Melissa Hay

1 Introduction The nursing shortage is a global issue contributing to a mounting health crisis (Buchan and Catton 2023; Canadian Nurses Association 2019; World Health Organization 2022). Long-term care (LTC) and home and community care (HCC) sectors have had parallel trends with severe staffing challenges, which were further exacerbated by the pandemic (Denny-Brown 2021; Ontario Ministry of Long-Term Care 2020; RNAO 2024).

One of the best parts of Small Business Shop Talk is hearing about all the ideas small business owners have. Every meeting is a reminder that most people aren’t frozen with fear of failure. They’re experimenting, adjusting, researching, and slowly figuring out what works for them. We love that businesses come to these meetings excited and happy to share what they have learned with our group. We can learn from each other’s failures and successes.

During COVID, the stars aligned, and two spirited Sagittarian small business owners crossed paths. Alexis Sadler & Melissa Hay Like many people during that time, we were craving connection. In a moment that would have confused anyone who knew us pre-COVID, we both joined the same gardening group on Facebook. It wasn’t about gardening. It was about human connection, however we could get it. From there, the universe kept nudging us together.