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. We can't wait to share with you all the exciting things that have been accomplished by our local small business owners this year. But until we make those announcements - Congratulations to the 2025 winners honoured at our event last year!
Elgin County Small Business Award – Pepper Tree Spice Co.
St. Thomas Small Business Award – Oh My Fur and Whiskers
St. Thomas Economic Development Award – Element5
Elgin County Economic Development Award – Platinum Foodz
Downtown St. Thomas Award – Tina Swaenepoel, Employment Services Elgin
Inspirational Entrepreneur Award – Ryan Jeffery, Club Champions Lounge
Under 40 Award – Elle Crevits, The Atrium
Starter Company Plus Award – Maximum Diesel
Summer Company Award – Wash & Go Car Detailing
Promising Start-Up Award – The Courthouse Pickleball + Social
Horton Farmers' Market Award - Bonjour & Yum!
Lifetime Achievement Award – Mugford’s Shoes
Elgin County Small Business Award – Pepper Tree Spice Co.
St. Thomas Small Business Award – Oh My Fur and Whiskers
St. Thomas Economic Development Award – Element5
Elgin County Economic Development Award – Platinum Foodz
Downtown St. Thomas Award – Tina Swaenepoel, Employment Services Elgin
Inspirational Entrepreneur Award – Ryan Jeffery, Club Champions Lounge
Under 40 Award – Elle Crevits, The Atrium
Starter Company Plus Award – Maximum Diesel
Summer Company Award – Wash & Go Car Detailing
Promising Start-Up Award – The Courthouse Pickleball + Social
Horton Farmers' Market Award - Bonjour & Yum!
Lifetime Achievement Award – Mugford’s Shoes
Congratulations to the 2025 Small Business Award Recipients
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Event Photos by Jorge Polio Photography
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Thank you to our Event Partners!
One of the most exciting elements of our annual Bridges to Better Business is the opportunity to highlight local food. We are absolutely THRILLED to be working with local businesses to bring you a TASTE of Elgin County and St. Thomas again this year!
We have such an incredible line up this year for our guests to enjoy! Sweet and savoury small bites that are sure to leave you wanting more - even once you are stuffed! *Conveniently* all of the participating businesses are local so you have the chance to visit them at their locations for more opportunities to enjoy their menu offerings!
The Food Showcase is included as part of your event ticket - no additional sampling tickets required. YUM!
We have such an incredible line up this year for our guests to enjoy! Sweet and savoury small bites that are sure to leave you wanting more - even once you are stuffed! *Conveniently* all of the participating businesses are local so you have the chance to visit them at their locations for more opportunities to enjoy their menu offerings!
The Food Showcase is included as part of your event ticket - no additional sampling tickets required. YUM!
Spotlight on our Entertainment
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Multi-award-winning, Platinum-selling artist Matt Dusk has been enthralling audiences around the world for years, leaving in his wake a series of radio hits, acclaimed albums, and a loyal fan base that continues to grow with every passing year.
He has had three number one radio hits: All About Me, Back in Town and Good News, is an alumnus of the St. Michael’s Choir School and studied under jazz piano legend Oscar Peterson at York University. Dusk has been awarded four GOLD albums: Two Shots, Good News, JetSetJazz, Sinatra Vol. 2 and four PLATINUM albums: My Funny Valentine, Just The Two of Us, Old School Yule!, and Sinatra Vol. 1 Notable award nominations include, five JUNO awards, one ADISQ, one Róże Gali: Muzyka and a Dimond from Trójka PR3 in Poland. |
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Crooners like Toronto’s Matt Dusk has taken what he has learned from the greats and molded it for a modern audience.
– LA Times
Blending distinctly Sinatra-esque swagger, Dusk is waist deep in grandiose arrangements that are dripping with Sin City excess and turns the clock back some four decades with excellence
– Jazz Times
Matt Dusk impressively brings Las Vegas back to the glory days as the standards singer sounds remarkably like Rat Packer Frank Sinatra.
– Billboard
– LA Times
Blending distinctly Sinatra-esque swagger, Dusk is waist deep in grandiose arrangements that are dripping with Sin City excess and turns the clock back some four decades with excellence
– Jazz Times
Matt Dusk impressively brings Las Vegas back to the glory days as the standards singer sounds remarkably like Rat Packer Frank Sinatra.
– Billboard
Get ready for a one-of-a-kind celebration on September 25 at the Elgin County Railway Museum!
The annual Bridges to Better Business event is back—bigger, brighter, and more inspiring than ever.
This year's evening promises a powerful mix of connection, celebration, and community pride as we:
Known for his smooth vocals, timeless style, and international acclaim, Matt brings a touch of Rat Pack elegance and high-energy charm against the backdrop of the historic Elgin County Railway Museum that will make this an evening to remember.
Our small businesses are the heartbeat of this community. Through every challenge, they've continued to serve, create, and inspire. And you—the community—have rallied behind them with unwavering support.
This night is about celebrating all of you.
So mark your calendars, grab your tickets, and join us for a once-in-a-lifetime celebration of entrepreneurship, talent, and local flavour.
Because when small businesses succeed, we all do.
The annual Bridges to Better Business event is back—bigger, brighter, and more inspiring than ever.
This year's evening promises a powerful mix of connection, celebration, and community pride as we:
- Spotlight the resilience and success of small businesses in Elgin County and St. Thomas
- Honour this year’s Small Business Awards recipients
- Indulge in a local food showcase featuring some of the region’s best flavours
- And welcome Canadian crooner Matt Dusk to the stage for an unforgettable performance alongside his band!
Known for his smooth vocals, timeless style, and international acclaim, Matt brings a touch of Rat Pack elegance and high-energy charm against the backdrop of the historic Elgin County Railway Museum that will make this an evening to remember.
Our small businesses are the heartbeat of this community. Through every challenge, they've continued to serve, create, and inspire. And you—the community—have rallied behind them with unwavering support.
This night is about celebrating all of you.
So mark your calendars, grab your tickets, and join us for a once-in-a-lifetime celebration of entrepreneurship, talent, and local flavour.
Because when small businesses succeed, we all do.
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