The Sarnia-Lambton Economic Partnership (SLEP) has announced the participants of this year’s Starter Company Plus program.
The initiative — delivered through the Small Business Enterprise Centre of Sarnia-Lambton, and funded by the Province of Ontario’s Ministry of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade — is designed to support the growth and success of small businesses across the region, providing grant funding, professional development, and training to area entrepreneurs and their small businesses.
Twelve small businesses were selected for this year’s program, with a combined $56,000 in grant funding, explained SLEP CEO, Matthew Slotwinski.
“Small businesses make up the vast majority of business operations across Sarnia-Lambton and represent a great opportunity for growth. Often, small supports can provide a big impact in making an idea a reality,” he said.
Of the 12 successful applicants, most are less than a year old and three are busily preparing to open their doors in the coming months.
“Entrepreneurship is rarely straightforward and demands a lot of patience, resourcefulness, and resilience,” said Alison Minato, Small Business Enterprise Centre Manager. “We had a high volume of excellent applications this year and encourage the other businesses who applied to continue working with the Small Business Enterprise Centre and to take advantage of the programming we have coming up this fall."
Here’s a full list and descriptions of this year’s participating businesses:
1. Alexcia, Alexcia Speelman (Plympton-Wyoming)
https://www.instagram.com/alexciatattoos
Alexcia is a new tattoo studio in Wyoming, Ontario, operated by Alexcia Speelman. The studio offers small, large, and customized tattoos, focusing on providing clients with a high-quality, comfortable, and sterile environment. The business caters to the growing demand for unique and personalized tattoos while maintaining excellent customer service and industry standards.
2. All Out Ninja, Tracey & Wayne Dionne (Sarnia)
All Out Ninja is a new dynamic gym in Sarnia, Ontario, offering a comprehensive range of Ninja sports and fitness programs for individuals of all ages. The gym aims to foster physical fitness, mental agility, and community engagement through structured classes, open gym sessions, and specialized events. With high-quality equipment, experienced instructors, and a supportive environment, All Out Ninja provides a unique and inclusive space for everyone to explore and develop their Ninja sports skills.
3. ASHR Legal, Anthony Clark (Point Edward)
ASHR Legal is a legal services provider based in Point Edward, Ontario, offering affordable and accessible legal services to individuals and businesses in the Sarnia-Lambton area. As a Licensed Paralegal, Anthony Clark specializes in providing bundled and unbundled legal services, including document preparation, court representation, notary public services, and process serving. ASHR Legal aims to improve access to justice by providing cost-effective solutions for those who find traditional legal services prohibitively expensive.
4. Bitter Lemon, Kim Hitchman (Sarnia)
Bitter Lemon is an art-focused small business in Sarnia, Ontario, offering handmade, small-batch, and intentionally crafted products and artwork. The business sells items such as wire sculptures, drawings, and paintings through its website and at vendor markets. Bitter Lemon plans to expand into a brick-and-mortar shop and maker space, where customers can create various art projects, attend classes and workshops, and rent art materials by the hour.
5. Cedarwood Collective, Jaime Sidock (Sarnia)
https://www.instagram.com/cedarwoodcollective/
Cedarwood Collective is a vintage boutique that opened in downtown Sarnia, Ontario, earlier this year. The stylish boutique curates and sells handpicked vintage clothing, accessories, and housewares. The business focuses on sustainability and individuality, offering unique, high-quality items both in-store and online.
6. Jiak, Lo-Anne Chan (Sarnia)
Jiak is a small-batch kimchi producer, handcrafted in Sarnia, Ontario that uses locally sourced ingredients to create traditional, vegan, and gluten-free varieties of kimchi. Jiak aims to expand its offerings by establishing a prepared meal subscription program, featuring Asian cuisine made with local produce, to promote sustainable and healthy eating while fostering conversations about culture and diversity.
7. Little Bean Kids Co, Marisa Martin (Plympton-Wyoming)
https://littlebeankidsco.square.site/
Little Bean Kids Co. is a small children's consignment shop and local artisan boutique. Little Beans Kids Co. sells gently used children's clothing, shoes, books, toys, baby gear, and maternity clothing, as well as locally handmade baby and toddler goods. The store promotes sustainable consumption by offering second-hand items on consignment and aims to expand with a toy lending library and new wholesale baby items.
8. Mandakani Wellness Collective, Katie Alvarado, Shannon Turner, Kim Carnahan (St. Clair)
https://www.mandakaniwellnesscollective.com/
Mandakani Wellness Collective is a wellness studio coming soon to the Corunna (downriver) area with a focus on the mind, body and soul. Mandakani will have offerings of yoga classes, ranging from gentle to more challenging practices, energy healing, and sound baths, all aimed to inspire the local community to turn inward and develop a deeper sense of one’s self. The Collective’s practices are rooted in loving kindness, authenticity and inclusion. Mandakani will also highlight products they love and local vendors in their retail area.
9. Petrolia Primary School, Jenna Simpson (Petrolia)
https://petroliaprimaryschool.com/
Petrolia Primary School (PPS) is a private, secular school in Petrolia, Ontario, that follows Montessori methodology. The school offers a hands-on, child-led curriculum for elementary-aged children, emphasizing experiential learning both indoors and outdoors. PPS provides small class sizes and high teacher-to-student ratios, fostering a personalized and immersive educational environment.
10. Seconds Matter Safety Training, Joseph and Lorraine Santarelli (Lambton Shores)
https://www.secondsmattersafetytraining.com/
Seconds Matter Safety Training Inc. is a for-profit social enterprise that offers first aid training programs to underserved rural and vulnerable communities, primarily in Southwestern Ontario. They provide Red Cross and Lifesaving Society-certified courses, including Standard First Aid, First Aid for Childcare Workers, CPR, and Naloxone administration training.
11. Taiga Industrial, Engin Kulahoglu & partners (Sarnia)
Taiga Industrial provides specialized rope access solutions for the maintenance and inspection of wind turbines, petrochemical plants, industrial infrastructure, and bridges. The company is dedicated to sustainability, efficiency, and safety, and aims to establish an accredited training center for rope access technicians in Sarnia-Lambton. With years of industry experience and expertise working in extreme conditions, the team at Taiga Industrial is known for its certified specialists and commitment to safety regulations.
12. Yemaya, Sandra Bailey (Plympton-Wyoming)
Yemaya Natural Products specializes in creating all-natural, handmade skin care products, including ointments, herbal teas, botanical soap bars, and mosquito repellent. The company leverages their herb garden and beehives to produce its products, including its specialty line for moms and babies. With a focus on sustainability and natural healing, Yemaya has plans to reach a broader audience seeking chemical-free solutions for skin care and pain relief.