start Muskoka Highlands Golf Links, the challenges of running a golf course in this area, and much more. Don shares what is key in opening a successful golf course, and some of the common mistakes that are made as well. We also discuss considerations that must be made with a seasonal business, how he decided on the layout and design of the course, and about his volunteer work & why this is critical for our community.
Listen in to learn more about:
1:00 - Introduction & background
9:00 - What makes a successful golf course
12:00 - Designing the golf course
16:40 - Challenges of running a golf course in the area
21:00 - Building a business plan in the golf industry
32:00 - Trying new ideas in business
40:00 - Realities of being a business owner
50:00 - Family & business dynamics
54:00 - Staying motivated as a business owner
1:02:00 - Local groups & organizations
1:05:00 - The Muskoka Airport
1:15:45 - The Founders Circle
Don’t forget to subscribe so you never miss an episode, and if you enjoy the podcast, please feel free to leave a review on the podcast platform!
Resources:
Website: https://muskokahighlands.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/muskokahighlands/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/muskokahighland
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/muskokahighlands
Connect With Us:
Instagram: @businessinmuskoka
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/buil...
Podcast website: https://anchor.fm/muskoka
Welcome to a new episode of Building Business in Muskoka, featuring Darren Smith, President & CEO of Lake of Bays Brewing Company.
Darren Smith is known as a craft beer pioneer in our region and one of the youngest business owners in this space.
“For 10 years, Lake of Bays Brewing Company has been a mainstay of the Ontario craft beer scene. The brewery started as an idea by our president and founder, Darren Smith, in his university apartment. At the young age of 23, his dream became a reality, as patrons from around the area gathered to witness LB’s official ribbon cutting in May 2010.
Since then, our beer lineup has broadened to include everything from light lager to double IPA to stout, and we’re always experimenting with more styles and new flavours to bring to our fans. Our brewery has continued to grow over the years and now employs over 50 people.
But we haven’t stopped at just beer: in 2018, we introduced our first ever restaurant, the Huntsville Brewhouse, located in downtown Huntsville. The Brewhouse is now known for our delicious locally sourced menu and exclusive beer selection. Inside you’ll find our microbrewery where we come up with new recipes for our beers that you can only try at the restaurant. In 2021, we opened the Bracebridge Barrelhouse, located in Bracebridge, ON. Visit us at any of our three locations, where you can try our current lineup, brand-new flavours, and even the occasional retro beer from our back catalogue!”
Stuart & Sarah speak with Darren about how he got into the brewing industry, behind the scenes of starting up a business in the alchologic beverage space, marketing tactics that have been successful in the business, advice as a young entrepreneur, and much more! Hear about the highs and lows of running a brewery including some of the misconceptions many people may have, the differences in starting up the brewery versus opening the restaurants, the expansion of the business in the past few years including now employing over 100 staff across three different locations, and the benefits of starting a business in Muskoka!
Listen in to learn more about:
1:00 - Introduction & background
5:00 - The Craft Beer Brewing Industry
12:00 - Profitability in the Alcholic Beverage Industry
22:00 - Craft Beer Demographics & Marketing Tactics
30:00 - Expanding into the Restaurant Industry
36:00 - Hiring & Managing Employees
44:00 - Challenges Faced in the Brewery Business
47:00 - Time Management as a CEO
52:00 - Doing Business in Muskoka
1:01 - Family & Business
1:06 - The Challenges of COVID-19 in the Industry
Don’t forget to subscribe so you never miss an episode, and if you enjoy the podcast, please feel free to leave a review on the podcast platform!
Resources:
Website: https://lakeofbaysbrewing.ca/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lb_brewing/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/lb_brewing
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lbbrewery/
Connect With Us:
Instagram: @buildingbusinessinmuskoka
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/building-business-in-muskoka-podcast/
Podcast website: https://anchor.fm/muskoka
Welcome to a new episode of Building Business in Muskoka, featuring Jayne McCaw, founder of Jayne’s Cottages.
“As a child, I grew up with the sandy beach of Lake Huron in my front yard. I went to University and settled in Toronto with my family and made my living selling computer software. I started visiting Muskoka during the summer and fell in love with its peacefulness and natural beauty. Eventually, my family bought a cottage, which was quite an investment, but totally worth it! In 2013, I made a commitment to share my passion for Muskoka with visitors from all over the world. Shortly thereafter, Jayne’s Cottages was born!
“The inspiration for Jayne’s Cottages arrived out of personal experience renting my family’s cottage.”
When we did not plan to be in Muskoka, we would rent it to trusted guests. These rental periods helped my family cover our property expenses, as well as pave the way for unforgettable overseas travel experiences! Renting our cottage enabled my family to experience other special places, while other families experienced our special place.
Over the years in Muskoka, I have met charming people who have also fallen in love with this magical piece of Ontario and have purchased their own cottage paradise. While they are away from Muskoka, I take excellent care of their homes and host their visitors from all over the world.
Jayne’s Cottages’ goal is to help all cottage owners and guests make the most of their Muskoka experience. I look forward to helping you too!”
Stuart & Sarah speak with Jayne about what brought her to the Muskoka area, how she got into cottage rentals & then a luxury rental business, her journey from working in a corporate position to being an entrepreneur and much more! Hear about the formula for high-end cottage rentals in Muskoka, the luxury experiences her guests have available, the best marketing tactics that have benefited her business, how she differentiates her business from other rental companies, what the biggest challenges faced in the rental industry are, and what opportunities are available to businesses in the Muskoka area.
