Small Business Summit

This half-day experience is tailored for entrepreneurs and small business owners who want to elevate their business through knowledge, strategy and community.

What You’ll Experience:

Keynote Presentation

James Boettcher, CEO & Custodian of Culture
Righteous Gelato

James has the honour of leading the team at Righteous, Canada’s #1 Gelato Company, and knew early on that whatever his life’s work would turn out to be, doing good and having fun would be at the heart of it.

Acquiring Fiasco, which would become Righteous, in the dead of winter in 2009, with nothing more than good vibes and a commitment to doing whatever it takes, James has ensured that this little scoop shop that could would become a force for good, an industry leader, and the kind of company you would want your mom or dad to work for.

His heart centered leadership, disruptive vision, honesty in craft, and innovative approach to culture has charted the course for Righteous’ tremendous growth and earned the nod for several local and national awards including Top 40Under40, EY Entrepreneur Of The Year® and most recently Canada’s Most Admired Corporate Cultures.

Righteous is now available in every grocer in Canada, and hundreds of doors in the USA.

A man of passion and enthusiasm, James is committed to building something that matters, and creating things that make the world more awesome.

Panel Discussion

Beyond the Bottom Line: Purpose, Passion and the Power of Local Business

Learn from visionary entrepreneurs shaping Windsor-Essex through values-driven leadership, innovation and impact.

Panelists:

• Richard Peddie – Amherstburg Business Owner & Philanthropist
• Jason Trussell – Franchise Owner & National Speaker, McDonald’s
• Brenell Dean – Partner & Paralegal, Sway Law
• John Alvarez – Co-owner, F&B Hospitality Group
• Ameen Fadel – Co-Founder & President, Cedar Valley

Breakout Sessions

Marketing Playbook: Seven Tactics for Real Growth

Presenter: Chris Hanna, All In Content

Discover seven proven marketing tactics to drive real growth in today’s digital-first world. Walk away with actionable strategies, AI-powered tools and micro-hacks you can implement immediately to boost visibility and customer acquisition.

Lead to Thrive: Building Resilient, High-Impact Teams

Presenter: Jennifer Charron, Logic Executive Search & Workplace Solutions

Strong teams are built through intentional leadership and culture. Learn how to foster trust, prevent burnout and create an environment where your team thrives — so your business can too.

Funding Your Future: Unlock Capital for Business Growth

Presenter: TBA

Accessing capital can be the game-changer your business needs. This session explores the funding landscape, including grants, loans and investment options, with practical strategies to secure the resources that fuel growth.

Building a Legacy: A Leader’s Blueprint for Sustainability & Impact

Presenter: Frank Abbruzzese, Author & President, AlphaKOR

Gain a roadmap for building an organization that lasts through values-based leadership, authentic networking and strategic decision-making. Whether you’re starting out or scaling up, these timeless principles will help you succeed and leave a lasting mark.

Why Attend?

This event is your opportunity to:
✔ Gain practical insights from leading experts and entrepreneurs
✔ Choose the sessions that match your growth goals
✔ Build meaningful connections with business leaders and peers
✔ Walk away with tools, strategies and inspiration to elevate your business

Agenda

8:30 a.m. – Registration, Breakfast, Networking
9:15 a.m. – Opening Remarks
9:30 a.m. – Panel Discussion: Beyond the Bottom Line
11 a.m. – Breakout Sessions: Marketing Playbook and Lead to Thrive
12 p.m. – Breakout Sessions: Funding Your Future and Building a Legacy
12:40 p.m. – Lunch
1 p.m. – Keynote Presentation
1:45 p.m. – Closing Remarks