The BCGW works with owners of businesses across a spectrum of industries, sizes, and maturity levels. We meet business owners where they are at and help them to figure out the next right move – both for their business and for themselves.
For instance:
At BCGW, we act as a connection point between services and success, offering members access to our incredible network of business advisors - made up of current and previous small business owners who can provide first-hand knowledge and honest mentorship via their learning and experiences. We also work with our local ecosystem to refer and connect business owners and highlight success stories.
The BCGW delivers three core areas of expertise:
Entrepreneurs are the heartbeat of our community, and they are directly tied to boosting our community’s economic growth, job creation and innovation. Business owners continue to be challenged by changes to commercial best practices post-COVID and the effects of inflation. Now more than ever, entrepreneurs and small businesses have our unwavering support to navigate the changing world around them, connect with other entrepreneurs, and flourish in the Guelph-Wellington community. This includes engagement, access to tools and training and connecting them with a robust network of trusted advisors. At our core, we believe the expansion and longevity of small businesses and entrepreneurial endeavours will have significant positive impacts on the vitality and success of Guelph and Wellington County’s overall success.
We are committed to driving innovation, tracking emerging trends and assisting entrepreneurs to thrive. We continue to monitor the overall entrepreneurial landscape to help anticipate opportunities and challenges that small businesses might encounter. The BCGW has their back.
Executive Director
Email: kristel@guelphbusiness.com
Kristel Manes is a Change Management Specialist; having spent the last 13 years coaching entrepreneurs as they start and grow businesses. Kristel has an extensive history in communication and negotiation amongst such prominent groups as boards of directors, sponsors, core funding partners, senior management, peers, and aspiring business owners.
Expertise
Operations Manager
Email: diana@guelphbusiness.com
Growing up in Guelph, Diana has always valued a connection within her community. She thrives in positions that provide a team environment and believes collaborating creates successful end results. Through her hospitality, event and office experience she has become a valuable team leader. She always takes the initiative to provide exceptional customer service. As well as Diana multitasks effectively in high pressure situations, identifies problems and implements solutions.
Expertise
Business Advisor
Email: olga@guelphbusiness.com
Olga George-Cosh is an accomplished professional and an entrepreneurial thinker with extensive experience in management of non-profit organizations and social entrepreneurship. Her career spans a diverse range of business accomplishments, from being a partner in the family’s businesses, to consistently achieving superior results as an executive, and guiding non-profits in creating and sustaining positive community change.
Expertise
Business Advisor
Email: tony@guelphbusiness.com
Tony Morris is an experienced professional with a passion for Canada's agriculture sector and small business. His varied career includes work within financial institutions, business consulting, government, and governance of not-for-profit organizations. With years of hands-on experience owning and operating small businesses and a farm operation, he strives to help people answer the question: "what is it you do better than anyone else, that adds value to the lives of people, that makes you unique?"
Expertise
Business Advisor
Email: paul@guelphbusiness.com
Paul Brombal is an experienced entrepreneur with a passion for developing opportunities and ideas into successful small businesses. He brings hands-on and practical experience from the perspective of a current small business owner. The path of each entrepreneur is unique and dynamic, Paul can help navigate to success.
Expertise
Business Advisor
Email: taylor@guelphbusiness.com
Born and raised in London, Ontario, was eager to leave her serving job and start working in her dream industry with only two months left until she obtained her Bachelor of Commerce with a major in Marketing from Toronto Metropolitan University. However, without her degree in hand, finding a job proved nearly impossible. So, she decided to create her own business, and that's how Sater Creative was born. Since then, Taylor has never looked back. She is passionate about building brands and loves seeing both her own and her clients' visions come to life. One of her greatest joys is watching the work she and her team have created come to life in the world.
