The Starter Company Plus program is funded by the government of Ontario and delivered by the Small Business Centre of Barrie, Simcoe County and Orillia. The program is designed to help entrepreneurs start, grow or buy a business. Participants receive mentorship from experienced business professionals, access to valuable training and networking opportunities, as well as the opportunity to pitch for up to $5,000 in micro-grants.
The Small Business Centre team is excited to share the companies they had the chance to work with this fall.
Meet Andrew and JustSimcoe.ca
With Just Simcoe, you can shop from hundreds of Simcoe County businesses all in one place – even including FREE same-day delivery on thousands of products! Andrew’s mission is to bridge the gap between shopping online and supporting our local economy by bringing local online brands together into a single, convenient marketplace, complemented with a local delivery service. Follow JustSimcoe.ca to uncover your new favourite local businesses and support local while enjoying the convenience and discoverability typically offered by larger multi-national corporations.
Just Simcoe, Just for Us: Shop Online and Support Local in One Virtual Hub
What is your favourite part about being an entrepreneur?
One of my favourite parts about being an entrepreneur is the ability to approach problems from a different perspective and challenge the status quo. When you're not bound by traditional methods or expectations, you get to reimagine how things can be done, often discovering solutions that others might overlook. Breaking norms and exploring unconventional approaches allows for innovation and creativity, which is incredibly fulfilling. It's exciting to take risks, experiment, and push boundaries in ways that can redefine how problems are solved.
What inspired you to start a business?
I’ve technically been self-employed since the first week of grade one, when I set up my own little enterprise at school—though that led to detention! That early experience sparked a pattern where most of the businesses I’ve started have stemmed from frustration with how things were done. For instance, I founded Just Simcoe because I was frustrated seeing consumers feel like they had to choose between the convenience of online shopping and supporting local businesses. I wanted to bridge that gap, offering a solution where people could do both.
What services/ products do you offer?
Just Simcoe is an online marketplace that is aiming to bring together thousands of local businesses in Simcoe County, offering consumers a seamless shopping experience where they can purchase from multiple local vendors in one transaction. We focus on providing a wide range of products, from everyday essentials to unique local goods, all available with free same-day delivery.
In addition to serving individual consumers, we also offer last-mile delivery solutions for B2B businesses, ensuring fast and efficient delivery to help local businesses streamline their operations and enhance customer satisfaction. This service allows businesses to focus on what they do best while we handle the logistics of getting their products to customers.
Who do you look up to for inspiration when it comes to either being an entrepreneur or your business?
When it comes to inspiration as an entrepreneur, I really look up to business elites like Sir Richard Branson. He’s someone who shook up major industries by challenging the norms, whether it was in music, airlines, or even space travel. His ability to think big and take bold risks, while staying true to his values, is something I admire deeply.
At the same time, I draw a lot of inspiration from local business owners. Their pure hard work, grit, and resilience, often with fewer resources, are what really fuel local economies. Seeing them navigate challenges day in and day out is a constant reminder of what it takes to build something meaningful.
How did you come up with your business name?
The name Just Simcoe came from the idea of being fully dedicated to serving Simcoe County, focusing on local businesses and keeping things simple. But the word "Just" carries a deeper meaning as well—it reflects the values of being morally right and fair. We believe in creating a marketplace that treats local businesses and consumers with fairness, something our direct competition definitely does not prioritize. It's about doing what's right for the community, not just what's convenient for big corporations.
What is unique about your business?
What’s unique about Just Simcoe is its deep commitment to supporting local businesses while offering the convenience of online shopping and free same-day delivery. Unlike larger platforms, our focus is exclusively on Simcoe County, allowing consumers to shop locally without sacrificing the ease they expect from e-commerce.
We also provide a seamless marketplace where customers can purchase from multiple vendors in a single transaction. On top of that, Just Simcoe’s last-mile delivery for B2B businesses is a standout feature, helping local businesses efficiently reach their customers. Our mission to keep revenue within the local economy and offer a fair alternative to major competitors sets us apart.
What’s the most surprising thing you’ve learned about yourself through your entrepreneurial journey?
One of the most surprising things I’ve learned about myself through my entrepreneurial journey is how much I’ve come to accept failure as part of the process. Early on, failure felt like a major setback, but over time, I’ve realized it’s actually a steppingstone to growth. I’ve failed many times in different ventures, but each time, it gets easier to bounce back. It’s taught me resilience and how to adjust quickly. Failure doesn’t mean the end, it’s just part of the path toward success, and that’s been an invaluable lesson.
What’s the best piece of advice you would give to another entrepreneur?
Never. Give. Up!
What do you hope to achieve through the Starter Company Plus program?
Through the Starter Company Plus program, I hope to walk away with a more solid business plan and a clear road map for Just Simcoe's growth. Many of my previous businesses were more of an owner/operator situation, where I was just focused on day-to-day operations without a structured plan. With Just Simcoe, things are different. This is a much bigger venture, and I know I need a well-defined strategy to scale it successfully. I’m looking to use this program to build that foundation and take the business to the next level.
Explore JustSimcoe.ca Today
To learn more about Andrew and JustSimcoe.ca, you can head to their website at www.JustSimcoe.ca. Follow JustSimcoe on social media to stay informed about their services.
- X (Twitter): https://x.com/justsimcoeca
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/justsimcoe
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/justsimcoe
Learn More About the Starter Company Plus Program
To learn more about the Starter Company Plus program, reach out to the Small Business Centre of Barrie, Simcoe County & Orillia today at smallbusiness@barrie.ca or 705-720-2445.