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Business In The Open

Vanessa Smith
Prince Edward Island
Mastermind Event
PEI Preserve Company
The Seagull Grab & Go
Oyster Island Hospitality
Red Sands Group
North Shore Group
Entrepreneurs
HEAL Wellness
Season 3
Podcast Return
Mount Stewart
Stratford
Pilot House
Charlottetown
The Authentic Change Project
Summerside
JEMS Boutique
Anne Of Green Gables Museum
Toshco Home Store

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 inspi... more

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes39Founded2 years ago
Number of ListenersCategory
Business

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Artwork for Business In The Open

Latest Episodes

For the finale episode of Season 3, host Vanessa Smith interviews Toshia Noye, owner of Toshco Home Store. Toshia shares her background growing up in Ontario as a high school dropout, experiencing a dark period, then moving to Fredericton where she m... more

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 Whol... more

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 be... more

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 Coast... more

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Recent Guests

Toshia Noye
Owner, Toshco Home Store; former Tosh Interiors interior decorating business
Toshco Home Store
Episode: Business In The Open: EP 36 - Toshia Noye, Toshco Home Store
Julia Campbell
Co-owner of North Shore Group; oversees Anne of Green Gables Museum, JEMS Boutique, and other divisions
North Shore Group
Episode: Business In The Open: EP 35 - Julia Campbell, JEMS Boutique
Moyna Matheson
Former owner of Samuel's Coffee House; founder of The Authentic Change Project
The Authentic Change Project
Episode: Business In The Open: EP 34 - Moyna Matheson - The Authentic Change Project (Formerly of Samuel's Coffee House)
Jeff Ellsworth
HEAL Wellness
Episode: Business In The Open: EP 32 - Jeff Ellsworth, HEAL Wellness
Jessica Fritz
Owner of The Gallery Coffee House & Bistro, Black & White Cafe & Bistro, and Fritz Chocolates
The Gallery Coffee House & Bistro; Fritz Chocolates
Episode: Business In The Open: EP 31 - Jessica Fritz, The Gallery Coffee House & Bistro
Brett Poirier
Founder/CEO of Red Sands Group (property management and related brands)
Red Sands Group
Episode: Business In The Open: EP 30 - Brett Poirier, Red Sands Group
Richard Court
Owner/Operator, Oyster Island Hospitality; oversees Pilot House, Sea Rocket, Pink Crow, and the Rustico Cannery
Oyster Island Hospitality
Episode: Business In The Open: EP 29 - Richard Court, Oyster Island Hospitality
Harrison Duffy
Owner of Somerset Ice Cream Bar and Harry's Dairy Bar
Somerset Ice Cream Bar / Harry's Dairy Bar
Episode: Business In The Open: EP 28 - Harrison Duffy, Somerset Ice Cream Bar
Sheila Kerry
Founder of Double Loop Running Co.
Double Loop Running Co.
Episode: Business In The Open: EP 27 - Sheila Kerry, Double Loop Running Co.

Host

Vanessa Smith
Host of the podcast

Reviews

4.9 out of 5 stars from 60 ratings
  • Awesome Pod based in P.E.I.

    Really enjoying these episodes and hearing the stories of those you interview. Looking forward to more!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    samqh
    Canada2 years ago
  • Love it!

    Vanessa is such an expert interviewer, love everything about her!

    Getting to hear the experiences from local entrepreneurs has been so great. Loving all of them so far, great job!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Meag_m
    Canada2 years ago
  • Exciting new podcast!

