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This series is designed to introduce you to our current, future, and even some past board members. We have new members joining the board, and wanted you to have an opportunity to get to know them, as well as the folks who are currently serving. Meet Stephanie Dupuis, one of our new board members and find out why she was inspired to join NextGen. ***  After working in the contemporary Canadian art scene for several years, I relocated from Montreal to Cape Breton/Unama’ki to pursue an opportunity as the Craft Business Development Coordinator at the Cape Breton Centre for Craft & Design in September 2019. Cape Breton held a special place in my heart since travelling to the island for a family trip in 2014. I was so excited to witness the growth of the island and the international community first hand, and grateful for the chance to connect with local relatives.
What I have been most impressed by since my arrival is the sense of community, keen interest in entrepreneurship, and the thirst for new ideas to revitalize this beautiful island. It gave me a similar feeling to the first time I tried my hand at ceramics and was welcomed with open arms by the craft community! I became keenly interested in rural and remote arts development while working with Inuit, First Nations and Canadian craft artists in the non-profit sector. My personal mission was to act as a connector between rural/remote artists and opportunities in the national art market - something that I now do for a living on behalf of Cape Breton craft artists. I became involved with the Lumiere Arts Festival Association board of directors following a rewarding stint of cultural volunteering in Northeastern Ontario, where I am originally from. Having previously collaborated with the Cape Breton Partnership in various capacities, I was eager to see an opportunity to get involved with the NextGen team to give back (and get connected) to the community and to participate in proactive initiatives targeted at making Unama’ki a desirable place for people my own age. As a french native language speaker, I hope to connect with like-minded Cape Bretoners dedicated to meaningful representation and inclusion of the diverse cultural interests across the island. I am grateful for the opportunity to collectively inspire the next generation to move beyond their comfort zone and be a part of a team that encourages and stimulates innovative ideas. Drawing on my experience in community development, arts management, youth work and business development, I hope to contribute to the NextGen leadership by facilitating connections and opportunities that traverse sectoral boundaries and increase our competitiveness on the global stage. My hope is to encourage and engage with the emergence of creative community based projects that reflect the local diversity of the island as we collectively progress towards a more inclusive, socially conscious and sustainable future.
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1. Tell us about yourself/ your business. Live Life In Tents is a Cape Breton adventure brand based in Margaree Forks providing clients unique island experiences through accommodation, tours and activities. LLIT is owned by my brother Liam and myself (Lee Fraser) who both grew up and live in Margaree after years of being away.  2. What was your path to your current position/ business? The path to LLIT was a long one but necessary to give us the proper building blocks and lessons on what not to do when operating this business. It wasn’t the first business I started but one of the few successes among many failures. 3. How long has your business been operating in CB? The current form of LLIT started in late 2016 as an idea to become a sort of “travel agent for adventure tourism” while I was taking a year off work to renovate a property I purchased, and where we currently operate our business, in Margaree Forks. There were a few things happening back then that were the catalyst to us launching, there was a major push with tourism NS to boost tourism revenues, the ‘Cape Breton If Trump Wins’ website getting international attention and, a lack of tourism operators taking advantage of the rapidly growing social media space. There was also another trend happening that I saw first hand from being in the music and event scene; people were wanting tangible experiences rather than a night out clubbing. It was becoming increasingly more difficult to sell events and it was around the same time apps like Instagram were just permeating the Maritimes. The trend was moving into adventures and travel so it seemed like a good time to start this business. 4. What inspired you to operate a business in Cape Breton/ Unama’ki? The fact that we grew up here and wanted to live here and do something fun. That’s what it was all about. There was no business plan or plan at all. We both worked full time jobs so for the first couple years it was trial and error until we figured out what was going to work. Now this is full time for me (Lee) and we have 7 full time employees throughout the summer months. 5. What was your “ah-ha” moment when you knew you had the right idea? I don’t think there is ever a true ah’ha moment because great ideas come from a series of ah-ha moments that lead you to the next and the next. It’s just about believing in your journey and moving forward in whatever direction that takes you. Like I previously said, we set out to be a travel agent for adventure tourism but we now are the operators and an accommodations business. Part of the fun is seeing where a seed of an idea will take you and it’s taken us on some pretty wild journeys and helped us meet some amazing people. 6. What did you study in school? How has it helped you in your journey? I studied metal fab and commercial diving/saturation diving in school but nothing business related and my brother did education degree from STFX and his forestry tech years later. The diving industry can be a very volatile and high stress industry to be in. You either make it or you don’t. Whether you last in that industry or not will be decided very quickly and one wrong decision can end your career. That taught me how to handle high stress situations in life threatening environments. It also gave me financial security to invest in different business ventures that both failed and succeeded which is where I really learned valuable lessons. I’m here doing this interview because of all the failures I’ve been through but no one cares about those, all people want to hear is about the success. The failures are what help anyone in their journey. 7. If there was one thing you could have done differently early in your career, what would it be? Nothing. If I didn’t do everything I did I probably wouldn’t be doing this interview.  8. What is your advice to a ‘shiny new’ business owner or entrepreneur?
