On this episode of Conversations with Neighbours, host Myles Doak sits down with Rachel Hawtin, Brand Manager & Community Liaison at NewRoads Automotive Group. 🚗✨ With over 11 years of experience in digital marketing, public relations, and event management, Rachel brings a dynamic blend of creativity, strategy, and community connection to everything she does. A proud OCAD graduate, she has built a career rooted in innovation, nurturing creative ideas while knowing how to evaluate and exec...

On this episode of Conversations with Neighbours, host Myles Doak sits down with Shelagh Cummins, a powerhouse business strategist and champion for women entrepreneurs. 🚀✨ Shelagh is the creator of The FUEL Mastermind and the Life-Fuel Business Lounge, programs designed to help women scale their businesses profitably while gaining more time, revenue, and freedom. As the founder of Capital Access, she’s also dedicated to helping women secure the funding they need to grow, breaking down barrier...

On this episode of Conversations with Neighbours, host Myles Doak sits down with Scott Johnston, a veteran cartoonist and proud member of the Association of Canadian Cartoonists and the National Cartoonists Society. Scott has been drawing for as long as he can remember and has spent more than 25 years creating editorial cartoons for a local newspaper. Through ink and imagination, he’s captured humour, politics, and everyday life with a pen that tells powerful stories in just a few frame...

On this episode of Conversations with Neighbours, host Myles Doak is joined by Shai and Danny Samuelson of Harbor Painting Co. Inc. 🎨🏡 Harbor Painting Co. isn’t just about fresh coats of paint; it’s about respect, care, and craftsmanship. Shai and Danny share how they built a business rooted in treating every home and workplace as if it were their own, with a focus on cleanliness, precision, and professionalism that sets them apart from traditional contractors. In this conversation, they talk...

On this episode of Conversations with Neighbours, host Tricia Hulshof sits down with Shivani Persad, digital creator, brand marketer, and the voice behind liveshiv and New to Newmarket. ✨📱📍 A 30-something new to the area, Shivani has quickly become a go-to guide for discovering the best of Newmarket and Aurora. From hidden gems to cozy cafés to standout small businesses, she’s made it her mission to explore the community and share it with others through thoughtful, creative storytelling. In a...

On this episode of Conversations with Neighbours, host Myles Doak sits down with Nina Sawaqed, owner of NüStachio, Newmarket’s home for fresh, flavourful nuts, coffee, and tea. ☕🥜✨ Nina shares the story behind her family-run shop, which was built on a simple yet powerful idea: offering high-quality products with genuine, personal service. From perfectly roasted nuts to rich, aromatic coffees and soothing teas, every item at NüStachio is carefully selected, sourced, and prepared with love. In ...

On this episode of Conversations with Neighbours, host Tricia Hulshof welcomes Pat, Anastasia & Kelly from Artistica Ballroom Dance Studio. Artistica believes dance should be joyful, inviting, and fun, never pretentious or intimidating. In this conversation, Pat, Anastasia and Kelly share how the studio turns learning into play, why community matters on the dance floor, and how they help students of all levels find confidence, rhythm, and joy. They talk about the studio’s approach t...

On this episode of Conversations with Neighbours, host Tricia Hulshof sits down with Mark McCartney, an experienced insurance broker with BrokerLink. 🛡️🏠 With years of expertise helping individuals, families, and businesses navigate the world of insurance, Mark brings a practical and people-centred approach to protecting what matters most. From home and auto coverage to specialized policies and risk management, he breaks down how insurance really works—and why having the right broker on your ...

Please meet this month's cover feature, Cristiana Fard! If you’ve ever come across the name Cute as a Button Girl, chances are you’ve already smiled before even seeing the products. Behind the pink, bow-topped logo and the adorable brand name is Cristiana, a young entrepreneur who’s been known around Newmarket, and the surrounding area, as the “Cute Button Girl.” At just 6 years old, Cristiana had a big idea and an even bigger creative spark. In 2019, after spending a little too much time “...

On this episode of Conversations with Neighbours, host Myles Doak welcomes Jennifer Adams and Andrea Interior from Margaret Bahen Hospice and Doane House Hospice. Jennifer Adams is the Vice-President of Philanthropy, specializing in community engagement, corporate giving, and building meaningful relationships that support compassionate care. With a passion for connecting people and purpose, she helps ensure hospice services can continue to thrive across York Region. Joining her is Andre...

