Solo Episode | One Year of At Home Podcast

In this special episode of At Home in Waterloo Region, Cher reflects on one year of sharing local stories and supporting businesses in Waterloo Region. This episode celebrates the milestone of reaching 29 episodes and highlights key lessons learned from interviewing local business owners. Cher also shares her favourite moments from the past year and discusses her hopes for the future of the podcast.

In this episode you will hear:

• [00:37] Cher reflects on how it feels to hit the one-year milestone
• [02:22] Five things I’ve learned from interviewing local businesses:
  • The power of community
  • Collaboration over competition
  • The importance of taking a leap of faith when starting a business
  • Serving this region with passion
  • The importance of evolving and pivoting in business
• [06:10] Cher shares her favourite moments and stories from past interviews
• [06:28] Ainsley from Harp + Finn shares the importance of measuring success by personal fulfillment.
• [07:51] Jackie from Den 1880 discusses the rich history of the building and its role in supporting local businesses
• [08:48] Banter with Sarah from MCAT Social and Amanda from Saltbox Mortgages
• [09:33] The inspiring origin stories of:
  • Suits and Sawdust (service industry transition)
  • Grazing Daisy (stay-at-home mom to thriving business)
  • Fearless Cookin’ (pivoting to private chef services)
  • Becks Broth (building a successful business with integrity)
• [17:13] Cher discusses the importance of supporting local businesses like Holly's Cafe and community-owned butchers
• [19:35] Cher shares her thoughts on slowing down and visiting local spots like farmers markets and butchers
• [20:20] Cher shares her recommendations for listeners who are looking to try something new this year. There is truly something for everyone.
• [27:45] Cher’s hopes for the next year of the podcast, including exciting guests and new content that is coming
• [29:52] Cher thanks listeners and shares her gratitude for the support over the past year

Do you know a business that should be on the podcast? Send me a DM and I would love to shine light on another business who makes our community amazing!!

Thank you for celebrating one year of the At Home in Waterloo Region Podcast!

Connect with Cher:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/at.home.co

Website: www.athomecompany.ca

Let's Connect:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/at.home.co
Website: www.athomecompany.ca
Email Community: https://athomeco.myflodesk.com/podcast
Contact: hello@athomecompany.ca

Thank you to our Sponsors:

• Amanda Walczyk, Mortgage Agent | Level 2 license at Dominion Lending Centres National Ltd, FSRA #12360
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/saltboxmortgage_agent
Contact: Amanda@saltboxmortgages.com
519.497.9256

• Den1880
Website: https://www.den1880.co
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/den1880.co

