I Left The City

Hastings County

If you’ve ever fantasized about moving to cottage country, you need to hear these stories. In every episode of I Left the City, we talk to a talented and skilled professional who moved to Hastings County, Ontario to find a wildly authentic life. If you’re inspired to make the move and start a business in a place halfway between Toronto and Ottawa with affordable real estate, welcoming neighbours, and four-season natural amenities, visit investinhastings.ca for startup and relocation advice, commercial property listings, and many other helpful resources for business. I Left the City is an initiative of the Hastings County Economic Development department. It’s hosted and executive produced by Michelle Samson, a former radio broadcaster and economic developer who found her calling when she founded economic development podcasting agency Storied Places Media. As someone who grew up in a small town, moved to the city, then returned, she loves being nosy about where people have lived, and why they chose to build a life and business in Hastings County.

  1. A Software Entrepreneur Buys an Art Gallery in Tweed - Episode 41

    2025-10-17

    A Software Entrepreneur Buys an Art Gallery in Tweed - Episode 41

    Paul Kite is the owner of the art gallery Quinn's of Tweed. In this episode, we talk about how this former software entrepreneur found himself moving to Tweed and taking over a gallery without any previous experience in the art world, how he managed to quickly settle into a small town after a lifetime of city living, and why he recommends Hastings County to any professional that can work remotely. Check out Quinn’s of Tweed: Website - quinnsoftweed.ca Facebook - facebook.com/Quinns.of.Tweed.Art.Gallery Instagram - instagram.com/quinnsoftweed About the I Left the City Podcast If you’ve ever fantasized about moving to cottage country, you need to hear these stories. In every episode of I Left the City, we talk to a talented and skilled professional who moved to Hastings County, Ontario to find a wildly authentic life. If you’re inspired to make the move and start a business in a place halfway between Toronto and Ottawa with affordable real estate, welcoming neighbours, and four-season natural amenities, visit investinhastings.ca for startup and relocation advice, commercial property listings, and many other helpful resources for business. I Left the City is an initiative of the Hastings County Economic Development department. It’s hosted and executive produced by Michelle Samson, a former radio broadcaster and economic developer who found her calling when she founded economic development podcasting agency Storied Places Media. As someone who grew up in a small town, moved to the city, then returned, she loves being nosy about where people have lived, and why they chose to build a life and business in Hastings County.

    23 min
  2. An HR Professional Opens a Bookstore in Stirling - Episode 40

    2025-10-10

    An HR Professional Opens a Bookstore in Stirling - Episode 40

    Tracey Starrett left her corporate HR job to do something many bookish people have fantasized about: open a bookstore. Tracey’s journey with the Stirling Book Company has lots of relatable lessons for anyone with a dream business percolating in the back of their mind. She talks about making the leap into entrepreneurship later in life, how small personal touches are the way to beat big competitors, and why right now might be the perfect time to start a business in Hastings County. Check out Stirling Book Company: Stirling Book Company website - stirlingbookco.ca Stirling Book Company on Instagram - instagram.com/stirlingbookco Stirling Book Company on Facebook - facebook.com/Stirlingbookco About the I Left the City Podcast If you’ve ever fantasized about moving to cottage country, you need to hear these stories. In every episode of I Left the City, we talk to a talented and skilled professional who moved to Hastings County, Ontario to find a wildly authentic life. If you’re inspired to make the move and start a business in a place halfway between Toronto and Ottawa with affordable real estate, welcoming neighbours, and four-season natural amenities, visit investinhastings.ca for startup and relocation advice, commercial property listings, and many other helpful resources for business. I Left the City is an initiative of the Hastings County Economic Development department. It’s hosted and executive produced by Michelle Samson, a former radio broadcaster and economic developer who found her calling when she founded economic development podcasting agency Storied Places Media. As someone who grew up in a small town, moved to the city, then returned, she loves being nosy about where people have lived, and why they chose to build a life and business in Hastings County.

