During their clinical experience four Cape Breton University nursing students witnessed firsthand how diabetes is becoming an increasingly prevalent issue in Cape Breton. Chris Walker, Taylor Sibley, Athanasius Sylliboy, Kate MacEachern and Kelsie Robertson were assigned a challenge by their professor Corrine McIssac to try to develop realistic interventions that could be implemented to work towards solving community related health issues. This class project led to new business development and a SPARK Cape Breton Award.

 

The group identified diabetes and proper care and prevention of foot ulcers caused by the disease as the focus of their project. The students decided that a mobile app would be an excellent tracking and preventative tool that would be accessible to health care professionals and patients. Naming their group TACKK Mobile Health, the group got to work developing FootChek, a foot ulcer preventive care app.

 

Chris Walker, team lead of the project believes their app makes the prevention and treatment of foot ulcers more readily accessible to both patients and healthcare professionals.

“Our product is focused on targeting the estimated 85% of foot ulcer cases that are preventable,” explains Walker. “If our FootChek project was brought to fruition, it will have a significant impact within the healthcare system by helping to drastically reduce the incidence of both morbidity and mortality rates associated with diabetic foot ulcer development; while at the same time, saving the healthcare system a significant amount of money.”

 

One of the challenging aspects for the group of nursing students was the development of a business plan. Luckily their professor Corrine McIssac, founder of Health Outcomes Worldwide, guided the group through the process. McIssac who was pleased to see her students taking such an entrepreneurial initiative encouraged the group to enter the Spark Cape Breton Competition.

“It is so encouraging to find entrepreneurs within the nursing community. These students see healthcare issues through a lens that is not contaminated by bureaucracy,” says McIssac. “It is a lesson that should be learned by all those who are trying to better the economy, listen to our young people and capitalize on their innovative ideas. It is a very exciting time to improve healthcare outcomes and the province’s economy.”

At the end of the Spark Cape Breton competition FootChek was awarded $25,000 in funding to further the development of their app.

 

“Having such a competition available for start-ups and new entrepreneurs has allowed us to travel down an occupational and life path that we never thought was possible,” says Walker. “We are very thankful for the opportunity we have been given.”

 

TACKK Mobile Health Solutions is currently working to gain additional funding. Once completed, the group will be partnering with a local community to begin a pilot study on the app’s performance and start beta testing. When they are able to compile their findings to show the impact that FootChek can have, they hope to begin implementation into larger healthcare populations.

 

To get updates on FootChek follow @FootChek on Twitter.

Read more about Spark Cape Breton Winners.

At 25 years old Brittany Woodworth is already making her mark by as an award winning entrepreneur, she is the owner of Timeless Moments dress shop in downtown Sydney.

 

Brittany has always had an entrepreneurial spirit, and participated in Junior Achievement programs through high school to develop her business skills. She had dreamed of owning her own business one day, but didn’t realize how close she was to achieving this dream.

 

A graduate of St. Francis Xavier University Brittany returned home to Cape Breton after receiving her degree in business and leadership management. Following her graduation Brittney started a work term placement with the Downtown Sydney Development Corporation. It was during her work placement that Brittney made a key connection with Michelle Wilson, then owner of Timeless Moments who hired her to work in the dress shop.

 

After selling her first dress, Brittany was hooked. She and Michelle began discussing the idea of Brittany buying the shop. Fast forward to a year later and Brittany was the brand new owner of Timeless Moments.

 

During this last few months Brittney has brought new life into the store and moved locations to accommodate the influx of business and show off her expanding inventory. “It’s amazing the impact and difference moving to a bigger location has had on the business,” describes Birttney. “With the bigger space we were able to put more thought into the design and now it has the feel of a real dress shop with a bigger floor and more space for appointments.”

 

Named Young Entrepreneur of the Year at the Sydney Chamber of Commerce Business Excellence Awards, Brittany has a lot of fresh ideas to keep up with the latest trends in formal wear. Brittany’s vision as a business owner is to give her customers the best dress shopping experience possible.

 

“Prom and wedding days are a big day for girls and women, and I’m grateful for being a part of the process,” says Brittney. “When I’m helping someone find their dress, it’s never about the sale, it is always about the experience and making them happy and confident in their choice. If they are happy then I am happy.”

