The road to entrepreneurship

Reporter Natalie Paddon checks in with local owners who share their insights and tips for navigating the road ahead

THEY WERE GENEROUS IN SHARING their stories for this month’s cover story, including how they got started, what came as a surprise, and what they would do differently if they were to start all over again.

Being part of a great team. Working hard. Following your passion.

These are just a few of the common themes that emerged from talking with these businesspeople about their paths to success.

They represent a cross-section of Hamilton’s entrepreneurial landscape: women and men, ranging in age from their 20s to 80s, working in fashion, automotive, investment management and other fields.

We hope the wisdom of these pioneers offers inspiration and ideas to those looking to chase their own business dreams in 2017.

BEN GOULD

MILLI GOULD’S SON

She’d watch the evangelists on Sunday morning because she thinks they’re the best sales people. And I think she’d get inspired, and then she’d say, ‘I should call somebody.’

SAM MERCANTI

CARSTAR AUTOMOTIVE

You have to inhale it – truly believe in it. Then choose the right people that will go the distance with you. Your vision has to become their vision.

JACKIE PENNER

JACKIE PENNER EVENTS

It’s about the small wins. So you know getting our own space and moving the office outside the house, that was a challenge that we overcame.

LEXI MILES

WAXON WAXBAR

With WAXON, I’m more than happy to put in the time because I see the potential that it has and the impact that we’re making as we’re growing.

JOE ACCARDI

FORGE AND FOSTER

If you have the mentality that you’ve made it, things will start to deteriorate really fast.

KRISTEN WOOD

THE TEN SPOT

You’re probably living your Plan B now, so if you’re already in your worst case scenario then you might as well try for your best case scenario and go for your Plan A.