JASON SETNYK
The Cornwall business community is mourning the loss of entrepreneur, mentor, and marketing strategist Karine Parthenais, whose work supporting local businesses, women entrepreneurs, and community organizations left a lasting impact across the region.
Parthenais, founder and creative director of Mellow Brew Marketing, passed away May 19, at the age of 41. Known for her energy, creativity, and outspoken encouragement of entrepreneurs, she built a reputation as both a business leader and community connector in Cornwall’s downtown core.
With more than 15 years of experience in marketing, branding, sales, and entrepreneurship, Parthenais worked closely with independent business owners, helping them strengthen their messaging, improve their online presence, and grow their brands strategically. Her work extended beyond client campaigns through workshops, mentoring, podcasting, and entrepreneurial coaching.
Before launching Mellow Brew Marketing, Parthenais operated under the business name Connexionista and later helped launch The Co. Lab alongside Ryan Seale and photographer Jason McNamara in 2019. The collaborative creative workspace was designed to support small businesses with branding, marketing, and digital strategy.
Parthenais also became known regionally for workshops delivered through the Cornwall SDG Business Enterprise Centre and other economic development organizations, where she spoke on topics including branding, social media strategy, and entrepreneurship.
Long before becoming widely recognized as a marketing strategist, she was already fostering community connections through SheConnex, an initiative focused on supporting and empowering women in business.
In recent years, she also expanded her work into podcasting and authoring The Work Vacay, a book and entrepreneurial lifestyle brand centered around flexibility, creativity, and remote work culture.
Community members and organizations shared tributes following news of her passing, describing her as someone who championed others and helped build confidence in local entrepreneurs.
Elizabeth Quenville reflected on Parthenais’ support for Diversity Cornwall during a challenging period for the organization.
“She rented the downtown office to us at an amazing price and made sure that we were taken care of when the building changed hands,” Quenville wrote online. “More importantly, she fostered visibility and inclusivity in our downtown core at a time when we were facing so much hate and backlash.”
Quenville added that the community had “lost someone who lifted up everyone around her.”
The Downtown Cornwall Business Improvement Area also issued a statement recognizing Parthenais as “a valued member of our Downtown community” who would be remembered for her “contributions, kindness, and presence.”
Entrepreneurs Cris and Emily Urroz described Parthenais as both a mentor and friend who helped guide them during the early stages of their business journey.
“You believed in us in our early business days, were a mentor, and taught us how to have a backbone and be strong when things got tough,” they wrote. “You always had something fun and creative up your sleeve.”
Shannon Ferguson remembered Parthenais as someone who challenged others to grow professionally and personally.
“Your light was so bright and your ideas so bold,” Ferguson wrote. “You inspired me to be a better entrepreneur and you always brought out the best in everyone you knew and everything you touched.”
Outside of business, Parthenais was also passionate about health and wellness, including CrossFit training and personal development, themes that often carried into her entrepreneurial philosophy and public speaking.
According to her obituary, Parthenais “lived life with incredible energy, passion, and heart” and was deeply committed to inspiring and helping others.
Memorial donations in her memory may be made to Carefor Hospice Cornwall.
L’article Mourning the passing of entrepreneur Karine Parthenais est apparu en premier sur Cornwall Seaway News.
