Young entrepreneurs shine at 2025 Summer Company Showcase
York Region recently hosted the 2025 Summer Company Showcase, where student entrepreneurs presented their newly launched businesses — ranging from custom timepieces and photography to car detailing and tutoring.
Delivered by the York Small Business Enterprise Centre in partnership with the Government of Ontario, the annual Summer Company program supports students aged 15 to 29 who are returning to school full-time in fall 2025. Participants receive business training, one-on-one mentorship, and up to $3,000 in grant funding to kick-start their ventures.
This year’s showcase featured a wide array of student-led businesses, including: Michael Horvath – Stouffville Car Detailing, Ana Demkovic – LexAna Academy of Advanced Writing, Andrew Brown – Summer Swim Club, Gloria Liu – Peace Echo, Jack Cordingley – Atlas Watches, Julia Jones – Framed By Her, Nadia Tahir – Math and Melodies, Nicholas Fryer – Boats & Autos, Samreen Khurram – Nova Events Photography, Sarah Crone – Diamond Cleaning Services and Steve Wong – PUREFLOW.
Horvath’s Stouffville Car Detailing is a mobile car detailing and window washing service.
“The idea came to me after a long family road trip,” he said. “When we got home, I noticed how messy the inside of our car had become, something we often overlook. I decided to fully detail the interior of my dad’s car, and he was so impressed that he told a friend, who then asked me to clean their car too. That experience sparked the idea to turn this into a real business.”
A recent graduate of Stouffville District Secondary School, Horvath will attend Toronto Metropolitan University this fall.
“The Summer Company program has been a huge help in motivating me to take my business seriously and run it full-time,” he said. “It’s given me access to valuable resources, mentorship and support, especially during moments where I felt stuck or uncertain. It’s helped me stay accountable and take concrete steps to grow.”
To learn more about the Summer Company program, visit yorklink.ca/SummerCompany.
Photo: Michael Horvath started Stouffville Car Detailing after cleaning his dad’s car after a family road trip.