If you have been to the Cape Breton Farmers’ Market in downtown Sydney in the last few months, you may have noticed an exciting new addition to the market: the Pop-up Bistro.
Introduced in 2021, the Pop-up Bistro is a collaboration between the Cape Breton Partnership and the Cape Breton Farmers’ Market. The initiative gives local food and beverage businesses the opportunity to try their hand at being a vendor at the market.
Since launching, the Pop-up Bistro has become much more to the local business community, helping local entrepreneurs grow their businesses and delighting customers with new local products.
A Great Learning Experience
For Paula Fortune, the Pop-up Bistro was the perfect opportunity to create something unique in her rural home of Belle Côte. Fortune and her husband Eric Rochefort are both trained chefs who have lived and worked in British Columbia and Alberta. Together, they created Salt Spray Farm.
“We are a family-owned and operated business,” says Fortune. “We use all fresh ingredients and create delicious salad dressings that we are proud to share with all Cape Bretoners and visitors to the Island.”
Fortune says that the Pop-up Bistro was just what she and her husband needed to introduce their products to the community.
“The Pop-up Bistro is a great initiative,” she says. “It’s a small time commitment, and it gives businesses like ours the chance to try out our dream and watch it become a reality.”
Since Salt Spray Farm had their day at the market, they have seen a clear increase in social media traffic and interest around the Island. The bistro also gave Fortune and Rochefort the opportunity to introduce their products to other local businesses. Salt Spray Farms now offers its products at stores around Cape Breton, including Port City Grocery in Sydney, Marguerite Boutique Et Provisions in Chéticamp, Brook Village Grocery in Brook Village, and the General Store at the Cape Breton Farmers’ Market.
“We’ve learned a lot about the process of food safety and nutritional testing, and now we’re beginning to market and distribute our dressings,” Fortune says. “It’s been a great learning experience.”
An Exciting Opportunity
For Trevor MacLean of One Bent Kitchen, the Pop-up Bistro was an opportunity to turn his love of candy into a viable business.
“One Bent Kitchen began as a hobby for me,” says MacLean, who was a vendor at the Pop-up Bistro at the end of October 2021. “I am a candy lover at heart and wanted to share that with other people.”
Famous for his Lemon Loaf, MacLean says that the Pop-up Bistro gave his passion project the boost it needed to start looking toward the future. Now he is gearing up for the cruise ship season and is excited for the chance to delight tourists and visitors with his yummy creations.
“This opportunity really allowed me to grow my hobby into a business and share my creations with the community,” says MacLean. “Initiatives like the Pop-up Bistro are important for economic growth on the Island.”
When asked what advice he would offer other hobbyist-turned-business-owners, he says, “I think it’s important that if you have an idea or creation that you want to try out, go for it, even though it may seem scary at first. The reward is worth the effort.”
New Growth in the Community
The bistro has brought a buzz of positivity to the farmers’ market, with one business even signing on to become a weekly vendor.
“This experience has been very positive and beneficial for the market. It was a pleasure working with the Cape Breton Partnership and we appreciate their dedication and hard work in making this a big success,” says Brenda Donahue, Chair of the Cape Breton Farmers’ Market.
In its first six months, the Pop-Up Bistro was able to welcome 18 locally owned and operated small businesses into the market and give them an opportunity to showcase their products to market-goers.
“It was a win-win for both the market and the vendors who participated,” says Donahue. “The fact that a number of vendors have asked to come back was a good indication they found it worthwhile. The feedback we received from both the vendors and the community has been outstanding.”
Due to the success, the Market has decided to continue the Pop-up Bistro, allowing more local startups and small businesses to reach new customers and grow.
“This initiative helped us recognize that there is a need to provide space for startups as well as established small businesses who have been struggling during the pandemic. By continuing with the bistro, we will provide new and existing small businesses with access to new customers and the ability to test new products,” Donahue says.
Another advantage to participating in the Pop-up Bistro is the networking component. New and existing small businesses can network with other entrepreneurs at the market and share ideas and knowledge.
“Running a small business is not for the faint of heart,” adds Donahue. “We want to do whatever we can to help. Whether it’s by sharing knowledge or providing advice, we must all work together to support our local economy and small business community.”
To learn more about the Pop-up Bistro or if you are a startup or existing food and beverage small business interested in taking part, please contact the Cape Breton Farmers’ Market at: cbfarmersmarket@bellaliant.com.
Elevate is Cape Breton – Unama’ki’s business-focused publication brought to you by the Cape Breton Partnership. To evolve with our business audience, the publication has now moved from a print publication to fully online. Starting in 2022, our readers can expect to see Elevate articles appearing on both our website and on Saltwire.com.
