On October 6, the small business community of Elgin County and St. Thomas is invited to gather at the Elgin County Railway Museum for the annual Bridges to Better Business event; an incredible celebration of local food and small businesses. 
​
Small Businesses are at the heart of our community and we value the contribution that every business makes. 2022 has continued to bring challenges to our small business community in St. Thomas & Elgin County. In those challenges, we saw many businesses face them head-on. Determined to do whatever they could to keep their head up. Our small businesses are here to serve the community and the community continues to step up and wrap around them in celebration and support. We want the community to know how much that has been appreciated. And we want our small businesses to know that we see their struggles and their triumphs and are here to support and celebrate at all times and in all circumstances.

We are honoured to be in the position of advisors within the local small business ecosystem and so proud of what can be accomplished together. Bridges is our opportunity to bring everyone together to celebrate those accomplishments in community. 

We hope you'll join us - Tickets are available for purchase here.

Spotlight on our Speaker

Drum Cafe will also be joining in the celebration f​or a community-building performance that will leave attendees inspired and energized to build up and grow the incredible small business community that is St. Thomas and Elgin County.
Toronto has been named the most multicultural city in the world, yet many of the immigrants to the city still encounter racism long after they’ve arrived. Nav Bhatia immigrated to Canada from India with a mechanical engineering degree in 1984. After overcoming significant prejudice and obstacles as a Sikh, today he boasts successful business enterprises and the coveted title of “Superfan” of the Toronto Raptors. 

On his first day of work as a car salesperson, Nav had racially offensive jokes and name-calling directed at him because he was wearing a turban. He made a choice. Rather than fight back with insults, Nav took a positive route by letting his hard work do the talking.  He sold 127 cars in just ninety days. It’s a record that stands to this day. He did it the old-fashioned way, by being honest (and yes, some catchy radio ads). Nav soon became the manager and today owns that dealership along with two others in Ontario.

He’s known as the Official Raptor’s Superfan, and recently was given the title Raptor`s South Asian Community Ambassador working alongside superstar Drake. Sitting in courtside seat A12, Nav can often be seen cheering enthusiastically or sharing words of encouragement with players on both teams. In May 2021, Nav became the first fan ever to be inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame. His exhibit features a turban and a “Superfan” jersey. 

He is heavily involved in bringing Bollywood to the Non-Resident Indians and through his love of basketball and his business Nav looks to change the perception of Sikhs to the mainstream audience.
Nav has started the Nav Bhatia Superfan Foundation. A non-profit dedicated to raising money to build basketball courts and camps for kids here in Canada and across the globe.  Every year he spends $300K of his own money to send kids – mostly from immigrant families – to Toronto Raptors games.

Nav is also the subject of the documentary Superfan: The Nav Bhatia Story on CBC Gem, telling the incredible story of how a turbaned Indian immigrant's passion for his favorite sport and team took him on a journey from persecution to inclusion, inspiring an entire country along the way.

Spotlight on Local Food

One of the most exciting elements of our annual Bridges to Better Business evening is the opportunity to highlight local food. Last year presented the challenge of keeping this fun while navigating the various public heath regulations in place with respect to the ongoing pandemic. We were presented with an opportunity to work with Relish! to create a local Snack-Cuterie Box for each guest. The box featured over 20 local food business from Elgin County and St. Thomas.

We are absolutely THRILLED to be working with local businesses to bring the Food Showcase back in full for 2022!

More on that soon!

Spotlight on Small Business

Each year, we have the opportunity to meet with some incredible people and it’s exciting to be able to celebrate a few of them with awards during Bridges to Better Business. It’s another way to show the Elgin and St. Thomas Small Business Community our support. Congratulations to the 2022 winners honoured at our event!
Elgin County Small Business Award – Abby Mae's Gluten Free Bakery
St. Thomas Small Business Award – The Long Box
St. Thomas Economic Development Award – Geerlinks Home Hardware
Elgin County Economic Development Award – The Wayside Dining & Bar
Libro Small Business Award – Caps Off Brewing Co.
Downtown St. Thomas Award – Susan Boldt, Limitless Tattoos
Inspirational Entrepreneur Award  – Minsoo Lee, Plaza Sushi
Under 40 Award – Josh Ford, Fitborough
Starter Company Plus Award – Streamline Plumbing
Summer Company Award – Owen Rodgers, Rodgers Swim School
Promising Start-Up Award – Love Gigi
Lifetime Achievement Award – Simply Pure Water

Thank you to our Sponsors