Great ideas can come from anyone, anywhere.
That is why the Cape Breton Partnership has partnered up once again with Mashup Lab to offer a Dream Business Program for up and coming entrepreneurs, kicking off Thursday, February 20, 2020.
The Dream Business Program is a six-month program where participants are provided coaching, mentorship, access to business-focused workshops and a start-up kit to help develop ideas into viable businesses. This is the seventh Dream Business Program cohort for Cape Breton Island and over 60 participants from Cape Breton have graduated from the program.
“We are proud to continue to support this fantastic program that is supporting entrepreneurs in our rural communities,” said Business Minister Geoff MacLellan. “This program will help participants gain the skills and the confidence they need to take their idea and turn it into a successful business. The Dream Business Program is encouraging innovation and creativity and building stronger, more diversified communities.”
Every Mashup Lab program and event is designed to match people from rural communities with the knowledge, tools, and expert advice they need to figure out if there is a great business to be built around their idea.
“As the island’s economic development organization, one of our priorities is to connect entrepreneurs to the resources they need to succeed, which sums up the Dream Business Program,” says Carla Arsenault, President & CEO, Cape Breton Partnership. “We have seen and heard about many great business ideas with every cohort, and are confident this cohort will be no different.”
The Dream Business program throughout Cape Breton is funded by the Cape Breton Partnership and run by Mashup Lab, a Bridgewater based organization that supports rural entrepreneurs.
To register, visit www.mashuplab.ca/dreambusiness.
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Media Contact:
Megan Tonet
Cape Breton Partnership
(902) 202-4178
megan@capebretonpartnership.com
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.
Mashup LAB is a for-more-than-profit company focused on activating new businesses in rural communities. Every program and event is designed to give people the inspiration, courage, and knowledge needed to take action on their business ideas. For more information, visit https://www.mashuplab.ca/
How Cape Breton Cannabis can assist veterans with PTSD
Story by Kathleen MacLeod, Elevate Magazine Editor
This article is an excerpt from the latest issue of Elevate Magazine, the Cape Breton Partnership’s business magazine that was created to bring a fresh perspective to local business success stories. Elevate highlights stories from small start-ups to organizations that employ hundreds of Cape Bretoners. To view the archive of previous editions of Elevate Magazine and to stay up to date on Cape Breton’s growing business community, click here.
Fabian Henry first dove into the cannabis industry in 2013 with the launch of his business, Marijuana for Trauma (MFT) — a veteran owned and operated company that helps people suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). At the age of 20, Henry enlisted in the Canadian Armed Forces as a Combat Engineer. During this time he was deployed on six tours and after 12 years of service he was discharged due to PTSD. Not long after Henry discovered the positive impact cannabis had as treatment for his own battle with PTSD, Marijuana for Trauma was created.
Henry sold the business in 2016 and he and his partner donated proceeds to start the Global Alliance Foundation Fund (GAFF), an initiative created to help bridge the gap in care between a soldier’s discharge from the Armed Forces and the process of entering back into everyday civilian life. Currently, GAFF is valued at $12 million and growing.
Henry recognizes that cannabis is not a cure for PTSD, but he considers it an important part of the treatment process and from that idea, Veterans for Healing was formed. The after-care program aiming to help veterans is the reason why Henry has purchased some of Cape Breton’s most desired properties. These properties include 130 acres in Pipers Glen, 300 acres and 2,000 feet of frontage in Chimney Corner and a 1.5-acre lot in Inverness.
In 2017, Henry purchased the off-grid property in Pipers Glen located adjacent to Egypt Falls, which will act as a holistic healing retreat for veterans suffering from mental health issues, particularly PTSD. Those who attend are given the opportunity to participate in different activities such as horseback riding, gardening, yoga and meditation.
Leading into the property, a 700-metre road has been built, as well as a two-bay garage and solar panels to power the retreat, which is expected to be operational by the end of 2020. Henry and his team plan to build 24 additional open-concept, homestyle cabins by the end of 2022. The estimated costs to build cabins, bathrooms and the main gathering lodge range between $1.2 million and $1.5 million.
Henry sees this retreat as a game changer in increasing one’s quality of life and having veterans reshape their purpose in their own lives.
