Building a 20-Year Legacy in Downtown Stratford with Kelly Ballantyne and Mel Lang

Episode 3: Building a 20-Year Legacy in Downtown Stratford with Kelly Ballantyne and Mel Lang

Episode Duration: 45 minutes

Please note that there were technical difficulties on the audio side, so turn it up once Kelly and Mel start to chat. This episode contains 20 years of knowledge that you don't want to miss!

Kelly Ballantyne, chef and owner of Sirkel Foods, along with her wife Mel Lang, share their remarkable journey of building and sustaining a successful restaurant in downtown Stratford, Ontario for two decades.

Episode Highlights:

• The evolution of Sirkel Foods over 20 years in downtown Stratford
• Navigating business partnership changes and growth
• Leadership lessons learned from running a local restaurant
• Successfully pivoting from sit-down dining to takeout during the pandemic
• Candid discussion about imposter syndrome and women in business
• Behind the scenes of running a from-scratch kitchen in a tourist town
• Insights on business and life partnerships

About Our Guests:

Kelly Ballantyne is the chef and owner of Sirkel Foods, a beloved café in the heart of downtown Stratford. Known for its made-from-scratch menu and commitment to quality, Sirkel Foods has become a staple of the local dining scene under Kelly's leadership. Joining the conversation is Mel Lang, Kelly's wife and supporter in her business journey and genius in the Sirkel Foods' kitchen.

Key Takeaways:

• How adaptability and resilience helped transform business challenges into opportunities
• The importance of authentic leadership in the restaurant industry
• Strategies for managing major business transitions
• Real talk about overcoming self-doubt while building a successful business
• Balancing personal and professional relationships in business

Resources for Entrepreneurs:

Stratford Perth Centre for Business Website: https://www.stratfordperthbusiness.ca/ Email: [e-mail] Book a Free Consultation: https://airtable.com/app2gRqysORdgAAlp/shrN489caaX9MAifL

The Centre offers complimentary consultation and resources for new and established small businesses, including:

• Business start-up services
• Strategic planning
• Digital marketing strategies
• Educational workshops and events

Presented in partnership with the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario (FedDev Ontario)