Don’t worry about failing, that’s part of the game. Just keep playing. Believe in what you’re doing and don’t let anyone throw you off that path. 9. What advice would you offer aspiring business owners or entrepreneurs who want to stay on the Island? You literally have the world at your fingertips within every cell phone. Reaching your market has never been easier than it is today. You can live anywhere you want and run a business online. It’s boils down to how bad do you want to do the thing you want to do? Ask yourself that, because no one is going to help you but you. If there are financial hold backs, do a personal audit and look at where you’re spending your money. How much are you spending at the coffee shop? Do you really need the newest iPhone? Will you live in a closet, get rid of that expensive vehicle to bike to the grocery store and do what needs to be done to save every dollar to be able to invest in yourself? Again, anything is possible if you have the drive to get it. 10. Where do you see the future of your business/ industry/ Cape Breton headed? That is a loaded question but the answer is that I truly think the tourism and adventure tourism, to be specific, will be bigger than ever in the years to come. This will be both a positive and a negative if we do not start discussions on the negatives and put a plan in place to manage it. Just in the last few years we’ve seen a major increase in travellers to CB which has meant more people sharing unmanaged and ecologically sensitive locations on social media. The increase in traffic because of this has left many of these places not only littered with garbage but has seen the land/property greatly disrespected, some of which is privately owned. A lot of this has to do with people being uneducated on proper outdoor etiquette which is compounded by places having no management plan for increased traffic. We see this everyday on the Margaree River and have been forced to put our own management plan in place. It has also led us to develop a new initiative we are hoping to get off the ground very shortly to help manage the influx of visitors and stress on the Island. This series is designed to introduce you to our current, future, and even some past board members. We have new members joining the board, and wanted you to have an opportunity to get to know them, as well as the folks who are currently serving. Meet Justine Williamson, one of our new board member and find out why she was inspired to join NextGen. ***  I chose to join the NextGen Unama’Ki board because I think raising up our youth and celebrating amazing people within our community is crucial to our future sustainability.
