Ian Burgess explains why AI fluency, apprenticeship, and systems thinking will shape the future of rural entrepreneurship and workforce development.

Being an entrepreneur in November 2025

UPDATED: Nov 3/25 The Problem Not enough creators, such as musicians, earn a sustainable living. Money is being made in the music industry though. Yet, value leaks at every step—platforms, labels, ticketing, middlemen, venues—leaving artists with a fraction of what their music, time and hard word generates. Some artists lack clear, practical pathways to capture value ( make enough money ) quickly and directly. Can talented, hard working and committed musicians convert their l

Picture: AREA 81 Coffee Chat, Port Elgin | Join AREA 81 Covered in this Round Up: FUNDING | DEMOGRAPHICS | INDIGENOUS Why Standard Productivity Advice Doesn’t Work for ADHD Entrepreneurs Many productivity strategies assume steady focus, structured routines and the ability to power through less‑engaging tasks—but those assumptions don’t align with how ADHD brains operate. ADHD often involves inconsistent executive function, shifting energy levels, and a stronger drive for i

Discover how private capital is reshaping Canada beyond the billionaire myth. Learn how AREA 81 wants to empower rural communities with private capital.

A series of videos about AREA 81. How it works, how it's evolving and how to get involved.

Yancey Strickler presents the vision and legal framework for Artist Corporations (A-Corps), a new corporate structure designed to empower artists and creators in the creative economy. | Published Sep 17, 2025 by  Metalabel Artist Corporations: The Vision, Law & Movement Key Insights A-Corps are a new corporate structure designed specifically for artists and creators, combining benefits of various existing structures while addressing their limitations. The structure provides a

But, we’ve lost 100,000 entrepreneurs—and 350,000 can’t get the financing they need. This raises the question: is BDC doing a good job? Rural entrepreneurs power Canada’s real economy—jobs, exports, main‑street vitality, and community pride. Yet we have 100,000 fewer entrepreneurs than 20 years ago and an estimated 350,000 who can’t access the financing they need. That gap is widest outside big cities, where distance, thin credit files, and unconventional models collide with

Brandon Forder, co-owner of Harbour Hound Pet Supplies (formerly Candian Pet Connection) a family-run pet business, joined the Rural Entrepreneur Podcast to discuss his family transformed their brand from a brick-and-mortar store in the GTA into a leading Canadian e-commerce presence rooted in Meaford, Ontario.

ROMA's Vision for Rural Ontario The Rural Ontario Municipal Association (ROMA) Strategic Plan 2024–2027  sets a clear path forward: Build municipal capacity  — finance, workforce, and innovation. Advance rural wellbeing  — through stronger infrastructure, housing, health, and broadband. Strengthen communications and convening  — so rural Ontario speaks with one voice In 2025, ROMA’s Board reinforced this agenda: Endorsing a rebrand  of rural Ontario as resilient, influential

Discover insights on health and safety for small business in rural areas. Learn from Janice Campbell's entrepreneurial journey and safety expertise.

The Problem Organizations everywhere are under growing pressure to prove their alignment with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) . Yet compliance today is fragmented and costly: Duplicative frameworks : UNGC Communication on Progress (CoP), UNCTAD Core Indicators (GCI), Voluntary National Reviews (VNRs), and SDG Impact Standards all demand attention. SMEs lack expertise  and can’t afford expensive consultants. Public institutions struggle  to provide quality data for VN

Picture: AREA 81 Coffee Chat, Owen Sound | Join AREA 81 Covered in this Round Up: TECHNOLOGY | MUSIC | INDIGENOUS Powerlink’s Evolution: From Office to Community Hub Powerlink in Saugeen Shores has reimagined its role—from being purely office space to becoming a full‑on community hub. Now it offers coworking, flexible office rentals, event hosting (like Loft 1020), and experiences that draw together entrepreneurs, non‑profits, local charities, and residents. Through the AR

Tree Planting on Farms at Scale: Building Momentum for a Billion Trees in Canada Canada’s farmlands stretch across 62 million hectares—land that not only feeds us but also offers one of the greatest opportunities to fight climate change. Adding tree cover to these landscapes can restore soils, protect water, and build resilience while ensuring farms remain productive. But scaling tree planting to the level required—one billion trees on Canadian farms—requires more than just g

Ryan Harris turned a high school passion for music into Artie Music—a full-scale audio/video production hub based in Hanover, Ontario. From DIY recordings to formal training and mentorship in Toronto, Ryan pivoted from carpentry during the pandemic to build a creative ecosystem in Grey-Bruce.

Whose Canada is being built - corporations' or Canadians'? Both at the same time? On September 15, more than a hundred oil and gas companies and associations signed an open letter to Prime Minister Mark Carney under the banner “Build Canada Now.” It’s a bold phrase. But whose Canada are they building — and does their agenda line up with what Canadians actually said they want in 2025? Earlier this year, ahead of the federal election, I wrote about the People’s Mandate : the ba

Smart Trees: How Korotu Technology is Empowering Farmers to Reforest Without Compromise TL;DR On this episode of The Rural Entrepreneur Podcast  ( listen here ) , host Chris Herbert sits down with Sean Rudd of Korotu Technology. They explore how integrating trees into Canadian farms can deliver ecological and economic benefits — and how Korotu’s platform helps farmers overcome the real-world challenges of tree placement, funding access, and long-term maintenance. The conversa

Congratulations to Our 3 for 1 Local Prize Winners! Hello fellow Owen Sound and Saugeen Shores Chamber of Commerce members! We’re thrilled to congratulate the winners  of our Grey-Bruce Business, Health, Safety and Wellness Draw Prizes ! If you’re one of the lucky winners, be sure to claim your prize here  by filling out the form below. If you won then you get what we call a 3 fer or tri-fecta prize pack! The prize bag includes goodies and these three giv-a-ways from AREA 81

We get it—you're busy. That's why we've put together these quick article roundups, updated weekly(ish), here's what we cover: UN SDGs , entrepreneurship , marketing , and local news for Grey and Bruce Counties . Get the key takeaways and actionable advice you need, fast. UPDATED Aug 24 UN SDGs Nestlé Nigeria’s Sustainable Development Impact Nestlé Nigeria aligns its CSR with SDGs—Zero Hunger, Health, Clean Water, Responsible Consumption, and Climate Action—training over 41,00

Discover why angel investing in Canada is broken and how it impacts early-stage startups. Learn more about the challenges in angel investing in Canada.