GUELPH – More than 5,000 local small businesses have received support from the Business Centre Guelph-Wellington during the organization’s lifespan.
That was just one of the statistics executive director Kristel Manes shared as clients, business advisors, board members, representatives of partner organizations, and other community leaders gathered on Nov. 20 to celebrate the organization’s 25 anniversary.
“Over the past 25 years, the Business Centre Guelph-Wellington has been dedicated to helping entrepreneurs and business owners turn their ideas into thriving businesses,” Manes stated in an news release.
“We’re proud of the thousands of business owners we’ve supported, who have each played a vital role in shaping the regional economy and their communities.”
Manes was one of several people who spoke at an invitation-only anniversary luncheon at Cutten Fields, describing how the organization has provided entrepreneurs with training, mentorship and resources.
More than $4 million in grant money has been reinvested into the community through local small businesses, she said.
The organization’s efforts have led to the creation of more than 12,000 jobs in Guelph and Wellington County since 1999.
“We make sure it’s known that small businesses are important,” said Manes.
She reminisced about her early days with the organization, saying she came on board as a business advisor in 2005 when she had been running her own business but “needed a change.”
She said she was “very, very proud to be a business advisor,” and called Judi Riddolls, the founding executive director, her mentor.
“I always sort of appreciated that Judi took me under her wing,” said Manes.
Back then, the organization had an office at 1 Stone Rd., but it has moved several times over the years.
The Business Centre now has an office in Guelph’s city hall, a partnership that Manes said developed as the organization attempted to help field business-related inquiries that came into the Service Guelph desk.
“The amount of conversations and synergies that happen just being in that building has been wonderful for the centre,” Manes said.
But she also noted a significant number of the centre’s clients – between 40 and 50 per cent – are actually from the county.
Manes listed some of the programs the organization has been involved with over the years – such as Digital Main Street, Summer Company, programs for newcomers and more.
She also listed some of the partnerships the organization has fostered, such as with the Guelph Chamber of Commerce, LiftOff, the Downtown Guelph Business Association, the Centre Wellington Chamber of Commerce, and LaunchIt Minto.
“It continues to change; it continues to evolve,” said Manes, adding the organization is “very good at listening to our clients” and responding to their changing needs.
Manes read messages of congratulations sent by Guelph MP Lloyd Longfield and Guelph MPP Mike Schreiner and Guelph Mayor Cam Guthrie.
Centre Wellington Mayor Shawn Watters and county councillor Jeff Duncan also stood up to congratulate the centre on the milestone anniversary.
“It creates good business people, but it also creates just good people,” Duncan said of the organization.
Riddolls spoke briefly, saying the centre “is a testament to the hard work of the staff, the advisors and the board.”
She said their hard work shows just how much the centre she was part of founding 25 years ago was needed.
“All we are doing now is looking forward to the next 25 years,” she said.
The luncheon also featured a panel discussion with successful Business Centre clients, who shared some of their own business wisdom and spoke about the role the centre played in their personal and business growth.
“As an entrepreneur, having a resource like the Business Centre Guelph-Wellington has been invaluable,” stated panelist Cathy Kelly, of a Brighter World Home Renovations and Painting, in the news release.
“The education, support and mentorship I’ve received helped me navigate challenges, refine my business strategy, and grow with confidence.
“I’m grateful to [the Business Centre] for believing in my vision and helping me turn it into reality, and I know many other clients share this feeling as well.”