I chose to challenge the thinking that in order to find work, moving to another province was inevitable. In 2014, my comedic partner and I started the Cape Breton duo, Tracy and Martina. In 2017, we started producing content for CBC Comedy, went on to write for This Hour Has 22 Minutes, and are currently working with Swearnet to produce a Tracy and Martina Christmas Special, all while living in Cape Breton. I know this is not possible for everybody, however, we seem to be cultivating a vibrant community of artists, creators, and entrepreneurs. As a Vital Award winner, I know that empowering and recognizing people through such programs can make a huge difference. Cape Breton has given me so much, which is why I want to reinvest my time and energy into generating positive change. We’re living in a time where the mindset of many is shifting. People are realizing that complacency is no longer acceptable, and if you want change you’ve got to take action. I’m so grateful to have the opportunity to be a part of an organization that raises people up and inspires others. 1. Tell us about yourself/ your business. Brenna Phillips. I have a background in visual arts and holistic nutrition. I have been making fermented foods for over a decade and have attended fermentation residencies in the US and in Mexico. I have enjoyed teaching workshops at UpSkilling! and through the Better Bite community kitchen. More to come !  2. What was your path to your current position/ business? Moved to Cape Breton in 2016 to work with The Periwinkle Cafe in Ingonish. It had been several years since working in kitchens but I had done some specialized food catering and pop ups before taking on the kitchen manager position. While at the Periwinkle I started making and selling fermented foods and drinks. Have since branched off and have been doing Punch & Jingles House of Ferments full time, mostly selling through the Pan Cape Breton Food Hub and at the Cape Breton Farmers’ Market. 3. How long has your business been operating in CB? Punch & Jingles will be 3 in October 2020. 4. What inspired you to operate a business in Cape Breton/ Unama’ki? Caitlyn Purcell and Sarabeth Drover at Salty Roses and the Periwinkle Cafe inspired/encouraged me to move to Ingonish in 2016. I was ready to leave Halifax and looking for something new. I knew Ingonish from visiting Caitlyn’s shop over the years and thought I would like to move there. After working with their team for 3 years I was ready to branch out on my own. I’ve received so much support from my community, I feel grateful that I was able to move to a new place and succeed at something I really care about. 5. What was your “ah-ha” moment when you knew you had the right idea? The response to Punch & Jingles Ferments has been overwhelming and so so positive! I started out doing a bi-weekly ferments club from my house and it very quickly grew until I needed to rent kitchen space and devote all of my working hours to making ferments. The farmers market and food hub have been great ways to get my products to people. 6. What did you study in school? How has it helped you in your journey? I have a BFA from NSCAD and I also studied holistic nutrition. I think its been mostly learning from friends and asking a lot of questions and reading books on my own. I’m inspired by women doing small business.  7. If there was one thing you could have done differently early in your career, what would it be? I would find a business partner! I am not very business savvy and I don’t enjoy participating in social media, I’d rather make sauerkraut :) I’m not super competitive and I would rather share my knowledge and products then have to put a price on it. So a business partner could maybe do that side of things. 8. What is your advice to a ‘shiny new’ business owner or entrepreneur? Identify your strengths and don’t waiver, trust yourself. If there are parts of business you’d rather not do, hire someone who does want to. Don’t lose sight of your vision. Align yourself with like minded individuals. 9. What advice would you offer aspiring business owners or entrepreneurs who want to stay on the Island? Getting involved with your community is the best thing you can do. Volunteering and board work is invaluable. 10. Where do you see the future of your industry headed? I hope to see growth and development in the food sector, specifically in terms of food security. I’m passionate about supporting local growers and producers and I truly hope to see more support in that sector. As an extension I would like to see the trend in healthier eating continue and for food equity to be reached. Better food in schools, more affordable food and better access everywhere. As for my business and the work that I do, I hope to reach more people and share knowledge about the benefits of fermented foods and healthy eating in general. This series is designed to introduce you to our current, future, and even some past board members. We have new members joining the board soon, and wanted you to have an opportunity to get to know them, as well as the folks who are currently serving. Meet Liam Gillis, and find out why he was inspired to join NextGen. ***  In 2015, I returned home from Halifax, after eight years away, to work as a lawyer with a local law firm. While I was excited to return to Cape Breton, I was also anxious to leave a young and vibrant Halifax.
