Stouffville Launches First-Ever Small Business Week Celebration, October 20–24

The Town of Stouffville is proud to announce its inaugural Small Business Week Celebration, taking place from October 20 to 24, 2025. This week-long celebration will recognize the vital role small businesses play in shaping the local economy and community, while offering practical tools and resources to help them thrive in a rapidly evolving business landscape through a series of workshops.

As per the 2024 York Region Employment Survey, which surveyed 893 businesses in Stouffville, 78% are considered small businesses, employing between one to 19 people. These businesses largely contribute to Stouffville’s economy, providing local jobs, driving innovation, and supporting a vibrant community.

This year’s Small Business Week is especially timely, as Stouffville’s historic downtown, also knows as the Village of Stouffville, is preparing for a major revitalization in 2026. Recognized as the heart of the community, the downtown core is a central meeting place and shopping destination for residents and visitors alike. The Town’s Downtown Revitalization Project aims to enhance this historic area, making it more dynamic, inclusive, and economically resilient.

“Small businesses are the heartbeat of Stouffville. They drive our economy, fuel innovation, and create the sense of community that makes our town such a special place to live,” says Mayor Iain Lovatt. “As we prepare for the exciting revitalization of our historic downtown, there’s never been a more important time to support and celebrate our entrepreneurs. Small Business Week is not only about recognition, but also about equipping our local businesses with the tools, connections, and inspiration they need to thrive today and into the future.”

To support local entrepreneurs during this transformative time, the Town has partnered with ventureLab, Central Counties Tourism, and local Schulich professor Kelly Parke, to deliver a series of engaging and value-added workshops throughout the week. These in-person sessions will be held at various locations across Stouffville, offering accessible opportunities for learning, networking, and growth.

Headlining the week’s programming is Adam Rodricks, an international award-winning social media strategist and speaker. Adam has transformed “word of mouth” into “world of mouth” for Fortune 500 companies and is the author of the #1 best-selling book Trigger Fingers: Personal Branding through Storytelling. Named Canada’s Top Social Media Strategist in 2023, Adam was also honoured with the University of Toronto’s inaugural Young Alumni Award for Outstanding Achievement. His TEDx Talk, How to Build Trust Online, became an overnight success, amassing over 100,000 views in its first month and ranking among the top 10 most-viewed TEDx talks globally in August 2023.

Joining the conversation on downtown revitalization and small business success are John Kiru, Executive Director of the Toronto Association of Business Improvement Areas (TABIA), and Maureen Sirois, Chair of the Eglinton Way BIA. Both will share insights on how small businesses can prepare for and thrive during periods of urban transformation.

Registration details and a full calendar of events will be announced on townofws.ca/SBW. Businesses and residents are encouraged to follow the Town’s social media channels for updates.