Business In The Open

Vanessa Smith
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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. 4D AGO

    Business In The Open: EP 35 - Julia Campbell, JEMS Boutique

    Host Vanessa Smith interviews Julia Campbell, co-owner of PEI's family-run North Shore Group, which includes the Anne of Green Gables Museum (connected to author Lucy Maud Montgomery), multiple Anne of Green Gables retail stores, Kindred Spirits Wholesalers, JEMS Boutique, and PEI Fashion Weekend. Julia shares her unexpected path from classical piano studies to teaching English in Korea, working six years in the motor yacht industry, then returning home to join the family business, build community, and raise a family. She discusses balancing authenticity and commercialization of the Anne legacy, JEMS' focus on inclusivity and confidence through fashion, and the multi-day PEI Fashion Weekend featuring a 19+ show and free Fashion City Day programming. Julia also describes retail pressures and revitalizing JEMS by sharing space with another business, emphasizing mutual support for local businesses. Connect with the Julia here: https://www.instagram.com/oneandonlyjewls/ https://www.instagram.com/jemsboutiquestyle/ https://www.instagram.com/theannestore/ https://www.instagram.com/peifw/ https://www.instagram.com/monarkthebrand 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/.

    50 min

  2. MAY 13

    Business In The Open: EP 34 - Moyna Matheson - The Authentic Change Project (Formerly of Samuel's Coffee House)

    Host Vanessa Smith interviews Moyna Matheson, former owner of Samuel's Coffee House in Summerside. She discusses starting the business at 40 in 2011 after years in hospitality and self-employment, focusing first on specialty coffee and baked goods before adding food. Moyna shares how Samuel's grew from a 900-square-foot shop with six staff to a 4,000-square-foot operation, expanding into catering, wholesale, a tea line, and additional locations including Cavendish and a COVID-driven drive-thru. She explains the brand's timeless design and Samuel Holland family-history tie, then details deciding to sell, using a brokerage, and transitioning ownership on October 4, 2024 to Receiver Coffee Company. Moyna discusses her next chapter as a life coach/mentor through The Authentic Change Project, helping people navigate change authentically, and shares lessons on listening to customers and teams, curiosity, and hopes for Summerside's continued revitalization. Connect with the Moyna here: https://www.instagram.com/moynamatheson/ https://www.instagram.com/theauthenticchangeproject/ 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/.

    48 min

  3. MAY 6

    Business In The Open: EP 33 - Devin and Chelsea Cudmore, Cudmore Group

    Host Vanessa Smith interviews siblings and co-presidents Devin and Chelsea Cudmore about the Cudmore Group's fourth-generation retail legacy, from a 1914 PEI haberdashery to 17 stores across Canada (18 planned in June) spanning brands including Coastal Culture, Sea House, Cool as a Moose, Big Bear Trading Company, and the upcoming Canoe & Cabin in Montreal. They discuss shifting from department-store retail in 2001 into destination/resort retail, their intentional focus on iconic tourist locations, and how they split responsibilities—Devin in back-office analytics, sourcing and supply chain, Chelsea in culture, merchandising, and in-store standards. The conversation covers western expansion starting with Whistler, managing seasonal staffing and short peak windows, COVID-driven e-commerce and opening Big Bear during the pandemic, relaunching Christopher's Beach Club, optimism for summer 2026 tourism, and the importance of tools like Microsoft Teams and relationship-building. Connect with the Cudmore Group here: https://www.instagram.com/peicoastalculture/ https://www.instagram.com/seahouseshops/ https://www.instagram.com/bigbeartradingco/ https://www.instagram.com/coolasamoosecanada/ 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/

    36 min

  4. APR 29

    Business In The Open: EP 32 - Jeff Ellsworth, HEAL Wellness

    We welcome Jeff Ellsworth, co-owner of the HEAL Wellness franchise in Charlottetown, to discuss his path from municipal recreation director and elite softball player/coach to entrepreneurship. Jeff recounts inventing the Exit Speed Swing training device, appearing on Dragons' Den in 2017, securing an endorsement with Toronto Blue Jays player Lourdes Gurriel Jr., and how COVID disrupted momentum. He explains partnering with Pete Hill to launch the first HEAL east of Ontario, opening December 6 at the Kirkwood Mews building, and credits detailed franchise systems for product consistency. Jeff highlights rapid growth, a 32-person youth-focused staff culture, community “refueling stations,” and plans for a HEAL mobile unit. He shares daily routines, his favorite order, and advice about taking chances. Connect with Jeff here: https://www.instagram.com/heal.wellness/ https://www.instagram.com/jeffellsworth19/ 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/.

    37 min

  5. APR 22

    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

  6. 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

  7. 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

  8. 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
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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
    38
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2026 by Vanessa Smith
  • Show Website
    Business In The Open

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