Dream jobs do exist. Just ask the owner of Christine Letcher, Master Gardener & Consultant.

Sometimes, however, a little help is needed along the way.

At the Gala de la PME on October 26, the CBDC Madawaska presented the Madawaska 2024 Youth Entrepreneur Award to Frédéric Plourde, owner of Plourde Déménagement et Entreposage.

“When you succeed, they succeed.”

CBDC Cumberland help businesses create a safe and welcoming space for the community.

When Jeff Bembridge opened Duncan’s Pub in Amherst, N.S., he wanted to create a safe, welcoming place for people to enjoy great food and drink.

When you step into Route 8 Automotive Services in Caledonia, you might wonder if the clean and bright reception area is really attached to a garage. There’s a collection of local memorabilia and it’s not unusual to see locals chatting in the reception area.

In the past, dental hygienists practiced exclusively in dentists' offices or hospitals. Now, in New Brunswick, dental hygienists can be self-employed. 

From Ambitions - the CBDC Magazine (cbdcambitions.ca)

Sisters, Jane Woodley and Sue Humby always dreamed of having a business together that allowed them to showcase their love of good food. Today they craft exquisite chocolate bonbons, bars and confectionery.

Elicia St-Amand is the founder of "Elicia Starseed", a wellness company that offers clients with holistic treatments in Reiki and energy work in the Memramcook and surrounding regions.

William Blakney is the proud owner and operator of "Blakney Air" a business that specializes in residential air quality solutions serving the Fredericton, Oromocto and surrounding areas of New Brunswick.

A surprising diagnosis inspires a successful business in downtown Inverness.

10 years dedicated to working at a long-term care facility.

One unexpected cancer diagnosis.

One trip to a consignment shop that breathed new life into an old idea.

When Denise Cormier jumped into the world of business ownership in 2011, she never imagined the venture would turn into a passion.

Family of Foragers create unique dining experience in the quiet cove of Advocate Harbour

FINALIST Atlantic Business Award of Distinction

Creating Wonderland: Entrepreneurial Vision Transforms Town into a Whimsical Tourist Destination for All Ages

“Why retire? I’d rather make soup!” Jackie Longmire laughs.

Each year the Atlantic Business Award of Distinction is awarded to an exceptional small business from rural Atlantic Canada.

Nominees from Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island, and Newfoundland and Labrador compete for top honours.

“We recreate a lot of different historic mouldings. Sometimes it’s a little bit of a treasure hunt,” George Townsend, owner of Community Lumber, says – and you can hear the smile in his voice.

Corey Richard never dreamed his love for southern barbecue would lead him down the successful entrepreneurial path he’s on today.  

“My husband worked tirelessly for two years on our trademark pasta, which is keto,” explains Daphne O’Neil, owner of Ketobolic Kitchen. “If you came to our house during that time, you’d see little clothes lines of pasta strung through the kitchen. Oh, we had fun!”

Pork carnitas, fresh greens, queso, pico, guacamole, a 6oz. all-beef patty and chipotle mayo. Those are all the ingredients nestled in a bun called The Messy Mexican – a bestselling burger on the menu at Taco Bros in downtown Truro.

Prince County Guest House is nestled in Miscouche, Prince Edward Island just minutes from the Acadian Museum and Linkletter Provincial Park 

“It’s certainly a challenge I wasn’t expecting … being under the shop, raising the building, with a little crab floating beside me,” Larry Veinot, owner of Weymouth Mercantile, laughs at the absurdity of what he’s just said. “We’ve seen at least 50 crabs over the past three years!”

Two locations. Three couples. Thirty years.

Safeguard Chimney Sweep and Stoves has always been a family affair. The business is owned and operated by Glenn and Tamara “Tammie” Mason, with help from their son and daughter and their spouses.

Lay Yong Tan, CEO of TAN Coffee in the Annapolis Valley, takes pride in knowing his customers enjoy the freshest cup of coffee when they visit his business.  

Osborne Organizing leverages CBDC support to bring organizational services and peace of mind to clients.

By the Numbers – Young Entrepreneur always busy running Spotlight Bookkeeping

Pure, unadulterated joy. That is what lights up in her eyes when she talks about running her own business.

Safety Check Inspections provides vital health and safety training online and in-person

Want a bite of the best homemade cheesecake you can get on the island? Ready to support local farmers and butchers with fresh, delicious cooked-to-order burgers? How does a plate of maple bacon onion rings sound right about now?

No matter whether you live on the great northern peninsula of Newfoundland and Labrador, or are just visiting, coffee is likely one of the first things you think about in the morning - and the best place to find that sweet, sweet, speedy juice is at Rebel Coffeehouse.  

For any bride, one of the most exciting and important parts of planning her wedding is finding the perfect dress. Unfortunately, up until October 2021, brides in Corner Brook had no choice but to travel far from home to find the dress of their dreams.  

When you need a package moved from the Baie Verte Peninsula to central Newfoundland, it’s not as easy as walking into a FedEx location. For a local job, you need a local business! G&P Courier always gets the job done five days a week, 52 weeks a year.  

Ever since the first moving picture show shocked and amazed audiences, going to the movies has been an exciting, entertaining, and enriching experience. In 1956, that experience came to Grand Falls-Windsor with the opening of the Classic Theater.  

With a growing demand for childcare, combined with a passion for supporting the development of children in a caring environment, Frances O’Rielly’s motto is creating a safe and loving home-away-from home for children while playing and learning. 

They say ‘when you love what you do, you’ll never work a day in your life,’ but Samantha Thorne of Heart + Home Design Co. knows the truth is when you love what you do, you’ll work harder than ever to make your business a success.  