Those anxieties were misplaced. I quickly discovered that Cape Breton had a dynamic and passionate community of unheralded young professionals. I joined the board of NextGen that same year. I wanted to contribute to this determined network of community builders. My first year on the board was primarily concerned with the creation of the Young Talent Strategy for Cape Breton Island. The Strategy’s main aim is to clearly articulate a critical path for young talent to take their place as a key competitive advantage and major contributing factor to economic growth and future sustainability for Cape Breton. That Strategy was unveiled at the NextGen Forum in 2016. The response at that forum was tremendously encouraging. People of all ages attended, but it was particularly important that a significant number of young professionals attended to contribute to the discussion. It was clear that Cape Breton has a passionate base of young individuals who are devoted to making positive change on this Island. Since that time, NextGen has primarily focused on growing the annual Vital Awards. These awards, and that night, are focused on celebrating inspiring young individuals and highlighting their success stories. There are so many success stories! Cape Breton is filled with talented and committed young people contributing to a wide array of fields—culture, tourism, business, medicine, arts, and music—just to name a few. Cape Breton is a wonderful place to live. Part of NextGen’s mission is to change the narrative about Cape Breton. This is an Island filled with opportunities for people to lead a happy, successful, and engaging life. The stories we tell about ourselves are important. We want to make the world aware that this is a place where people can thrive. We not only want former residents to be aware that they can return home and find opportunity, but for individuals born in other provinces and countries to consider contributing their labour here. NextGen doesn’t want to help only stop outmigration, but wants to help build an image of Cape Breton that inspire migrants to consider moving here. NextGen has provided me with a tremendous opportunity to contribute in some small way to celebrating the success stories we see and hear on a daily basis. In doing so, it is my hope that other individuals will come to love this Island as much as I. Five years ago, I returned home uncertain as to what I would find. Now I am happily married with a young child and have recently become a Partner at a local law firm. Cape Breton has provided me with a quality of life I would be unable to find anywhere else. Hopefully, NextGen can help influence others to make the decision to build their lives here. 1. Tell us about yourself and your business. In 2014, I moved back home to Cape Breton (after 8 years in Ontario) to found the Highland Arts Theatre with a ragtag group of eager young artists. We had no idea whether it would work, and at the time, the idea of a professional theatre venue in downtown Sydney seemed foolhardy at best and one of our first performances had six people in attendance. Fast forward six years, we've become the second-largest professional theatre operating in Nova Scotia with a gross annual revenue of over $1.2 million. While the pandemic has certainly thrown a curveball to our projections, we're so grateful that the virus has been so relatively mild in Cape Breton, and we are currently innovating our way into the "new normal" with physically distanced seating for two productions, one of the only theatres in Canada open with live performances. The key to surviving what could have been an extinction-level threat was our precedent-setting new model, Radical Access, which essentially crowdsources our revenue needs in exchange for charitable receipts and a whole catalogue of perks, including free tickets for each of our Mainstage Productions (for more information, feel free to check out: http://www.highlandartstheatre.com/radical-access The campaign received national and international attention with articles in the Globe and Mail and New York Times and only 5 weeks into launch (at the time of writing) we are currently 83% of the way to our ambitious goal of $50,000/month in donations. (Editor's note: As of print time, they're at 95.5% of their goal!!!)  2. What was your path to your current position/ business? All of my life I knew I wanted to make a life for myself in theatre, but I never imagined it was something I could do in Cape Breton. Growing up, I always assumed I'd have to move to Toronto or elsewhere to have even a chance of making a living. Never in my wildest dreams did I think we could build something as incredible as the HAT or that it would prove sustainable (even pandemic-proof) in this small community, yet it is precisely the support of the community that has made our vision possible. The fact that theatre is now an honest-to-goodness industry in Cape Breton (buffeted by the enormous growth of the Savoy Theatre as well) is nothing short of incredible. The fact that young people can go away for training and have a hope of coming home and being paid to work in their chosen field is a dream come true. 3. How long has your business been operating in CB? How long have you been running it? We've been operating since May 23, 2014 and I've been giving virtually every second of time, pint of blood, and gallon of sweat since. 