Ryan Reynolds, who is from Napanee, and his business partner Eric Grypa, of Saskatoon, are unlikely entrepreneurs. They met because they were both working as water fowl guides, and not surprisingly they share a similar story. They were both introduced to waterfowling as very young children, and grew up loving everything about the sport, “the setting, the camaraderie, the challenge, the high success opportunities, just everything ...” said Ryan Reynolds in a phone interview...

In 1945, G.H. Wills began with two small trucks owned by a hard-working, community-oriented family. The business was created to ship items in and around Smiths Falls and surrounding communities, quickly building a reputation for excellence, efficiency and affordability. From those humble beginnings the firm, which is now known as Wills Transfer Ltd., now boasts 160 employees working out of six warehousing facilities, operating a fleet of more than 40 tractors and 150 trailers delivering cargo throughout Eastern Ontario.  The Company is still based out of Smiths Falls and is now owned and operated by Terry and Heather Wills and their son, Jordi, who is the fourth generation of this family business.

There is always something new to experience at The Cove Country Inn. It could be a night out at the popular Blues on the Rideau, a concert series benefitting local causes, Wings 'n Tunes Wednesdays, Jazz Night or a special menu event like the March 9th Thai Food and Wine Dinner. The Cove, winner of the 2016 South Eastern Ontario Wedding Awards Best Accommodation prize, is keeping true to being a community hub and a fun destination. 

When Lauren Gamble returned to her home and native land of Canada after working in Australia for a number of years, she brought back a wealth of wonderful friendships and life-affirming experiences – and a deep and abiding appreciation for the café culture that was embedded in everyday life for most Aussies. Blessed with an prodigious work ethic and an entrepreneurial mind, Gamble decided she wanted to open and run her own coffee shop somewhere in L&A County – a place with a unique style and tone. It would be a welcoming place, with great coffee, home-made eats and a true gathering spot for the community.

Nestled in the lush, lake strewn landscape of the City of Kawartha Lakes, Eganridge Resort, Country Club and Spa is an upscale boutique resort that offers some of the finest dining experiences, wedding extravaganzas, corporate outings and accommodations in the region, and is also an example of a business that has adapted to changing times and tastes.

Cheese, yum!  There are few greater culinary pleasures than a really good artisanal cheese served with a nutty cracker and a glass of wine.  Anywhere I go I look for local cheeses.  So it was with great delight that I sampled and then fell in love with Milkhouse Farm and Diary sheep cheeses, made in Montague.  Not only are these absolutely delightful cheeses to serve with bread, crackers or add to your favourite soup, salad or potatoes, they’re easier to digest.   “A lot of people find it easier to digest; the sugars are different, so it’s not lactose free just easier to digest,” says Caitlyn White, who with her husband Kyle is a cheese maker at Milkhouse Farm and Dairy.

Heather and Rob Heins love being on the water so they have made it their business to get you out cruising the Rideau Canal Waterway. The couple started Big Rideau Lake Boat Rentals 21 years ago. “My family built the very first sailing ships ever built in Canada, with the first one named the Miramichi, so being on the water is in my blood,” says Heather.

From the age of 14, Melissa Evans dreamed of owning her own restaurant. Eight years ago, after many years of training and working her way through various jobs in the hospitality industry, her dream became a reality. She took over an existing restaurant in Northbrook, revamping it into a homespun family eatery now known as Addison’s.

It’s an old adage in life and in business that sometimes something really good can come out of trying circumstances. For Brockville native Dale Donnelly, when a long-term position came to an end, one that seemed like it could be the job from which he retired, he simply ‘pivoted’ and chose to become his own boss.

Marlene Sweet had dutifully worked for Mayhew Jewellers for nearly 30 years when owner John Mayhew decided it was time to retire. She had worked hard in every aspect of the business, developing a loyal customer base along the way. For a short period of time she worried that for the first time in ages, she may have to dust of her resume and hit the job-search trail. But knowing how valuable she was to the success of the business, Mayhew chose instead to make Sweet an offer he knew she would jump at.