JC Smit from Jantina's Pantry | Episode 9

12/09/2025 24 min Temporada 1 Episodio 9

Listen "JC Smit from Jantina's Pantry | Episode 9"

Episode Synopsis

In this episode, Colin interviews JC Smit, owner of Jantina’s Pantry and Coffee Bar in Wingham, which opened in March 2025. JC shares her diverse background in retail management, graphic design, marketing, and restaurant work, as well as her experiences running previous businesses. She talks about the unique challenges of launching a coffee bar in a small town, where customer habits didn’t align with typical industry expectations, forcing her to adapt her model, refresh her menu, and explore new retail offerings. JC also discusses the realities of entrepreneurship, from isolation and long hours to the need for resilience and adaptability in the face of unexpected challenges. Together, she and Colin reflect on the importance of intuition, community context, and self-confidence when running a small business. JC also looks ahead to incorporating her art and hosting community events, underscoring the creativity and courage required to build a sustainable business.