#cindyward — Public Fediverse posts

CINDY WARD: ENTREPRENEUR EXTRAORDINAIRE

In a community that celebrates its innovators and business leaders, Cindy Ward’s story is one that stands out from the crowd. Ward is the founder and CEO of Dr. Ward’s Fresh Mists, a line of all-natural air, fabric and body refresher mists. The company is Ward’s first time building a consumer product brand, but it is far from the first business for the Kitchener born-and-raised entrepreneur. 

Her career has included stints as an auditor, stockbroker, restaurateur, behavioural economics researcher and competitor on CBC’s Dragon’s Den and CTV’s Master Chef Canada. 

“I think I have a real knack for grassroots business and invention. I love finding an idea that you want to pursue and then finding every possible creative way to get it done,” Ward said. 

Ward’s first experience with entrepreneurship was in high school as part of the Junior Achievement Program. She said while most Junior Achievement companies do not earn a profit, her company did. That experience was the first taste of success that inspired her to pursue new opportunities. 

“I’m just a glutton for experience and knowledge,” she said. 

Ward began her career as an auditor for Revenue Canada before becoming a licensed assistant for a broker at ScotiaMcLeod Wealth Management. Her next change was becoming a small business owner with the opening of The Art Forum on Queen St. in Kitchener. 

After the art store, Ward pivoted again to launch an office canteen service. While it was successful, getting up at five in the morning to prepare meals was not for her, and she sold the business. Over the next 10 years, Ward worked on a number of businesses, all while driving a taxi. It was during this period when her next opportunity presented itself. 

“I’ve always wanted to own a restaurant, and then I saw that the City of Kitchener was accepting applications for the Boathouse property in Victoria Park,” she said. 

Ward put together a business plan and proposal and shared it with her brother. Impressed with the plan, her brother offered her a loan to get started.  

“Once my proposal was accepted by the city, I was able to open the Boathouse for less than $13,000,” Ward said.  

During her run at the Boathouse, Ward became pregnant. She said that, while people have raised children in the business, it was not right for her. A lifelong student of psychology, Ward decided to return to university and pursue a degree. That turned into a nine-year journey where she earned her PhD in social psychology from Wilfrid Laurier University. 

“I loved it so much, so I just kept going. You’re always learning as you go,” she said. 

After graduating, Ward worked as a business consultant at a behavioural science company in Toronto advising large enterprises including Canadian Tire and the Royal Bank of Canada. She ran experiments about everything from button placement on a banking website to how to present point totals for a rewards program.  

“It was an exciting time. I’d been gaining [knowledge] over the years, and then I was learning about large scale consumer demographics. I decided that I wanted to build a multinational brand, something I’d always wanted to do,” she said. 

Ward started with an idea for a wooden hair stick brand but was soon inspired to take on an entirely different challenge due to her experiences wearing a mask during the pandemic. 

“My mask used to stink—whose mask didn’t? Then one day I was chewing gum and needed to put it somewhere. I stuck it in the corner of my face mask, and then when I put my mask back on—it smelled minty fresh,” she said. 

Ward went to work to develop a product for people to spray on their masks. She added that she has always preferred natural products, so instead of a harsh chemical-based scent, Ward investigated using essential oils. 

“They’re nature’s oldest medicines. They’re sustainable. They don’t just clean, they’re good for you,” she added. 

Fast forward six years and Dr. Ward’s Fresh Mists include products designed for freshening up cars, shoes, athletic equipment and, of course, washrooms. 

“One of the biggest challenges of my business is how to describe it. Do I describe it as a natural cleaning product that’s also good for you, or do I describe it as aromatherapy that also cleans?” she said. 

Ward pitched the business to the world on CBC’s Dragon’s Den in 2024. While she did not walk away with a deal, she did leave with new inspiration to build Waterloo Region’s small business support network. Ward noted that the pandemic showed the fragility of the local supply chain and presented an opportunity to build something stronger. 

“There are no pitch opportunities for non-tech companies. We need every type of business to build a healthy economy that can take a future blow,” she said.  

For Ward, the goal is bigger than selling more units of Fresh Mist. She wants to prove that physical manufacturing and small-scale entrepreneurship are just as vital to Waterloo Region as the next big app. 

CINDY WARD: ENTREPRENEUR EXTRAORDINAIRE

In a community that celebrates its innovators and business leaders, Cindy Ward’s story is one that stands out from the crowd. Ward is the founder and CEO of Dr. Ward’s Fresh Mists, a line of all-natural air, fabric and body refresher mists. The company is Ward’s first time building a consumer product brand, but it is far from the first business for the Kitchener born-and-raised entrepreneur. 

Her career has included stints as an auditor, stockbroker, restaurateur, behavioural economics researcher and competitor on CBC’s Dragon’s Den and CTV’s Master Chef Canada. 

“I think I have a real knack for grassroots business and invention. I love finding an idea that you want to pursue and then finding every possible creative way to get it done,” Ward said. 

Ward’s first experience with entrepreneurship was in high school as part of the Junior Achievement Program. She said while most Junior Achievement companies do not earn a profit, her company did. That experience was the first taste of success that inspired her to pursue new opportunities. 

“I’m just a glutton for experience and knowledge,” she said. 

Ward began her career as an auditor for Revenue Canada before becoming a licensed assistant for a broker at ScotiaMcLeod Wealth Management. Her next change was becoming a small business owner with the opening of The Art Forum on Queen St. in Kitchener. 

After the art store, Ward pivoted again to launch an office canteen service. While it was successful, getting up at five in the morning to prepare meals was not for her, and she sold the business. Over the next 10 years, Ward worked on a number of businesses, all while driving a taxi. It was during this period when her next opportunity presented itself. 