Transcript

SPEAKER_00 0:00

Hello and welcome to the At Home in Wirley Region podcast. I'm your host, Cheryl Getz. The purpose of this podcast is to shine a light on what makes this region special: the people. We will hear from inspiring locals and business owners, their stories and their goals. Whether you are born and raised here, are new to the area, or something in between, join us as we get to know who is part of making our home in Waterloo Region so wonderful. Hello and welcome to an episode of At Home in Waterloo Region that's a little different. Today's going to be a solo episode. I'm not interviewing anybody because today is our one-year anniversary. It was March 6th, 2025, when the first episode went live. And uh today's March 5th that I am recording it, which feels so surreal. Um, today's gonna be the 29th episode, I believe, which means we have now interviewed and released 25 episodes interviewing different local businesses, which sounds like a lot, but then in the same breath, I'm like, oh my gosh, I feel like I'm just getting started. Like only 25 businesses, that's it. There's so much more to feature. So um, I'm just gonna talk through, you know, some different things about what I've seen and observed and heard over the last year, and uh look forward to another year of showcasing local businesses. So, out of all of the businesses, if you haven't listened to every episode, I mean, we have such a variety that I've interviewed. We have service-based, product base, everything from you know, a florist to a mortgage agent to someone who makes soaps, uh ice cream, someone who runs a therapist clinic, a natural path, uh, contractors, like you name it. We've hit so many different types of businesses, which is so fun to hear all of the differences, but honestly, so much of the same similarities as well, which is really cool. And five things I've learned from interviewing all of these different types of local businesses is first and foremost, our community is the secret ingredient. Everybody is obsessed with the fact that they were lucky enough to land in the Waterloo region, get their business idea here, and grow it here. They attribute so much of their success to the fact that it is based in Waterloo Region. Some of them have gone much farther after starting it here, but they always bring it back to how much they appreciate the culture we have in this region for starting it. And one of those is another lesson I learned, which is you know, collaboration over competition. Always so many of them noted that they felt really encouraged, they felt really welcomed, that people in the same industry and the same city reached out and said, Hey, let me know if you need any help. And that is huge. Another lesson that I learned is that most businesses, all businesses to be honest, started with a pretty big leap of faith. If you listen back, you will realize that so many of them started out of a need, out of a desire, out of a passion, out of just a likeness for something, uh, something missing in the industry. It was all from a leap of faith that they were like, I want to start this. And they just did it. And some of them just went full on, quit their jobs, started the business, went for it. The other thing that I learned was people cared deeply about serving this region. So many of the businesses that I interviewed talked about how they just want to do the best they can for their community. So many of the decisions that they make is from a place of serving their community and doing what's best for them. And last but definitely not least, a huge common thread in every single one of the businesses is that they evolve. They're always evolving, they're always pivoting to the point where I remember when I interviewed Suits and Sawdust, and a couple months later, the episode came out. And I messaged the girls and I was like, I'm having full body chills listening to this episode because when I asked you, like, what do you want to accomplish in the next like couple of years? Just in those couple of months, I was like, girls, you have almost accomplished every single one of those things. And then when I interviewed Sandra from Fearless Cooking, like she was in such an interesting place in her business where she had the spices, she was thinking about serving business owners. And now she has a booked-out overflowing demand business for a in-home, personal, private chef company that integrates her spices into the cooking. Like we are seeing pivots left and right. And I just love that they are giving fellow business owners who listen to this permission to do that, permission to pivot. Because just because you started in one way, if it's not feeling right, you're allowed to do something different. You know, it's our business and it's our life. So I very much appreciated how much that commonality, that common thread kept coming up. Okay. Now I want to talk about some of my favorite moments. I have a favorite moment probably in every single episode. So I tried to narrow it down to different like categories. So one of which was um a surprising story. So I interviewed the owner of Harp and Fin, Ainsley. And I think the most surprising story that we heard from her that I think is such a common story that isn't talked about enough, is the fact that when the outside looks really successful, it doesn't mean the inside is successful. And never to make any sort of assumptions about what's going on behind closed doors because you really never know. I think it's also a valuable lesson to tell ourselves that how we feel is the true definition of success and not any order, any other sort of metrics like how much revenue we're bringing in, or, you know, how many clients we have or how many employees we have. The true definition of success is actually how we're feeling in our business and how the people we are serving are feeling as we serve them. So that was a surprising story that I hope gets repeated over and over again. Cause it's really similar to my story where where my business looked the most successful on the outside, it felt the least successful on the inside and at home. And I've made like very cognizant changes in my life and my business to make sure that you know it feels as good as it looks. The other surprising story was honestly like interviewing Jackie from Den 1880 because just learning the history of that building. Dent 1880 is one of the places that I work out of, I record out of. I love the team there. I've done amazing events there with their help. That is uh helping the local community shining