    33 min
  3. A Former Stunt Rider Builds an All-Electric Motocross Track - Episode 39

    2025-10-03

    A Former Stunt Rider Builds an All-Electric Motocross Track - Episode 39

    Dan Turcotte is a man who's worn many hats: radio host, record producer, professional stunt bicycle rider. These days, Dan is the CEO of Pet Shop Productions in Toronto and TerreMX, a first of its kind all-electric motocross facility in Hastings County. In this episode, Dan shares the TerreMX origin story (which started with buying a farm in Roslin), why running the business doesn't feel like work, and how his family is managing to split their lives between Toronto and Hastings County. Check out TerreMX and Pet Shop Productions: Terre MX website - terremx.com Pet Shop Productions website - petshopproductions.com About the I Left the City Podcast If you’ve ever fantasized about moving to cottage country, you need to hear these stories. In every episode of I Left the City, we talk to a talented and skilled professional who moved to Hastings County, Ontario to find a wildly authentic life. If you’re inspired to make the move and start a business in a place halfway between Toronto and Ottawa with affordable real estate, welcoming neighbours, and four-season natural amenities, visit investinhastings.ca for startup and relocation advice, commercial property listings, and many other helpful resources for business. I Left the City is an initiative of the Hastings County Economic Development department. It’s hosted and executive produced by Michelle Samson, a former radio broadcaster and economic developer who found her calling when she founded economic development podcasting agency Storied Places Media. As someone who grew up in a small town, moved to the city, then returned, she loves being nosy about where people have lived, and why they chose to build a life and business in Hastings County.

    30 min
  4. A Graphic Designer Leaves the City Without Leaving Her Career - Episode 38

    2025-09-26

    A Graphic Designer Leaves the City Without Leaving Her Career - Episode 38

    Shevon Sigouin is a graphic designer from Toronto preparing to move to Hastings County. In this episode, she shares her long-standing connection to the county, why now felt like the right time to leave the city, and how the move will (and won’t!) impact her work. She also shares free branding advice that could take your small businesses to the next level. Check out Shevon’s work: Website: shevonsegouin.com Shevon’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shevon_sigouin/ Lake Club on Etsy: https://www.etsy.com/ca/shop/LakeClub Lake Club Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lake_club_co/ About the I Left the City Podcast If you’ve ever fantasized about moving to cottage country, you need to hear these stories. In every episode of I Left the City, we talk to a talented and skilled professional who moved to Hastings County, Ontario to find a wildly authentic life. If you’re inspired to make the move and start a business in a place halfway between Toronto and Ottawa with affordable real estate, welcoming neighbours, and four-season natural amenities, visit investinhastings.ca for startup and relocation advice, commercial property listings, and many other helpful resources for business. I Left the City is an initiative of the Hastings County Economic Development department. It’s hosted and executive produced by Michelle Samson, a former radio broadcaster and economic developer who found her calling when she founded economic development podcasting agency Storied Places Media. As someone who grew up in a small town, moved to the city, then returned, she loves being nosy about where people have lived, and why they chose to build a life and business in Hastings County.

