| |
| |
| |
| |
|
October 29, 2009 - Entrepreneur of the Year winners announced
Nine West Coast business owners took home Entrepreneur of the Year Awards. Their success stories were celebrated at the Executive Plaza Hotel in Coquitlam on October 21, during Small Business Week. The Awards recognize graduates of the Douglas College Self Employment Program. This year, 25 finalists were nominated for awards in eight categories, plus the overall winner. Over 400 program alumni and special guests attended.
Here is a glimpse at this year’s winners:
Susan Cumberland of Burnaby was named overall Entrepreneur of the Year. Susan’s company, Academic Advantage Educational Services, provides in-home tutoring for students from kindergarten to grade 12 and is now franchising throughout B.C. Susan employs 380 certified and carefully-selected teachers to assist students in the comfort of their own homes. Academic Advantage Educational Services has also contributed to the building of a home for a teacher in the Dominican Republic, donates to breast cancer research, orphanages in China and the youth summit to support homeless teenagers.
Kerry Chin of Coquitlam took home the Global Award. His company, Altimus Product Development Ltd. provides services including project management, outsourced electronics manufacturing, custom plastic and metal parts, and design consulting for global clients including the 2010 Olympic Games and Disney Cruise Lines.
Melanie Burke of Vancouver was awarded with the Service Award. Melanie is no stranger to success. Since she opened Burke & Hair Inc., she’s been nominated for many awards, and has received recognition from leading fashion and arts publications. Burke & Hair Inc. is a boutique, urban hair salon offering expert, one-on-one hair care in a relaxed Gastown loft studio.
Chris Begg of I.Q. Solutions Company Inc. was the recipient of the Consulting Award. I.Q. Solutions Company Inc. runs out of Pitt Meadows, and provides, educational animation and practise marketing software and consulting services to the Canadian eye care industry. In 18 months, I.Q. Solutions Company Inc. has achieved #1 distributor status worldwide in terms of sales and established customer base.
Sharon Gordon’s tenacity and steadfastness in the face of obstacles was rewarded with the Perseverance Award. Sharon’s Burnaby based company, Hayes Int'l. Ventures Inc. offers The Energy Restoring Footpad, an inexpensive way to help consumers improve their health by massaging their feet using the principles of reflexology to restore their body’s natural self-curative abilities.
Duglas Cruz, winner of the Home Based Award, has taken his enthusiasm, love for what he does, pride in his work and constant networking to turn his dream into a very successful landscaping business. Greenland Landscaping, with offices in Pitt Meadows, offers all the services to make your outside space a beautiful thing.
Eric Wang of Surrey is the winner of the Construction and Manufacturing Award. Eric’s company, Allo Windows, supplies and installs Energy Star Windows. Eric can boast that he is the only AAMA Certified Master Window Installer in Metro Vancouver. Eric is pleased to report that over 80% of his business comes from delighted customer referrals; this he attributes to treating his employees well and compensating them for their above average performance and dedication to superior customer service.
Andrew Lawrence of Burnaby has taken home the High-tech Award for his success with Transparent Solutions Corp. Transparent Solutions Corp. is a premier provider of Cloud Computing services, offering consulting and network management for small to mid-sized businesses across Canada. Andrew and his team make enterprise level technology available to small businesses, all for an affordable, all inclusive, flat monthly rate.
Tara Blokzyl, winner of the Retail Award, runs Maple Ridge business, Kanaka Diamond & Gold Inc. Tara has realized her dream by creating a vibrant and exciting fine jewellery store that personally designs and creates fabulous jewellery for individual clientele, as well as carrying jewellery from some of the most sought after designers worldwide.
For more information on the Douglas College Self Employment Program, please contact 604-777-6012.
Here is a glimpse at this year’s winners:
Susan Cumberland of Burnaby was named overall Entrepreneur of the Year. Susan’s company, Academic Advantage Educational Services, provides in-home tutoring for students from kindergarten to grade 12 and is now franchising throughout B.C. Susan employs 380 certified and carefully-selected teachers to assist students in the comfort of their own homes. Academic Advantage Educational Services has also contributed to the building of a home for a teacher in the Dominican Republic, donates to breast cancer research, orphanages in China and the youth summit to support homeless teenagers.
Kerry Chin of Coquitlam took home the Global Award. His company, Altimus Product Development Ltd. provides services including project management, outsourced electronics manufacturing, custom plastic and metal parts, and design consulting for global clients including the 2010 Olympic Games and Disney Cruise Lines.
Melanie Burke of Vancouver was awarded with the Service Award. Melanie is no stranger to success. Since she opened Burke & Hair Inc., she’s been nominated for many awards, and has received recognition from leading fashion and arts publications. Burke & Hair Inc. is a boutique, urban hair salon offering expert, one-on-one hair care in a relaxed Gastown loft studio.
Chris Begg of I.Q. Solutions Company Inc. was the recipient of the Consulting Award. I.Q. Solutions Company Inc. runs out of Pitt Meadows, and provides, educational animation and practise marketing software and consulting services to the Canadian eye care industry. In 18 months, I.Q. Solutions Company Inc. has achieved #1 distributor status worldwide in terms of sales and established customer base.
Sharon Gordon’s tenacity and steadfastness in the face of obstacles was rewarded with the Perseverance Award. Sharon’s Burnaby based company, Hayes Int'l. Ventures Inc. offers The Energy Restoring Footpad, an inexpensive way to help consumers improve their health by massaging their feet using the principles of reflexology to restore their body’s natural self-curative abilities.
Duglas Cruz, winner of the Home Based Award, has taken his enthusiasm, love for what he does, pride in his work and constant networking to turn his dream into a very successful landscaping business. Greenland Landscaping, with offices in Pitt Meadows, offers all the services to make your outside space a beautiful thing.
Eric Wang of Surrey is the winner of the Construction and Manufacturing Award. Eric’s company, Allo Windows, supplies and installs Energy Star Windows. Eric can boast that he is the only AAMA Certified Master Window Installer in Metro Vancouver. Eric is pleased to report that over 80% of his business comes from delighted customer referrals; this he attributes to treating his employees well and compensating them for their above average performance and dedication to superior customer service.
Andrew Lawrence of Burnaby has taken home the High-tech Award for his success with Transparent Solutions Corp. Transparent Solutions Corp. is a premier provider of Cloud Computing services, offering consulting and network management for small to mid-sized businesses across Canada. Andrew and his team make enterprise level technology available to small businesses, all for an affordable, all inclusive, flat monthly rate.
Tara Blokzyl, winner of the Retail Award, runs Maple Ridge business, Kanaka Diamond & Gold Inc. Tara has realized her dream by creating a vibrant and exciting fine jewellery store that personally designs and creates fabulous jewellery for individual clientele, as well as carrying jewellery from some of the most sought after designers worldwide.
For more information on the Douglas College Self Employment Program, please contact 604-777-6012.
- 30 -
