Market Fresh builds community—and a strong team—with help from Bensol
By Michele MactaggartFor nearly three decades, Market Fresh has been more than a corner grocery store in Guelph. Co-owned by Dayle Toscan, the locally rooted market has built its reputation as a place where neighbours gather—drawn in by top-quality, fresh groceries, unique food and home décor items, an in-house butcher and bakery, and a wide selection of […]
Top Dog Leadership: Coaching Support That Has Your Back
By Michele MactaggartRunning a small business can sometimes feel like you’re expected to have all the answers, all the time. You’re managing people, navigating tricky conversations, trying to keep everyone motivated, and still making space for the day-to-day demands of the business itself. It’s rewarding, but it can also be a lot to carry, especially when there […]
Build the Business you Want and let your Benefits Keep up
By Michele MactaggartRunning a small business means constantly adapting. One year you might be operating solo, the next you’re hiring your first employees and thinking seriously about how to support them. Growth rarely happens all at once, and the systems you put in place need to reflect that reality. Employee benefits are often where business owners feel […]
Why benefits that support real life help you attract and keep great people
By Michele MactaggartIf there’s one thing the last few years have made clear, it’s that work and life are not neatly (or easily) balanced. People bring their full selves to work. Their health, stress, families, aging parents, hormonal shifts, mental load, travel plans, and the curveballs no one could ever schedule. It all shows up, even when […]
Admin can be Ruff: What Help Does the Chambers Plan Actually Give You?
By Michele MactaggartWhen you’re running a small business, it can feel like there’s never enough time in the day. Between looking after clients, managing staff, and keeping the books balanced, employee benefits can sometimes feel like one more thing on the pile, especially when working with a leaner team. That’s where the Chambers Plan helps lighten the […]
Running with the Big Dogs: Adding a GRSP to Your Benefits, Even as a Small Business
By Michele MactaggartIf you’re running a small business, you’ve probably thought about how to attract and retain great employees without overextending your budget. Offering a competitive benefits package is one of the most effective ways to do just that. While health and dental benefits are often the first step, more and more small businesses are exploring retirement […]
Keeping Your Premiums in Check (Without Losing Your Coverage or Your Mind)
By Michele MactaggartWith health benefit costs expected to rise by 7.5% in 2025, it’s no wonder Canadian employers are feeling the heat. The challenge? Managing growing expenses while still offering meaningful support to employees. The good news? Cutting costs doesn’t have to mean cutting care. Across the country, employers are getting creative and strategic about how they […]
Stepping Stone Builds a Stronger Team with Bensol’s Tailored Benefits Support
By Michele MactaggartWhen Stepping Stone began experiencing rapid growth, they knew their employee benefits needed to evolve too. Formerly known as the Drop-In Centre, the organization has been a cornerstone of support for individuals and families experiencing homelessness since 1983. With a mission to foster housing stability, health, and community belonging, and recently adding permanent supportive housing […]
Arcora Coaching is bridging the gap in mental health support for leaders, fostering healthier teams and more resilient organizations
By Michele MactaggartAs a small business owner, I understand the need for accessible business coaching that focuses on mental health and helps us become better managers. Training in areas like motivating people, having difficult conversations, creating a culture of wellness, and finding balance can be hard to come by or prohibitively expensive. Fortunately, this is changing. Managers […]
What are the best ways to keep my group benefits costs low?
By Michele MactaggartThe recipe for any good business starts with good people, so offering comprehensive employee benefits is key to attracting and retaining the best talent. However, for many small and medium-sized businesses, the costs of benefits can be a major barrier; finding a balance between supporting employees and staying financially sustainable is no small task. Fortunately, […]
