I’m continually humbled by the endless number of entrepreneurs who choose to call Ontario’s north home. From chefs and makers to farmers, storytellers and wellness guides, there’s something about this place that seems to spark creativity and give people the courage to try.
By Maddie Johnson
Maybe it’s the quiet that gives ideas space to grow, or the wide-open landscapes that remind us to dream bigger. Or maybe it’s just the people—neighbours who show up, support each other, and cheer on every new venture like it’s their own.
Whatever the reason, this place seems to inspire people to create with heart.
The businesses that grow here aren’t just selling something—they’re sharing a part of themselves. A handmade piece that carries a story. A table set to bring people together. A small farm that thrives on trust. Each one reflects not only the passion of its founder, but also the spirit of Ontario’s north itself.
Cape Chin Micro Farm
Cape Chin Micro Farm is proof that small-scale farming can have a big impact.
Craig Chisholm grew up in Tobermory, but for his wife, Teresa, the Bruce Peninsula was love at first sight. During an early visit, she fell for the rugged beauty of the area and knew it was where they wanted to put down roots. Together, she and Craig have shaped Cape Chin Farm into a place that blends hard work with heart.
Tucked at the end of a winding dirt road on the Bruce Peninsula, the farm feels like a hidden gem. A black lab chases a frisbee in the grass, chickens roam the yard, bees keep busy in their hives, and Teresa crafts beeswax candles that complement their jars of golden honey.
The best part? The small farm store onsite operates entirely on trust—an honour system for eggs, honey, candles, and goods from other local makers.
But Cape Chin isn’t just about what they produce; it’s about how they connect.
“There are so many entrepreneurs here,” says Craig. “Our goal is to support them and build each other up. The peninsula is such a special place, we want to offer a platform for that to continue and grow.”
Tamara Gilchrist
As a realtor in Northern Ontario, Tamara Gilchrist does more than buy and sell houses—she helps people find their place here. With a deep love for the communities she serves, she blends professional expertise with a genuine appreciation for what makes life in the North so special.
Born in Parry Sound, Tamara spent years in Collingwood before returning home in 2019 to be closer to her grandmother. That move not only reconnected her with her family but also opened up the door to a career she had long felt drawn to.
Real estate runs in her blood—her father once owned a local brokerage—and Tamara has always had an eye for potential, endlessly renovating, styling and dreaming up what could be. Coming back gave her the chance to turn that lifelong passion into a business of her own.
Whether it’s a first cottage on the bay, a full-time relocation, or passing a beloved property on to new stewards, Tamara sees each transaction as deeply personal. She lights up when a sale feels like the perfect fit for both the seller and buyer, knowing memories will continue in places that matter.
“Up here it’s really about lifestyle,” she says. “Family, nature, time together. That’s what makes it so special.”
Infinite Glassworks
When Kate Civiero talks about glass, her eyes light up. For her, it’s not just an art form but a fascination with materials.
After studying glass blowing at Sheridan College, Kate came back to Grey County, knowing full well it was where she wanted to build a life. But at the time, there were no glassblowing studios in the area, which meant long drives to rent time elsewhere and no easy way to establish herself at home. In 2015, she decided to change that, building her own furnace—which she affectionately named the Baby Dragon—and launching Infinite Glassworks.
Kate doesn’t call herself an artist so much as a maker. Her passion lies in creating objects that people live with, especially glassware.
“A cup is such an intimate object,” she says. “It becomes part of a daily ritual, something you reach for again and again.”
Today, from her woodland studio near Berkeley, Kate creates colourful, functional pieces that are as practical as they are beautiful, sharing her love of craft with the people across the region.
ReLive Retreat
For Milena Vujanovic Parker and her husband, John Parker, building ReLive Retreat has been more than a business venture—it’s been a decade-long love story with a piece of land. They purchased 72 acres outside Priceville in 2012, much of it under conservation, and slowly began shaping their vision: a place where people could reconnect with nature without disturbing it.
“It’s not about clearing space,” says Milena. “It’s about finding the natural pockets where it feels like nature has already given you permission.”
What began with two imported Mongolian yurts has grown into a collection of one-of-a-kind stays, from a stargazing Dream Capsule to an off-grid A-frame nestled within a triangle of spruce trees. Every design choice, from solar power to composting and incinerating toilets, reflects their belief in working with the land rather than against it.
“It’s collaborating with nature, and that’s what keeps us excited,” says Milena.
Gold & Fife
For Natalie Goldenberg-Fife, entrepreneurship is about creating experiences that feel alive—the kind that people carry with them long after they’ve gone home. After more than a decade designing sold-out dining events across Canada and beyond, she created Gold & Fife in 2020 to bring her vision closer to home.
Based in Prince Edward County, Natalie calls the region her “blank canvas,” a place where she can pair world-class chefs and wellness practitioners with the raw beauty of the County.
Her inaugural Lilac Retreat, which took place in May 2025, wove together Kundalini breathwork, seasonal dining, and the magical feeling of lilacs in full bloom. It’s a glimpse into what Gold & Fife does best: combining culinary excellence, meaningful rituals, and a sense of belonging into something that feels deeply grounding.
“Food and beverage really does disarm people,” Natalie says. “When you put a beautiful plate or glass in front of someone, it opens them up, and that ripple effect to whatever comes next is powerful.”
Images courtesy Maddie Johnson, Tamara Gilchrist, Town + County Collective, Milena Vujanovic Parker, Christine Reid Photography, and Tim Forbes