    Great new podcast that focuses on PEI entrepreneurs. It’s fun to have a well produced, local podcast that focuses on our own community. Great job Vanessa!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Kingston__
    Canada2 years ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Positive, inspiring spotlight on local entrepreneurship
Engaging and well-produced with strong local focus
The host asks insightful questions and highlights PEI entrepreneurs
Great to hear community stories from local business owners
Offers practical takeaways for aspiring business owners

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Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Business In The Open: EP 32 - Jeff Ellsworth, HEAL Wellness
Q: What makes your staffing approach work, and how do you maintain culture as you scale?
We prioritize flexibility for youth, offer part-time hours around school and sports, and use a transparent scheduling tool (7Shifts) to keep the team aligned and responsive, which creates a strong, supportive culture and reliable operations.
Business In The Open: EP 32 - Jeff Ellsworth, HEAL Wellness
Q: When did HEAL truly begin for you, and what sparked the move from other ventures to this franchise?
The HEAL opportunity emerged after a long period of exploring different roles, including real estate and a prior product venture, with the moment of alignment coming when the HEAL founders invited us to explore a franchise location locally and we saw a real potential for the East Coast market.
Business In The Open: EP 36 - Toshia Noye, Toshco Home Store
Q: How has social media impacted your business, and what would you tell other small business owners about showing up online?
Toshia explains that social media was the catalyst for the store's early success; presenting herself authentically created a personal connection with customers. She advises overcoming fear of camera presence, outlines the tangible sales benefits of online content, and notes that followers often become in‑store customers who feel like friends.
Business In The Open: EP 34 - Moyna Matheson - The Authentic Change Project (Formerly of Samuel's Coffee House)
Q: How did you manage growth at Samuel's Coffee House, and what was your approach to branding and expansion?
She recounts growing from a small 900-square-foot space with a six-person staff to a 4,000-square-foot operation with roughly 26 staff, gradually adding food, catering, and a wholesale tea line. Branding was deliberate and timeless, built around the story of Samuel Holland and a strong orange brand, with external designers and local inspiration to ensure longevity. Expansion happened as opportunities arose, not through aggressive planning, and many ideas were tested before committing to them.
Business In The Open: EP 34 - Moyna Matheson - The Authentic Change Project (Formerly of Samuel's Coffee House)
Q: Can you walk us through the moment you decided to start your business at age 40 and what finally pushed you over the edge?
Moyna describes the 'enough is enough' moment, realizing that the fear of not trying outweighed the fear of trying. Her decision was tempered by her long-term observations of what she loved—hospitality, community, and the energy of a great space—and a commitment to create a place where people feel connected. The turning point was practical as well: a clear plan, a tiny initial budget, and supportive partners, which made the idea feel achievable.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

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Frequently Asked Questions About Business In The Open

What is Business In The Open about and what kind of topics does it cover?

Local entrepreneurial stories with a hands-on host who probes the realities of starting, growing, and evolving small businesses. Guests span hospitality, retail, food & beverage, and service sectors, sharing how they navigated growth, partnerships, branding, and community building in Prince Edward Island and nearby Atlantic Canada. Episodes emphasize practical takeaways, mentorship, and authentic storytelling, making it useful for aspiring entrepreneurs, investors, and brands seeking peer insights or potential partnership opportunities. A notable pattern is a strong focus on community impact, resilient pivots, and hands-on leadership from owner-operators, often with family involvement and local collaboration as recurring themes.

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How many listeners does Business In The Open get?

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What are the audience demographics for Business In The Open?

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How many subscribers and views does Business In The Open have?

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Which podcasts are similar to Business In The Open?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Business In The Open:

1. Armchair Expert with Dax Shepard
2. The Oprah Podcast
3. Let's Be Honest with Kristin Cavallari
4. The Mel Robbins Podcast
5. Good Hang with Amy Poehler

How many episodes of Business In The Open are there?

Business In The Open launched 2 years ago and published 39 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

How do I contact Business In The Open?

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Where can I see ratings and reviews for Business In The Open?

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What guests have appeared on Business In The Open?

Recent guests on Business In The Open include:

1. Toshia Noye
2. Julia Campbell
3. Moyna Matheson
4. Jeff Ellsworth
5. Jessica Fritz
6. Brett Poirier
7. Richard Court
8. Harrison Duffy

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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