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/.

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/

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/.