Lower Mainland businesses win Entrepreneur of the Year awards

October 24, 2003

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Nine Lower Mainland business people have nabbed Entrepreneur of the Year awards at the Douglas College Self-Employment Program's annual awards ceremony, held October 22 at Coquitlam's Executive Plaza Hotel.

Stuart Ellis-Myers took top spot in the Consulting category for his Vancouver-based business, Uniquely Speaking, which delivers customized keynote presentations, general sessions and private in-house training programs in Canada, USA, Australia and Thailand. He can be reached at 604-709-4446 or stuart11@telus.net.

Oliver Perez took home the Hi-Tech award for MultiTrends ITNet Services Inc., a Vancouver-based high-tech company providing computer and network infrastructure support and software development for small-to-medium size businesses. He can be reached at 604-875-9080 or info@multitrends.com.

Monika Burton won the Global Award for her business, Burton International Enterprises, a Vancouver-based import/export company specializes in Crystal Files, and other unique products around the world. The company offers an assortment of designs (Rainbow, Swarovsky Crystals, Silver) and hand-painted images on the handle. She can be reached at 604-642-0770 or pburt@intergate.ca.

Bruce Hargrave of New Westminster also took the Global Award for his company BHI Materials, just over three years ago after discovering a demand for Canadian lifestyles and building materials in Japan. He can be reached at 604-523-6125 or brucehargrave@bhimaterials.com.

Peggy Prasas won the Retail Award for Champagne Taste Home Consignment. Located in an underdeveloped area of New Westminster, the store, which offers quality home furnishings at garage sale prices, has enjoyed strong community support and been nominated by the City Planning Department for the best commercial renovation award. She can be reached at 604-524-6068 or champagnetaste@shaw.ca.

Port Coquitlam-based entrepreneur Mike Brown, owner of The Funky Gourmet, won the Perseverance Award. From the original Fire Breathin' Spicy Pickled Bean to a delectable cranberry salsa, the Funky Gourmet's products are featured at over 300 fine gourmet shops, beer and wine stores, independent grocers, fruit stands and souvenir gift shops in B.C. He can be reached at 604-530-8374 or thefunkygourmet@shaw.ca.

Gary Langley's Hoot & Owl Be There! won in the Construction and Manufacturing Category. His Maple Ridge-based company counts over 25 Lower Mainland stratas on its client list. The company does it all: tiling, drywall, electrical, plumbing, repairs and more. He can be reached at 604-465-5586.

Therese Archambault and Kenneth Gossen took the Home-Based Business Award. Their Maple Ridge-based company, Gossen Mechanical Ltd., offers HVAC equipment service and installation, including maintenance contracts with access to 24-hour emergency support. They can be reached at 604-467-6048 or ken_therese@telus.net.

Reinier van de Poll won the Service Award for his Maple Ridge-business, van de Poll Garden Design, who uses innovative design and comprehensive project management to produce home gardens that last. He can be reached at 604-908-0257 or design@vandepollgardens.com.

Since the Douglas College Self-Employment Program (part of Douglas College's Training Group) started in 1995, it has helped people on Employment Insurance launch over 1,500 businesses in the Greater Vancouver area. It is one of the largest and most successful Self-Employment Programs in Canada, with 94 percent of graduates still in business after one year, when the national average for other self-employment programs is 28 to 30 percent. After four years, 67 percent are still in business. To learn more about the Self-Employment Program at Douglas College, or attend an information session, please call 604-777-6140 or visit the Web site at selfemployment.douglas.bc.ca.

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For more information, please contact
Kimberley Fehr, Communications and Marketing Office: 604-527-5325
Self-Employment Program: 604-777-6140