Business In The Open

Vanessa Smith

Every week, host Vanessa Smith, will sit down with local entrepreneurs as they get real and raw about their journey into business. From taking that first leap of faith to navigating business life as the boss, my guests will get candid about their ups and downs, give advice for those looking to become a doer, not a dreamer and maybe even share what they have next up their sleeve. Expect to be inspired by these fearless few as they detail how they got to where they are today.

  1. 1D AGO

    Business In The Open: EP 31 - Jessica Fritz, The Gallery Coffee House & Bistro

    For Episode 32, Host Vanessa Smith interviews Jessica Fritz, a German-born entrepreneur who, with her husband Mike, owns The Gallery Coffee House & Bistro in Charlottetown, the seasonal Black & White Cafe & Bistro in St. Peters Bay, and Fritz Chocolates. Jessica shares moving from Germany to Toronto in her 30s, then relocating to PEI in 2015 for the ocean, affordability, and lifestyle, while transitioning from pharma and marketing into food service. Their business began with Maritime Marzipan, expanded into Fritz Chocolates after customer demand, then added coffee and sandwiches in St. Peters Bay, later opening The Gallery in 2021 to create a year-round base and enable Jessica to leave her full-time job. They discuss local wholesale with Sobeys, competition, staffing challenges, tourism trends, recent renovations and the importance of community, resources, and authenticity. Connect with Jessica here: https://www.instagram.com/thegallerycoffeehouseandbistro/ https://www.instagram.com/blackandwhitecafeandbistro/ https://www.instagram.com/fritzchocolates/ This episode was audio-produced by Adam Ramsay. A big thanks to our sponsors for making this episode possible. Learn more about them here: Fiddling Fisherman Lookout Consolidated Credit Union Want to support the show? Click follow wherever you are listening and leave us a review! And lastly, head on over to our Instagram so we can connect https://www.instagram.com/business.openpod/.

    47 min

  2. APR 15

    Business In The Open: EP 30 - Brett Poirier, Red Sands Group

    In this episode of the Business in the Open podcast, host Vanessa Smith sits down with Brett Poirier to unpack his journey from a media and journalism background to building Red Sands Group, which began in property management and has now expanded into vacation rentals, plumbing, electrical, cleaning, insulation and pest control divisions. Brett shares how buying his first duplex in Charlottetown at 19 helped jumpstart his real estate path, how the business grew through necessity and referrals, and why clear vision and strong customer service matter as much as operations. He also discusses working with friends, learning business through books and mentoring, the demands of managing multiple companies, and plans to expand Red Sands Vacations beyond PEI into New Brunswick and Nova Scotia. Connect with Brett & Red Sands here: https://www.redsands.ca/ https://www.facebook.com/RedSandsProperties This episode was audio-produced by Adam Ramsay. A big thanks to our sponsors for making this episode possible. Learn more about them here: Fiddling Fisherman Lookout Provincial Credit Union Want to support the show? Click follow wherever you are listening and leave us a review! And lastly, head on over to our Instagram so we can connect https://www.instagram.com/business.openpod/.

    35 min

  3. APR 8

    Business In The Open: EP 29 - Richard Court, Oyster Island Hospitality

    For Episode 29, we chat with PEI restaurateur Richard Court, owner-operator within Oyster Island Hospitality, including Pilot House, Sea Rocket, and Pink Crow in downtown Charlottetown, and opening this summer on the Rustico harbour, The Rustico Cannery. Richard shares how he started in restaurants at 13, later joining the Pilot House and eventually taking over ownership from founders Doug and Judy Harvey. He describes expanding post-COVID as opportunities arose, building Sea Rocket in six months in a challenging heritage space, transitioning the former Piatto restaurant into what is now known as Pink Crow, and opening the seafood-focused Rustico Cannery this June. Richard emphasizes hands-on hospitality, coaching teams, reading guest needs, and balancing growth, family life, and operations while expecting another busy tourism season. Connect with Richard's businesses here: https://www.instagram.com/thepilothouse/ https://www.instagram.com/sea_rocket_oysters/ https://www.instagram.com/pinkcrowcharlottetown/ https://www.instagram.com/rusticocannery/ This episode was audio-produced by Adam Ramsay. A big thanks to our sponsors for making this episode possible. Learn more about them here: Fiddling Fisherman Lookout Provincial Credit Union Want to support the show? Click follow wherever you are listening and leave us a review! And lastly, head on over to our Instagram so we can connect https://www.instagram.com/business.openpod/.

    46 min

  4. APR 1

    Business In The Open: EP 28 - Harrison Duffy, Somerset Ice Cream Bar

    For Episode 28, we welcome 24-year-old Harrison Duffy, owner of Somerset Ice Cream Bar (opened July 7, 2018 at age 16) and the Harry's Dairy Bar brand. Harrison shares growing up around entrepreneurs, starting a car detailing business at 10 and working various hospitality jobs before planning his dairy bar at 15. He describes researching and refurbishing used equipment, securing land with his parents' financing help, and his growth from three employees to now 30 across his locations. Harrison discusses lessons from mentoring young workers, learning to delegate and the importance of reinvesting to streamline operations. He also shares insights into renovating Somerset to more than double its size ahead of an April 18 opening and announces the Harry's brand is moving to the Mariner's Cove boardwalk in Cavendish this summer. Connect with Harrison & Somerset Ice Cream Bar here: https://www.facebook.com/somerseticecreambar https://www.instagram.com/somerseticecreambar/ This episode was audio-produced by Adam Ramsay. A big thanks to our sponsors for making this episode possible. Learn more about them here: Fiddling Fisherman Lookout Provincial Credit Union Want to support the show? Click follow wherever you are listening and leave us a review! And lastly, head on over to our Instagram so we can connect https://www.instagram.com/business.openpod/.

