JARIVS—The Jarvis Board of Trade, in partnership with Haldimand County Economic Development, hosted the annual Small Business Breakfast on Thursday, October 23, 2025 at the Jarvis Lions Community Centre.
The morning event, catered by Just John’s of Jarvis, brought together local entrepreneurs, community leaders, and County representatives to celebrate and support small business success in Haldimand.
Master of Ceremonies Bill Kelly opened the event by welcoming guests and inviting greetings from Mayor Shelly Ann Bentley and a representative for MPP Bobbi Ann Brady, both expressing appreciation for the vital role small businesses play in the local economy.
The featured speakers were Howie and Lisa Nigh, founders of Nigh’s Concrete and organizers of Jarvis Light Up, who shared an inspiring message about the importance of community involvement and strong business values. Their company motto, ‘Build your dreams on our foundation,’ was woven throughout their talk, as they highlighted that “a solid foundation is not done by chance – it is built by choice, consistency, and commitment.”
JARIVS—Howie and Lisa Nigh were the guest speakers of the day. 
JARIVS—Karen Schweyer of Unique Designs Florist in Jarvis, Jennifer Kelly with Jarvis Board of Trade, and William Radix of Haldimand Economic Development were all part of the organizing committee for the Small Business Breakfast on October 23, 2025. 
JARIVS—Phyllis and Kassandra Vircik from Just Johns and Beth Berg with Jarvis Board of Trade served the delicious breakfast at Jarvis Lion’s Community Centre. —Haldimand Press photos by Rachel Vaarkamp. 
JARIVS—Dave DeGrave of Hartzel Marine and Mayor Shelly Ann Bentley chatted following breakfast. 
JARIVS—Darlene DeBoer and Ali Marshall represented Libro Credit Union. 
JARIVS—Claudia Tavares, Ruth Corliss, and Michelle Gingrich of RS Accounting in Cayuga enjoyed the Small Business Breakfast at the Jarvis Lion’s Community Centre. 
JARIVS—Melissa Del Col of Melrose Hair and Beauty in Caledonia and Tasha Douglas of Boosted Beauty Lounge in Jarvis.
They also encouraged fellow business owners to invest in their employees, noting that “when you take care of your people, they’ll help build your business.”
Attendees also heard from Erin Lindeboom, Accessibility Coordinator for Haldimand County, who provided valuable insights on making businesses more accessible and inclusive for everyone.
To wrap up the morning, Will Radix brought greetings from the Economic Development team and did door prize draws, generously donated by local businesses, before encouraging participants to take time to network and connect.
The event was a celebration of community spirit, collaboration, and the dedication of small business owners who continue to strengthen the foundation of Haldimand’s economy.
