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Small Business Spotlight
Pressure Drop Makes Waves in Ford City
An entrepreneur duo is reinventing Windsor’s Ford City as a vibrant destination district for shopping, eating and drinking by bringing a unique retail experience to 1055 Drouillard Road.
Pressure Drop is a men’s and women’s clothing boutique, cafe, bar and all-round hangout place offering unique brands from Hawaii and Australia, as well as locally made products. Customers can enjoy a beer, glass of wine, or a cup of freshly brewed coffee while socializing and perusing the store. The store also serves as a nifty event and pop-up space for local businesses or artists looking to rent out a place with a cool vibe and the benefit of a liquor license.
The idea for Pressure Drop started five years ago when owners Michael Weber and Marina Maffessanti were in Los Angeles and came across an interesting business concept that mixed retail with eating and drinking - all revolving around the owner’s love for fixing up vintage motorcycles.
“We really liked the whole concept of a business as not just a place to buy things, but as a versatile space to build a community of people sharing one passion,” said Weber. “We thought we could replicate that here in Windsor-Essex around the coastal laidback lifestyle that we love.”
Each month, the WindsorEssex Small Business Centre highlights clients and entrepreneurs that have recently opened their business. Want to to be included? Email SBC for more information.
Sage Therapeutic Consulting educates the public about mental health issues, treatment, and the differences between healthy and unhealthy therapy. They empower you through access to reliable, unbiased, and nonpathologizing mental health information, and they challenge the myths, stereotypes, and stigmas that can surround mental health issues.
Starter Company Plus Recipient Karim Ebead
A Slice of Pi adds a twist to the classic pizza store. Owner Karim Ebead experiments with different pizzas and sides, adding his own flare to the dishes. You can choose from one of many specialty pizzas, or create your own Pi.
Eco-Vision Gardens specializes in helping clients increase the value and beauty of their homes by creating unique, functional outdoor living spaces. They create beautiful yard designs by combining seasonal colour, perennials, landscaping, and maintenance. Their ultimate goal is to ensure that you are completely satisfied with the end result of your project.
Interested in launching or expanding your small business? Click here to see if you qualify for the Starter Company Plus grant program.
Client News
The Art Lab, beauty is in the eye of the creator
Anushree Dave | The DRIVE Magazine
Art is for everybody.
Those are the words you first see in white bold font when you visit The Art Lab website, and it's a statement that owner, Samantha Walker, believes wholeheartedly. "Art is a global thing, just like dancing. It's something within all of us. But somewhere along the way, as we get older, we kind of lose sight of the artist in us," says Walker.
Get the resources and knowledge needed to start and grow your own small business. The program includes one-on-one guidance from the Small Business Centre, mentoring with local professionals, funding of up to $5,000, and FREE small business training & workshops. Learn more.
Workshop
Complete the Starter Company Plus eligibility form for your chance to apply for 2019 program intake.
*NOTE: Completing the eligibility questionnaire is not considered admission into the program.
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