    50 min

  5. MAR 25

    Business In The Open: EP 27 - Sheila Kerry, Double Loop Running Co.

    Today's episode features Sheila Kerry, co-owner of Double Loop Running Co.. Sheila details launching a boutique running specialty store with her husband Mike after she began running as an adult and trained for her first Marathon in 2023. Sheila shares her background in competitive sport, a 15-year communications career, and the shift from being “content” to feeling aligned through running and entrepreneurship while still working full-time at Veterans Affairs Canada. We discuss the fall 2024 “aha” moment, creating a business plan, securing their Milky Way location, DIY renovations, and building an inclusive, community-first store with products chosen through local run-club feedback and ongoing trial and error. Sheila covers imposter syndrome, mentorship support, tourist traffic surprises, the meaning behind the Double Loop name and infinity logo, community events, online expansion, new brands, and her plans to run the upcoming Philadelphia Marathon. Connect with Sheila & Double Loop Running Co. here: https://www.instagram.com/doublelooprunning/ https://doublelooprunning.com/ This episode was audio-produced by Adam Ramsay. A big thanks to our sponsors for making this episode possible. Learn more about them here: Fiddling Fisherman Lookout Provincial Credit Union Want to support the show? Click follow wherever you are listening and leave us a review! And lastly, head on over to our Instagram so we can connect https://www.instagram.com/business.openpod/.

    46 min

  6. MAR 18

    Business In The Open: EP 26 - Sarah Ellen Clark, The Seagull Grab & Go

    For episode 2 of Season 3, host Vanessa Smith interviews Sarah Ellen Clark, owner of The Seagull Grab & Go in Mount Stewart, PEI, which she opened October 1 in her late father's former restaurant building on his blueberry farm. Sarah Ellen shares her background, including years away traveling and working in marketing and hospitality, and how her father's passing motivated her to bring the space back to life as a bakery and cafe. She describes the stress of permits, staffing, learning espresso and baking, and being unexpectedly slammed from opening week through word-of-mouth and social media. This conversation covers her focus on homemade, elevated menu items, her social media approach, community support, intense time demands, and plans to renovate an event space for weddings and conferences, with future expansion ideas. Connect with Sarah Ellen & The Seagull. here: https://www.instagram.com/theseagullpei/ https://www.instagram.com/sarahellenclark/ This episode was audio-produced by Adam Ramsay. A big thanks to our sponsors for making this episode possible. Learn more about them here: Fiddling Fisherman Lookout Provincial Credit Union Want to support the show? Click follow wherever you are listening and leave us a review! And lastly, head on over to our Instagram so we can connect https://www.instagram.com/business.openpod/.

    40 min

  7. MAR 11

    Business In The Open: EP 25 - Marsha Doiron, PEI Preserve Co.

    In the first episode for Season 3, host Vanessa Smith welcomes Marsha Doiron to share her background growing up on PEI and a career that evolved through tourism and hospitality, including roles with a Japanese tour operator, the Confederation Bridge, and Holland College before joining and later leaving Coach Atlantic Group in 2019. Marsha and her husband Adam then expanded into multiple ventures, including renovating and selling a downtown building, purchasing a seniors' home in Fredericton, acquiring a campground, retail properties in Cavendish and Kindred Spirits Country Inn & Cottages, buying the PEI Preserve Company in 2022, launching seasonal Stoked Pizza, franchising three Mezza Lebanese Kitchen locations, and most recently acquiring Linkletter Welding. Marsha discusses burnout recovery through coaching, working boundaries with her husband, building strong teams, and her new focus on writing, a blog called Nourished, a lifestyle cookbook, and future women's retreats. Connect with Marsha & PEI Preserve Co. here: https://preservecompany.com https://preservecompany.com/blogs/nourished https://www.instagram.com/marshaldoiron/ This episode was audio-produced by Adam Ramsay (adam@adamramsay.com). A big thanks to our sponsors for making this episode possible. Learn more about them here: Fiddling Fisherman Lookout Provincial Credit Union Want to support the show? Click follow wherever you are listening and leave us a review! And lastly, head on over to our Instagram so we can connect https://www.instagram.com/business.openpod/.

    46 min

  8. 2025-12-31

    Update on Season 3 + Mastermind Event

    Hi there, I'm sharing a quick podcast update on Season 3 and introducing The Ref(y)nery Mini Mastermind - a small, in-person experience I created for PEI entrepreneurs craving connection, clarity, and collaboration. I hope to be back in your ears regularly very soon! We're currently seeking sponsors for Season 3. Interested? Reach out to Vanessa@refyagency.com. Let me know if you have any questions, Vanessa

    7 min
See All (34)

4.9
out of 5
29 Ratings

About

Every week, host Vanessa Smith, will sit down with local entrepreneurs as they get real and raw about their journey into business. From taking that first leap of faith to navigating business life as the boss, my guests will get candid about their ups and downs, give advice for those looking to become a doer, not a dreamer and maybe even share what they have next up their sleeve. Expect to be inspired by these fearless few as they detail how they got to where they are today.

Information

  • Creator
    Vanessa Smith
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2026
  • Episodes
    34
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2026 by Vanessa Smith
  • Show Website
    Business In The Open

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