Jaime Landry owns Black Harbour Distillers, a venue located in Fox Point, near Hubbards, Nova Scotia. She was granted her distillers’ license in 2019, and a few months later she sold her first bottle of vodka at a farmers’ market. By combining her grandfather's moonshine legacy with her entrepreneurial passion, she creates high-quality vodka, gin and rum products with earnest stories behind them. With a strong focus on planning and community, Jaime's leadership and enthusiasm have driven BHD’s remarkable growth and will inspire entrepreneurs to pursue their dreams.

When Jaime Landry was young, she was a natural leader. Her charisma and influence were motivational for those around her during playtime with friends or among teammates. As she began her entrepreneurial journey, those leadership qualities helped to sustain her vision, keep her on track through challenges, and grow her business footprint. Within five years of opening and operating BHD, she has expanded her facility, invented unique flavours of vodka, gin and rum, partnered with retailers nationwide, and grown to a team of 11.

BHD is not the result of an entrepreneurial family influence or built on the backbone of a seasoned career in the industry or the brainchild of a team of Ivy league consultants. This is what inspiration, intrigue, sentiment, vision and planning look like. The twist that makes Jaime’s story a special one? She’s 24 years old. At the age of 19, she was the youngest person in Canada to receive a distiller’s license and a few months later she opened the venue in Hubbards. But don’t dwell on her age: dwell on her accomplishments as a businesswoman. She’s no slouch.

Jaime’s passion for involvement led her to join her Grade 12 Humanitarian trip to the Dominican Republic. One morning, her group visited sugar cane fields, and in the afternoon, the partnering distillery. Jaime was inspired by the people she’d met working in the fields and was intrigued by the distilling process. Although he had passed away when Jaime was a baby, her family often recounted well-loved stories of the grandfather who used to make moonshine. His recipe and techniques lived on in those stories, and Jaime had fallen in love with the whole process, first as a granddaughter and then as an entrepreneur.

Planning is one of two mainstays of her style as a business owner. When she was assigned to develop a business plan at the beginning of her first year at Dalhousie, her parents advised her to pick a business idea she was truly passionate about. That business plan has become a living document, often referenced and updated, that keeps her on track to her vision. “From the original business plan that I started with in September [2018], it has updated, pivoted, and changed, but that main focus on having quality products and bringing together the community, that never changed.” She added, “Anybody that ever asks me now, “Oh, I have a business idea I want to do” I'm like, “Write a business plan.””

Her other mainstay is enthusiasm. Enthusiasm for each product and enthusiasm for and from customers, the local community and her employees. “The most rewarding part is seeing the team that I'm growing and how passionate they are behind the Black Harbour products. And the customers and the community - the loyalty behind Black Harbour has been very rewarding.” It’s her enthusiasm that keeps her on track when there are struggles: “I try not to think of anything as a ‘con’: just a learning obstacle.”

Beginning entrepreneurs often feel pressure to ‘do it all’ themselves. After a bit of experience, the lesson they learn is similar: understand when you are and aren’t getting a return on your investment of time or money. Jaime talks with her family and mentors for advice on when there’s value in pursuing an idea or when it’s time to refocus her attention. She’ll pull back when she’s “spending too much time on something that isn't getting either the excitement or satisfaction or even just the quality that's needed.”

There is no requirement that an individual must wait to start or operate a business until after they’re fully equipped with all the skills, knowledge and experience needed to succeed. The path best travelled follows “complementary hiring.” Building a diverse and well-rounded team – employees, mentors, business partners, etc. – that has skills and expertise that, together, make a whole greater than the sum of its independent parts. Jaime learned this very early on, and it’s advice she gives now for those getting started. “I think that if I went back in time and sat down and picked a partner who had the qualities that I didn't have to grow a business or had those aspects that weren't my strong points, then I think a partner would be amazing.” She also leverages her membership in The Entrepreneur’s Organization, a global, peer-to-peer network of business owners that enables entrepreneurs to learn and grow.

Her final thought is empowering: “The right time is now.” But her encouraging words aren’t adrift in romantic sentiment. “If you're passionate about something and you have taken the right steps and written a business plan and know where you're headed - and especially that passion piece - the right time is now; just go for it.”

Celebrating their fifth anniversary this summer, BHD is opening an on-site restaurant “The 5th Barrel” in September, 2024. And, Jaime is working on new product lines: ready-to-drink cocktails in a can or pouch. But her overall vision for the business is to make Black Harbour synonymous with Hubbards and a household name with a widespread retail presence. You can be sure to find a detailed plan of approach written up in a file on her computer.

​The interview with Dave Thomson explores the journey of starting and running "The Dots," an online business directory dedicated to Lunenburg County. Dave shares insights on the challenges and milestones of entrepreneurship, discussing the evolution of his business from a simple directory to a comprehensive networking and promotions platform. He emphasizes the importance of passion, adaptability, and keeping the business vision simple. Dave also talks about the significance of community support, mentorship, and the necessity of balancing risk, especially when starting new ventures.
 
 
Entrepreneurship is often romanticized as a path of innovation and independence, but the reality is a blend of passion, risk, and continuous learning. Dave Thomson, the founder of "The Dots," a business directory dedicated to Lunenburg County, embodies this journey. His story sheds light on the evolution of his business, the hurdles encountered, and the lessons learned along the way.
 