 

Timeless Moments has gained a lot of momentum on social media over the last few months. The Instagram account had a record gain of 350 followers in one week and now has over 2,300 local and national followers. The Facebook page has experienced great growth as well, and Brittany is pleased to have another venue to communicate with interested customers.

 

“We have recently started posting photos of ourselves on the accounts, it lets the girls get to know us and develop a sort of friendship so they can have an even more personalized experience before they enter the shop,” says Brittney.

 

The future is looking bright for Brittany and the Timeless Moments staff, including a new Partnership with Hind Hart Studios to showcase Cape Breton’s beautiful landscapes with mock wedding photography.

 

“Cape Breton has some of the most beautiful locations for weddings we want to show our clientele that this natural beauty is ready and available for their wedding day, while also showcasing some of the shop’s dresses that compliment the scenery,” says Brittney.

 

Brittney knows that she is incredibly lucky to be able to be her own boss in the town she grew up in, supported by her friends and family. She encourages young people who are thinking of starting a business to just get out there and make it happen.

 

“We need more young people here to step out on a limb and take the leap into the business world. The longer you think about doing it, the less likely you will,” explains Brittney. “It can definitely be scary at times, but it’s worth that risk. It is a never-ending job, but being able to step back and say ‘This is mine’ is just so rewarding.”

 

Owning a dress shop may not have been her original plan, but Brittney cannot imagine being anywhere else.

 

“I believe Sydney has so much potential, and I’m happy to be a part of it. If we can continue to build our economy by buying local and helping each other out it would be exactly what Cape Breton needs, every little thing matters.”

 

Be sure to check out Timeless Moments at the upcoming Bridal Show at the Membertou Trade and Convention Centre on February 22, 2015.

 

Visit Timeless Moments online to check out their store hours or to make an appointment.

 

Follow Timeless Moments on Instagram and Facebook.

Entrepreneurship, innovation and positive change were topics of discussion earlier this week as the One Nova Scotia Coalition met in Cape Breton. The Coalition members visited Cape Breton as part of their provincial tour to gain a more inclusive outlook on planning for the province’s economic future.

 

Appointed by the Right and Honourable Premier Stephen MacNeil, the One Nova Scotia Coalition is made up of 15 political, business and community leaders from across the province to achieve the goals of the Now or Never: An Urgent Call to Action for Nova Scotians report. The Now or Never report highlights the role that Nova Scotians’ have in building a prosperous economy where future generations can live and thrive. Entrepreneurship is a key factor to achieving this vision of economic success, and was a consistent theme throughout the Coalition’s discussions this week.

 

Monday, members of the Coalition were treated to a landmark presentation from students enrolled in the UIT program at Cape Breton University. A dozen students presented their technology based ideas, showcasing their potential to be turned into viable business start-ups. The presentations emphasized Cape Breton’s thriving technology and innovation sector and the potential growth the industry has in Nova Scotia.

 

Programs like UIT that are driven by the ideas and initiatives formed by students demonstrate the vision of the Coalition that moves Nova Scotians away from depending on the government for jobs and looking to form and develop their own entrepreneurial pursuits.

 

On Tuesday Coalition members met at the Membertou Trade and Convention Centre to discuss retaining youth, attracting and retaining immigrants, enhancing workforce participation and aging well. Adapting to the province’s changing demographic and encouraging more inter-provincial and international immigration strategies were determined by the Coalition to be vital links that are needed to accomplish many of the goals found in the Now or Never report.

 

The oneNS Coalition ended their Cape Breton visit at a reception hosted by the Cape Breton Partnership. With over 190 local and provincial leaders and partners in attendance including Premier Stephen MacNeil, Leader of the Official Opposition and the Provincial New Democratic Party, Jamie Ballie and Maureen MacDonald.

 

The event had two musical performances by international students enrolled in the ICEAP program and a traditional First Nation’s welcome from Membertou’s Heritage Park General Manager, Jeff Ward. Cape Breton representatives from the One Nova Scotia Coalition, Joella Foulds and Rankin MacSween also took the stage to speak about the role that every individual has in the collaborative process to build a stronger network of resources for Nova Scotia.