“I’ve always wanted to own a restaurant, and then I saw that the City of Kitchener was accepting applications for the Boathouse property in Victoria Park,” she said. 

Ward put together a business plan and proposal and shared it with her brother. Impressed with the plan, her brother offered her a loan to get started.  

“Once my proposal was accepted by the city, I was able to open the Boathouse for less than $13,000,” Ward said.  

During her run at the Boathouse, Ward became pregnant. She said that, while people have raised children in the business, it was not right for her. A lifelong student of psychology, Ward decided to return to university and pursue a degree. That turned into a nine-year journey where she earned her PhD in social psychology from Wilfrid Laurier University. 

“I loved it so much, so I just kept going. You’re always learning as you go,” she said. 

After graduating, Ward worked as a business consultant at a behavioural science company in Toronto advising large enterprises including Canadian Tire and the Royal Bank of Canada. She ran experiments about everything from button placement on a banking website to how to present point totals for a rewards program.  

“It was an exciting time. I’d been gaining [knowledge] over the years, and then I was learning about large scale consumer demographics. I decided that I wanted to build a multinational brand, something I’d always wanted to do,” she said. 

Ward started with an idea for a wooden hair stick brand but was soon inspired to take on an entirely different challenge due to her experiences wearing a mask during the pandemic. 

“My mask used to stink—whose mask didn’t? Then one day I was chewing gum and needed to put it somewhere. I stuck it in the corner of my face mask, and then when I put my mask back on—it smelled minty fresh,” she said. 

Ward went to work to develop a product for people to spray on their masks. She added that she has always preferred natural products, so instead of a harsh chemical-based scent, Ward investigated using essential oils. 

“They’re nature’s oldest medicines. They’re sustainable. They don’t just clean, they’re good for you,” she added. 

Fast forward six years and Dr. Ward’s Fresh Mists include products designed for freshening up cars, shoes, athletic equipment and, of course, washrooms. 

“One of the biggest challenges of my business is how to describe it. Do I describe it as a natural cleaning product that’s also good for you, or do I describe it as aromatherapy that also cleans?” she said. 

Ward pitched the business to the world on CBC’s Dragon’s Den in 2024. While she did not walk away with a deal, she did leave with new inspiration to build Waterloo Region’s small business support network. Ward noted that the pandemic showed the fragility of the local supply chain and presented an opportunity to build something stronger. 

“There are no pitch opportunities for non-tech companies. We need every type of business to build a healthy economy that can take a future blow,” she said.  

For Ward, the goal is bigger than selling more units of Fresh Mist. She wants to prove that physical manufacturing and small-scale entrepreneurship are just as vital to Waterloo Region as the next big app. 

THE BOATHOUSE IS BACK WITH A SPLASH

On Nov. 22, 2024, the Boathouse in Willow River Park welcomed an excited crowd of fans and local leaders to celebrate the venue’s grand opening.  

The restaurant and live music venue has undergone extensive remodeling and expansion since its lease was awarded to Walkinshaw Holdings, a group of local entrepreneurs, in 2022.   

During his remarks, Berry Vrbanovic, mayor of Kitchener, mentioned the musical acts who have performed at the Boathouse, including Steve Strongman, The Sheepdogs, Paul McCloud, Shannon Lynn and Mel Brown.   

“They transformed the Boathouse into a venue that promises to bring us together in ways that are both fresh and familiar, as a vibrant restaurant and a live music destination, and it’s been awesome to watch and appreciate it,” Vrbanovic said.  

The completely remodeled venue includes 2,800 square feet of dining and entertainment space and a 5,000 square foot patio that extends partially over the lake at Willow River Park. The Boathouse had a soft opening earlier in the week.  

James Barr, a partner of Walkinshaw Holdings, said it was an opportunity to celebrate with friends and family who have supported the team over the last two years.  

“We finally had the chance to sit back and enjoy. The food was great. The staff was super passionate and conscientious. Everyone seems to have this sense of ownership,” Barr said.   

The Boathouse was originally a two-storey structure built in 1929. A fire in 1967 caused significant damage, but the city was able to save the ground floor and replace the second story with a roof.   

Its time as a music venue began in the 1990s with a series of operators, including Cindy Ward and Kevin Doyle. Barr said their team received feedback and suggestions from Boathouse fans across different generations.  

“There’s definitely a lot of folks from around town who have been here through the eras of the Boathouse, and we got some good feedback. People have been surprised at the food and the decor,” Barr said. “It’s definitely a big change from what it was before.”  

The Boathouse has partnered with Good Co. Productions and Farm League Brewing to program its lineup of musicians and bands that will soon take the Boathouse stage.  

Amit Mehta, co-founder and partner at Good Co. Productions, said the team has put a lot of attention and thought into how music will return to the Boathouse.   

“It’s a really core part of Kitchener culture when it comes to music. We’re trying to make it a very flexible space so that it can showcase every genre possible,” Mehta said.  

“But it’s really all about having a bit of a blank canvas that folks can grow into,” he said. 

The Boathouse can accommodate up to 100 to 120 people for live shows. Mehta added that the venue’s patio space is also set up for concerts in the summer.  

While the Boathouse team prepares for the first live shows, Barr said he and his partners are enjoying seeing longtime and first-time Boathouse patrons come into the space. He added that they know expectations are high and are excited to bring something new to the community.  

“With spaces that have been in the community for a long time, there’s always going to be a kind of nostalgia for how it used to be—and maybe it should still be that way,” Barr said. 

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