2011 WINNERSIntroducing the 2011 YEA winners! They come from all parts of Canada and operate in a variety of sectors, but they have one thing in common: the drive to continue to grow and prosper, an undeniable commitment to their business and their team, and a strong involvement in their community.
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MANITOBAPeter Chudley | Todd Jenkyns | Mark KohaykewychJenkyns Electric (2008) Ltd. Winnipeg Three years ago, these 'three young guys with fresh ideas' began changing the image of the electrical contracting industry in Manitoba. Their environmentally-friendly practices, reach into remote northern communities and reputation for stellar service have made Jenkyns Electric a going concern. Undaunted by the challenges of accessing the north, last year they took on contracts in the building of four northern Manitoba health facilities. They also ventured into the data field, adding the installation of data and communication lines and fibre optics to their repertoire of services. They stand out in a crowded market for their LEED certification and promotion of Manitoba's Hydro Power Smart program, and for providing on-site electrical maintenance service to large commercial customers."There are 2,000 electrical contractors in Manitoba," says Peter. "We've had to think outside the box, foresee the changing needs of customers and sell ourselves." 
NOVA SCOTIAAnaïs GuimondAtlantic Cirque Agency and School Dartmouth When this former bungee-trapeze performer plunged into entrepreneurship, she entered unfamiliar territory. Seduced by the Cirque du Soleil at an early age, Anaïs opened her circus performing arts school in 2002 in a province and a language that were both new to her. Although her specialty was relatively unknown to Atlantic Canadians, it didn't take long for the local population to be captivated by this unique art form. Today, Atlantic Cirque offers weekly classes to 150 attendees, aged three and up, and has expanded to offer summer and spring break camps, workshops, birthday parties and corporate team building programs. In addition, the company's artist agency provides talent for local shows and fundraisers. "I hear week after week how the kids' self-esteem has gone through the roof because they're discovering new talents and abilities by doing circus arts," says Anaïs. "That's very rewarding to me." 
QUEBECSteve CoutureFrima Studio Québec City With his business drive and passion for innovation, Steve Couture has raised Frima Studio to the highest ranks of Canadian multiplatform video game developers. A graduate of MIT's prestigious entrepreneurship program, Steve teaches, coaches and lectures on the subject. "To be successful, it's not enough to be passionate about your field; you have to be passionate about business." Steve and two partners founded Frima in 2003 and now have over 260 employees. The company focuses on entertainment for every screen, with hit products for millions of users on various platforms from Facebook to game consoles, iPhones and IMAX. Over the years this Quebec firm has become a leading player in the international market, working with such entertainment giants as Warner Brothers, Adobe and Electronic Arts. Frima has become known for its experience and IT expertise. Its ability to adapt quickly, combined with thousands of hours invested in R&D, puts Frima in the avant-garde and allows it to exploit the latest trends in the entertainment industry much faster. 
ALBERTAJason ParksProfab Welding Ltd. Grande Prairie When he left school in his teens, Jason abandoned his dream of becoming a NHL hockey player and turned to his back-up plan. He trained in welding and started Profab in 2003 with one welding truck. It wasn't long before he had snared a major contract, opened a shop and started hiring staff. His flair for design and his natural business instincts combined to turn Profab into a major player in Alberta's oil field industry. When the recession hit, he diversified into new divisions, expanded to a second location and kept the company's 70-plus employees working. Always one step ahead of the industry, his formula for success includes building solid client relationships, investing in research and development, and making Profab a place where people want to come to work. He is now primed to take advantage of emerging opportunities and tackle international markets. "You can't sit still if you want to be in the game," says Jason. "I have more than exceeded my expectations, but I still want to do a lot more." 
BRITISH COLUMBIAArnold LeungAppnovation Technologies Inc. Vancouver As more organizations adopt open source – the technology that powers social media – Arnold Leung's Appnovation Technologies is one hot property. Specializing in websites and mobile applications using open source such as Drupal (CMS), Alfresco (file repository) and Sproutcore (iPhone and Blackberry applications), Appnovation has the expertise that businesses, governments and non-profits are looking for. Arnold had a web development business with two friends while studying at the University of British Columbia. After graduation, he started his own business in 2007 and soon recognized the growth potential. In three years, he expanded to 30 employees, maximizing the use of technology to scale up the business. Surpassing the million-dollar revenue mark, he made Business in Vancouver's Top 40 under 40 list at 24. With clients that include NBC Universal, MTV, the World Wildlife Fund and Canadian Cancer Society, Appnovation ranked #16 on the 2010 PROFIT HOT 50 list of Emerging Growth Companies. Very active in supporting young entrepreneurs, Arnold says Vancouver is a great place to start a business. "We hope to inspire more Canadians to study open source and start their own innovative technology companies." 
