Helping grow our
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What is LIFT all about?
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The Backstory
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Fifty years ago, a 31-year-old man had a wife, a child, and a business idea. He had no savings, few assets, and his bank had turned down his request for a loan. He persevered, and found four friends willing to guarantee a loan to finance his idea. His business grew; he was successful and chose to live in Lunenburg County. Wayne and his late wife Mary Ann established the Fulcher Foundation in 2007. The Foundation’s donation of one million dollars establishes a fund to provide small loans to people with great business ideas and the entrepreneurial drive to make Lunenburg County a vibrant place. Wayne believes LIFT can help others in the same way his friends' belief in him got him started with his own business.
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Meet the team
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Advisory Committee
John Crace A semi-retired architect, John lives with his wife Pamela in a 19th century farmhouse near Mahone Bay. With their dog, Piper, they keep a few chickens,
honeybees, and a large garden. John serves on several boards and has been a member of the Nova Scotia Round Table for the Environment and Sustainable Prosperity since 2016. He created and, until 2019, delivered a course in Entrepreneurship at the Dalhousie School of Architecture. He publishes the odd cartoon and plays tenor saxophone in the Mahone Bay Legion Swing Band. |
Gordon PrinceGordon Prince has been self employed as a business software developer since 1995. A native of Bridgewater, Gordon has divided his time between the US and Lunenburg County for many years until returning to Nova Scotia full time in 2018. Still actively engaged in software development for his clients, he wants to help others get their chance at starting – and succeeding – at their own business.
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Jennifer NauglerJennifer Naugler is the owner of Simple Local Life, a media company celebrating life on the South Shore of Nova Scotia, which promotes local businesses and events through Facebook Live series, content creation, local gift guides and more. Simple Local Life is a trusted resource in her small, rural market. Jennifer volunteers her time with the United Way, Rooted Food Project, Souls Harbour and the Bridgewater Garden Club.
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John KinleyCurrently a manager of a local real estate development agency, John Kinley has a varied background including biology, political science, philosophy, business, and graphic design. John is a firm believer that a diverse background improves
management and design abilities and also provides the ability to adapt, which is so crucial in a business environment. John has started his own businesses, some of them successful and others not so much, but all leading to an understanding of what it takes to be dedicated to an idea and see it through. John lives with his wife just outside of Lunenburg and is a proud father of two beautiful daughters. He volunteers as a coach for a local fencing club and contributes to a variety of boards and committees. |
Dale KellyDale has 40 years of business experience, mostly in agriculture or related industries; predominantly in executive roles. He has expertise in financing, starting new companies, and coaching organizations to higher levels of performance. His specialties are in leadership, not-for-profit organizations, government liaison, management challenges, board governance, change management, and entrepreneurial efforts.
Dale’s life work has included extensive global travel and these experiences have provided a helpful view of our responsibilities as world citizens. He feels truly privileged to call Canada home; and believes we Canadians are all very fortunate compared to many on this planet. Dale and his wife Jocelyn live near Lunenburg. He enjoys working outdoors, boating, reading, golfing on occasion, and time with friends/family. |
Fiona HorganA lifelong passionate retailer, Fiona has developed and led buying teams for some of Canada's most iconic retail brands. Always inspired by creative and unique independent retailers, in 2020 she left her corporate role for an entrepreneurial one and founded The Art and Science of Retail, an online educational platform for independent retailers, enabling her to combine her extensive retail knowledge and her love of coaching to help independent retailers become the thriving businesses that form the backbone of our communities, add flavour to our lives, and inspiration to our souls. In 2022 she and her husband relocated to a century home in Lunenburg with their two dogs and two cats. Fiona is thrilled to give back to their new community and support the LIFT initiative of helping young businesses grow and contribute to a thriving local economy.
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*The Fine Print
*Loans from LIFT are designed to be paid back over 1 or 2 years.
*Loans include business coaching unique to each client’s needs.
*Clients are required to report on the success of their business every month until the loan is paid back.
*Applications are evaluated with social good in mind (how the business will benefit the community)
*Loans include business coaching unique to each client’s needs.
*Clients are required to report on the success of their business every month until the loan is paid back.
*Applications are evaluated with social good in mind (how the business will benefit the community)
