Parry Sound Area Founders Circle

10/19/2026

Parry Sound Downtown

Howdy, folks! Big news for November!

This year’s event is officially the 𝔻𝕠𝕨𝕟𝕥𝕠𝕨𝕟 𝕊𝕙𝕠𝕡 ℍ𝕠𝕡, and unlike past years, no registration is required. Just show up and start shopping!

Kick things off at our welcome party, now called the ᴡᴇʟᴄᴏᴍᴇ ꜱᴀʟᴏᴏɴ, with a new location:

📍 Fri Nov 13th in the James St. Parking Lot from 4pm to 7pm

Saddle up and join the saloon party in our 𝗵𝗲𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝘁𝗲𝗻𝘁, with games, snacks, and a fire pit!

A brochure listing every business taking part in this year’s Shop Hop will be available, so you can plan your route.

Round ’em up and head downtown!

10/16/2026

Oct 31st is the deadline to apply for the $10,000 or $5,000 Parry Sound Area Founders Circle Awards
https://parrysoundareafounderscircle.com/

Parry Sound Area Chamber of Commerce
Parry Sound Area Community Business & Development Centre Inc. - CFDC
Think Boyd- Royal LePage Real Estate Brokers
103.3 Moose FM - CKLP
The Business Centre Nipissing Parry Sound Inc.
The Labour Market Group

Previous winners:
Sound Yarn & Fibre
Level Health
Floratomy
Dent Bay Baking Company
Harbour Hot Sauce
Wave Fibre Mill
Georgian Medical Aesthetics
A Bushel & A Peck

10/14/2026

Tomorrow, Thursday, Oct 15th, 7:00 pm
Preparing your Application - Deadline is Oct 31st
ZOOM: https://us05web.zoom.us/j/85853048244?pwd=gOvwcbcenRtINQ61HWsqxFiYuYPE1n.1
Meeting ID: 858 5304 8244
Passcode: Founders

Explanation of the scoring criteria
Overview of Selection Process
Questions and Answers


Parry Sound Area Founders Circle
Parry Sound Area Chamber of Commerce
Parry Sound Area Community Business & Development Centre Inc. - CFDC
Peter Istvan Photography
Think Boyd- Royal LePage Real Estate Brokers
The Labour Market Group
The Business Centre Nipissing Parry Sound Inc.

10/11/2026

Parry Sound YMCA Employment & Learning

Who’s Joining Us at the Trades & Apprenticeship Expo!

We’re two weeks away from our upcoming Trades & Apprenticeship Expo and excited to share our confirmed employers as of today!

Come out and connect with local employers, learn more about the trades and apprenticeship opportunities in our community, and get a behind-the-scenes look at the different careers, skills, and pathways available locally.

Are you an employer who would like to join us?

We still have spots available for employers who want to come out, and showcase what they do!

You don’t need to be actively hiring to participate. This is simply an opportunity to introduce people to your business and industry, and to help build awareness of the opportunities available right here in our community.

It’s a chance to:
• Share what your company does
• Talk about the different positions and skills involved in your industry
• Answer questions about what it’s like to work in the field
• Connect with potential future employees, apprentices, and community members
• Help people discover career opportunities they may not have considered

Whether you’re hiring today or just looking to connect with the community and showcase your industry, we’d love to have you there!

Interested in having a FREE booth? Contact Julia or Morgan at the YMCA Employment & Learning Services at (705) 746-8480 to learn more or to reserve your spot.

More employers will be added as they confirm, so stay tuned!

10/08/2026

This year, the Parry Sound Area Chamber of Commerce is offering some perks for the Finalists. Stay tuned for more details.
Application deadline is Oct 31st

🚀 Big ideas deserve a chance to grow — and the Parry Sound Area Founders Circle is giving local entrepreneurs that chance.

Applications are now open for the 2026 Founders Circle Awards, an opportunity designed to support promising start-ups and early-stage businesses across the District of Parry Sound.

The program gives finalists more than just a chance to win funding. It also creates valuable exposure, connections, and support from experienced local business and community leaders.

🏆 1st Place — $10,000
🥈 2nd Place — $5,000

The top finalists will also receive:
• A professionally produced business video
• Professional headshots
• The opportunity to present their business and connect with members of the Founders Circle
• Added visibility for their business and idea

Applications are evaluated based on economic impact, innovation, growth potential, profitability, and demand for the product or service.

This year, the Parry Sound Area Chamber of Commerce has joined the Founders Circle as a Founder, and we’re excited to add another benefit for the top five finalists: 50% off a one-year Chamber membership, with all of the same benefits included with a full-price membership.

📅 Applications close October 31, 2026 at 11:59 p.m. ET

If you have a business idea with potential — or know someone who does — this is an opportunity to take seriously.

🔗 Learn more and apply:
parrysoundareafounderscircle.com

10/08/2026

📅 Thursday, October 22, 2026 | 8:30–11:30 a.m.
📍 Charles W. Stockey Centre, Parry Sound
🎟️ Free to attend

Parry Sound Area Community Business & Development Centre Inc. - CFDC

Good connections. Practical resources. Fresh ideas for your business.

Celebrate Small Business Week with us at Breakfast & Business Connections—a free morning event bringing local entrepreneurs and business support organizations together over breakfast.

📅 Thursday, October 22, 2026 | 8:30–11:30 a.m.
📍 Charles W. Stockey Centre, Parry Sound
🎟️ Free to attend

Explore the Business Resource Expo, connect with local entrepreneurs and business support organizations, and hear from our featured keynote speaker:

Built to Last: Future-proofing Your Business
Featuring Rick Harris of Workboot Consulting, with practical insights to help you build a stronger, more resilient business.

Whether you’re starting, growing, or strengthening your business, come make connections, discover resources—and enjoy breakfast on us!

Reserve your spot:
https://psachamber.ca/events/ #!event/2026/10/22/small-business-week-event-future-proofing-your-business

We hope to see you on October 22!

10/07/2026

It is more than just $$$

If you are selected as one of the finalists, you receive education, digital assets, resources, and of course a chance to win $10,000 or $5,000

Education
- How to Make your Business Stand Out
- Building a Compelling Pitch
- Marketing Tips, Tricks, & Basics That Everyone Should Know
- Preparing your Pitch for the Founders
Digital Assets
- Professional headshots/videos completed
Resources
- Discussion with Local Business Resources
- Founder Circle Chamber Advantage (PS Area Chamber of Commerce)
Money
- A chance to win $10,000 or $5,000, winners announced at the Awards Night – April 15th, 2027

Application deadline is October 31st.

Next week: Oct, 15th - Preparing your Application - Deadline is Oct 31st


Parry Sound Area Founders Circle
Parry Sound Area Chamber of Commerce
Parry Sound Downtown
Parry Sound Area Community Business & Development Centre Inc. - CFDC
The Labour Market Group
The Business Centre Nipissing Parry Sound Inc.
Think Boyd- Royal LePage Real Estate Brokers
Peter Istvan Photography
103.3 Moose FM - CKLP

10/06/2026

Dent Bay Baking Company