“This is to be a year-round retreat providing something unique in each of the four seasons we have on Cape Breton Island, especially in Pipers Glen.”
Fabian Henry, Veteran and Owner
At this point, there are no plans for new infrastructure at Chimney Corner and it will stay open to the public, but starting in 2020 the beach will be closed one weekend per year, allowing for the Veterans for Healing music festival to take place.
The final property recently acquired by Henry overlooks the fifth hole at the Cabot Links Golf Course in Inverness and will be transformed into a restaurant with live music. While also open to the public, the restaurant will be free for veterans who have been approved to use Veterans for Healing services.
Although he’s busy working on various projects, Henry’s initiatives don’t end there. In 2018, he became Founder and Director of Breton CannaPharms Ltd. and has been given the green light from Health Canada for the first phase of becoming a licensed cannabis producer on Cape Breton Island. Operations will be based out of Port Hawkesbury in a building recently purchased and retrofitted by Henry on Queen Street. Breton CannaPharms is dedicated to providing veterans with the best treatment and intends to be the most socially responsible cannabis company across the globe — all while donating 51 per cent of its profits to the GAFF.
“Breton CannaPharms should create 50 to 100 jobs. At full production, it should be upwards of 100. We are proud to be bringing these jobs home to Cape Breton.”
Fabian Henry, Veteran and Owner
For Henry and his team, the next step in their process is to raise capital for the construction of phase one. He has also pledged to give 100 per cent of his ownership in Breton CannaPharms to the GAFF Charity.
Eskasoni expands to include new facilities built to help residents celebrate culture and traditions
Story by Lynn Morrison, Communications & Marketing Assistant
This article is an excerpt from the latest issue of Elevate Magazine, the Cape Breton Partnership’s business magazine that was created to bring a fresh perspective to local business success stories. Elevate highlights stories from small start-ups to organizations that employ hundreds of Cape Bretoners. To view the archive of previous editions of Elevate Magazine and to stay up to date on Cape Breton’s growing business community, click here.
The First Nation community of Eskasoni recently announced various new projects that will be at the forefront of future development for the community. An acquirement of 86.5 hectares of land for Eskasoni has come at the perfect time, as the community has big plans for a new high school, long-term care facility and improvement of fibre-optic internet infrastructure.
In August 2019, both federal and provincial officials gathered with members of the band council, dignitaries and elders to announce a new long-term care facility that will change the way elders in the community receive the care they need in their later years. The new facility, Kiknu Long-Term Care Ltd., will begin construction in March 2020 and is estimated to be completed in 2022. Granted $19.7 million federally and more than $6.5 million from the province, the facility will include 48 beds for elders from all Unama’ki First Nations communities who are receiving long-term care.
The design of Kiknu Long-Term Care Ltd. represents a turtle, which is a sacred symbol of Indigenous culture. “Kiknu,” meaning “our home” in Mi’kmaw, will allow elders to receive care and comfort while providing them with an atmosphere to celebrate their language, culture and traditional practices — something that they would not receive at long-term care facilities outside of First Nation communities.
“The new long-term care facility has been a work in progress for the past four years. Our initial feasibility study was conducted in 2015 and first presented to the department of health that same year. Three years later, we are at the final stage of negotiating a 25-year license and have secured the capital that is necessary to build a 40,000 square-foot facility.”
Steve Parsons, General Manager of Eskasoni Corporate Division
While providing care for elders, the development will also generate high-skilled, well-paying job opportunities for those in the trades, health care and service sectors, encouraging youth to build their lives and thrive within the community. Operationally, Kiknu Long-Term Care Ltd. will provide 70 full-time employment positions. Training for various positions will commence at the beginning of 2020.
In addition to the announcement regarding Kiknu Long-Term Care Ltd., officials also announced a residential fibre-optic project, owned and operated by the Eskasoni Band Council in partnership with an internet service provider, which will increase access to high-speed internet in the community. With an upsurge in high-speed internet, Indigenous Nova Scotians will be involved in installations, maintenance and support of the network, which in turn will allow all community members to participate in online conferences, courses and other learning sessions. While providing high-speed internet to Eskasoni, the fibre-optic infrastructure improvement will also provide an additional stream of income to the band.
