2008 Entrepreneur of the Year

| Published: October 09, 2008
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Celebrating the cream of the 2008 crop of entrepreneurs in British Columbia.

While the Teluses and Teck Comincos of B.C.’s business community get plenty of ink in the local and international press, without the scrappy entrepreneurs at the bottom of the corporate chain, there would be no giant corporations. It’s these bold risk-takers who constantly renew our business culture, building the next generation of corporate leaders.

The annual Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year program pays homage to these business pioneers across Canada, and here in the Pacific Region we celebrate the local winners and finalists in the pages of BCBusiness. Click here to meet the judges and read about selection criteria.

This year’s winners (see them all on stage here) and finalists demonstrate a distinct West Coast pioneering spirit. Behind each success is a unique story, one guaranteed to entertain and inspire.



Brian Hill
President and CEO, Aritzia LP

Video: Brian Hill's acceptance speech
Video: Interview with Brian Hill

The judges say...“This incredible performance is indicative of the guts, risk-taking and determination of this entrepreneurial pioneer.”




David Heffel & Robert Heffel
Heffel Fine Art Auction House

Rick Baxter
West Coast Air Ltd.



John & Lottie Davis
AG Hair Cosmetics

Video: Interview with John and Lotte


Luc Bergeon
L. B. Maple Treat Inc.

Joyce Groote
Holey Soles Holdings Ltd.



Davis Yung
Fresh Direct Produce Ltd.


David Udow & Charles Steele
Ziptrek Ecotours Inc.

Sid Landolt & Peter Dupuis
S&P Destination Properties



Ron McNeil & Ivan Harmatny
Lower Mainland Steel


Andrew Purdey
Ruskin Construction Ltd.

John Scott
Scott Construction Group



Ross Beaty
Pan American Silver Corp.


Donald McInnes
Plutonic Power Corp.

Paul Blythe
Quadra Mining Ltd.



Clarence Louis
Osoyoos Indian Band Development Corp.


Samantha

Wilson
Kidproof Canada

David Suzuki & Tara Cullis
David Suzuki Foundation



Kevin Ham
Reinvent Technology


John Livingston
Absolute Software

George Rubin & John McDonald
Day4 Energy Inc.



Amiee Chan
Norsat International Inc.


Jacqui Cohen
Army and Navy Department Store Ltd.

Bruce Dean
The Whistler Brewing Co.



Robert Lee
While the Entrepreneur of the Year designation in recognizes outstanding
achievement in various categories, the Lifetime Achievement Award
celebrates an individual who has not only achieved spectacular success,
but whose lifetime accomplishments will inspire future generations.
It recognizes what EOY organizers at Ernst & Young LLP refer to as
“moral philanthropy,” a priceless giving that encourages entrepreneurial spirit in others.

Video: Interview with "Bob the Builder"


BCBusiness, winner of the 2007 BC/Yukon Magazine of the Year, is British Columbia's foremost business authority and the most widely read business publication in the province. As the interactive web companion to BCBusiness magazine, BCBusiness Online is your source for practical business information and thought-provoking commentary. The site is designed to encourage online exploration of our top stories in addition to unique web content, such as podcasts, video, blogs, slideshows, and more. The site is fully searchable.
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