NEW BRUNSWICKPierre MartellMartell Home Builders Inc. Moncton By web-enabling the customer experience, Pierre Martell's company delivers something homebuyers dream of: new homes that are ready on time and on budget. With a 99-day construction guarantee for homes of 2,000 square feet or less, the Martell Experience provides real-time access to the building project on a personalized website. Everyone involved has 24/7 access to the same information, including a running tally of expenses. Pierre had the entrepreneur 'bug' by his early teens and started Martell Homes in 2006. To connect with its target demographic, Martell Homes recruits focus groups through Facebook and Twitter. In 2008, the company began marketing exclusively through social media, doubling its sales volumes in 2009. With outstanding client satisfaction, Martell Homes won the Customer Choice Award from Atlantic Home Warranty in 2010 and 2011. To pursue expansion, it continues to enhance the brand's appeal. "Building our brand will help us gain access to capital and move to the next stages of growth," says Pierre. Pierre Martell also received the Deloitte Corporate Social Responsibility Award > Read press release 
NEWFOUNDLAND AND LABRADORGreg HanleyHanley Construction & Renovation Inc. St. John's Earning a reputation for sustainable, superior homes, Greg Hanley's early adoption of green standards is helping him nail the residential first-time buyer market. Using Insulated Concrete Form (ICF) structures to better withstand the region's harshest weather, Hanley Construction & Renovation incorporates green materials and techniques, while providing clients with a personal touch. Greg realized at an early age that he could hone his natural abilities and talents with hands-on experience. After starting his own renovation business in 2001, he quickly earned back-to-back Renovator of the Year awards. Expanding his expertise with a project management contract, he moved into new home construction, then diversified to offer land development and excavation services, in addition to heritage renovations. Exemplifying the value of first-hand experience, Greg is a prominent and very active member of the professional homebuilders' association, among others. He believes entrepreneurs should stay open to all opportunities to learn. "Sometimes the things that don't work out are the most valuable lessons," he says. "The important thing is to just keep learning!" 
ONTARIOJeremy GutscheTrend Hunter Inc. Toronto What is the Next Big Thing? Just ask innovation enthusiast Jeremy Gutsche, the brains behind TrendHunter.com, the world's largest trend-spotting website, covering trends in areas such as pop culture, technology and fashion. Trend Hunter is fueled by a global network of 50,000 contributors, and has attracted more than 500,000,000 total views at the heart of the viral Internet. Emerging patterns from the site are packaged in Trend Hunter Pro Reports and sold to large companies such as Google, Microsoft and eBay to help them kick-start innovation on their teams. Jeremy appears regularly in the media to discuss new trends, and is an in-demand keynote speaker who has taken his message to more than 180 audiences in the last three years. "If you really put your heart into it and follow your dream, you can succeed," says Jeremy. "You have to be prepared for really hard work and recognize that entrepreneurship is about risk-taking and all the ups and downs that come with it." Jeremy Gutsche also received the Cisco Innovation Excellence Award > Read press release 
PRINCE EDWARD ISLANDRachelle WoodRachelle Wood Nutrition Inc. Charlottetown In a market saturated with quick-fix diets, innovative nutritionist Rachelle Wood is using technology to help Canadians change their ways. Rachelle Wood Nutrition's main offering, SeeResults, is a 52-week program featuring customized meal plans, recipes and helpful tools, with one-on-one coaching. In PEI alone, Rachelle's clients have lost more than 75,000 pounds. When her success attracted strong interest from nutritionists, Rachelle developed an online version of the program and a nutritionists' software product that includes valuable business tools. Today Rachelle's weight loss program is taught by nutritionists in offices and online nationwide. Obese from a young age, Rachelle decided to be proactive and study nutrition. After losing 100 pounds, she was determined to help others and launched her own practice in 2005 at the age of 23. Going online has made her business more efficient and eco-friendly, reducing printing costs and her overall carbon footprint. With an eye on continued growth, Rachelle has plans for iPhone/BlackBerry applications, and French and Spanish versions of her program. "I want to see nutritionist resellers use my system in every province so that I can really make a difference in the lives of Canadians." 
SASKATCHEWANRachel MielkeHillberg & Berk Regina With marketing savvy, Rachel has turned what started as a high-school hobby into a lucrative, high-profile business. From a base in Regina, she has propelled her Hillberg & Berk designer jewellery brand firmly into the spotlight by providing jewellery for the 2008 Academy Award gift bags and being a contestant on Dragons' Den, which earned her a sizable investment. Rachel founded her business in 2007, making and selling handmade multi-functional pieces in sterling silver, vermeil, semi-precious stones and Swarovski crystals. Today, Hillberg & Berk jewellery is sold in a Regina flagship store and in boutiques, galleries and gift shops across Canada. Last year, she provided pieces for the G20 summit attendees and promoted a new line, Memento Mori, on the road with Sarah McLachlan's Lilith Fair. "I believe that if you have a great product, take advantage of marketing and keep on top of trends, you can be successful," says Rachel whose goal is to make her brand number one in Canada's designer jewellery sector. 
YUKONCole HodinskiHorizon Helicopters Ltd. Whitehorse In a region dependent on air transportation, Horizon Helicopters founder Cole Hodinski is taking safety and sustainability to new heights. Cole's newer, greener models proved themselves with improved fuel, environmental, operational and safety performance. Cole grew up on a ranch in Alberta and decided to make flying a career after rebuilding an experimental helicopter he bought at 19. He flew throughout North America and around the world before establishing Horizon Helicopters in 2007, after he and his wife fell in love with the Yukon. Through incremental innovation, he expanded into a multi-aircraft operation, equipped with the latest technology to improve safety, productivity and maintenance costs. With a state-of-the art green hangar and a roster of experienced young pilots, Horizon serves clients in mining and exploration, environmental studies, tourism and medical evacuation. "With just five roads and a huge land mass, aircraft are essential," says Cole. "Our priority is to lower our carbon footprint to protect the environment while meeting our clients' requirements and ensuring their safety." 
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