Starter Company supports six new small businesses in Renfrew County

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Six small businesses across Renfrew County are receiving grant support after completing the Starter Company Plus fall 2025 business training program.

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The program, delivered by Enterprise Renfrew County with sponsorship from the Renfrew County Community Futures Development Corporation, is designed for entrepreneurs with new business ideas and owners of businesses operating for five years or less. Participants receive three months of business coaching, mentoring, instruction from professional trainers, and help developing business plans and cash flow projections.

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At the end of the program, participants have the opportunity to pitch their business plans for non-repayable grants of up to $5,000. This fall, a total of $30,000 in grants was awarded to six businesses: Steve Benoit, Benoit Anishinaabe Ventures (Algonquins of Pikwakanagan First Nation); Laura Galenkamp, Lulo Gardens Inc. (Bonnechere Valley); Tania Leclerc, Lost Loon Groundskeeping (Admaston/Bromley); Sydney Montgomery, Flock’n Fleet Repair Inc. (Whitewater Region); Matthew O’Leary, Remind Media Inc. (Laurentian Valley); Kelsea Shore, Wool Witch Tattoo (Horton).

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Sydney Montgomery, a military veteran and co-owner of Flock’n Fleet Repair, said the program helped turn her idea into a concrete plan.

“The key takeaway is that pricing must be intentional, and through the cash flow forecasting process I calculated the true costs of operating a business,” Montgomery said. “I also learned, by meeting with the expert trainers and mentor, that it takes a village for a small business to succeed.”

Entrepreneurs interested in participating in future Starter Company Plus programs can contact Heather Inwood-Montrose, Small Business Advisor, at [email protected] or visit Enterprise Renfrew County’s website.

About Enterprise Renfrew County

Enterprise Renfrew County is a non-profit funded by the Government of Ontario, the County of Renfrew, the Town of Renfrew, and the City of Pembroke. Its mandate is to support economic development in Renfrew County by assisting entrepreneurs with the creation and growth of businesses.

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