4. What inspired you to operate a business in Cape Breton/ Unama’ki? When the opportunity came to start a theatre in Cape Breton, I couldn't pass it up. The fact that it actually worked has been nothing short of miraculous and - honestly - I don't know if it could have worked in a different community. There is so much talent and appreciation for art and music here, and people are so excited to support new things. Cape Breton has had a rough go over my lifetime. It's often felt like there's "less" here, but I think that makes us appreciate everything that much more. My mission was that no one would be able to say "there's nothing to do here" anymore, and with programming almost every night of the year, I think we've achieved that goal. 5. What was your “ah-ha” moment when you knew you had the right idea? In our first year, our very first season, we had about 350 season ticket subscribers. I remember saying to my friend Jonathan, "If only we could get to 1000 subscribers. Then we could actually have a budget and do some things. Maybe we can get there in like... 10 years..." and then less than a year later we hit that mark. That's when I knew something was working.  6. What did you study in school? How has it helped you in your journey? I went to Sheridan College in Oakville for Musical Theatre Performance when I was 16, and then went to George Brown Theatre School after I finished because I wanted a more focused training in acting. Along the way, one of the first things I learned is that there really isn't such a thing as a full-time career as an actor in Canada. Certainly not in the theatre. You have to be versatile and you have to come prepared for anything. So I started writing and producing while in school, initially as a way to create work for myself as an actor. As I gained momentum, I discovered I had just as much of a knack for the other aspects of making theatre and I think it's largely because of that that I've never stopped working. I had so many mentors who helped guide my training, in school and after. One of the most crucial places where I learned how to actually operate a theatre was working as a Box Office Manager at Tarragon Theatre. Without those lessons, the HAT never could have existed. 7. If there was one thing you could have done differently early in your career, what would it be? Taken out pandemic insurance... Other than that... I have to say, I've been very lucky. I've had incredible opportunities and I work very hard. There's not much (if anything) I would change. I think that's mostly because of my attitude; I really try to take every hiccup or setback as a learning opportunity and grow towards the next challenge. My motto in life is "Dare to Fail" and while I've been pretty lucky in our rapid success, it's the failures that really teach you the crucial lessons. 8. What is your advice to a ‘shiny new’ business owner or entrepreneur? At the risk of being cheesy: If there's something you want that you know in your gut is missing from your community, you can make it happen. Yes, it will take work, yes, it will sometimes seem impossible, but if you have a vision that is connected to truth and passion and aligns with what you were put on this earth to do... there is nothing you can't accomplish. 9. What advice would you offer aspiring business owners or entrepreneurs who want to stay on the Island? One of my favourite lyrics of all time is from We Are an Island... "and fight for the right to leave or to stay." I don't think everyone should leave. I don't think everyone should stay. I think it's important for everyone to feel the freedom to do what their heart tells them and if they go, maybe they'll come back. Or not. And that's okay. But if you have a desire to make a life and a business on Cape Breton Island, this is the time. There is fertile ground here and the harvest is coming. Things have changed so much in the last thirty years and there's an atmosphere primed for change that is unlike anything I've ever experienced. Now is the time to dream big. Now is the time to take risks. And for those who decide not to come back, let it not be because they didn't have a choice. 10. Where do you see the future of your business/ industry/ Cape Breton headed? With COVID-19 changing literally every aspect of society, it's hard to know what is coming next. Especially in the performing arts. All I can say is that as long as people continue to support us, we will be here, doing what we do best: creating world-class productions with Cape Breton talent for Cape Breton audiences and making things as accessible and inclusive as possible. There's nowhere I'd rather be. This series is designed to introduce you to our current, future, and even some past board members. We have new members joining the board soon, and wanted you to have an opportunity to get to know them, as well as the folks who are currently serving. Meet Damian MacInnis, and find out why he was inspired to join NextGen. ***  I joined the NextGen Unama’ki board in 2017 just after I left my position with the Cape Breton Regional Enterprise Network (CBREN) to pursue a business opportunity. During my time with the CBREN and as my time as Executive Director with the Strait Area Chamber, I saw a resurgence of young people that either wanted to stay in Cape Breton to work, move back to be with family or simply move here from outside of the Island because of the great things happening in our region. It was this reason that I decided to join the board to help get the message across the entire Island about Next Gen, represent the regions outside of CBRM, and to spread the message that Cape Breton is a special place to live, work and play.