On this episode of Conversations with Neighbours, host Myles Doak sits down with Jerisha Grant-Hall, Founder and Executive Director of the Newmarket African Caribbean Canadian Association (NACCA). A respected community leader, educator, and advocate, Jerisha has been at the forefront of fostering inclusion, representation, and empowerment across York Region and beyond. As the newly appointed Executive Director of NACCA, a role that marks an exciting new chapter for the organization, sh...

On this episode of Conversations with Neighbours, host Myles Doak sits down with Real Estate Sales Representative Julien Laurion. 🏡✨ Born and raised in Aurora’s Orchard Heights neighbourhood, Julien has always been deeply connected to his community. After time spent working in hospitality in New York City, he returned home to Canada to put down roots and grow his family in Aurora, a dream he had always held close. Today, he balances his role as a proud new father with his passion for helping ...

On this episode of Conversations with Neighbours, host Myles Doak is joined by Angel Kuang, founder of Inspiration Learning. Angel’s journey began in Mainland China, where she grew up under the pressure of the Gaokao system, an education model built on memorization and a single life-defining exam. Even then, she believed learning should inspire creativity, curiosity, and confidence. After running a successful language training center, Angel set her sights on something bigger. With cou...

On this episode of Conversations with Neighbours, host Myles Doak sits down with Ruby Lui-Lina, General Manager at NewRoads Newmarket Toyota, Vice Chair of the Central York Chamber of Commerce, and Secretary Treasurer of the Ontario Toyota Dealers Advertising Association. Ruby brings a wealth of experience in both business and community leadership. From managing one of Newmarket’s most recognized automotive dealerships to playing an active role in local and provincial organizations, sh...

On this episode of Conversations with Neighbours, host Myles Doak welcomes Martin Kurek, founder of Summerhill Electric Ltd. Established in December 2023, Summerhill Electric is a residential electrical service provider based in Newmarket. After starting his career in 2013, Martin gained over a decade of experience working on major projects across Toronto, including CIBC Square, Scotiabank Arena, Etobicoke General Hospital, and Toronto Hydro buildings, before deciding to bring his skil...

Eat and Drink in Your Neighbourhood is back with a brand new episode! This week, host Christopher Svab is joined by none other than local award-winning baker Marianne Svab. Marianne has long been known for her talent in the kitchen and her ability to create baked goods that bring both comfort and joy. In this episode, she shares her love of baking through one of her favourites: a moist, flavourful zucchini cake, and talks about the inspiration and stories behind it. But that’s just t...

On this episode of Conversations with Neighbours, host Myles Doak is joined by Andrea MacLeod, a talented local artist whose work spans fine art and forensic sketch artistry with the RCMP. From an early age, Andrea was captivated by the human face, often found sketching portraits of family and friends. That passion for capturing detail and expression led her on an incredible journey from creating forensic sketches for the RCMP to building a body of work as a painter and portrait artist...

On this episode of Conversations with Neighbours, host Myles Doak sits down with Lanette Ware-Bushfield. Lanette is a multi-talented force in the world of media, with a career spanning digital media, film, and television. Her work connects across children’s programming, education, entertainment, and fiction, always with a focus on storytelling that inspires and empowers. As a 2025 RBC Women of Influence Nominee, TIFF Share Her Journey participant, and Donette Chin-Loy Chang Fellow, La...

On this episode of Conversations with Neighbours, host Myles Doak is joined by Chief Ryan Schell, Chief Fire Prevention Officer for the Town of Newmarket. 🔥🚒 Chief Schell has dedicated over two decades to fire prevention and community safety. He began his career in 2001 with the former Aurora Fire Department as a Fire Prevention Inspector, continuing through the creation of Central York Fire Services. Over the years, he rose through the ranks, becoming Captain in 2008 and Chief of Fire Preve...

On this episode of Conversations with Neighbours, host Myles Doak sits down with Nicole Doyle from Rocky Mountain Soap Company. Proudly Canadian and based in Canmore, Alberta, Rocky Mountain Soap Company has built its reputation on creating all-natural, handcrafted products for everyday wellness. From nourishing soaps and shampoos to rich body butters and bath essentials, every item is thoughtfully made using simple, natural ingredients and never anything unnecessary. In this conversati...