Ottawa

Ottawa-specific coverage of local business news, including tourism, retail, transportation, city hall and more. Issues related to human resources and philanthropy are often featured.

In the Dragons’ Den: Lights, camera, action … it’s sink or swim for Palapa Tours

Tourism

“Gaby, Mike, let’s get you hooked up with the microphones, you are up in 10 minutes.” In this segment, Ottawa entrepreneur Mike Karpishka describes facing

Op-ed: Five reasons why Mark Sutcliffe gets my vote

City Hall

OBJ publisher Michael Curran explains why he feels Mark Sutcliffe should be Ottawa’s next mayor.

Small Business Week: BDC chief economist challenges small businesses to get more efficient

Ottawa

It’s Small Business Week, but many entrepreneurs feel more like burying their face in their hands instead of celebrating.

In the Dragons’ Den: There’s nothing like getting a scolding on national TV

Tourism

“What we really need to focus on now is our numbers. What’s the ask? If it’s too high, you lose credibility. If it’s too low,

Ottawa tourism staple plots ‘epic’ escape from pandemic blahs

Tourism

Co-owner and vice-president of marketing, Steve Wilson, tells OBJ that Escape Manor is ready to get back to in-person business in a big way, thanks

In the Dragons’ Den: Ottawa tiki-hut operators Palapa Tours get their pitch ship-shape

Tourism

Ottawa entrepreneurs Mike Karpishka and Gaby Saucedo, who made the cut for this season of CBC’s Dragons’ Den, share what it was like to prepare

Bright Side of Business: From bedroom moonshine to award-winning spirits, Dunrobin Distilleries has the recipe to success

Ottawa

In just a few short years, Dunrobin Distilleries has grown to a total of 34 full- and part-time employees, including vice-president Jonathan Hatchell, former CEO

Ottawa small businesses don’t share optimistic sentiment seen in national survey

Ottawa

Canada’s small and medium-sized businesses are banking on strong growth in the next three years, but that may not be the case in Ottawa.

Watson: ‘I gave this job everything I have’

City Hall

Mayor Jim Watson delivered his farewell remarks to many business and community leaders on Oct. 12 at the Mayor’s Breakfast Series.

Tools for better commerce: Lee Valley investing millions in warehouse robots, facility upgrades as sales boom

Ottawa

Ottawa-based retailer’s local headcount has grown from 450 to more than 600 since 2018, with the firm adding nearly 100 manufacturing employees in the last