Colleen Gibbons is driven to succeed in her role as owner of her newly purchased business, Gibbons’ Courier.  

Living and working in rural Newfoundland can make it difficult to order, well, anything! But especially building supplies.  

Ever wanted to be an archeologist for a day? Ever wanted to know about early-settler life like what they ate, where they lived, and even how they used the bathroom? Want to play Dungeons and Dragons in a real 17th-century kitchen? 

Whether you’re passing through Triton, NL, or have a standing reservation at Bistro on Route 380; you’re guaranteed to have a delicious meal, made with love by owner Wanda Bridger.  

A passion for pastries and three years of serving up cakes to order and desserts to delight at the St. John’s Farmer’s Market (along with a little help from CBDC Cabot) has led to the successful opening of the Paradise flagship location for CakeyHand Dessert Factory.  

25 years and counting: creating flax flour products for health and lifestyle benefits in Middleton, N.S.

Valley Flaxflour products are popular with long-term care, retail, and equine customers

At the Gala de la PME on October 28, the CBDC Madawaska presented the Prix Jeune Entrepreneur (e) 2023 to Valérie Albert and Megan Picard, co-owners of Studio Main Street Dancers.

Cutting Through Competition: A Fabrication Shop’s Niche Secures Its Footing Within a Crowded Market

A Hot Process Strikes a Chord with the Guitar Industry

You never know where ideas and opportunities will lead.

Exploits Extreme Ziplines is a zipline and adventure tourism company that provides thrilling adventures for all seasons.

If you find yourself near Tyne Valley in PEI be sure to stop by Whispering Hope Farm on Ellerslie Road.

The iconic boardwalk leading to a small island that you see from the highway as you enter Bouctouche announces your entrance into “La Pays de la Sagouine.” 

Trip of a Lifetime

From a young age, Jocelyn Thorwaldson knew she wanted to be an entrepreneur. Growing up in Saskatchewan, she always dreamed of owning her own business, and when the opportunity arose, she moved to Prince Edward Island to make that dream a reality.

“When you succeed, they succeed.”

CBDC Cumberland help businesses create a safe and welcoming space for the community.

When Jeff Bembridge opened Duncan’s Pub in Amherst, N.S., he wanted to create a safe, welcoming place for people to enjoy great food and drink.

One-Stop Shop: The Stand General Store 

Living in a rural area means living life with a lot less convenience, but the owners of The Stand General Store knew rural life doesn’t mean you shouldn’t have access to the basics.  

CBDC Burin Peninsula helps small businesses grow in Newfoundland and Labrador

After 11 years living in New Brunswick, Wade Bennett decided it was time to return home to Newfoundland and open an OK Tire location in Burin, N.L., ensuring the highest quality service for the best price.

Switching from suits to sweatpants in the pandemic didn’t slow down Ace WetClean. This young wet and dry cleaning service in Paradise was ready to take laundry to the next level (all with a green cleaning process).

Kim Davis watches people go into the goat pen, sit down, and within minutes the stress visibly melts off.

"All of the sudden, you see them take a big deep breath. They're like, 'I can breathe,'" Davis said.  

"Breathe all you want here," she tells them. 

Au Gala de la PME le 29 octobre dernier, la CBDC Madawaska a remis le Prix Jeune Entrepreneur (e) 2022 à Dominique Babineau, propriétaire de DB Solutions Marketing.

Stars on the Agriculture horizon

John Peters and his family started off with a small hop yard in 2016, which quickly turned into a passion for home-brewing. In 2018 CBDC Hants-Kings provided financial support to help with start up costs when they opened Hill Top Hops’ Brewhouse.

Brandon Petten, owner of East Coast Car Society (ECCS) is new to the Youth Ventures program this summer and has encountered much success. The business has been in operation since 2019 and specializes in car photography.

Jake Piercey, owner of Birch Valley Farms has been a participant of Youth Ventures since 2021. Jake’s farm is located in Winterton and provides customers with lots of fresh produce. Jake’s farm has been operating for 4 years and is growing each year.

Dawn and Steve Piccott started buying PEI Long Term Care facilities with the focus to provide the best quality of life to our senior population.

Alie – Red Rooster

Sebastien Bilodeau – Next Level Games

MICC Financial

Hustle Athletic Training

What started out as training two young hockey players transformed dramatically into Hustle Athletic Training, the close-knit exercise facility owned and operated by Aaron Dawson.

A beautifully restored barn, 92 acres of rolling hills and forest, and a river view, Paul Arsenault couldn’t have asked for a better location to build a legacy enterprise for his children.

The Great Caribou Studio offers a wide selection of handmade Indigenous products. Find out how the CBDC’s Recovery Fund helped them get through the COVID-19 pandemic.

Great Indigenous Crafts at the Great Caribou Studio

When I learned of the DMS grant, I felt one of those entrepreneurial moments - a vision of “wouldn’t it be great if..” I have wanted to have my website equipped with e-commerce capability however I felt it was out of reach for us as a small tourism business continuously adapting to these ongoing

Darren Dube is the owner and operator of "Atelier DD Shop Auto Esthetics Technician" located in Saint- Jacques, New Brunswick.

What began as doing the odd renovations quickly grew into a housing development enterprise when Eugene Doyle decided to create a subdivision on his family farm.

A taste of home

Moving Forward During Troubled Times

Asante Freight Lines & Exports Ltd. of Truro, Nova Scotia being awarded the 2019 CBDC Atlantic Business of Distinction. The award was presented to company owner Dr. Ernest Korankye of Asante Freight Lines & Exports Ltd.