In the summer of 2011, Robin Reitz found herself in downtown Waterford, envisioning what it could become.
Some thought that she was trying to bring “city stuff” with the hot pink, black and white themed décor, but that was not her goal at all.
Having come from the big city of Kitchener, she had a lot to prove to the locals when it came to turning them into customers.
As she didn’t know many people here at the time, Ritzy Cakes and Eatery was off to a slow start – but that was to be expected because most people understand that the first five years of running a business is always tough.
After that things were a lot smoother… Until 2020 and the pandemic, which hugely impacted all small businesses.
They pivoted, first by selling discounted gift cards to bring in some cash, and then as things opened up a bit but with restrictions they moved to curbside pickup of hot meals, individually wrapped cupcakes for drive by birthday parties, as well as changing their website to be able to accept online orders.
And while they were relieved to see the end of the pandemic, there were some changes that they decided to keep
And it not only helped the business financially, but it helped Robin and her team mentally and emotionally as well, as they were all feeling very burnt out. Up until the pandemic, they had been constantly trying to find ways to increase revenue and they were actually moving in a direction that they may have later regretted.
While they have kept some of the changes made, they did end up compromising on some things after feedback from their customers.
Some things have not changed, like their famous chicken salad, egg salad, and other delicious sandwiches, and their soups and their sandwiches – and they have now added a custom sandwich menu so that you can customize your own; or pick from their most popular ones.
As the world around them in Waterford changes, Robin keeps her finger on the pulse of the community to be able to change with it, and this past summer she was finally able to make something work that she had tried in the past to no avail.
Ensuring that your business moves with the world is one of the keys to success when it comes to being a small business owner.
Opening Ritzy’s wasn’t the only way that Robin helped make Alice Street shine, she also opened up Nifty Gifty Norfolk on Pumpkinfest weekend 7 years ago.
She turned that business over to the employee she had hired to run it, Brenda Forsythe, in 2020 – and Brenda just celebrated three years of owning the business she has ran for the past seven.
If you ask Robin what she owes her success to other than the blood, sweat and tears it took to build it, she has two things she attributes it to.
And there are some members of the community that she owes extra thanks to for her success.
While she knows that small businesses owe it all to their communities; she also feels that communities need them just as much.
When asked what advice she would have for anyone looking to start their own small business, Robin had this to say.
And if you’re looking to get into running your own small business, Robin wants you to know that her door is open to you, not only for lunch or sweet treats, but for advice and for something everyone in business needs.
To hear the full interview with Robin Reitz:
Written by Robynn Beazley