a spotlight and helping local business owners there and learning the history, the vast different history throughout that building. And then the vision that it was required to create what they created. Man, like that is a true, true talent, unlike anything I've seen. So super, super proud of that interview and loved learning more about it. And I think so many of our buildings around Waterloo Region have such a rich history that we should learn more about. A funny moment, there was lots of lulls in like all of the interviews, but just when I think about the people who I have like amazing banter with that I laugh really hard with outside of the interviews, that probably comes through in like the casualness of the interviews, is with Sarah from MCAT Social. She does amazing social media for local businesses. And Amanda, one of the sponsors of the podcast from Saltbox Mortgages, because we're so close out outside of business as well. So I think like it's really easy to laugh through the interviews and hopefully it also makes like you guys, the listeners, laugh when you're listening to. Another favorite moment was uh the category a business origin story that stuck with me. And I would have to say it suits and sawdust. I loved hearing that they came from the service industry. I think they were working at a the Cambridge Hotel or something like that. And one of them went to the other one, their partners in life and in business. And one of them went to the other one and said, like, I just quit my job. And they kind of had like a holy, holy moly moment. And what they have built from that is so inspiring and so loved in our community. I remember I helped a client buy a house and they needed a fence because they had a dog. And I said, You got to reach out to Suits and Sawdust. They're amazing. And they said, Well, you know, the the neighbor has a fence at the back of the property that we're gonna be sharing with. So we're also gonna ask them who they got their fence with because it would be nice, like if the quality and aesthetic matched, and then maybe they had a good experience or a bad experience, and that and that'll help us make a decision. And I said, Of course, you should always get like as many quotes as as you feel comfortable with. And of course, they went to the neighbor, and the neighbor said, Oh my gosh, we got it done by Suce and Sada's. You have to get it done by Susan Sada. So it's just so fun watching a company, you know, start from nothing to people in the service industry, and now they have multiple employees. Now they have a very high demand, they've evolved over years and years in the business. Um, you know, I know that they've been through lots of tests and they've worked through that together. And I'm just super proud of them. Uh, they remind me a lot about the renovation company, Tyler Maid, um, who, you know, I recently helped move out to Alberta. So unfortunately, the region has lost them. But they remind me of them so much because of when how loved they are by the people that they have served and how recommended that they then come. I guess that deeply inspired me. That would be two uh Senum from Grazing Daisy. I'm so inspired by her. Um, I think her story started off with, you know, being a stay-at-home mom in her kitchen, thinking, man, if anything happened, I wouldn't have anything. And then just wanting to take action with something that she's super passionate about. And then boom, she had a thriving business, which I have used multiple times. I have been to events where they have used her, and then I have suggested her uh for friends' events. My my uh friend's wedding used her, and it was fantastic. And I think she has also since uh hired some help to keep up with the demand. She has also started like workshops, and so that was truly inspiring just to see like a fellow mom with young kids being like, I want to take control of my life, make my kids proud, and also, you know, create some security for myself. I found that really inspiring. And then Sandra from Fearless Cooking, who I've mentioned before, she has always inspired me. I love her integrity and intention behind her spices. I think she's a genius business owner. And now that she has pivoted into um, she's just always remained open to like what's next for me. What's next? How can I serve more and how can I serve better? And now that she's doing this private, personal, in-home cooking, which I've experienced, and oh my gosh, guys, come on, you need to experience this as well. It was amazing. It was like having a Nona in my home, it was so beautiful, and we ate so well. I loved it. Um, I just find her so inspiring because she has such strong values. So, I mean, it's hard to narrow down everyone's so inspiring. The other one I would say is Beck's broth. Oh my gosh! Like, what a powerhouse! This business, I think they just did their first round of um of gaining investors. She dreams so big. And again, let's talk about integrity behind her product is phenomenal. And she's just hustling, she's doing the dang thing. But what I respect is how she's doing it differently. She spoke in that interview about how Monday, I think it was Monday at like 11 a.m. or something like that, they have a team meeting, but a huge part of that team meeting is finding out where the team is at in their lives. And she, I just love that culture. Like she's just building this massive business to be toe-to-toe with these other huge businesses, but she's doing it her way and and she's having fun. And I think we're seeing this huge pivot in businesses where they are now being like, if this isn't fun, I don't want to do it. Because, like, why the heck am I doing it anyways? Like, I started a business to, you know, be in control of my own life, and I'm actively choosing to do something that I'm not having fun in. Where when I'm in control, why not have fun doing it? Right? Why not build it in a way where I'm having fun? So they are having so much fun. They're having photo shoots at like campgrounds. They did this ode to spice girls, I think, with like their pumpkin spice drop. Man, like it's been so inspiring to watch that business grow way outside of just our region and our province and our country. So that is very cool. Just a quick break to thank the sponsors that make this podcast possible. Amanda Walchuk, also known as Saltbox Mortgage Agent, with a level two license at Dominion Lending Center's National Limited, FISRA 12360. Amanda is a passionate mortgage professional on a mission to educate clients about mortgages. She ensures her