Name: Janet Di Bello

Occupation: Real Estate Broker — Di Bello Group Real Estate (Royal LePage Frank)

Advocate: Where in Kawarthas Lakes do you live and for how long?

Di Bello: Currently Lindsay. I have lived all over Kawartha Lakes – never anywhere else. Kirkfield, Woodville, Omemee, Fenelon Falls. I spent lots of time in Bobcaygeon for work in my 20s.

Advocate: Do you think small businesses in Kawartha Lakes are struggling or thriving right now?

Di Bello: Retail is challenging as are businesses which are in their infancy. We are also seeing a shift in the trades toward more reactive work versus proactive. Some businesses I am also seeing expand in their services, depending on the category too such as senior services.

Advocate: You must have seen businesses come and go over the years — what do you think determines who survives?

Di Bello: In Kawartha Lakes, your level of marketing, personal service, networking and community alignment makes a very big difference.

Advocate: What types of business do you think would do well in Kawartha Lakes?

Di Bello: More businesses that connect with adults 35–54 and where they are at in the family life cycle. Entertainment, experiences, services, retail, restaurants, and so on.