the artist
Hi, I’m Stephanie.
I am a neutral-loving work-from-home parent raising babies & businesses at the same time. I enjoy relaxing with a frozen margarita or snuggling up on the couch for a romcom.
I believe thrifting could be considered a sport, going on adventures with my family is all the exercise I need, and collecting hobbies & new skills IS my favourite pastime.
The story
I moved to Almonte a few months before my second child was born, so that first year was spent mostly indoors or exploring whatever I could walk to. My post-pandemic people-loving heart needed more!
I began doing more research on what cafes, shops, and activities had baby-friendly options. My search quickly expanded to neighbouring towns, and I was lucky enough to find so many amazing businesses and opportunities to leave the house.
So the project that started as Fun Things To Do in Almonte with Kids, combined with my love for meeting new business owners, has transformed into a small business showcase of amazing local people and places to visit within Lanark County.
The mission
The goal of the #HeartsOfLanarkCounty series is three-fold, and so much deeper than simply showcasing local charm:
- As a professional who works primarily with families, I am often asked for various recommendations in my area, and while I have my favourites, I want to be able to offer options for my clients to choose from.
- I thrive on meeting new people, and a core value of mine is nurturing my network, so I am leveraging my skills as a professional photographer to build my connections.
- Clients are better than customers. Technically speaking, a customer is someone who buys something from you once and you never hear from them again, whereas a client is someone with whom you have multiple touchpoints, the opportunity to help more than once with your service/product, and dare I say the chance to make a new friend.
The list
I will be starting with crowd-favourites and local community nominations, and will be updating the ever-expanding list below as I go.
If you’ve got a small business in Lanark County and want to get in on the series, I want to hear from you!
Your business could be next!
Do you run a business in Lanark County that you think brings small-town charm to your area? Do you want to nominate a hidden gem that deserves some extra love?