Expertise
Business Advisor
Email: matteo@guelphbusiness.com
Born and raised in Guelph, Matteo offers a unique perspective into local businesses. With an education from Carleton University and Algonquin College, along with an entrepreneurial background, he effectively represents the Business Centre to his audience. Since joining in January 2023, Matteo has enhanced the BCGW’s social media presence, highlighting digital marketing as a key resource. He focuses on building relationships with entrepreneurs, using his expertise to support their marketing and communication needs.
Alex is a Senior Manager at RLB where he utilizes his diverse skillset and expertise in tax to constantly develop and build relationships with new and established small business owners to become their trusted advisor. As the current Chair of the Board, Alex works diligently to ensure the Business Centre Guelph-Wellington continues to be a leading community resource for small businesses and start-ups.
Jamie is a Financial Advisor in Guelph with Cory Young Insurance Group Inc. – Co-operators. Providing guidance and expertise for commercial/farm insurance matched with a holistic approach for financial planning and income protection. Jamie welcomes the opportunity to foster the growth and expansion of small business within our community.
Representing the City of Guelph, Christine brings seventeen years of municipal experience in developing and executing award winning economic development programs and strategies. As Manager for the Economic Development Department for the City of Guelph she has been both project lead and support for high level strategic economic development initiatives as well as ground level program development.
Mayor Shawn Watters, Centre Wellington Mayor. Shawn has chaired numerous committees at both local and county levels including planning, land division, information, heritage and seniors committees. He has served on boards including Groves Memorial Hospital, and the Ontario Association of Landscape Architects. Shawn's business career has provided him the opportunity to design communities and build parks, streetscapes, restaurants, golf courses and music festivals.
Heather MacDougall is a lawyer in Guelph with Nelson, Watson PC, specializing in employment matters and general litigation. She helps both employees and employers navigate the complex world that is employment law. Heather is excited to volunteer to be a part of an organization that fosters and supports local entrepreneurs by providing them with the tools and support they need to succeed.
Joleen is the Owner of, and Principal Designer, at Volumes of Space Inc. With a passion for colour, architecture and design, and 20+ years of experience in the industry, she is committed to helping bring your design vision to life.With an endless energy and enthusiasm for design, Joleen pushed herself to venture into her own business roughly 15 years ago, and incorporated Volumes of Space Inc. over five years ago. With strong attention to detail, endless creativity and a highly-skilled team of craftspeople and contractors, Joleen has proudly developed a reputation for going above and beyond the expectations of each and every client.
Gillian Cuthbert is the Co-Owner/Director of Operations for Malamar Construction, a family owned and run business with 14 employees, offering a superior full service complete renovation and construction service, with years of experience in renovating/restoring and building. Prior to working with Malamar, Gillian worked within the finance & banking space supporting business owners, small/medium and large, in many facets. Gillian believes in following your dreams to create a life that you love every day.
Harold is an accomplished business leader with extensive sales and marketing experience in local and international markets. His career highlights progressive management roles, showcasing expertise in business development, market expansion, and successful turnarounds in both B2B and B2C sectors. Notably, his leadership played a key role in the turnaround of Family Services of Peel during his five-year term on its Board of Directors. Harold is presently a local business owner and an active member of the community
Bailey is a certified Human Resources Professional (CHRP) with a Master's Certificate in Organizational Development and Change Management from the Schulich School of Business. Her passion for small businesses in the community began during her tenure as the Rhyze Project Coordinator at Boundless Accelerator. After her time at Boundless, Bailey supported small to medium-sized businesses as an HR Consultant and has worked in Organizational Development and Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion at the Upper Grand District School Board.
In addition to joining the BCGW Board of Directors, Bailey serves as the chair of the Human Resources Committee and also sits on the HR Committee for United Way Guelph Wellington.
Karen has built a successful career spanning sales, marketing, and management within the architectural and interior design specification sector of commercial projects across North America. Her journey also includes first hand entrepreneurial experience in the hospitality industry, adding depth to her understanding of customer needs and industry dynamics. Beyond her professional achievements, Karen remains actively involved in her community, passionately supporting fellow entrepreneurs and initiatives that drive positive change.