clients benefit from trust, confidence, and the security of knowing that they are getting the best mortgage for their needs. If you've got mortgage questions, Amanda's got the answers. Be sure to check the show notes for her contact information. Welcome to Den 1880, Uptown Waterloo's premier, boutique, co-working, and event space. Step into a workspace that fuels ambition and sparks connection. Den 1880 offers a variety of memberships with everything from hot desks to private offices. They've got the perfect setup for freelancers, entrepreneurs, and growing teams. Think beautifully designed spaces, curated programming, and all the amenities you need, including unlimited coffee. Need to host? Den 1880 sets the stage for meetings, workshops, and unforgettable events. They even have a fully equipped podcast studio in a vault. Come see the benefits of working in a community. Explore the memberships or book a tour at den1880.co today. Something that I asked my guests is, you know, shout out local businesses. And so a couple have come up that over and over and over again. And I would say Holly's Cafe is one of them, which honestly just makes me want to like open an in-home cafe so badly because it is such a vibe. And now I think this region needs like a hundred of them. It is so cool in there. Everyone's so kind. The food is also unlike other cafes. I love their meatballs, for example. They also have really good sandwiches. So if you haven't tried Holly's, that's a coffee shop must-try. A restaurant that is on my list. I don't think I've been there for like quite a few years now. And so I need to go back based on recommendations and how many times it came up was 271 West. Something that I would like this region to try more of is your local butcher. We have so many amazing butchers because we are so grateful to be surrounded by so many amazing farms. So I know it might be an extra stop in your weekly routine, but I truly feel that what makes this a community is those extra spots that are smaller, that are community-owned, that you get to know the people behind the counter. They get to know you. You know, you're like, I really want to try like a brisket. And then, you know, they can give you the meat, they can give you some tips, they tell you, should it be a shoulder, should it be a thigh? I don't know. I'm not a huge cook, but I'm just telling you, like, that is what makes life beautiful. Is those stops, is, you know, getting to know people, is sharing your story, your plans for the weekend, is getting custom advice to make what your plan is even better. And then you have that many more stories to tell other people that you meet up with for the next week about how you went to the butcher. You really wanted to make this. They actually gave you this tip, and it was a game changer for your recipe. So out of a year of this podcast, one of like the things I really want more people to do is visit those local stores more like a butcher, um, like our farmers' markets. We have just such high quality um in those categories that I think we should all take a minute, slow our lives down, pick a day where we just get to peruse the markets, the butchers, and get to know more of our local people rather than going into the big grocery stores, not talking to anybody, checking out, and just focusing on being like fast. Let's focus on community more. Okay, so a new try that I suggest people do is um I put Bex broth on there because if you haven't tried her products, I suggest you do. Bone broth. It's bone broth drinks. So it comes in a powder and it's hot chocolate, matcha, coffee, and then they do like other flavor drops, and it has protein in it, and it has uh bone broth in it, which has so many health benefits. So it's wonderful to replace your morning coffee with, it's wonderful to replace like your bedtime drink with the hot chocolate, it's so amazing. The matcha at like your 1 p.m. Like pick me up, and you're getting protein, and you're getting the benefits of bone broth. So that's a must-try if you haven't already. And then like something new and interesting is um to try the services that my friend Brittany Schmidt offers. She talked a lot about uh first of all, she's a psychic medium. I think she is an in, if I remember, an intuitive coach. Um, and she can also like help people tap into their gifts that she has. Um, but she talked about, I remember she brought up what was it called? Holy fire Reiki, I think, which is like, whoa, what's that? Um, and so if you've just like never dabbled in the energy work, energy world, that is my suggestion for your new try in 2026. You know, I have heard pretty powerful stories about this energy work that people might look at and and gawk at, but if you Try it and it works, then why does it matter? Right? We believe in things that we can't see and totally understand all of the time. So that's something I would suggest. If you want, if you have a goal where you're like, I want to get out more in the community and have more fun. Then uh if you are a mom, we have KW Mom's Club. If you want to get out without the kids, we have uh something beyond mom. I interviewed the owners and founders of both of those, and they do amazing, amazing events. And then if you are just looking for things to like do with the kids, they're also a great resource to reach out and be like, hey, you know, we're really struggling over here, like mentally, we need to find activities to do. Like, do you have ideas? Those ladies are just amazing, and they would always pour into uh the families of this region, get them out and about. Um, and then following an account like the local advocate, who I interviewed on the podcast, she is always interviewing on Instagram local businesses, featuring them. Then she asks the local business owners, you know, what's your favorite burger in the region? What's your favorite taco in the region? Things like that. And so that just like keeps going and going and going in terms of other places you can discover. So if that's on, you know, 2026 goal list to get out in the community more, that's the account that you need to follow for sure. And then if you are a uh business owner, I am putting on events that help business owners, you know, meet fellow business owners. I've also recently joined the uh commerce again, the chamber of commerce. I was part of it years ago. I found I didn't have time to attend the events. Uh, they reached out again. I joined again. Um, something fun is I was actually nominated for I think it was the community builder of the year. So really