Langley-based business wins Entrepreneur of the Year award

October 24, 2003

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

He's The Funky Gourmet, and he doesn't give up. Langley-based entrepreneur Mike Brown, owner of The Funky Gourmet, won the Entrepreneur of the Year Award for Perseverance at the Douglas College Self-Employment Program's annual award ceremony, held October 22 at Coquitlam's Executive Plaza Hotel.

The Visions of Excellence Awards celebrate the outstanding achievements and success of businesses started through the Douglas College Self-Employment Program.

The Funky Gourmet uses 100 percent natural ingredients to produce and market gourmet drink garnishes, condiments and confectionary products. 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. Sales increased 100 percent from 2002 to 2003 and the business relocated from Port Coquitlam to Langley.

The Funky Gourmet can be reached at 604-530-8374 or thefunkygourmet@shaw.ca.

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