Held on March 10, 2022, this is the second session of the Ocean Farming Series held by the Cape Breton Partnership and Nova Scotia Community College: Ocean Farming – Food Security & Environmental Sustainability.
The session featured panel presentations and discussions with Stacey McCarthy, Marketing & Communications Manager, Aquaculture Association of Nova Scotia, Alicia Lake, Executive Director, Cape Breton Food Hub, and Allison McIsaac, Biologist, Eskasoni Fish & Wildlife Commission. The session was moderated by Amanda Mombourquette, Community Innovation Lead at Nova Scotia Community College.
This event is part of the Cape Breton Partnership’s and Nova Scotia Community College’s Ocean Farming Series, bringing our local Unama’ki – Cape Breton business community together to hear from industry experts on a range of topics important to the success and growth of the ocean farming sector on Cape Breton Island.
Future topics include: Pathways to Entry & Regulations, Innovation & Readiness, and Quality & Capacity.
For more information:
Carly Appleton
Cape Breton Partnership
902.562.0122
carly@capebretonpartnership.com
Amanda Mombourquette
Nova Scotia Community College
902.227.7836
Amanda.Mombourquette@nscc.ca
About the Cape Breton Partnership:
The Cape Breton Partnership is Unama’ki – Cape Breton’s private sector-led economic development organization that supports companies and entrepreneurs by promoting our island as a great place to live and invest; growing a culture that values and celebrates creativity, innovation, and entrepreneurship; and connecting entrepreneurs and companies to the resources they need to succeed. For more information, visit https://capebretonpartnership.com.
About Nova Scotia Community College
NSCC is committed to building Nova Scotia’s economy and quality of life through education and innovation, transforming Nova Scotia one learner at a time. NSCC offers more than 130 career-oriented programs throughout the province at our 14 campuses, including our online eCampus. Learn more at https://www.nscc.ca/.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Cape Breton Island, NS – After a thorough and competitive selection process, the Board of Directors of the Cape Breton Partnership is pleased to announce that Tyler Mattheis has been selected as President & Chief Executive Officer (CEO) effective March 8, 2022.
Mattheis has worked with the Cape Breton Partnership since 2019, serving in the role of Economic Development Officer with the Cape Breton Regional Municipality Regional Enterprise Network and most recently as Director of Economic Development. Since joining the Cape Breton Partnership team, Mattheis has participated in and led a number of key projects and activities for the Cape Breton Partnership and both local Regional Enterprise Networks.
“The Board is excited to officially welcome Tyler Mattheis in the President & CEO role with the Cape Breton Partnership,” says Sandra Kanchuk, Chair of the Cape Breton Partnership Board of Directors. “Tyler has demonstrated a keen interest and capability in leading the Cape Breton Partnership’s team and various initiatives both as Director of Economic Development and Acting President & CEO. His experiences and dedication will help to lead the Cape Breton Partnership into a post-Pandemic world to the benefit of Unama’ki – Cape Breton and the Investors of the Cape Breton Partnership.”
Mattheis earned his degree in International Development Studies from Dalhousie University, complemented by a diploma in Wood Engineering Technology from the Southern Alberta Institute of Technology, and certificates from Simon Fraser University and the University of Waterloo. Prior to his time with the Cape Breton Partnership, Mattheis also worked with the Municipality of East Hants as the Director of Economic Development, and was the inaugural Executive Director of AdvantageHOPE in Hope, British Columbia.
“I’ve been fortunate to learn from and grow with this team over the last three years, and it is an honour to continue that work leading the team and the important work we do,” says Mattheis. “The Cape Breton Partnership has benefited greatly from the strong leadership of its Board of Directors and the relationships that have been forged with Investors, the private sector, local First Nation and municipal community partners, local government representatives, and many partner organizations. I look forward to taking this next step and continuing to build relationships as we strengthen Unama’ki – Cape Breton as a leading destination to live, work, and invest.”
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Media Contacts:
Jeremy Martell
Cape Breton Partnership
902-631-5442
Jeremy@capebretonpartnership.com
About the Cape Breton Partnership:
The Cape Breton Partnership is Unama’ki – Cape Breton’s private sector-led economic development organization that supports companies and entrepreneurs by promoting our island as a great place to live and invest; growing a culture that values and celebrates creativity, innovation, and entrepreneurship; and connecting entrepreneurs and companies to the resources they need to succeed. For more information, visit https://capebretonpartnership.com.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Nova Scotia, Canada – Have you ever wondered how you can showcase your skills for a prospective employer before you get to an interview? If so, the Cape Breton, Northern, and Valley Connector Programs invite you to register for Get the Skills, Land the Job, a free virtual workshop series taking place March 8 to March 17, 2022.