excited to go to the gala later this month and see all of the amazing winners of all of the different categories. Um, but if you're a fellow business owner, I see their emails now as a member, and I just can't believe how much they put on for us to meet each other and network. So now I want to chat a little bit about what I hope this podcast does for the community, just to take it back to the reasons why I started it. This community is responsible for my amazing life. This community has constantly showed up for me in my personal life, in my businesses. And I just want to always make sure that I am giving it as much as it has given me. I don't know if I'll ever be able to, but man, I am just so grateful that in 1997 my parents decided to move us here. And funny enough, when I had the opportunity to go to university, I chose Laurier. And my parents were so shocked because I was a huge traveler. Like through high school, I went on tons of school trips um to Europe, to Africa. And I was like, no, I just want to stay here. I want to, this is my home. And so I went to Laurier and um then I did end up doing a program in Toronto that wasn't offered here after my stint at Laurier. I traveled, lived in Australia for a bit, and I was like, I can go anywhere now. And I think where I want to go is back home. And so I decided to come back to Waterloo Region, and I'm so grateful for that decision because I'm so grateful for my life here. It's just unbelievable. Surrounded by such wonderful people. Of course, the mission of the podcast is to support local. The mission of the podcast is to help you discover new places in a deeper way. So when you are, you know, going to forall for ice cream, you know why she started that. You know the story behind all the ingredients that she very intentionally chose for her ice creams. So it's just like I want to deepen the connection in this region. So you're not just discovering the new places and supporting them, but you feel something for them. You feel like you know them and you feel like you're part of something that's bigger than yourselves. That's really what I want. And just to have a small part in the platform of helping business owners share their story. Because, you know, when you start the business, your story is a pretty big part of it. Sometimes it's not at all because they don't see the importance of their story where I see a huge importance of their story. Maybe their story's on their website, on the about page or something. But I think that businesses should never stop sharing their story so that we just feel more connected to them. We see ourselves in them, and we're that much more excited to support them because your story is so powerful. Okay, so things to come in the next year, year two of the at home in Waterloo Region podcast. I'm gonna continue with the guests. I look back at my guest, I don't have one male, which I laughed. I thought it was so funny. It was not on purpose. Just happens to be so many of my friends who own businesses are women. I think women are just booming in this town, which is amazing. I love that. But there are some uh male-owned businesses that I love. I'm obsessed with. One of them is my personal trainer. His name is Connor. He owns Faziac Fitness. And uh, I need to have him on because he is just such a dynamic character. He is beyond passionate about what he does and has very uh passionate opinions about how he does it and why he does it. So I can't wait to have him on. Um, also having an amazing photographer, uh, Chris from Click Photography. And I interview uh Kathleen Beach, who is a financial planner. She is going to, I am so passionate about this, which if you listen to previous episodes, one specific specifically with Amanda from Saltbox Mortgages. I am so passionate about us like taking the reins of our uh personal finances. So I'm gonna have her on and just continue interviewing amazing local business owners. I really want to thank my guests because they took over an hour out of their very busy day to come on the podcast, be asked questions, and uh, you know, they were they allowed their story to be out there to be listened to by everyone. So I really want to thank my guests who took the time, and they were also very honest, transparent, and sometimes very vulnerable. So thank you for that. I also want to thank you, the listeners. I am always so amazed when I get this little email about like how many listeners you got this week or how many downloads your episodes got. And I just can't believe that people are choosing to spend uh their precious time with us. But I'm so grateful because I truly just want to shine light on our local people, our local businesses, our local stories. Um, it's not about me. I know you're not listening for me. You are listening for them, and I want it to stay that way. And uh before I end our one-year anniversary episode, I also want to invite you to suggest businesses to come onto this podcast. And so you can DM me on Instagram, you can uh, which is probably linked in the show notes of the episodes. Um, you can email me. You can um just send these pod this podcast, honestly. Like however you're listening to it, you can just send it to the business owner and say, hey, like I really think that this would be an amazing spotlight for you to go on and share your story and share your business and you know just get promoted because you deserve it and and I love you. So um, whichever, however, it feels great for you and you know, you as the business owner or the business that you love, um, please send them my way somehow. Cause I would love to just continue to shine light on who is the heartbeat of this region, truly, who makes this region amazing, which is a huge part of that is the local businesses. So thank you for listening for a year. Thank you for uh suggesting more businesses to come on. And uh I hope you enjoy another year of these interviews with local businesses that make our region special. Thank you for tuning in to the At Home in Waterloo Region podcast. It's been a pleasure sharing another incredible story with you. If you've enjoyed this episode, be sure to subscribe and leave a review. It helps us reach even more people who love this community as much as we do. To stay up to date on new episodes and everything Waterloo Region from the housing market to community events, follow at Home Co. on Instagram and join our email newsletter community, both linked in the show notes. Until next time, take care of each other and let's keep celebrating the stories that make this region home.