Alexandra Zaharia - Jolie Bras and Lingerie

At Jolie Bras and Lingerie, owner Alexandra Zaharia has ensured that her clients truly do come first which is very evident by the many testimonials on the website of this new Cambridge business. ‘Visiting her store is like getting a dose of body image self-esteem’ is just one example of the positive accolades that jump out to any visitor. Besides offering an extensive list of products both in-person and online, Alexandra also offers something else: old-fashioned customer service. One client noted how Alexandra delivered her order to the door and offered to pick it up rather than having that customer make the trip herself. This type of customer service is rare and not to be overlooked.

Angela Englander - Ways to Wellbeing

What began as a dream in 2013 to provide a safe place for people to heal from traumatic and overwhelming experiences, has become a reality for Angela Vandommele, a trained psychotherapist. In 2017, that dream evolved from a site where people could get information about mental health and trauma into a centre where people could go to in order to heal. The arrival of the pandemic did not dampen the need for mental health assistance and resulted in the need for a major pivot as Ways to Wellbeing went online. In the midst of this change, Angela also spearheaded the filming of a documentary about healing and created several online courses to help those in need. But the dream isn’t over. In fact, the next stage in the works is the creation of a healing centre in Cambridge with hopes of creating a ripple effect of healing throughout the community.

Chelsey Linton - Diamond Cut Hair Salon

Dedication and her unstoppable entrepreneurial spirit have made Chelsey Linton’s Diamond Cut Hair Salon, and now her new lifestyle brand Une Era, a success. In two years, she’s become a big winner of the Cambridge Times Readers Choice Awards by using her more than 10 years of experience spent in Los Angeles working as an artistic educator and colourist with Pravana to bring a level of professionalism to her salon. She has continued that work through the launch of her lifestyle brand Une Era, which offers affordable and socially-responsible products – created by women - to her growing list of clients.

Craig Amo - CamoIT Solutions

Providing the widest selection of operating systems, networks and databases has been the key to the success for Craig Amo at  camoIT Solutions. This is a young Cambridge company that strives to ensure any small to mid-size business will have all their IT needs met at highest level of quality. The company was created with passion and determination as a proven leader in the IT industry. By offering 24/7 IT support, its clients are guaranteed to receive the best service possible. The goal at camoIT Solutions is provide an experience that is tailored to each company’s needs, regardless of budget. If you can imagine it, camoIT Solutions can make it happen.

Jerome Reid - Daily Fitness Jr.

Getting fit and staying fit means a lot to Jerome Reid. For more than three years, this certified trainer has been helping people get healthy through his online fitness coaching. Long before the pandemic, Jerome had already been working remotely daily creating workout programs that continue to improve the quality of his clients’ lives. With the arrival of COVID-19, unlike many businesses, he has seen his client list expand and has been more than happy to assist these people reach their fitness goals and coach them to a healthier lifestyle.

Nicole Ranton - NJR Beaute Studio

Cambridge native Nicole Ranton never imagined she would own her business but that all changed in 2017 after the beauty business she began in a room in her home took off. She quit her full-time job, even though she had just become a new mom, to pursue this venture which she rebranded in 2019 and built a full studio in her basement. Learning new things when it comes to serving her clients is important to Nicole and in the fall of 2020 expanded her work by renting a room from DERMA LUXE Laser & Skin inside the Cloud Nine Spa and now offers lash lifts, facials and laser hair removal. Growth is important to Nicole but so is maintaining close ties with not only her clients, but the community as well which is evident by the donations and giveaways she has organized to help families in need. And even though the pandemic has made things tough, her passion and commitment has not changed.

Shane Gray - Rio Nectar

As founder and CEO of Rio Nectar, Shane Gray has made it his personal mission to provide a casual dining experience with a heavy emphasis on quality. He believes strongly that eating healthy doesn’t have to be a bland experience and offers great tasting fare that provides the nutrients your body needs. As a paramedic and a self-studied nutritionist who enjoys food, Shane spent several years before opening his first location in Cambridge two years ago studying what foods are best. This past year he opened a second location in Guelph, again using the same principles based on quality and casual, with plans in the works for a further expansion this summer.