In the Beginning
 
Dave is a serial entrepreneur: he pursues ideas when the time and passion for them is right. When he starts a venture, he does so knowing that the first years are typically challenging and are marked by uncertainty, adaptations, and relentless effort. Although The Dots just celebrated its one-year anniversary, it’s been germinating in Dave’s head and heart for about five years.
 
When Dave sold his coworking space business – The Hub – in Mahone Bay a few years ago, he missed the serendipitous collaborations and connections and decided to create an online platform to capture that essence. And so, alongside co-Founder Sebastien McSween, The Dots was born as a local business directory.
 
However, the platform quickly evolved beyond its initial scope. Community feedback highlighted the need for networking opportunities and better business visibility. Responding to these needs, Dave incorporated networking events for members and physical signage for consumer recognition. This transformed The Dots into a comprehensive platform that connects local businesses and enhances their online and offline visibility.
 
A recurring theme in Dave's story is the significance of community and networking. He emphasizes that local businesses thrive when they support each other. This mutual support creates a vibrant business ecosystem, essential for the sustainability of small businesses in regions like Lunenburg County.
 
Despite the positive reception from the business and user communities, Dave faced challenges with town regulations and support. He noted a gap between entrepreneurial needs and regulatory frameworks. This gap, however, also presented an opportunity for "The Dots" to act as a bridge, fostering better communication and collaboration within the business community.
 
Entrepreneurial Advice
 
Dave's advice to aspiring entrepreneurs is both practical and insightful. He advocates for starting small and scaling gradually. Instead of quitting a job to pursue a business idea full-time, he suggests testing the waters by starting your new venture as a side hustle. This approach minimizes financial risk while allowing entrepreneurs to gauge market interest and refine their ideas.
 
Adaptability is another characteristic that Dave sees as a strength for those looking to start a venture. “You've got to be willing to do anything at the same time and think out of the box as well,” said Dave. Keeping an open mind to broadening your services to meet your clients’ needs. “You're going to … help them with all other kinds of stuff that you've never even thought of.”
 
While Dave admits he doesn’t formally conduct market research, he highlights the value of listening to feedback and adapting based on customer needs. This informal approach helps in understanding what the market wants and how your business can succeed by meeting those needs.
 
Access to funding can be a significant obstacle. In addition to starting small, Dave suggests starting with a small investment, such as $1,000, to get a feel for the business. “[Some] small businesses only need a little bit of startup money to get going. A little bit of marketing, website, logo, maybe some business cards.” While there are programs designed to dole out large sums of money (like $100,000), Dave sees securing smaller amounts (such as $10,000) as more challenging. This can make it difficult for small businesses to get the initial capital they need to start and grow.
 
Mentorship is another crucial element of entrepreneurial success. Dave underscores the value of mentors providing guidance, feedback, and support. These relationships are invaluable, especially during challenging times when objective advice can help navigate tough decisions.
 
Future Plans
 
Dave's journey with "The Dots" illustrates the dynamic and multifaceted nature of entrepreneurship. It is a path that demands adaptability, resilience, and a deep connection with the community. As Dave continues to navigate the future of "The Dots" – he envisions expanding "The Dots" beyond Lunenburg County - his story serves as an inspiring testament to the power of passion and perseverance in building successful, community-centric businesses.
 

Meet Chris Manzer (left), a born entrepreneur who, along with his brother Jeff (right), began their journey mowing lawns in Pleasantville as kids. Fast forward to today, and they are working together in Manzer Brothers Excavating and Landworks Ltd. But the story isn't just about business; it's about family, working together and seizing the opportunities in Lunenburg County.

After 17 years in the corporate world, Chris took a leap of faith in 2022 to pursue his
dream of running his own business. Chris borrowed an excavator and completed his first job. Then, his own machine arrived and the “digging business” was underway.
Recognizing his passion for hands-on work, Chris handed over administrative duties to his sister, Jana (Saunders). Despite lacking experience, Jana embraced the challenge. She too wanted to be part of the business! Jana received guidance from their accountant John Swain who offered a training program targeted at small business owners. She spent a year learning the accounting role needed for the business. Now, she is a partner in the business and provides the financial information, scheduling support and customer relations.

The business is growing. In March Jeff left his corporate job to join Chris working
fulltime in the business. Jeff is a carpenter by trade and hopes over time to use those
skills within their work plans. Together, the siblings complement each other's skills and both share a passion for hard work. Family was a recurring theme in the discussion. The three siblings are very happy and excited about working together and are not afraid to table all concerns with each other. But, they have a formal partnership agreement to deal with all issues that may arise between them. They have a strong support system, both within the family and within the community. They've leveraged their community connections, sought advice, and invested in professional guidance to help them make good decisions.

​Their marketing strategy? Simple yet effective—word of mouth and Facebook. But what truly sets them apart is their commitment to customer satisfaction. Jana ensures every client receives personalized attention, while Chris follows up to ensure every customer is happy when the work is complete.

The three siblings echoed the exact same answer in unison to this question. “What do you wish you had known before you started? ‘I should have started this 20 years ago!’” When asked what advice would they give to those starting a business: Believe in yourself, set goals, and do what makes you happy—even if it means taking risks.
Chris, Jana, and Jeff are more than just business partners; they're a testament to the power of family, hard work, and determination. Their future as business owners in Lunenburg County is very promising.

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