With many new developments on the horizon in Eskasoni and an increase in land ownership, not only will essential care and services be provided to those in need, but will create an influx in highly-skilled employment opportunities for the future.
Small business owners are required to wear a lot of different hats, and there is often a steep learning curve when starting or expanding a business. In an effort to assist Cape Breton – Unama’ki’s small business owners, the Cape Breton Partnership will be offering business advisory sessions on a variety of topics throughout 2020 across the island. The first session on the Basics of Business Accounting took place January 26 in Sydney.
Fifteen small business owners from the Cape Breton Regional Municipality attended the session, free of charge. The participants are clients of the Cape Breton Partnership’s Business Planning Advisor, Shannon McNeil. In this role, Shannon provides one-on-one advice and guidance on preparing business plans.
“A resounding theme I have heard from clients is the need for information on accounting basics,” says Shannon McNeil. “Accounting can be a complicated subject, so sessions like this are very beneficial to small business owners. We look forward to hosting more sessions in the future to ensure the needs of our Business Advisory Service clients are met.”
Facilitated by Rob Wadden, CPA, CA of Grant Thornton Sydney, the session educated attendees on many aspects of business accounting. The topics ranged from different types of business structures, preparing income taxes for small businesses, the business registration process, best practices of business accounting, and improving a business’ bottom line. In addition, the session provided information regarding further resources and local training programs for Cape Breton business owners.
“The accounting session delivered by the Cape Breton Partnership was extremely beneficial and informative – I learned a lot,” says Cassie Gilmour, owner of Gille Moire Photography. “The Grant Thornton facilitator was very knowledgeable and helpful, and the topics during the session were extremely relevant and well covered. The session was very interactive, and it was interesting to engage in the conversation.”
The next session of the business advisory series will cover the Basics of Business Accounting in March in Port Hawkesbury. In future, the Cape Breton Partnership will tailor to the needs of clients to inform upcoming session themes. If you’re interested in attending the next session, email Shannon@capebretonpartnership.com .
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Media Contact:
Megan Tonet
Cape Breton Partnership
(902) 202-4178
megan@capebretonpartnership.com
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.
Nova Scotia Health Authority embarks on major developments
Story by Kathleen MacLeod, Elevate Magazine Editor
This article is an excerpt from the latest issue of Elevate Magazine, the Cape Breton Partnership’s business magazine that was created to bring a fresh perspective to local business success stories. Elevate highlights stories from small start-ups to organizations that employ hundreds of Cape Bretoners. To view the archive of previous editions of Elevate Magazine and to stay up to date on Cape Breton’s growing business community, click here.
In 2018 the Nova Scotia Government and Nova Scotia Health Authority announced their plan to change the way health care is delivered in the Cape Breton Regional Municipality (CBRM). Since the initial announcement, the leadership team for the CBRM Health Care Redevelopment Project have been working closely with staff, physicians and stakeholders to move the project forward.
The redevelopment project is a multi-year, multi-phase project with the goal of redesigning and rebuilding health-care infrastructure to support Cape Breton’s patients, families, health-care teams, physicians and researchers.
“This is an opportunity to do things differently and make significant improvements in how we deliver care to patients. This work will expand services and improve access to health care, while also providing modern facilities.”
Dr. Kevin Orrell, Senior Medical Director for the CBRM Health Care Redevelopment Project
As part of the project a new emergency department, critical care department and Cape Breton Cancer Centre will be built at the Cape Breton Regional Hospital in Sydney. The new cancer centre will serve more than 45,000 patients per year, making it possible to stay close to home while receiving treatment. With site preparation underway and design plans drafted, construction is set to begin in late summer or fall of 2020.
In addition to expansions at the Cape Breton Regional Hospital, New Waterford will become home to a new community hub that includes a new school, community health centre and long-term care facility. The development of these facilities will take place on the current grounds of Breton Education Centre. Similarly, North Sydney will also welcome a new community health centre, long-term care facility and laundry facilities. At Glace Bay Hospital, construction of a new, six-chair renal dialysis unit is underway and planning continues to expand the emergency department and surgical services.
Together, with team members from transportation infrastructure and renewal, department of health and wellness and many local health professionals, the local leadership team will continue to work to ensure that future health-care services and sustainable infrastructure are improved for Cape Breton.