Every year, Next Gen highlights individuals and businesses across the Island that are doing exceptional things to allow young professionals make living here. NextGen is a catalyst in being the voice for professionals under 40 and showcasing these people/businesses at our annual Vital Awards. If you have not been able to attend this event, I highly suggest it. I leave that event invigorated and extremely happy because I know that “our Island” will continue to thrive with so many young professionals at the helm of development and opportunities. You hear from entrepreneurs, community leaders, special employees within companies, and businesses that are dedicated to build an youthful workforce because they understand that is what we need in order to sustain our population and the economy. I can honestly say that the best decision I have ever made was to move back to Cape Breton following a couple stints in Nunavut where I worked as a Recreation Director, Economic Development Officer and VP Business Development. I loved my time in Canada’s Arctic, made numerous friends that I consider family, and cherished my time learning the culture, language and everything that it had to offer. However, when the time came to move home, I knew it was the right move. As mentioned, I served as the Executive Director of the Chamber of Commerce, where I was able to meet all the movers and shakers in the region, became a major advocate in the buy-local movement, and really could see the opportunities that we have as a region. We are a blank slate on the global scale and youth in our region are at the cusp of a tech world that my generation did not grow up in. You can see the strides startups are making in the Sydney area and throughout the region. I am excited to see my children build on these opportunities and take advantage of them to build our region. Since my time at the Chamber, I also served as an Economic Development Officer with the CBREN, which was a valuable time spent understanding the inner workings of a government funded organization. However, the entrepreneur inside of me was more fixed to building my own business. I was the Founder of Celtic Air Services and asked a former colleague of mine to come on board to build up the Port Hawkesbury Airport. A worthwhile experience, but have since sold my shares in that company and am now building up my business consultancy firm Colindale Business Solutions, based out of Port Hood. Every day I work with businesses across Atlantic Canada, helping them with day to day operational issues and finding solutions for them to ensure their success. This is one of the most rewarding things I have ever done. Just recently, I have brought on other freelancers to offer more services within my firm with a focus on digital marketing, public relations, business development, property management, project management, and real estate development. Building a business in Cape Breton is not for the faint of heart. There are many challenges that we face including the lack of high speed Internet and cell phone service. I know my business would do much better in another area but the main reason I love living and being from Cape Breton is the feeling of home. My family is from here, people genuinely care about their neighbors, and the natural beauty across every corner of the Island is world renowned. That is what sticks with you when you leave here. Every time I would cross the Causeway heading back to Nunavut, I remember tearing up and I couldn’t understand why. Now I do, it was because I never knew if I would ever find my way back here. That feeling of home is entrenched in so many people that are not living here, and I am fortunate enough to be able to live here and bring my family up surrounded with family and the beauty that exists. To our group of volunteers that are currently on the NextGen Unama’ki board, thank you for your patience with me and understanding why I wanted to push for an Island-wide approach to this board. I know you all truly care about the entire Island and want to see it prosper along with everyone and every business that resides. Your passion and love for our region is evident and I look forward to working with you all in the future in some capacity. This will be my last year on the Board, as I crouch closer to 40, I want to give the younger generation an opportunity to lead. To the next group of NextGen Board members coming in, carry the torch, be leaders, don’t be shy to ruffle some feathers to get your voice heard. You are representing the next generation of leaders, be the ones that will guide them along.  1. Tell us about yourself and your business. Hi! I'm Alisha Barron, the owner of Fired Creations The Pottery Painting Cafe and I'm SO happy to be a part of our growing business community in the CBRM! Fired Creations is Cape Breton's only pottery painting cafe – a fun place to hang out, relax, indulge, and create a one of a kind masterpiece with your favourite people. I wanted to create a space for anyone and everyone to enjoy and feel like they are a part of our family. Just to make things short and sweet, here are some things about me:
