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 Matthew McMillan and Shelby Watch Company
Through Shelby Watch Company, Matthew McMillan specializes in building mechanical tool watches. Matthew started his business as a former Paramedic with a passion for repairing vintage timepieces and is a member of the American Watchmakers-Clockmakers Institute (AWCI). Shelby Watch Company’s first design, the MEDIC, is a First Response mechanical tool watch with pulsometer and asthmometer scales designed to measure heart and respiratory rates. Designed and assembled in Canada, these versatile timepieces ensure you always have the right watch for the job, do not require batteries, and will last a lifetime with regular service.
Keeping Time with Shelby Watch Company
- What is your favourite part about being an entrepreneur?
My favourite part of being an entrepreneur is creating something that doesn’t yet exist and sharing it with others.
- What inspired you to start a business?
I’ve started my own business to have more control over my time and what I do with it. I want to be able to spend time with my family and work from home.
- What services/ products do you offer?
I design, assemble, and sell mechanical tool watches under the brand Shelby Watch Company. Our first offering is called the MEDIC and was inspired by my time working as a Paramedic. This watch has a pulsometer and asthmometer to help measure heart rate and respiratory rate.
- Who do you look up to for inspiration when it comes to either being an entrepreneur or your business?
My wife Megan is one of my biggest inspirations. I’ve watched her grow her business, Setlist Marketing, from nothing into a fully fledged company with 7 employees. She is a finalist for Small Business of the year award through the Barrie Chamber of Commerce for the 2nd year running.
- How did you come up with your business name?
I’m a big fan of the show Peaky Blinders and the main family name is Shelby. I wanted my brand to harken back to that period (the 1920’s). Our watches are mechanical, and I get my design inspiration from vintage watches.
- What is unique about your business?
I offer unique designs and functionality in my watches. My brand focuses on mechanical tool watches, and we plan to have a line of different watches with varying designs and functions. We build in small batches and each watch is hand assembled.
- What’s the most surprising thing you’ve learned about yourself through your entrepreneurial journey?
I have learned that I have a lot of patience. Working around the timelines of others and reworking prototypes can take months at a time.
- What’s the best piece of advice you would give to another entrepreneur?
Just keep at it. There will be days where you feel like your business won’t be successful, but you just have to press on.
- What do you hope to achieve through the Starter Company Plus program?
I just want to learn more about running a business and the resources that are available for small businesses.
Explore Shelby Watch Company Today
To learn more about Matthew McMillan and Shelby Watch Company, you can reach out via email at matt@shelbywatchco.ca or head to their website www.shelbywatchco.ca. Follow Shelby Watch Co on social media to stay informed about their services.
Instagram: @shelbywatchco
Facebook: @Shelby Watch Company
LinkedIn: Shelby Watch Company
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.