OUT and ABOUT with Seeker Chick Mai-Liis and Seeker Chick Julia at the Bridges to Better Business: A Morning of Connections and Inspiration!
I had to set my alarm a little earlier than usual on Thursday, October 29th, as Julia and I headed to South Stormont Hall in Long Sault for the Bridges to Better Business breakfast event, kicking off at the very early hour of 7:30 a.m.!
Held in celebration of Small Business Month, this annual event was hosted by the Cornwall SDG Business Advisory Centre in partnership with the Cornwall & Area Chamber of Commerce and ACCFutures, with the support of The United Counties of Stormont, Dundas, and Glengarry and Cornwall Ontario – Choose Cornwall. It brought together business owners, entrepreneurs, professionals and community leaders from Cornwall, SDG Counties and Akwesasne for a morning of networking, inspiration and business insights.
As I pulled up, I noticed the parking lot was completely full, and the hall was just as busy but I could tell though, that it was early for not only myself but also many others, as so many of us headed for the coffee before partaking in the breakfast that was catered by Butler’s Catering & Meal Prep.
Following an opportunity to network, Angela Bero, Executive Director of the Cornwall & Area Chamber of Commerce, welcomed everyone and delivered the land acknowledgement. MPP Nolan Quinn sent greetings by video from Queen’s Park, while Warden-elect François Landry also shared a few words.
The morning’s keynote speaker was Jessie Cardinal, co-owner of Cardinal & Son Wholesale Meats (located at 1051 Sydney St. In Cornwall On), and this certainly wasn’t your typical business presentation. Jessie began at the podium but, after introducing her co-worker Ashley Lewis as her “emotional support animal,” the two moved to a couple of comfy chairs and settled into a relaxed conversation about the history of Cardinal & Son, its fourth-generation family business roots and how it has evolved.
Ashley took on the role of interviewer, asking Jessie questions and keeping the conversation flowing. I have to say this worked wonderfully. With creative slides, plenty of personality and a natural back-and-forth, the 45 minutes flew by.
There were several valuable business lessons shared, but a few really stood out.
Jessie’s advice was that small businesses need to stay true to themselves and what makes them unique. Don’t be afraid to stand out, especially on social media. Be creative, take some risks and let your personality shine.
She also stressed the importance of collaborating with other businesses, particularly locally. Support one another, share ideas and help each other succeed.
Cardinal & Son originally operated as a meat wholesaler until someone walked through their front door one day and asked if they were open to the public. The answer was “Sure” They then renovated and opened their doors to retail customers while continuing their wholesale side as well.
Their philosophy is simple: treat every customer like family. Ashley shared that she often says “I love you, bye” when customers leave. Sometimes she gets a few strange reactions, but she doesn’t care! She’s simply being herself. Keeping things old-school, personal and a little weird can be exactly what makes a business memorable.
Jessie also emphasized the importance of having fun at work and making sure employees feel valued. At Cardinal & Son, everyone is treated equally, and the team works together like one big family. She stated, “We work together as a team, our staff is our family. When you find your people make sure you treat them right!” In fact all the employees at Cardinal Meats are treated so much like family by Jessie and her brother, co-owner Andre that Ashley has actually adopted the surname of “Cardinal”!
Jessie’s final words of wisdom were: “Life is all about connections, be sure to collaborate with like minded people and always stay positive.” A great message for any business owner!
Following a Q&A session and short break, attendees heard from three organizations supporting businesses throughout our region.
Mireille Lemire, Business Advisor, introduced the services of the Cornwall SDG Business Advisory Centre; Angela Bero shared more about the work of the Cornwall & Area Chamber of Commerce; and Denis Lapierre, Executive Director, explained the services and opportunities offered through ACCFutures.
Mireille also highlighted upcoming events before the morning wrapped up with draws for numerous gift certificates generously donated by local South Stormont businesses.
The morning certainly flew by and as you can see from the photos, there was plenty of networking, conversations and new connections being made. I know I made a few myself, which is always one of my favourite parts of attending these events.
Even though I walked through the doors at 7:30 a.m. still not fully awake, I definitely left feeling energized, motivated and full of new ideas!
Shared on Facebook by Mai-Liis Renaud.
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