In the first episode for Season 4, host Vanessa Smith welcomes Christine McQuaid, owner of Blue Mussel Cafe, Slaymaker & Nichols, and Helen’s Pastry Company. Christine shares how she and her partner Steve, left stable careers in Ontario (Christine as a lab technologist, Steve in sales) to sell everything and move to PEI in 2013 without a plan, ultimately buying the Blue Mussel Cafe after spotting a for-sale sign.

She describes learning hospitality on the fly, the restaurant’s growth, their commitment to fresh local seafood, and how their opposite skill sets drive success. She details Slaymaker’s 2019 opening and tight European-inspired concept while wading through the pandemic, Steve’s role in branding and social media, and operational choices like no reservations and a staff-run, role-weighted tip committee.

Christine explains how Hurricane Fiona and loss of flood insurance led to relocating Blue Mussel in 2026, plus her outlook on growing PEI tourism and evolving work-life balance.

Connect with Christine’s businesses here:

https://www.instagram.com/bluemusselcafe/

https://www.instagram.com/slaymakerandnichols/

https://www.instagram.com/helenspastryco/

This episode was audio-produced by Adam Ramsay.

A big thanks to our sponsors for making this episode possible. Learn more about them here:

Provincial Credit Union

Hijinks Design Agency

Fiddling Fisherman Lookout

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