Starter Company Plus Success Stories

Starter Company Plus: Helping Entrepreneurs Launch and Grow their Businesses

Each year, Huron County Economic Development supports the launch or growth of local businesses through the Starter Company Plus program’s micro-financing, training and coaching services. Below are some success stories of local entrepreneurs who started or expanded their businesses with the help of the Starter Company Program.

Coastal Coffee

Ben and Bri Gingerich

Coastal Coffee is on a mission to bring the best specialty coffee the world has to offer to Ontario’s West Coast. Partnering with global coffee farmers who produce the highest quality of premium, specialty coffee, Coastal Coffee is a small batch roastery located on the shores of Lake Huron, near Amberly.  Proudly offering crazy fresh, ethically sourced and artisan roasted coffee, they offer their customers “the good stuff.”

Westcoast Bakes and Cakes

Tracy Widdis

Last year, Tracy Widdis, owner of West Coast Bakes and Cakes took part in the Huron County Starter Company Plus program. Tracy had a passion for creating amazing and delectable treats and enjoys taking her creative energies to the next level. A self-pronounced people-pleaser, Tracy loves bringing people joy with the food she bakes and takes great pride in creating something that can’t be found in a grocery store or other shop.

Huron County Collision

Michelle and Doug Dunn

Huron County Collision is an autobody repair facility that specializes in insurance work, rust repair and rust restoration. Located in Vanastra, Michelle and Doug Dunn opened the business a year and a half ago after establishing a local client base in the surrounding area.  “I had a great experience working with Huron County Economic Development.”

Jolt Fitness

Katie Sigurdson

Located in Centralia, the Jolt Fitness team consists of preventative health care professionals offering fitness education through personal fitness training and classes. “We serve the entire community with specialized programs, for youth, beginners, adults, and seniors. We offer a variety of cardio and strength classes, along with wellness-based classes such as mobility and yoga. We also have chronic pain rehab and pain management support classes,” said Katie Sigurdson, owner of Jolt Fitness. 

Brød Bread and Pastry

Brød Bread & Pastry

Karen Middleton

Brød Bread & Pastry is a Scandinavian-style bakery owned by Karen Middleton in Blyth, Ontario. The concept of the bakery, serving a variety of pastries, hot beverages and classic bakery items, is in honour of Middleton’s grandmother who was the first person to teach Karen how to bake. The storefront features Middleton’s family rye bread, amongst other rotating flavours. “There’s a lot of work and a lot of love put into each loaf and that is really important to us,” said Middleton.

South Hill Succulents

South Hill Succulents

Sarah Harron

Located on Seaforth’s Main Street, South Hill Succulents, a botanical floral design shop, specializes in quality succulents grown right here in Huron County. South Hill Succulents focuses on weddings, custom orders and seasonal arrangements along with seasonal goods available in store. “I started off as a hobby succulent grower and one thing led to another. After recovering from a health scare a year and a half ago, I knew this was the right time to go all in and take my business to the next level,” said Harron.

Inherit the Earth Apparel

Inherit the Earth Apparel

Pete Meades

Inherit the Earth Apparel, owned by Pete Meades, is an environmentally conscious running and recovery wear company. Encouraging environmental stewardship in their mission, the running and activewear clothing company is based out of Holmesville and their clothing line is available online through their website, at Runner Choice Waterloo, and at pop-up shops and fun runs throughout Ontario.

How Can We Help?

Huron County is always excited to support new and innovative ideas and businesses.
We’re here to help!

Find Us

57 Napier Street,
Goderich, ON N7A 1W2
Canada

Phone

+1 (519) 524-8394 ext.6