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Pass The Puck: A Simple Idea Making a Big Impact in Brantford

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  Give a puck. Take a puck. Every assist counts. In Brantford, hockey is more than a sport. It is part of the community’s identity. For Steve Karalis, that connection became the inspiration for a simple idea designed to help people in a very different way — by using a hockey puck to bring a little kindness into the everyday lives of local residents. That idea is Pass the Puck Forward, a month-long pilot initiative launched in September that gives Brantford residents an opportunity to help someone else enjoy a meal, coffee, baked good or drink when they may need a little extra help. And the concept is incredibly simple. At participating local businesses, customers can purchase a mini hockey puck for $1 and place it in a “Give a Puck” jar. Those pucks are then made available in a “Take a Puck” jar, where another customer can use them toward a purchase. No complicated system. No lengthy application. Just a small gesture from one person that can make someone else’s day a little easier....
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Where Country Charm Meets Cocktail Hour: The Story Behind The Hitchin’ Post

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  For Rebecca Latour and her partner Ben, The Hitchin’ Post is more than just a mobile bar. It is the result of an idea that sat in the back of Rebecca’s mind for years, a lot of hard work, plenty of learning along the way, and a shared desire to create something of their own. Today, the couple are the co-owners of The Hitchin’ Post , a fully converted horse-trailer-turned-mobile-bar that brings a unique country-inspired cocktail experience directly to weddings, birthdays, corporate events, private parties and celebrations across the region. Their tagline, “Where Country Charm Meets Cocktail Hour,” perfectly captures what they have created. But the story behind the business started long before the trailer ever hit the road. Rebecca grew up working in her grandmother’s bakery. From a young age, she knew she wanted to eventually own a business of her own. For years, she assumed that business would be a bakery. She even remembers taking an entrepreneurship class in high school and lo...
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Pop Golf GTA: Bringing the Golf Course to You

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  What if you didn’t have to go to the golf simulator — what if the golf simulator came to you? That simple question is at the heart of Pop Golf GTA , a fully mobile golf simulator experience founded by two friends, Ranojan Yoganathan and Kabir Sangha . Launched in May 2026, Pop Golf GTA brings a premium virtual golf experience directly to weddings, corporate events, birthdays, bachelor parties, private parties, festivals, community events and more throughout the GTA and surrounding areas. Rather than asking guests to visit a traditional indoor simulator facility, Pop Golf brings the entire experience directly to the event. The team sets up a large inflatable golf simulator complete with launch monitor technology, a projector, simulator equipment and golf clubs for both left- and right-handed players. Their staff also remains on-site throughout the event to manage the experience from setup to takedown. And for those looking to add a little competition, Pop Golf can also run longest...
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Second Chances, Strong Roots, and Edible Art: The Story Behind Charcuterie Etc.

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  For Kristen Stemmler, food has always meant more than something to eat. It’s connection, creativity, culture, and comfort — a love language expressed through carefully curated charcuterie boards and edible art displays. Kristen is the owner of Charcuterie Etc., a business that began unexpectedly during the summer of 2020 and has since grown into something far bigger than she ever imagined. “In August of 2020 my mom and I wanted to gift friends that we were not able to visit,” Kristen explains. “I had seen this new charcuterie box trend, so I reached out to a couple businesses, but they wouldn’t service Brantford. So I said, ‘Okay, I’ll make them myself.’” What started as thoughtful birthday and engagement gifts quickly gained attention online after Kristen created an Instagram page to showcase her work. Orders began pouring in almost immediately. But success came with challenges. “After about a month, I was approached by the city and told I needed a licence and a health-certified...
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