Brewing up business
PEI entrepreneur giving back, inspiring other women to follow dreams
SUMMERSIDE – “It was a challenge, as a woman. We tend to balance a lot of different things at once… but for that same reason I wanted my kids to see that this could be done,” she says.
Quitting has never been an option for Moyna Matheson.
After years of operating a home-based business, which allowed her to stay home with her young children, it was time for a new dream.
That was nearly a decade ago.
“It was a challenge, as a woman. We tend to balance a lot of different things at once… but for that same reason I wanted my kids to see that this could be done,” she says.
“This” being the founding of and continued success of Matheson’s café, Samuel’s Coffee House.
“I didn’t want to live my life without achieving this dream.”
Looking back on her original business plan, Matheson said she didn’t have all the answers.
“It’s interesting to look back on it now.
“There are walls we, as women and businesspeople, build around ourselves, and for my kids, I wanted them to see that you can do anything. We can do whatever we want and to go after things.”
Ten years after starting the business, knowing that she’s supporting her community by being an employer, a producer and a consumer of local goods, inspires her.
“I find it really empowering to say we are able to employ, you know, 18, 20 people. It’s a cycle back into the community.”
Last year, to mark International Women’s Day, Matheson started the Brewing for Better Balance fund to support women in business by granting $500 to a woman or women wanting to start their own business. Last year, there were two recipients of the award.
On Friday, the company announced a call for submissions for the 2020 instalment.
When asked what it was like to be the support person to someone else, she said it felt great.
“To be on that other side of the table but then to still be where they are by running my own business, it was really interesting.”
Through the process of deciding who would get the funding, Matheson focused on listening to the stories behind the people, not just the business plan.
“Sometimes, you just want someone to say, ‘All I want to do is listen to you and your story and hear how you’re going to do it and provide that business companionship if you need it.’ Starting a business and helping with the start of one is infectious – the fear and excitement.”
For Matheson, her mother is one of her greatest inspirations.
“She was a big believer in seeing (Samuel’s) happen. My dad was an entrepreneur and when she’d work with him, she’d always approach things with positivity, humour, and grace. She taught me that how you choose to approach things will dictate how it will go.”
No matter the problem or situation, Matheson believes there’s always a solution.
“You might not have the answers, but someone does. So, let those guards down, it might help you and you might be able to achieve that dream or goal.”