The City of Kawartha Lakes is supporting In Good Company with Wards Lawyers, a monthly podcast that shares the stories of local business owners and the people behind them, helping the show expand its reach across the municipality.

Rebecca Mustard, economic development manager with the city, said getting behind the podcast makes good business sense. “We’re always looking to understand the dynamics and the passion of business owners,” said Mustard. “And this show does just that…by giving them a different way to tell their own story to their customers, and to the community.”

That “different way” involves a format that doesn’t rely on a host asking questions.

Instead, it’s the business owners, and often their staff and customers, telling the story of the business, in their own voices, professionally mixed together around original music by local musician, Jeremy Van Halteren.

“We’ve been so pleased to hear how candid and open our guests have been,” said Melissa Wemyss, Wards Lawyers CEO and executive producer of the monthly podcast, which has featured a bake shop in Downeyville, a tree nursery in Pontypool and a hairstylist in Bobcaygeon, among others. “This really is a show about people – the people who help drive our local economy – and why they do what they do.”

Adds Mustard, “When (the city) invests in a show like this, it’s really a community-building activity.”

The city’s contribution means In Good Company will now be able to expand its reach in profiling small businesses owners. “We always strived to get beyond the main hubs of the Kawartha Lakes,” pointed out Wemyss. “Now…we’ll be able to go even farther to profile those businesses that have great stories to tell.”

Find the podcast on all streaming platforms, or ingoodcompanywithwardslawyers.podbean.com