Posted on by Deborah Jones

BIZ X MAGAZINE JANUARY 2026 VOLUME 29 ISSUE 1

Biz X magazine January 2026 Contents
BIZ X MAGAZINE JANUARY 2026

ON THE COVER — Strike A Pose — Page 18. The Biz X photographer captures the perfect shot of our cover girl, who radiates confidence, attitude, style, and presence in this locally designed logo dress. This is all a big promo for Fashion Week Windsor-Essex (March 22 to 28, 2026) which takes the spotlight in the January edition. Learn about how this special week came to be, and what’s on the agenda for this year as we unveil the complete guide to all the events, panels, and activities. INDIVIDUALS PICTURED: Melanie Renaud (Miss International Canada 2023) hit the runway in fall 2025 for Paris Fashion Week, walking for Designers; Manish Vaid, Rajeev Fernando, Chona Bacaoco, Zajmira Qeraxhiu, Zuzana Hakova, and Vlada Dizik. But step aside, Paris! She’s back in Windsor to model a couture Biz X sundress designed by Stephen Drouin (pictured on the couch). Drouin is also the Creative Director for Fashion Week Windsor-Essex and sits with committee members, from left: Mena Biafora-Vincelli, Lead Stylist and Owner of Style Me Mena; Designer Noele Baptista, winner of last year’s Fashion Week Windsor competition and founder of the Nöelziñia clothing brand; and Lori Moore, Volunteer Coordinator and founder of the Auden Steward fashion brand. LOCATION: The site of the grand finale — Water’s Edge Event Centre, 2879 Riverside Drive East, Windsor — happening Saturday, March 28, 2026. PHOTOGRAPHER: Rod Denis. (RodneyLDenisPhotographer.com)

CONTENTS BIZ X MAGAZINE JANAURY 2026

4 Funny Stuff
5 From The Publisher: Honouring A Leader Who Inspired Business Excellence — Dr. Colin Jones, Biz X Vice-President
6 Motivational Quotes With Danny
8 Front Lines

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9 Newsflash – It’s time to make a reservation at the area’s newest escape, TownePlace Suites Tecumseh Windsor. Staff are thrilled to welcome guests to a new and elevated experience with the warm, thoughtful hospitality the Windsor Essex community is known for. The hotel’s one-bedroom king suites feature a separate living room and kitchenette. Get further details on everything this hotel has to offer, plus learn about the consolidation of two area insurance brokerages and a new monthly giving program in our short news tidbits. (Photo courtesy of Gillian Jackson).
10 Have A Cup Of Joe With Joe: Black Kids In Action’s Seventh Annual Black History Month Stage Production Next month, people across Canada will participate in Black History Month (February) events and celebrations to honour the legacy and contributions of Black people in Canada and their communities. Our Cup of Joe columnist, Joe McParland, visited with Windsor’s Black Kids In Action (BKIA) group about their upcoming show on February 27 called Chains to Changes.
12 In The Community: The Polish-Canadian Business And Professional Association Of Windsor 30th Anniversary Dinner
13 From The Bookshelf: Music Virgin No More! Reliving The Soundtrack Of The ’80s
14 The Music Beat: New! The Windsor Federation Of Musicians, A Vital Voice For Local Musicians
16 Food For Thought: Café Amor & Art, Windsor & Belle River
23 Cover Story Sidebar: Stitch To Win! St. Clair College’s Fashion Competition, Sewing The Seeds Of Change
24 Awards Spotlight: The Power Of The Plaque! It Was Smiles All Around For 28th Annual Biz X Award Recipients
26 Hot Shots: Stigma Enigma’s Maryvale Fundraiser, Complete With A Killer Plot And Clues Over Cocktails
27 Ask The Experts: Stricter Rules For Carbon Monoxide Alarms

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28 Hot Shots: Advance Business Systems (Abs) 34th Annual American Thanksgiving Football Classic This annual event in November mixes football fever with business flavour and a whole lot of fun! Danielle Sharron, Drew Foster, and Martin Istefan of NFP Insurance, not only co-sponsored the ABS event, but they also attended to actively engage in meaningful networking opportunities. Who else showed up ready to make new connections? Find out . . . (Photo by Tina Huynh)

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30 The Parenting Biz: Tiny Trendsetters. For this installment, three local clothing shops (including Park Avenue Baby Boutique in Chatham) and a shoe store catering to the little ones are profiled. We point out the latest in kiddie apparel, ideal for the classroom to the playground, movie nights, and more … fashionable children means only one thing, happy parents! (Photo courtesy of Park Avenue Baby Boutique).
33 Parenting With Purpose: Confidence From Within
34 Xx Files: Penny Anger, Crafty Candles & More
35 Let’s Talk About: Amani, A Community-Based, Afrocentric Mental Health Initiative
36 Hot Shots: Cavalier Tool & Manufacturing Limited’s 50th Anniversary Supplier Open House
38 Biz Of The Month: Behind The Seams, The Success Story Of J & J Tailor, Windsor

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Deborah Jones

Deborah Jones – Publisher of Biz X Magazine Deborah Jones graduated from the University of Windsor with an Honours Degree in Communication Studies and was employed at two other local magazines shortly after for a few years learning all she could about writing, advertising, public relations and more. She made the jump in 1998 to go out on her own to publish Biz X magazine and has worked in the publishing industry since 1990. In 2007, she earned the “Entrepreneur of the Year” award from the Windsor & District Chamber of Commerce. To date, she is the ONLY woman so far to receive this award. In 2013, she received one of the first “Windsor Women of the Year” awards from the Ladies Exclusive Alliance. Her most recent achievement is the 2023 Media Award from the Windsor Essex Chapter of the Kidney Foundation of Canada. Deborah is proud to live in Windsor and truly cares about each and every business and strives to make Windsor Essex the best place to live, work and play.