Sarah Stone Named Finalist for Young Entrepreneur of the Year
We’re proud to announce that Sarah Stone, Founder and President of Stone Graphic & Web Design, has been named a finalist for the Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award by the Burlington Chamber of Commerce. This well-deserved recognition honours her remarkable leadership, innovative thinking, and dedication to supporting businesses through design and marketing.
What makes this achievement especially meaningful is Sarah’s journey, both professional and personal. She launched Stone Graphic & Web Design at just 19 years old while still in her first year of the Interaction Design program at Sheridan College. Now, at 23, she leads a thriving studio that provides branding, digital marketing, and web services to clients across industries.
Sarah founded her business not from a place of convenience, but out of a deep desire to help businesses communicate more effectively and reach their full potential. What started as a solo venture has grown into a trusted agency working with clients in retail, HR, fashion, security, education, wellness, and more. These industries all have very different needs, but they share one important requirement: strong, strategic marketing support.
Sarah’s entrepreneurial path has been anything but ordinary. At just 12 years old, she was diagnosed with Cyclic Vomiting Syndrome (CVS), migraines, and seizures, a trio of chronic conditions that could have limited her potential. Instead, they became part of her story of resilience. Rather than letting those diagnoses define her, Sarah used her challenges to fuel her motivation and carve a path that few would dare to take.
Her health journey has deeply shaped the empathetic and intentional way she runs her business. Sarah brings not only creativity and strategy to her work, but also compassion and adaptability. These qualities shine through in every client relationship and are part of what makes Stone Graphic & Web Design a sought-after agency for businesses of all sizes.
Sarah credits much of her foundational growth to her time at Sheridan College, where she studied Interaction Design. There, she honed her skills in user-centred design, visual communication, and creative problem-solving, skills that would become the cornerstone of her business.
“Sheridan taught me how to take an idea and turn it into something real,” Sarah says. “More importantly, it showed me how to solve problems for people through design, and that’s what great marketing really is.”
Under Sarah’s leadership, Stone Graphic & Web Design has helped dozens of clients transform their online presence, increase leads, improve brand identity, and scale with confidence. Whether it’s launching a local retail campaign, rebranding a security company, or managing paid ads for a growing HR consultancy, the work is always rooted in strategy and purpose.
Sarah’s passion for entrepreneurship also extends beyond her own company. Twice a year, she runs a student internship program designed to equip young creatives with the skills they need to succeed in marketing, design, and sales. The program doesn’t just teach technical tools. It focuses on the real-world experience of running a business. Her interns leave with a clearer vision for their careers and a stronger understanding of how to bring value to clients.
This commitment to mentorship reflects Sarah’s broader mission: to make entrepreneurship more accessible and to empower others to build sustainable, fulfilling careers in creative industries. She frequently speaks at community events, contributes to local business panels, and provides marketing support to non-profits and small business initiatives throughout the region.
Being named a finalist for the Young Entrepreneur of the Year award is not just a personal milestone. It is a reflection of the community she has helped uplift. It celebrates her drive to build something lasting, not just for herself, but for her clients, collaborators, and the next generation of marketers and designers.
“To be recognized in this way, especially in the community where I grew up and built my business, is incredibly humbling,” Sarah shares. “It’s a reminder that the work we do really does make a difference and that challenges don’t have to hold you back from creating something meaningful.”
With a growing client base, new team members, and exciting campaigns ahead, Sarah shows no signs of slowing down. Her story is a testament to what’s possible when creativity, courage, and resilience come together, and it’s clear that the best is yet to come.
Congratulations, Sarah, on this incredible achievement!
