Small shops, BIG hearts – our Small Business Week series concludes with part 2. Again, we are featuring fabulous businesses nominated from our amazing social media followers, who continue to help create healthy and vibrant communities that shine and thrive because of unique individual entrepreneurial spirits and passions! Small businesses are the magic to our streets and the sparkle behind special events!
M+M Photography
No one is like YOU! Tell us a little bit about your organization and why you love doing what you do!
What makes M+M Photography special is that it isn’t just about taking pictures — it’s about giving light to love, vulnerability, and story. From the moment I picked up a camera at 14, I discovered that photography was more than a craft — it’s a language. A way to translate light & shadow, motion & stillness, intimacy & grandeur.
What I love most is how no wedding is ever the same. Even at venues I’ve shot hundreds of times, I’m always hunting for a fresh angle, a new story. Every wedding day holds its own energy, its own rhythm: from calm prep, laughter behind the scenes, big moments, to portraits under the stars. I love being able to adapt — to shift gears, to match that energy, and also to bring calm when needed. Clients often tell me I feel like a friend — someone they can trust.
We have to ask! What is your favourite part about running your small business?
For me, the best part of running M+M Photography is the freedom to create and connect in my own way. Every couple, every wedding, every shoot is unique — and I love that I get to shape the experience from start to finish. Whether that means chasing golden hour light, finding a new angle at a venue I’ve photographed dozens of times, or helping calm nerves before a ceremony, I get to adapt to the moment and give people something meaningful.
What makes it so rewarding is that it never feels like a “business transaction.” It’s about building trust, sharing in real emotions, and creating images that feel timeless. I love that my work allows me to be both an artist and a storyteller, but also a friend people can lean on during such an important day.
On top of that, I value independence — being able to set my own creative direction and keep pushing myself to grow. Running my own business means the responsibility is mine, but so is the joy when couples tell me they’ll cherish these photos forever. That’s the part that keeps me inspired day after day.
Give another entrepreneur one golden piece of advice as they embark on starting their own business!
If I could give one piece of advice, it would be this: stay true to your “why.” When you first start a business, it’s easy to get caught up in trends, what others are doing, or the pressure to grow fast. But at the heart of it all, your passion — your reason for starting — is what will set you apart and carry you through the tough days.
Tell our community where they can find you if they are interested in working with you at their next event!
You can reach us on Instagram, by Website or call 416-566-2963!
Branca Design
No one is like YOU! Tell us a little bit about your organization and why you love doing what you do!
We’re two sisters who decided to join forces and turn our love for design and celebrations into this beautiful small business – Branca Design. We started in 2023 after noticing that signage and stationery felt like a missing niche in our community, and we wanted to tackle it head on! Our goal has always been to make wedding and event days a little less stressful, while still creating something gorgeous and memorable for our clients.
From custom to template designs, seating charts, welcome signs, menus, or place cards—we truly love it all. What keeps us going is seeing the joy our work brings to people’s special moments. In just two short years, we’ve grown, learned so much, and built amazing connections with our clients. At the heart of it, we do this because we love helping people feel celebrated in style (with a little sister magic along the way!)
We have to ask! What is your favourite part about running your small business?
Our favourite part has to be the day-of setup! There’s nothing better than seeing all the pieces come together after weeks (sometimes months!) of planning and design. Walking into the venue, setting everything up, and then stepping back to see the final look—it’s the best feeling. It’s that moment where we know we absolutely nailed it, and it makes all the hard work so worth it.
Give another entrepreneur one golden piece of advice as they embark on starting their own business!
Our golden piece of advice would be: put yourself out there and just go for it! Don’t wait until everything feels perfectly in place to start because it never truly will. We’ve had to figure things out along the way, and yes, we’ve made mistakes, but those moments have been the biggest lessons and growth opportunities. Every step (even the messy ones!) has shaped us into stronger entrepreneurs in the wedding and event industry.
Tell our community where they can find you if they are interested in working with you at their next event! Including Website URL / Instagram URL and Phone Number
You can find us online, we’d love to connect- Website or by Instagram
Rebecca Grace Photography
No one is like YOU! Tell us a little bit about your organization and why you love doing what you do!
Hi, I’m Rebecca, the heart behind Rebecca Grace Photography. I am based in the Hamilton, Cambridge, and Brantford area. I’ve been capturing love, family, and motherhood since 2019. Photography has always been more than just pictures for me—it’s about freezing those fleeting moments that tell the story of your life. From the quiet beauty of motherhood to the joy of family connections and the celebration of weddings, I feel so grateful to preserve memories that my clients can hold onto forever.
Photo Details: Rebecca Grace Photography connect on Instagram
We have to ask! What is your favourite part about running your small business?
One of my absolute favorite parts of running Rebecca Grace Photography is the people I get to meet along the way. Every session introduces me to new families, new stories, and new connections. It’s such a gift to not only capture special moments, but also to walk alongside families as they grow—documenting their milestones from year to year and watching their love unfold in front of my lens.
Photo Details: Rebecca Grace Photography connect on Instagram
Give another entrepreneur one golden piece of advice as they embark on starting their own business!
No one starts out a pro. Every photographer you admire had shaky beginnings, missed shots, and seasons of self-doubt. MANY seasons of self-doubt and don’t forget the oh-so-lovely imposter syndrome. The journey is full of ups and downs, but those challenges are what sharpen your skills and shape your style. Growth comes from persistence—show up, shoot often, and give yourself grace along the way.
Tell our community where they can find you if they are interested in working with you at their next event!
You can connect with me on Instagram
Photo Details: Rebecca Grace Photography connect on Instagram