Getting Real about Living and Working in Innisfil
A Candid Profile of Local Entrepreneur, Joy Adams
We’ve talked about how living and working in Innisfil is like a workcation. The activities, lifestyle and business opportunities make for a unique place to grow a start-up and one where you can truly master the work/life blend.
But the proof is in the pudding as they say, and so, we went out to entrepreneurs in Innisfil to ask for their honest answers. One of whom is Joy Adams.
Joy has lived and worked in Innisfil for more than seven years and is the CEO of Covenant Wealth Financial Services with the role of Group Benefits Advisor and Certified Cash Flow Specialist. As an entrepreneur herself, she knows the financial challenges all too well, which is why she works with entrepreneurs, small and medium sized companies to help them access affordable health and group benefits for their families and staff.
She is also the Director of South Simcoe Community Startup (SSCS). This non-profit social enterprise is a catalyst for entrepreneurs, town councils and stakeholders in the Innisfil, Bradford West Gwillimbury, Essa and New Tecumseth area. The goal of the SSCS is to build an entrepreneurial ecosystem in the region so that businesses can launch, grow and scale-up. They do this by providing resources, mentorship and networking for its members.
In these roles, Joy wears many hats, but both were made more rewarding due to the lifestyle she is able to achieve in Innisfil. Let’s take a deeper look at Joy’s work/life profile.
Why did Joy choose Innisfil to work and live?
It was initially the affordable housing prices that prompted Joy to consider a move to Innisfil in 2012, but she stayed because she fell in love with the community and the lake. She recently moved her business to Alcona because she wanted to grow her business around the financial planning needs of the community.
What’s the daily commute look like?
More like, what commute?! It’s a quick 5 minute drive from home to work for Joy, but like many Innisfil entrepreneurs, it wasn’t always like this. Many have spent hours stuck in traffic driving back and forth to Toronto. She’s glad the stress and costs involved in commuting are a thing of the past!
What are Innisfil’s hidden gems?
For doing business, Joy cites the Innisfil ideaLAB as a hidden gem. It offers excellent business resources that most entrepreneurs in the community can use at a limited or even free cost. When growing a scalable start-up, free or low cost resources can be a difference maker in the bottom-line. What’s to love about the ideaLAB?
- A digital media lab with high-end software for graphic design, recording podcasts and creating videos
- Quiet pods provide workspace
- Meeting rooms can be rented by the hour
- Technology training and workshops
- A laser cutter, vinyl cutter and 3D printer to bring your projects to life
And when not using the ideaLAB for business, Joy recommends it for families and kids. “It’s a fantastic place for kids to learn in a cool and fun way.”
What Innisfil restaurants do you love?
A self-admitted foodie, Joy is finding no shortage of options in the community. Her current faves are Fishbone Kitchen at Friday Harbour, Harbour House Grill at Lefroy Harbour Resort and Pasta Plus. For a quick bite, she will often hit up Miss Richie’s Kitchen Jamaican food truck.
Quick tip: Friday Harbour has many dining options that are open to the public. Beach Club Window, Pier Bar, Fishbone, Starbucks and more coming soon.
What’s the most exciting thing you’ve done in Innisfil?
For Joy, the excitement has been all about finding a way of connecting to the community by bringing people and ideas together. There are many like-minded entrepreneurs looking to build a scalable start-up in Innisfil, and thanks to resources like Nottawasaga Futures and the South Simcoe Community Startup, they don’t have to look (or drive!) too far to find them.
“South Simcoe Community Startup is truly a catalyst for growth and I am excited about what the future holds for our business community and the successful companies that will emerge out of it.”
What’s the most relaxing thing you’ve done in Innisfil?
At the end of a busy workday/week, the most relaxing thing for Joy is to sit on a rock or a picnic table and watch the boats in the harbour, while the sun sets in the background at Innisfil Beach Park.
“The view is breathtaking!”
What’re your favourite activities in Innisfil?
In the summer, it’s all about trail walking and hiking on the Rotary trails or finding a beachfront restaurant patio to relax, but in the winter, Joy switches into basketball mom mode and spends a lot of time on the road travelling to practice, games and tournaments.
For anyone looking to move or start their business in Innisfil, Joy can confidently say that work/life blend is attainable, it’s a supportive business community and it’s an excellent place to raise a family.
“I moved both my family and business to the community and I have absolutely no regrets. Living in Innisfil is truly a better quality of life. I love the lake and the wonderful sense of community.”
Yes, it’s possible to be like Joy and find joy living and working in Innisfil. Join our mailing list to keep up to date on all our events, programs, workshops, and more!
