Woodburn Ridge Rural Events
Building Slowly, Growing Strong: The Story of Woodburn Ridge Rural Events
When Michelle Dingwall first walked the long driveway toward what would become Woodburn Ridge Rural Events, she wasn’t thinking about bookings, cabins, or event calendars. She was thinking about a different kind of life—one rooted in her own land, built with her own hands, and shaped by a pace that made sense for her family. “I wanted to work for myself, where I lived, and to have real freedom,” she recalls. With 185 acres of forest and field in Aylesford, Nova Scotia, she saw a place that could become something special.
The idea took shape slowly. Michelle and her husband, a skilled carpenter, began by breathing new life into a barn that had nearly slipped beyond recovery. Much of the original structure remains, but countless hours of careful work transformed it into an inviting venue space. They opened the ceiling, removed the haylofts, and milled their own wood for many of the finishing elements. Piece by piece, the barn grew into a warm gathering place—one that would soon host weddings, celebrations, and retreats.
But early success didn’t mean the road was easy. “We actually started from the bottom,” Michelle says. “I’m so grateful we made it, in the end. And that we were able to build slowly, and consciously, with the help of CBDC Hants-Kings.”
Michelle’s connection to the CBDC began with a referral from a local business development organization, who recognized both the potential of the venue and the challenges ahead. “Our situation was exactly what CBDC Hants-Kings specializes in,” she says. “We knew they could make it happen.”
CBDC financing played a central role in Woodburn Ridge’s growth. The support enabled Michelle and her husband to build a complete kitchen and fully functional indoor bathrooms inside the barn—features that immediately elevated the venue’s appeal. “Sometimes people would go elsewhere when they heard we didn’t have indoor bathrooms,” she explains. “Adding those features changed everything.” Several guest cabins across the property were also made possible with CBDC support, allowing Woodburn Ridge to expand into tourist accommodations and increase its year-round activity.
The impact was immediate. “They gave us the opportunity to expand and the ability to hold more events each season,” Michelle says. “Now we can have multiple events in a week, and our business has easily doubled.” The practical support mattered just as much as the financing. “The CBDC is great to work with—they are so helpful and attentive, and will really help you identify the best options and ideas to move forward with. I didn’t even know how to do a business plan before my Business Advisor helped.”
Today, Woodburn Ridge isn’t just a business: it’s a source of pride for the surrounding community. Events bring new visitors into the area, supporting nearby farmstands and small businesses. Locals see the venue as a bright spot—a testament to what hard work, vision, and the right support can build.
“Michelle and her husband poured their hearts into every detail,” says CBDC Hants-Kings Business Advisor, Deanne Corkum, “from the new timbers and rustic floors to the stunning chandelier Michelle designed and crafted herself. Michelle was a joy to work with—she had such a clear vision of what they wanted and needed and, together, we were able to make it happen.”
Deanne adds, “Seeing their dream come to life reminded me why I love what I do: helping passionate entrepreneurs turn their visions into thriving realities.”
Looking ahead, Michelle hopes to extend their season into the winter by insulating and heating the barn, opening the door to winter weddings and cold-weather gatherings. It’s another step toward the kind of life she imagined at the beginning: one shaped intentionally, one that grows in harmony with the land and community around it.
“We faced many hurdles at the start,” Michelle reflects. “But dealing with CBDC Hants-Kings was such a pleasure. They helped us get where we are—and we’re only getting started.”