2023 Frontenac Business Awards announced November 14
The operators of five Frontenac County businesses were honoured with Frontenac Business Awards at the Frontenac Business Retreat and Awards in Parham, November 14.
The winners are:
Business of the Year Award – Christine Kennedy, Memory Lane Flowers & Gifts pictured with Frontenac County Warden Ron Vandewal. Christine has been a pillar of the Sydenham community for more than 26 years. She’s among the first to donate her time and talents to worthy causes including the Sydenham Women's Institute, the Lions Club Sydenham & District, local school initiatives like prom committee, food drives, Halloween celebrations, decking-out the village for the Christmas spirit, and more.
As a business leader, Christine contributes her expertise to the local economy by hosting lucky co-op students – "budding entrepreneurs" you might say – and welcoming and supporting the operators of new businesses with fresh flowers.
New Business Award – Roland and Liz Jensch, Grains & Goods Bakery pictured with Frontenac County Warden Rob Vandewal.
Roland was inspired to learn the craft of bread baking in his native Germany by his grandfather, who was a master baker. After immigrating to Canada in 2017, he missed the high-quality bread to which he was accustomed. So, he made sourdough at home and began baking his own breads and pretzels.
Friends and family soon started ordering his fresh-baked goods. He invested in a commercial mixer in 2020 to increase capacity. In 2021 he imported an Austrian-made stone mill and entered into partnership with Fat Chance Farmstead to produce stone-ground flours. His bread was soon included in the Fat Chance Farmstead community supported agriculture program.
Small business and baking are different skills, so Roland worked with the team at Frontenac Business Services, sought guidance from volunteer consultants, and connected with farm-to-table food advocates on a plan for his family’s own commercial bakery. They soon had a business plan for Grains & Goods Bakery. Enthusiastic customers lined-up in Sydenham on opening day, Christmas Eve 2021. Lines often extend out the door, even in freezing weather.
Thank you for starting your business in Frontenac, Roland and Liz. Welcome home.
Click here to learn more about Grains & Goods Farmstead | Bakery.
Partnership and Collaboration Award – Kathy and Noel Bateman, Clarendon Station pictured with Frontenac County Warden Rob Vandewal.
Kathy and Noel Bateman operate a beautiful whole-home AirBnB at Clarendon Station. They collaborate and support local businesses by stocking their rental property with local goods. They regularly attend farmers markets to support local food producers and small business operators.
They also occasionally offer use of their rental home for local charitable events. They are a shining light in their community, endlessly supportive of other businesses.
Sustainability Award – Tarra Williamson, Bloom Farm
Tarra operates a community supported agriculture subscription service and produces fresh vegetables and eggs; as well as salt, pickles and other products through Bloom Farm, Bloom Salt Company, and Kingston Pickle Company.
She demonstrates excellent leadership and community spirit by volunteering her time to bring dozens of Frontenac business operators together at the Frontenac Farmers Market in Harrowsmith. She even coaches market vendors on ways they can promote their businesses through the market.
The Frontenac Farmers Market has earned a new and growing reputation among weekend commuters and resident entrepreneurs alike. It’s a Friday afternoon tradition to stop at the market along the way, chat with neighbours, and stock-up on fresh and delicious food and other goods. The net result is a social, commercial, and sustainable success that benefits everyone involved.
Women-Led Business Award – Tammy Watson, Canadian Handywoman pictured with Frontenac County Warden Ron Vandewal.
Tammy launched Canadian Handywoman, her North Frontenac property care and maintenance business, four years ago. She offers a long list of handywoman maintenance and repair services. That’s only the beginning. She also provides property check services, ensuring peace of mind for the lock-and-leave set. She manages worry free short-term rental and cottage turnovers for remote property investors and those who prefer to spend their time relaxing at their cottages instead of working on them. And she even offers a mentorship program to help women develop the skills and confidence to tackle their own common home maintenance, repair, and improvement projects.
Tammy has an excellent online presence that demonstrates savvy and continually evolving marketing techniques. And she's a very active member of her community.
Click here to visit the Canadian Handywoman website. And click here to see a video profile about Tammy commissioned by the good people Frontenac Business Services.
“I want to extend my congratulations to each of the award recipients for this well-earned recognition,” says Debbi Miller, Frontenac County Community Development Officer. “Each of those businesses and the people who run them stand out as leading examples in the Frontenac business community. Thank you for your leadership and contributions to commerce in our region. Congratulations also to everyone who was nominated this year.”
A total of 94 award nominations were submitted through EngageFrontenac.ca between August and October by residents from all four Frontenac Townships. A full list of nominees is attached below. Some businesses drew multiple nominations. The award itself was designed by Tracy Bamford of Water’s Edge Pottery in Parham. It is a pottery lantern showcasing the various elements of the Frontenac brand.
Awards were presented to close of the Frontenac County Business Retreat and Awards at RKY Camp in Parham. Dozens of Frontenac business operators attended an afternoon of campfire chats on topics including tourism branding, farmers markets, business supports, and a panel discussion about business partnership-building. There were lots of opportunities for attendees to connect and learn from each other throughout the day.
Planning for the 2024 Frontenac County Business Awards are already underway.