Enough about me! Onto the next question....  Alisha Barron - Owner of Fired Creations 2. What was your path to your current business? This was 100% brand new in every way. Prior to opening Fired Creations, I didn't even step into a pottery painting cafe! I've always wanted to open my own business, and after having my 2nd child, it was time to make my dream come true. Even though you work 10x as hard with your own business, I wanted to have the flexibility and control of being able to come and go as I please, and not have to answer to anyone but myself. SO, I decided to open a business when I was on my 2nd maternity leave. At home with a 2 year old and a new born – what a great time to open a business! Most people thought I was crazy...and I probably was. Anyway, I started to research the idea of a pottery painting studio, which brings together my business training, craft obsession, and customer service. The idea was to create a space that catered more towards our local community, as opposed to a tourism based business. I knew that if the locals loved us, the tourists would follow suit! 3. How long has your business been operating in CB? I've been open since September 2018. 4. What inspired you to operate a business in Cape Breton/ Unama’ki? I feel like I could get a little repetitive on this one, so if you reference question 2, I'm sure you will come across some answers for this one. Basically, I just wanted to share some love in the community and create a space for people to come and do something fun. Also, its a great escape from your phone, the outside world, and also a form of art therapy!  5. What was your “ah-ha” moment when you knew you had the right idea? I was always confident I would make this space work. I'm a little (a lot) stubborn, so when I get an idea in my head I tend to strive for perfection with it. So, I had it in my head that this was going to take off – thankfully it did! I would say the moment I realized that this was going to be a bright light in the community was in December, about 3 months after we opened. I was closing the store myself, after months of being full house every day, working 12+ hours, developing repeat customers, and having to continuously stock the shelves. I may have shed a little tear when turning the lights off that night – proud that I was able to create exactly what I envisioned for the year prior. It still happens from time to time! 6. What did you study in school? How has it helped you in your journey? Business at NSCC Marconi! There were lots of aspects of school that helped, but the various work experience I gathered after college is really what got me to where I am now.  7. If there was one thing you could have done differently early in your career, what would it be? This one has me thinking – and I don't think I would change anything. Every experience, good or bad, teaches you something if you look at it in a positive light. You can't get stronger if you don't fail a few times here and there! 8. What is your advice to a ‘shiny new’ business owner or entrepreneur? Chase your passion and money will follow! 9. What advice would you offer aspiring business owners or entrepreneurs who want to stay on the Island? Stay. Thats it. Just stay. It's awesome here.  10. Where do you see the future of your business/ industry/ Cape Breton headed? Who knows! I am always bring storming, and always preparing for a change of tide. The pottery industry has been around for longer than most, but comes in waves. If it slows down over the years, I'll expand into more of a cafe. If it stays, we will still be rocking events and fun here on the daily! As a business owner, you have to be prepared to change your tactics on a dime to survive long term. Also, Cape Breton has big things coming - I'm so excited to ride that wave for a while. We live on an amazing island, and people around the world visit us because we are so awesome. What more could you ask for? Visit Fired Creations The Pottery Painting Cafe 582 George Street, Sydney NS B1P1K9 Connect on Social  
This series is designed to introduce you to our current, future, and even some past board members. We have new members joining the board soon, and wanted you to have an opportunity to get to know them, as well as the folks who are currently serving. Meet Patti McDonald, and find out why she was inspired to join NextGen. ***  When I was making the decision to move back home to Cape Breton/ Unama’ki after about a decade living in Halifax I was fervently scouring the internet learning about all of the exciting things that were happening on the Island.
Some of the places that highlighted the growth I was seeing and hearing about were goCapeBreton and the Cape Breton Partnership. Knowing that there was a vibrant entrepreneurial sector growing on the Island and that more young people were choosing to move home to raise their families or start their business made the decision easy. I packed my bags, bought a (really reasonably priced!) house, and moved home. Once I was firmly planted back on CB ground, I was looking for a way to reconnect with my community and support the growth I had been excited about when moving home. So when I saw the open call for NextGen board members, it seemed like a perfect fit. I’ve spent my entire career supporting youth, people with disabilities, and other marginalized communities in recreational settings, so supporting the youth of Cape Breton/ Unama’ki as a part of NextGen seemed like a natural extension of that. Since being home I’ve also had the incredible opportunity to participate in the CEPI Youth Conference, CB Voices events, the Atlantic Women Entrepreneur Summit, Social Enterprise Sector round table conversations, and of course the Vital Awards, and I find it difficult to describe how inspiring all of those moments were. Interacting with passionate, hopeful, and driven young people who are working tirelessly to improve our community and find their version of success on our amazing little Island will never cease to impress and encourage me. Being involved in NextGen has allowed me to play a small part in improving our community and I am so proud to be able to contribute in even a small way, because the tide is shifting and Cape Breton/ Unama’ki is on a path to a very bright future. One of the new projects of NextGen is to highlight young entrepreneurs in a blog series, and I am SO excited about the responses we’ve received from some amazing community members and business owners. Keep an eye on this space for that series to begin very soon. |
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