This Disability Pride Month, we’re celebrating Kevin MacKinnon and Melissa Laverdure two entrepreneurs who are leaving their unique marks in their industries. After participating in the Access Ability Entrepreneurship Incubator at the Arthur L. Irving Entrepreneurship Centre Kevin and Melissa both show what’s possible when creativity, resilience and the right support come together.
Kevin MacKinnon is the co-founder of KevEthel’s SpringRoll Company, based in Port Hawkesbury, Nova Scotia. Known for putting a delicious twist on tradition, Kevin’s spring rolls have become a local favorite. His signature cheeseburger roll, which blends familiar Canadian flavors with Filipino inspiration is a crowd favourite.
Kevin MacKinnon (right) with Ethel Doncillo MacKinnon.
Through the Access Ability Entrepreneurship Incubator, he brought his creations to Harbourside Rib Fest in Dartmouth as one of the featured food vendors. The exposure was a huge milestone for Kevin and a sign of just how far he’s come since his time in the Access Ability program.
Kevin brings great creativity and with his continued involvement in industry events like the SPICE food conference, it’s exciting to see where he’s headed next.
As the founder of The Archival Agent, Melissa Laverdure works behind the scenes in the film and media world as a researcher and archival producer. She specializes in tracking down rare photographs, records and footage which is often material that her clients didn’t even know existed and securing the licenses to use them. Her work has been featured in projects for CBC, The History Channel, Hot Docs and the Canadian Screen Awards.
Melissa started her business after a major life shift that forced her to rethink how she worked. That moment sparked a decision: if she was going to strike out on her own, she was also going to make it count by uplifting other women along the way.
Melissa Laverdure
“I arrived at the idea to start my own business after a life-shifting event and had to change the way that I worked,” Melissa says. “I decided that if I was going to try and launch my own business, it would mean that I would also advocate for other women and build each other up along the way.”
The Access Ability program gave Melissa the structure, guidance and confidence to grow her business and clarify her vision. Today, her work is helping bring powerful stories to life on screen and she’s building a business rooted in collaboration and impact.
Kevin and Melissa's stories, though distinct, share a powerful common thread: the incredible resilience that drives entrepreneurship and the powerful effects that community partnership and collaboration bring to growing local entrepreneurs.
Ready to explore how the Access Ability Entrepreneurship program offers guidance, knowledge and resources for your business to thrive? Visit our website for details on the Access Ability Entrepreneurship program.