First Year of Successful Business Celebrated on November 26th!

Liz and Harold Walker celebrated a successful first year in business this week.  The couple own and operate Bliss Boutique, a ladies clothing and fashion accessory store, located at 63 Manitoba Street, Downtown Bracebridge. 

Mayor Graydon Smith, Liz and Harold Walker, owners of Bliss Boutique

Mayor Smith, Jen Skinner, Liz Walker, Harol Walker, Don Skinner
The Walker's are the owners of Bliss Boutique,
the Skinner's are the building owner at 63 Manitoba Street, Downtown Bracebridge

Save Money By Saving Energy

If you are hoping to save money check out this seminar in Bracebridge presented by Lakeland Power.

November 22, 2011 at 8:00 a.m. to 9:30 a.m.

Location Muskoka Riverside Inn, Salon A, 300 Ecclestone Dr., Bracebridge

Complimentary Breakfast Seminar regarding Conservation Programs. Presented by Lakeland Power.   Cost Free. Includes continental breakfast.

This session is complimentary, but you must RSVP by calling the Bracebridge Chamber of Commerce (705) 645-5231 or email  For more information on the programs please reivew this brochure.

LOCAL BUSINESS OPPORTUNITY - FEDERAL DEFENCE CONTRACTS

FedNor will be hosting Industrial and Regional Benefits (IRB) Policy information/networking sessions in January. This policy requires the successful proponents are large contracts to source Canadian goods/products.  The group is creating a list of businesses in Northern Ontario that could potentially fit into the supply chain of these defence companies. Contact Cheryl at the Town Office for more information 705-645-5264.

YWCA MUSKOKA - Enterprising Women Presents Social Media Seminar

YWCA Muskoka will be hosting a Social Media Workshop & Seminar on November 24th.  For more details on how to register follow this link

BUSINESS EXCELLENCE CELEBRATED LAST WEEK

The Bracebridge Chamber of Commerce held its 18th Annual Outstanding Business Achievement Awards & Luncheon on Thurs. Nov. 10th, 2011, at the Bracebridge Rotary Centre for Youth.

Nine Awards were presented to individuals and businesses that were voted the best in their category by Bracebridge Chamber members.

THOSE WINNERS WERE:

Sweet Aroma Cupcakes & Boutique Bakery won the NEW BUSINESS OF THE YEAR AWARD. Accepting for Sweet Aroma was owner Kristie Newman. This award was sponsored by OFFICEWorks and presented by owner Dianna Stevenson.

Adam Godard of Bracebridge Source for Sports won the YOUNG ENTREPRENEUR OF THE YEAR AWARD. Adam accepted the award. This award was sponsored by RBC Royal Bank and presented by Barb Hunter.

Muskoka Brewery won the BUSINESS OF THE YEAR AWARD. Accepting was Gary McMullen and Bob MacDonald. This award was sponsored by TD Canada Trust and presented by Bank Manager Mark Harris.

Ecclestone Cycle & Swim won the OUTSTANDING RETAIL CUSTOMER SERVICE AWARD. Owners Ian and Allison Dawes accepted the award. This award was sponsored by The Muskoka Staffing Company Ltd. and presented by owner Kelly MacDuff.

Len’s Carpet Cleaning won the HOME BASED BUSINESS OF THE YEAR AWARD. Owner Len McDougall accepted the award. This award was sponsored by Scotiabank and presented by Rosemary Featherstone.

For the 2nd year in a row Community Living South Muskoka won for SERVICE PROVIDER OF THE YEAR. Accepting for Community Living was Board Chair Gord Haugh. This award was sponsored by Ruth Bell-Towns, BDO Canada LLP and presented by Ruth Bell-Towns.

Jackie Randall of Maple Lane Farms won the FEMALE BUSINESS PERSON OF THE YEAR AWARD. Jackie accepted the award. This award was also sponsored by CIBC Small Business and presented by Nicolette Rushton.

Min Soo Kim of Wabora Fusion Japanese Steak House won the MALE BUSINESS PERSON OF THE YEAR AWARD. Daniel Kim accepted the award on Min Soo’s behalf. This award was sponsored by Carolyn’s Comfort Homes and presented by Carole Fallon.

Don Skinner of Skinner Properties won the OUTSTANDING CONTRIBUTION TO BRACEBRIDGE AWARD. This award was sponsored by the Bracebridge Chamber of Commerce and presented by Chamber President David Powley.

DETECTING COUNTERFIT MONEY SEMINAR

Hosted by the Bracebridge Chamber of Commerce & Muskoka Small Business Centre

Thursday December 8th from 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
Nipissing University Classrrom #2
125 Wellington Street Bracebridge

Cost is $10 per person - Check out the flyer for more information

SOCIAL MEDIA WORKSHOP & SEMINAR - NOVEMBER 23RD, 2011

The Muskoka Small Business Center & Muskoka Tourism Marketing Association presents

Discover the Power of Social Media!   Seminar & Interactive Workshop

Where: Seminar—Rotary Centre for Youth, 131 Wellington Street, Bracebridge ; Workshop—MCN Business and Technology Centre, 400 Ecclestone Dr. Bracebridge

When:   November 23, 2011: Seminar: 9:00 am — 12:00 pm ; Workshop: 1:30 pm — 4:30 pm

To Register: contact Muskoka Small Business Centre 705-646-9021: info@muskokasmallbusiness.ca:

Seminar Details

What’s hot with Social Media - Including Tips & Tricks on how to Measure and Manage It
There is no doubt about it, social media is here to stay. As business professionals, our challenge is how to fit it in to an already full day. Our speaker Sofie Andreou will be talking about how to fundamentally set up and benefit from social media and how to manage it effectively.

You will learn:
• Best practices
• What’s hot in social media
• What works and what doesn't in social media
• How to mange your time effectively
• How to measure your social media impact


Workshop Details

Hands on workshop: Facebook, Twitter & Measurement tools for your business
Bring your laptops, this is not a lecture.
• Set up your business’s Professional Facebook & Twitter Accounts
• Get your website links
• Practice posting
• See how to grow your base
• Set up your Auto Updates Tools
• Step by step instructions on how to use Social Media Measurement Tools

Seminar is Conducted by: Sofie Andreou, author of “Leveraging the Power of the Internet”
Sofie Andreou B. Sc., M.Eng

Sofie Andreou has created and delivered popular and sought after business seminars and series workbooks. She delivers seminars to over a hundred businesses a month on social media and lectures at Trent University. She is a recognized leader in the international economic development and online business communities. Sofie holds an Honours Degree in Computer Sci-ence from the University of Windsor, and a Masters in Engineering, Infor-mation Systems, from the University of Toronto.

Construction Continues on Local Projects

Battlefield Equipment Rentals building on Ecclestone Drive is progressing steadily now that the building components have arrived.  This photo was taken on November 1st.  Opening should be in early 2012.

Castle Peak Retirement Residence construction is also progressing well.  Here is a link to the master plan for the complex.  New residents are expecting to move in later in November.  Contact them for information.