Marian deWever shares lessons after 11 years leading Home & Country – and winning this year’s Business Leader Award

Marian deWever is the winner of the 2025 Business Leader Award, presented by the Stratford & District Chamber of Commerce during its Business Excellence Awards ceremony this year.

CONNOR LUCZKA, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

Over 11 years leading the ever-more successful Home & Country Real Estate Corp. Brokerage, and decades of professional experience prior to that, Marian deWever learned the recipe for success is simple, if long.

“Success is built with intention, integrity and about 1,000 lessons learned the hard way,” deWever said to a packed audience at the Tom Patterson Theatre on Nov. 6. She was the keynote speaker during the Stratford & District Chamber of Commerce’s Business Excellence Awards this year, as winner of the 2025 Business Leader Award. In her address, she shared 10 principles that those 1,000 lessons taught her.

“Number one, trust yourself,” deWever said. “Don't dig up in doubt what you have planted in faith. It's easy to second guess yourself, especially when voices around you offer unsolicited advice. But remember, you know your business, your market and your people better than anyone else. When your gut and values are aligned, trust that – confidence is contagious.”

Being knowledgeable about every aspect of your business, leading by example, always being open to collaboration, treating connections like currency, being steadfast when it comes to your brand, focusing on intention and actions rather than just results and never becoming complacent were some more principles, along with number 10:

“With success comes responsibility,” deWever shared. “A quote from McDonald's founder Ray Kroc has always resonated with me. ‘We have an obligation to give something back to the community that gives so much to us.’ We take that seriously and literally. Our visibility and involvement in the community are not marketing strategies. They are a reflection of our core values. Giving back is part of the cycle of success. When our business strengthens the community, that community, in turn, strengthens our business. It's a cornerstone of our brand.

“At the end of the day, it's the how that makes the difference. It's what separates good intentions from real results, and that's where the true measure of being remarkable lies, not in accolades or awards, but in the quiet, consistent choices we make, the dedication, the care, the integrity we bring to our work and our community.”

Many other businesses in Stratford and area were recognized for their impact to the business landscape and economic health of the region. Along with deWever, this year’s winners were Linton Window & Door (the Skilled Trades Award, presented by TD Canada Trust), the Bunker Performance Lounge & Café (the Emerging Business Award, presented by Wild Hog Country Market), the Stratford Country Club (the Hospitality Award, presented by 107.1 CJCS - Stratford and 1077 2Day FM Stratford), Pinnacle Fieldhouse Training Academy (the Trailblazing Award, presented by University of Waterloo Stratford School of Interaction Design and Business), New-Form Tools (the Enterprise Award, presented by Famme & Co. Chartered Professional Accountants), L'Arche Stratford (the Nonprofit/Charitable Award, presented by KDB Law), KDB Law (the Professional Award, presented by UpAuto), Corner Store Candy Co. (the Retail Award, presented by Downtown Stratford BIA), Gush Studio (the Service Award, presented by IG Wealth Management Blum & Yanchus) and New-Form Tools again, for the Business of the Year Award.

Along with deWever, Jim Jantzi, president and co-owner of New-Form Tools, highlighted the importance of community to running a business. He told attendees that the team at New-Form Tools are very grateful for all the institutions that have helped them along the way.

“New-Form tools has about 75 associates here in town,” Jantzi said. “… We have a very good group of people, and our employees are the strongest part of our team. We have never had such a good group of employees as we do now. We have just an absolutely tremendous, tremendous team. I want to thank you all. Thank you for the professionals here.”