South Shore entrepreneurs get a lift
Organization provides support, funds for local businesses
Two Lunenburg County entrepreneurs are grateful for a financial boost from an economic philanthropy venture called LIFT Lunenburg County.
According to a news release, the organization supports people who would like to start or grow a small business with a low-interest micro-loan of up to $10,000. LIFT also offers free business coaching by success agent and loan facilitator Evelyn Ernst and six volunteer advisors.
Visual artist Chanelle Jefferson approached LIFT to finance the third printing of her illustrated recipe book, My Nova Scotia Cookbook, published by Glen Margaret Publishing in 2018 when Jefferson was an 18-year-old university student.
“The first two printings sold well. I had a lot of people coming to me wanting the book, but I no longer had copies. At the time I did not have the funds to print the third edition,” Jefferson said.
Jefferson used the microloan from LIFT to pay for printing 2,000 copies of her book but did not stop there.
She also used LIFT funds to establish a gallery space in Lunenburg called 183 Lincoln St. to display her work and the work of other artists. Jefferies hosts dinners, brunches and even a multi-day retreat to build connections among emerging artists of all types.
On Aug. 14, the gallery will host a Makers Market for young entrepreneurs younger than 16. To register, go to https://www.chanellejefferson.com/event-details/ makers-market-registration.
Jefferson’s artwork can be viewed at: www.chanellejefferson.com.
“I think the best thing about LIFT is that it is very personal … the whole group of people want to see you succeed.”
LIFT has also helped Jefferson connect with a bookkeeper to help her business grow.
Tiffany Dubeau, of Mahone Bay, wanted to expand her cleaning business Fresh Fern Cleaning but was not sure how. Dubeau started the business in 2021, committed to reducing chemical and plastic waste without sacrificing topquality cleaning service.
“I’m offering them green cleaning solutions. A lot of my clients are very grateful I am not using chemicals. Everything is natural but also effective, so it is not sacrificing the quality of service,” Dubeau said.
She applied for funding from LIFT to finance her
plan to purchase equipment needed to expand the number of employees.
“I reached the point where I decided I can grow. The clientele is out there but I don’t have the means to upgrade my equipment or buy enough equipment to support a team as opposed to just myself,” Dubeau said.
She, too, appreciates the personal touch offered by LIFT.
“They are very attentive, very small business focused and community driven. It can be very scary to take that leap,” Dubeau said. “LIFT is very supportive. There is nothing about that process that made me feel like I’m on my own here.”
Ernst added, “there is money available from lots of sources. And what we try to do is develop a relationship with the small businessperson, so we are a resource to help them and give encouragement … It’s our aim to be comfortable and easy to approach. The entrepreneur really controls the direction of their business. But sometimes it’s nice to have a chat and get the feeling of ‘am I on the right track or not?’”