Food Specialist Profile: Small Business & Entrepreneurship Centre – A Division of WindsorEssex

Meet Aparna Krishnamoorthy, Business Advisor at the Small Business & Entrepreneurship Centre, a division of Invest WindsorEssex.

Tell us a bit about yourself and your role.

I am an economist by training and a Business Advisor at the Small Business & Entrepreneurship Centre, a division of Invest WindsorEssex. In this role, I work with entrepreneurs from diverse sectors and at various stages of growth, helping them navigate business planning, market readiness, funding opportunities and connections to relevant resources. I also coordinate the Starter Company PLUS program and, as a food business specialist, have coordinated the Foodpreneur Advantage Scale-Up program for our region since 2021. Through this work, I’ve had the opportunity to support a fantastic group of consumer-packaged goods businesses, including Montañeros Coffee, Cedar Valley, Grape Leaves Food and Hyena Brew Company. I often think of my role as being similar to a lighthouse: providing guidance, clarity and direction to entrepreneurs as they navigate the often-turbulent waters of starting and growing a business.

What inspired you to work with food and beverage businesses?

The food and beverage sector is a true powerhouse, deeply connected to cultural identity, community and global trade. As the largest manufacturing employer in Canada, it also plays a vital role as an economic anchor. Supporting businesses in this sector is incredibly rewarding because each entrepreneur brings so much passion to creating a quality product that reflects their vision, values and purpose. What inspires me most is their resilience — their ability to swim against the tide, continuously innovate and elevate their products so they can deliver the best possible experience to their customers.

What types of businesses do you most often support in your region?

Windsor-Essex has a rich and deeply rooted food and beverage culture that is woven into the identity of our region. From Windsor-style pizza and the historic Hiram Walker & Sons Distillery to award-winning wineries, craft breweries and the largest greenhouse vegetable cluster in North America, the region offers a strong foundation for food and beverage entrepreneurship.

I’ve supported a wide range of food and beverage businesses at various stages of growth. This includes food manufacturers and consumer packaged goods companies, as well as food service businesses such as restaurants, cafés, bakeries, breweries and specialty food operators. I have worked with businesses ranging from hot sauce makers, coffee roasters and microgreen producers to innovative entrepreneurs developing and commercializing new food products.

What are some of the most common challenges food and beverage entrepreneurs in your region are facing right now?

The food and beverage sector is both exciting and challenging. Entrepreneurs must navigate a complex landscape that includes regulatory compliance, food safety requirements, rising input and packaging costs, supply chain disruptions, labour shortages, distribution challenges and intense competition for shelf space at retail stores.

Many entrepreneurs also face the challenge of scaling from a great product idea to a sustainable business. Success requires understanding everything from pricing, production and distribution to branding, marketing and financial management.

What is one piece of advice you often give to food entrepreneurs?

There is a significant learning curve associated with operating in the food and beverage sector, which is why I often believe that success requires two important mindsets: an open mindset and a growth mindset. Entrepreneurs must be willing to seek feedback, learn from industry experts, adapt to changing market conditions and continuously refine their products and business models.

I also encourage entrepreneurs not to be discouraged by rejection. In this industry, you will hear many “no’s” before you hear a “yes.” Whether you are approaching retailers, distributors, co-packers, investors or customers, persistence is essential. A “no” today does not necessarily mean “no” forever. Sometimes it simply means the timing is not right, additional information is needed or more relationship-building is required.

When it comes to sales and business development, don’t be afraid to follow up. Some of the best opportunities come from consistent, professional follow-up and a willingness to keep the conversation going.

Ultimately, succeeding in the food and beverage industry is not just about having a great recipe or product. It requires resilience, adaptability, persistence and a commitment to continuous learning and improvement.

Please share a recent success story from your region.

A recent success story from Windsor-Essex is Hyena Brew Company, a participant in the fall 2025 Foodpreneur Advantage Scale-Up cohort. Since completing the program, the company has continued to build momentum by expanding its retail presence and increasing brand visibility within the marketplace.

One notable achievement has been securing shelf space in 35 Ontario locations, including Sobeys in Amherstburg and Remark Fresh Markets in London, and expanding across Southwestern Ontario.  In addition to growing distribution, Hyena Brew Company recently hired its first employee, marking an important step in the company’s growth and capacity to scale its operations. The company also continues to innovate and is preparing to launch a new product, Lime Cerveza, further expanding its product lineup and market reach.

Their progress demonstrates how a strong product, combined with perseverance, strategic planning and a willingness to learn, can translate into meaningful growth opportunities for food and beverage entrepreneurs.

Is there a business, initiative, event, or accomplishment you would like us to highlight?

One initiative we are particularly proud of is the inaugural Small Business Summit that we hosted in October 2025. The event brought together nearly 200 small business owners, food and beverage manufacturers, industry partners and community leaders from across Windsor-Essex.

A highlight of the summit was welcoming James Boettcher, Chief Empowerment Officer & Custodian of Culture for Righteous Gelato, as our keynote speaker. James shared his journey of overcoming adversity and staying true to your values and purpose, all while becoming North America’s highest ranking B Corp in food. His message resonated strongly with attendees, particularly food and beverage entrepreneurs looking to grow beyond their local markets.

The summit was meaningful because it reinforced Windsor-Essex’s growing reputation as a region that supports innovation, entrepreneurship and the continued growth of the food and beverage sector.

What is something you are particularly proud of from the work your centre has done to support food and beverage entrepreneurs?

We are particularly proud of the role our centre has played in helping grow and strengthen the Foodpreneur Advantage program in partnership with the London Small Business Centre since 2021. Through this collaboration, we have supported food and beverage entrepreneurs at critical stages of growth by providing access to specialized training, mentorship, industry expertise and valuable networking opportunities.

The program has helped local businesses improve market readiness, secure new retail placements, increase production capacity, expand distribution channels and access new customers across Ontario and beyond. By connecting entrepreneurs with industry leaders, retailers, distributors and funding partners such as OMAFA, FedDev Ontario, BDC and Farm Credit Canada, we have helped create pathways for investment, innovation and long-term sustainability. Foodpreneur Advantage has served as a catalyst for growth, helping transform promising products into scalable businesses.

What trends or opportunities are you seeing in the food and beverage sector in your region?

One trend I am seeing in Windsor-Essex is the growing demand for commercial kitchen space and flexible food production facilities. Many food entrepreneurs are looking for ways to start and validate their concepts with lower overhead costs before committing to a permanent location or investing in their own production equipment.

As a result, there is increasing interest in shared commercial kitchens, ghost kitchens, food incubators, and co-packing solutions that allow businesses to test products, enter the market more quickly and scale production as demand grows. This trend is particularly evident among food product manufacturers, caterers, bakers, specialty food producers and restaurant operators looking to launch new concepts.

Is there anything else you would like the Foodpreneur Advantage network to know about your centre or your region?

One of the things that makes Windsor-Essex unique is that people genuinely take pride in supporting local businesses. Consumers actively seek out local food and beverage products and are eager to support entrepreneurs who are creating and manufacturing products within the region. This strong ‘shop local’ culture provides an excellent foundation for emerging food and beverage businesses looking to establish a loyal customer base.

Website: www.webusinesscentre.com/