 

“The future of our province is up to us and how we decide to move forward together as a team with the same set of goals and vision for Nova Scotia,” says Keith MacDonald, President and CEO of the Cape Breton Partnership. “A lot of work has gone into the creation of the Now or Never: An Urgent Call to Action for Nova Scotians report, and it is up to us to see it through for our next generation of Nova Scotians.”

 

The positive buzz left guests feeling invigorated and motivated to become involved in the Coalition’s efforts to put Nova Scotia on the right path toward sustainability and economic prosperity.

Ten years ago Damian Phillips visited Nova Scotia on a trip to see his extended family. It was on that trip that Damien fell in love with the province and made a vow that he would find a way to come back.

 

Originally from the United Kingdom, Damian spent some time after his initial visit to Nova Scotia traveling across the rest of Canada. Nearing the end of his trip Damian ended up settling in Calgary where he started a window washing business to make some extra cash. With no experience, Damian spent the next eight years building his business from the ground all the way up to washing high rise windows in some of Calgary’s tallest buildings.

 

After spending eight years in Calgary and expanding his business from one to eight employees Damian felt it was time to move on. Although he enjoyed being close to the Rocky Mountains he knew the ocean was calling him home.

 

“I sold my business and headed east and I landed here in Cape Breton,” explains Damian. “I was told about the great surf around Isle Madame and when I came to check it out I saw that this 170 year old house for sale I knew I had to put in an offer.”

 

With a fresh coat of paint and a keen outlook Damian created a vision for an activity lodge that would welcome outdoor enthusiasts of all ages and walks of life. Damian was able to bring his business to life so quickly, because the entire infrastructure he needed to build his own outdoor activity lodge already existed in his new backyard. The ocean provides ideal conditions for surfing, paddle boarding, sailing, kayaking, while hiking and cycling trails are just a stone’s throw away, with an ATV trail running right through the property.

 

“The community in D’Escousse has been so welcoming and the locals have been stopping in and offering their help in any way they can,” says Damian. “I have talked about opening a restaurant and bar with the hotel and everyone has been really enthusiastic about making that a reality in the near future.”

 

The Groundswell is on track to be officially open in another month and the restaurant and bar to be ready for business sometime in the summer. Damian has surf boards, paddleboards and wetsuits available for guests to rent and he hopes to have a few kayaks and bicycles ready to go for the spring.

 

Damian’s brother Craig has come to Nova Scotia from the United Kingdom to help him get settled and get The Groundswell Hotel up and running. Craig has decided to make his move to Nova Scotia permanent and has plans to follow in Damian’s path to start his own entrepreneurial journey.

 

“I have had a great experience so far and I am happy to call Cape Breton home,” says Damian. “Being near the ocean is what I have always wanted and I am looking forward to sharing that with people.”

 

Visit The Goundswell Hotel and Surf Lodge website to read more.

One of the top priorities of the ESP group is the creation of a strategy to guide Cape Breton’s efforts in the development and support of entrepreneurship.  Our advisory team has encouraged those at work on our strategy to:

 

 

What becomes apparent is the need to know more, in order to develop as clear a picture as possible of Cape Breton’s entrepreneurial landscape.  The points raised and noted to date in the first draft of the entrepreneurship strategy have raised the authors’ awareness of the need for more information.  This is where you come in.  With a view to helping map the supports and gaps in the system as well as the roadblocks, and to give appropriate weight to the concerns and issues raised to date, it’s been decided to create a survey.  You are invited to complete it.  The information will help to create the best possible strategy to support entrepreneurship in Cape Breton.

 

The online survey has been uploaded to Fluid Surveys for you to complete and submit at your earliest convenience. It doesn’t assume that you are an entrepreneur but asks where you fit in the “system.”  The multiple choice format invites you to list top challenges and goals.  It should take no more than ten minutes to complete.

 

The results will inform a strategy for the promotion and support of entrepreneurship to be unveiled next year.  Try not to think of it as a document or report but a map which we may follow to a new way of thinking about the creation of jobs and business in Cape Breton.  It’s about time.