Darren LeBlanc – Cardigan Station and Cork Dork Hospitality

Darren LeBlanc owns and operates Cardigan Station and Cork Dork Hospitality Inc. in the heart of Cardigan, a picturesque community on the banks of the Cardigan River in eastern PEI.

His business provides professional hospitality services, including on-site catering and event services in addition to the Cardigan Station Bistro & Pub located in the former train station. Darren and his team of tenured hospitality professionals care deeply about what they do: provide their clients with delicious culinary delights, and more importantly, peace of mind.

Before starting down the road of making their business idea a reality, Darren and his partners needed some direction on how to launch a business. They also knew there were programs available to support start-ups, but they needed help navigating those programs. Based on ads they had seen in the local newspaper, they knew that the Rural Action Centre (RAC) in Montague was the place to start.

Their first step was to consult with the Rural Action Centre client information officer, who directed them to RAC partners, such as CBDC East, Innovation PEI and Skills PEI. Staff at the Rural Action Centre provided Darren with information about grant programs and workshops he could attend to better equip him to run his business. From how to write a business plan, to bookkeeping, employment standards regulations and marketing, Darren participated in a variety of workshops presented at the Rural Action Centre.

Darren says it is of pivotal importance for rural areas to have a business resource hub – like the Rural Action Centre – to provide access to multiple service organizations under one roof. The co-location allows these business support organizations to collaborate; and that means better, more efficient service delivery to the client.

Asked how the assistance he obtained made a difference in his business endeavour, Darren says:

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