    14 min
  5. A Couple in Tech Builds a Glamping Dome in Maynooth - Episode 37

    2025-09-19

    A Couple in Tech Builds a Glamping Dome in Maynooth - Episode 37

    Rick Dolishny and Jenn Carr are a world-travelling couple that bought a property in Hastings County and saw an opportunity to build a glamping experience unlike anything in Ontario. But getting Maynooth Station Lodge off the ground turned out to be more challenging than expected. In this episode, we dig into all of the glamorous (and not so glamorous) details of their business journey, why they love Maynooth, and how they became TikTok famous. Check out Maynooth Station Lodge: Website - maynoothstationlodge.ca TikTok - tiktok.com/@maynoothstationlodge Facebook - facebook.com/maynoothstation Instagram - instagram.com/maynoothstationlodge/ Twitter/X - x.com/maynoothstation Email - info@maynoothstationlodge.ca Phone - (416) 414-9379 Resources Mentioned Tyler and Todd YouTube Channel - youtube.com/c/tylerandtodd Jenna Phipps YouTube Channel - youtube.com/@JennaPhipps About the I Left the City Podcast If you’ve ever fantasized about moving to cottage country, you need to hear these stories. In every episode of I Left the City, we talk to a talented and skilled professional who moved to Hastings County, Ontario to find a wildly authentic life. If you’re inspired to make the move and start a business in a place halfway between Toronto and Ottawa with affordable real estate, welcoming neighbours, and four-season natural amenities, visit investinhastings.ca for startup and relocation advice, commercial property listings, and many other helpful resources for business. I Left the City is an initiative of the Hastings County Economic Development department. It’s hosted and executive produced by Michelle Samson, a former radio broadcaster and economic developer who found her calling when she founded economic development podcasting agency Storied Places Media. As someone who grew up in a small town, moved to the city, then returned, she loves being nosy about where people have lived, and why they chose to build a life and business in Hastings County.

    38 min
  6. Re-Introducing: I Left the City

    2025-09-18

    Re-Introducing: I Left the City

    After a three year hiatus, I Left the City is back with all new stories about business owners and professionals bringing their wildly authentic dreams to life in Hastings County. The episodes have a new sound, a new host, and a new option to listen or *watch* on the Hastings County Economic Development and Tourism YouTube channel. If you’ve ever fantasized about moving to cottage country, you need to hear these stories. In every episode of I Left the City, we talk to a talented and skilled professional who moved to Hastings County, Ontario to find a wildly authentic life. If you’re inspired to make the move and start a business in a place halfway between Toronto and Ottawa with affordable real estate, welcoming neighbours, and four-season natural amenities, visit investinhastings.ca for startup and relocation advice, commercial property listings, and many other helpful resources for business. I Left the City is an initiative of the Hastings County Economic Development department. It’s hosted and executive produced by Michelle Samson, a former radio broadcaster and economic developer who found her calling when she founded economic development podcasting agency Storied Places Media. As someone who grew up in a small town, moved to the city, then returned, she loves being nosy about where people have lived, and why they chose to build a life and business in Hastings County.

    1 min
  7. Paul Backewich - Architect - Episode 36

    2022-10-20

    Paul Backewich - Architect - Episode 36

    On this episode of the I Left The City Show, your host Andrew Redden, Economic and Tourism Development Manager for Hastings County, chats with Paul Backewich, an architect who recently left the big city and made Hastings County his home. https://www.theglobeandmail.com/real-estate/toronto/article-an-architect-flight-of-fancy-inspires-birdhouse-themed-getaway/

    12 min
  8. Zach Reid - Align Coffee - Episode 35

    2022-09-28

    Zach Reid - Align Coffee - Episode 35

    On this episode of the I Left The City Show, your host Andrew Redden, Economic and Tourism Development Manager for Wildly Authentic Hastings, chats with Zach Reid, co-owner of Align Coffee.

    14 min
See All (42)

About

If you’ve ever fantasized about moving to cottage country, you need to hear these stories. In every episode of I Left the City, we talk to a talented and skilled professional who moved to Hastings County, Ontario to find a wildly authentic life. If you’re inspired to make the move and start a business in a place halfway between Toronto and Ottawa with affordable real estate, welcoming neighbours, and four-season natural amenities, visit investinhastings.ca for startup and relocation advice, commercial property listings, and many other helpful resources for business. I Left the City is an initiative of the Hastings County Economic Development department. It’s hosted and executive produced by Michelle Samson, a former radio broadcaster and economic developer who found her calling when she founded economic development podcasting agency Storied Places Media. As someone who grew up in a small town, moved to the city, then returned, she loves being nosy about where people have lived, and why they chose to build a life and business in Hastings County.

Information

  • Creator
    Hastings County
  • Years Active
    2017 - 2025
  • Episodes
    42
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © All rights reserved
  • Show Website
    I Left The City