London, Ontario · Business referral network

Grow your business through people who actually know yours.

Forest City Allies is an independent think tank of business owners and business development specialists. We meet every other week to sharpen each other's skills, and to make informed, qualified introductions.

Reserve a seat at a meeting Meet our members

Every other Wednesday: 8:30 AM
Idlewyld Inn & Spa: 36 Grand Ave, London
In person: Every meeting, no virtual option

Hand-printed illustration of a broad maple tree in full leaf on a grassy rise, with the rooftops of a heritage neighbourhood behind it

Hand-printed illustration of a café table set for a morning conversation: two coffees, a French press, an open notebook, and a croissant — Coffee first, then a proper look at each other's work.

Why Allies

Build stronger businesses by understanding one another's work.

We assist one another through education, skills development, and business referrals.

The goal is not forced pitching. It is a room of business owners who understand each other's work well enough to recommend it with confidence.

Learn about the group

The meeting format

Useful conversation, not a room full of pitches.

An educational theme

Practical material in business management, sales, marketing, or customer service.

A member spotlight

One member explains who they help, how they work, and what a useful introduction looks like.

Word-of-mouth referrals

Better understanding creates more thoughtful and relevant business introductions.

See how meetings work

Hand-printed illustration of a tree-lined street of Victorian houses, in the spirit of London's Old South — The Idlewyld Inn & Spa, our usual meeting place, set among the illustrated tree-lined streets of London's Old South.

The historic Idlewyld Inn and Spa in London, Ontario, seen across its front garden — The Idlewyld Inn & Spa, our usual meeting place, set among the illustrated tree-lined streets of London's Old South.

Where we meet

A meeting place with some character of its own.

Forest City Allies usually gathers at the historic Idlewyld Inn & Spa, a comfortable setting for useful conversation before the workday gets moving.

Idlewyld Inn & Spa: 36 Grand Avenue, London
Meeting time: Every other Wednesday at 8:30 AM

See the meeting details

The people in the room

Meet our members

Get a quick sense of who is represented, then visit the full directory for each member's approved background and business focus.

See all member profiles

Real Estate Agent

David Bruno

Sold By Bruno

Business Consulting

Len Motuzas

Thrive Business Consulting

Security Systems

Chris Mathewson

Alarmtech

Promotional Products & Branded Merchandise

Craig Martin

Bluelephant Promotional Marketing

Employee Benefits & Group Pensions

Greg Langford

Buss Business Solutions

Legal Services

Bassam Lazar

Lazar Law

Wealth Management

Evan Dawson

CIBC Wood Gundy

Life and Health Insurance Advisor

Mary Marentette

Desjardins Financial Security

Bookkeeping

Mike VanderWeide

Trillium Bookkeeping Inc

Mortgage Specialist

Paul Garrett

Garrett Mortgages

Mold Remediation

Paul Bershatsky

AuntieGen

Graphics

Becky Myers

Artcal Graphics and Printing Inc.

Real Estate

Simon Mayne

Mayne on Homes

Managed IT & Cybersecurity

Steffan Carlos

ManagePoint Technologies

AI Training & Business Skills

Matt Henderson

mattchenderson.com

Hair and Beauty

Dodie Wright

Wright Hair & Co.

Commercial / Portrait / Wedding Photography

Shirley Smith

Memories Photography Studio

One category · one seat

Your future member card

Could your business belong here?

Come see the room

Visit a meeting before deciding whether to join.

Tell us about your business and we will confirm the next meeting details and whether your category is open.

Request meeting details