The series features Tanya Sieliakus, Owner of HR Pros Inc., and will focus on dissecting job descriptions, writing targeted resumes and meaningful cover letters, and effective self-promotion. This is an excellent opportunity for new graduates, job-seekers, students approaching graduation, and newcomers to Nova Scotia to build their resumes and their confidence in gaining meaningful employment.
Two separate workshops will take place: Workshop One, a general session focused on the majority of employment types (Business, Administration, Trades, Hospitality, Marketing, etc.); and Workshop Two, focused on project-based employment types (Engineering, Architecture, Information Technology, etc.). Each workshop will include two three-hour parts.
“This is a terrific opportunity to learn skills that can help newcomers, new graduates and others who are searching for meaningful employment. Pursuing these workshops virtually allows individuals to gain access to the resources from the comfort of their own home, especially during the pandemic,” says Ayha El-Darahali, Coordinator of the Cape Breton Connector Program. “These workshops are just one of the many resources available through the Connector Program to help job-seekers. If you are interested in expanding your network and taping into the hidden job market, consider joining the Connector program in your region and join the hundreds of professionals who have been successfully connected across Nova Scotia.”
Participants who attend and participate in either workshop fully will be entered into a draw for one of two grand prize packages, which will include Apple AirPods; a professional headshot; professional business cards; and a $50 gift certificate to a local coffee shop in the winner’s community.
To register, please visit https://bit.ly/GetTheSkillsLandTheJob-Mar2022 and sign up as soon as possible, as capacity is limited.
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Media Contact:
Jeremy Martell
Cape Breton Partnership
902-631-5442
Jeremy@capebretonpartnership.com
About the Connector Program
The Connector Program matches community and business leaders (Connectors) with local and international graduates, newcomers, and other qualified professionals (Connectees) in their industry of expertise. The Connector Program is a simple and effective networking program that connects driven individuals with industry leaders who can help facilitate the growth of their careers. Connector Programs are administered locally by a number of organizations, such as the Cape Breton Partnership, Truro & Colchester Partnership for Economic Prosperity, the Cumberland Business Connector, Pictou Regional Enterprise Network, and the Valley Connector Program. To learn more about the Connector Programs hosting Get the Skills, Land the Job, visit:
- Cape Breton Connector Program: https://capebretonpartnership.com/initiatives/connector/
- Northern Connector Program: https://www.cumberlandbusinessconnector.ca/northern-connector-program.html
- Valley Connector Program: https://www.valleyren.ca/connector-program/
On February 24, 2022, the Cape Breton Partnership, through the Building Tomorrow Campaign, hosted Service Nova Scotia and Internal Services and Procurement Assistance Canada (PAC) for an informative virtual session, via zoom, exploring the topic of procurement and selling to both the Provincial and Federal Governments.
Presenters and presentation topics included:
- Alexa Vodicka, Project Coordinator-Procurement Engagement, Service Nova Scotia and Internal Services
- Attendees learned about what is required to sell to the Province of Nova Scotia, and information on:
- High & Low-Value Opportunities;
- E-Procurement;
- Standing Offers; and
- Marketing to Government.
- Attendees learned about what is required to sell to the Province of Nova Scotia, and information on:
- Paul Gérin, Outreach Officer, Procurement Assistance Canada (PAC)
- PAC will guide you through procurement and various resources to help you decide if selling to the Government of Canada is the right strategy for your business. Topics covered will include:
- how the government buys goods and services;
- about the range of opportunities for Businesses;
- some tips and tricks to make it easier to find and bid on contracts; and
- how to access resources, tools and free support available to small businesses.
- PAC will guide you through procurement and various resources to help you decide if selling to the Government of Canada is the right strategy for your business. Topics covered will include:
For more information:
Jeremy Martell
Cape Breton Partnership
902-631-5442
Jeremy@capebretonpartnership.com
About the Cape Breton Partnership:
The Cape Breton Partnership is Unama’ki – Cape Breton’s private sector-led economic development organization that supports companies and entrepreneurs by promoting our island as a great place to live and invest; growing a culture that values and celebrates creativity, innovation, and entrepreneurship; and connecting entrepreneurs and companies to the resources they need to succeed. For more information, visit https://capebretonpartnership.com.
About Building Tomorrow:
Building Tomorrow is a campaign from the Cape Breton Partnership highlighting the five major projects underway that will revitalize the Island and put more people to work. Learn more at https://building-tomorrow.ca/.