05/26/2026
A pretty special full-circle moment 💛
This week, Painted Brick Wellness was featured in the Hamilton Spectator as one of the 10 finalists pitching for the FirstOntario 1Awards grant… and tomorrow we find out the results!
While working on my application, I remembered a story from 5 years ago. My mom had cut out an article from the Spectator about a small Hamilton business she thought was so cool: ! Katie had just won the FirstOntario 1Awards grant, which is why she was featured in the paper.
Now, five years later, I’m pitching for that same award.
Since opening the clinic, I’ve been going to more networking events and have actually gotten to meet Katie and become friends with her, which feels really special too. There’s something so beautiful about seeing community come full circle like that.
I’m Hamilton born and raised, and growing up, my mom always read the Spectator. To now find ourselves in its pages feels incredibly meaningful.
Though my mom isn’t here to see the beginning of Painted Brick Wellness, she was the very first person I ever told the name to. I know she would’ve been cutting this article out and putting it up everywhere. I know she would be so deeply proud of what we’re building.
No matter what happens tomorrow, this already feels incredibly special. 💛