Listen in to learn more about:
1:00 - Introduction & background
2:00 - Getting into cottage rentals
7:00 - Transferring from corporate to entrepreneur
19:00 - Common guests that visit
23:00 - Marketing the business
26:00 - The technology side of the company
30:00 - Differentiating the Business
37:00 - Concierge services
45:00 - New event services
50:00 - Biggest challenges in the rental industry
55:00 - Vision for the future of the company
1:00:00 - Muskoka business opportunities
1:12:00 - Short-term rental legislations
Don’t forget to subscribe so you never miss an episode, and if you enjoy the podcast, please feel free to leave a review on the podcast platform!
Resources:
Website: https://jaynescottages.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jaynescottages/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jayne-mccaw-president-at-jayne-s-cottages-7a29b422/?originalSubdomain=ca
Twitter: https://twitter.com/jaynescottages
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jaynescottages/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCriLk0GS2Mt6ixuSHI0VbiQ/videos
Welcome to a new 2 part episode of Building Business in Muskoka, featuring John Little, Author, Producer & Business Owner. John is the founder of Nautilus North Strength & Fitness Centre located in Bracebridge, Ontario.
John Little is the bestselling author of "Bruce Lee: The Warrior Within," "The Time-Saver's Workout", "Who Killed Tom Thomson?" and the two-volume book series "The Donnellys." He has authored over 40 books on subjects ranging from philosophy and history to exercise and martial arts, in addition to being an award-winning filmmaker. Little is a contributor to Salon.com, the Toronto Star, and has been interviewed by CNN, Canada AM, NPR, A&E, People Magazine, Entertainment Weekly, and the Family Channel. He resides in Bracebridge, Ontario, with his wife, Terri, and children Riley, Taylor, Brandon, and Ben.
Stuart & Sarah speak with John about what brought him to the Muskoka area, how he got into writing, his journey to producing movies, and starting his own fitness center, that is ‘anti-fitness industry.’ Hear about John's unique business strategies, the science behind his fitness centre, fascinating stories he has written books on such as Tom Thompson & the Donnally’s, and much more, from this ‘unconventional entrepreneur. John believes there’s no blueprint to having a successful business, but he shares the lessons he’s learned along the way, obstacles he’s had to overcome, and what it takes to be a published author.
Listen in to learn more about:
1:00 - Introduction & Background
20:00 - The Fitness Industry
39:00 - Writing & Getting Published
53:00 - Negotiation In Your Work
Part 2:
56:00 - COVID & the Fitness Industry, Challenges Along The Way
1:10 - Tom Thompson Story
1:27 - The Donnally’s Story
1:40 - Family & Business
Don’t forget to subscribe so you never miss an episode, and if you enjoy the podcast, please feel free to leave a review on the podcast platform!
Resources:
LinkedIn: https://ca.linkedin.com/in/john-little-4842b564
Twitter: https://twitter.com/nautilusnorth
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Nautilus-North-Strength-Fitness-Centre-195103770521148/
Books: https://www.amazon.ca/John-Little/e/B004N982FE/ref=dp_byline_cont_pop_book_1
Connect With Us:
Instagram: @buildingbusinessinmuskoka
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/building-business-in-muskoka-podcast/
Podcast website: https://anchor.fm/muskoka
Welcome to a new 2 part episode of Building Business in Muskoka, featuring John Little, Author, Producer & Business Owner. John is the founder of Nautilus North Strength & Fitness Centre located in Bracebridge, Ontario.
John Little is the bestselling author of "Bruce Lee: The Warrior Within," "The Time-Saver's Workout", "Who Killed Tom Thomson?" and the two-volume book series "The Donnellys." He has authored over 40 books on subjects ranging from philosophy and history to exercise and martial arts, in addition to being an award-winning filmmaker. Little is a contributor to Salon.com, the Toronto Star, and has been interviewed by CNN, Canada AM, NPR, A&E, People Magazine, Entertainment Weekly, and the Family Channel. He resides in Bracebridge, Ontario, with his wife, Terri, and children Riley, Taylor, Brandon, and Ben.
Stuart & Sarah speak with John about what brought him to the Muskoka area, how he got into writing, his journey to producing movies, and starting his own fitness center, that is ‘anti-fitness industry.’ Hear about John's unique business strategies, the science behind his fitness centre, fascinating stories he has written books on such as Tom Thompson & the Donnally’s, and much more, from this ‘unconventional entrepreneur. John believes there’s no blueprint to having a successful business, but he shares the lessons he’s learned along the way, obstacles he’s had to overcome, and what it takes to be a published author.
Listen in to learn more about:
1:00 - Introduction & Background
20:00 - The Fitness Industry
39:00 - Writing & Getting Published
53:00 - Negotiation In Your Work
Part 2:
1:45 - COVID & the Fitness Industry, Challenges Along The Way
14:00 - Tom Thompson Story
31:00 - The Donnally’s Story
46:00 - Family & Business
Don’t forget to subscribe so you never miss an episode, and if you enjoy the podcast, please feel free to leave a review on the podcast platform!
Resources:
LinkedIn: https://ca.linkedin.com/in/john-little-4842b564
Twitter: https://twitter.com/nautilusnorth
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Nautilus-North-Strength-Fitness-Centre-195103770521148/
Books: https://www.amazon.ca/John-Little/e/B004N982FE/ref=dp_byline_cont_pop_book_1
Connect With Us:
Instagram: @buildingbusinessinmuskoka
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/building-business-in-muskoka-podcast/
Podcast website: https://anchor.fm/muskoka