Canadian women entrepreneurs are best role models for future leaders
TORONTO, Dec. 10 /CNW/ - Last night six exceptional women were honoured
as winners of the prestigious 2008 RBC Canadian Woman Entrepreneur Awards
(CWEA), hosted at the Fairmount Royal York Hotel. These are the pre-eminent
national business awards recognizing leading female entrepreneurs whose
successful business and achievements contribute significantly to the Canadian
and global economies as well as their communities.
"The awards recognize extraordinary women entrepreneurs whose leadership,
dedication and vision contribute greatly to their industries, the economy and
to their local communicates," said Carolyn Lawrence, President of The
Powerpoint Group.
Awards were given in five categories: The RBC Momentum Award; The
Deloitte Start-Up Award; The HKMB Hub Impact Award; The Bell Trailblazer
Award; and The PROFIT Award for Excellence in Entrepreneurship.
"These women are passionate about their contribution to their business,
and to the communities in which they work and live. They are incredible role
models for generations of future leaders in Canada," added Rina Pillitteri,
national director, Small Business and Women's Market, RBC Royal Bank.
Interestingly, but not surprising, a recent poll conducted by Angus Reid
shows that 80 per cent of women entrepreneurs said that "committing extra
time" in their business is the most important way of coping with the
difficulties and challenges they face in dealing with their business.
Respondents also indicated that being ready to play every role necessary (79
per cent); accepting that they have to face good and bad news on a daily basis
(73 per cent); having a good business plan (71 per cent); and networking (also
71 per cent) are important coping mechanisms.
It's clear that last night's winners have found ways to not only manage,
but to excel, in their business lives.
The following six exceptional women were honoured as winners of the
prestigious 2008 RBC Canadian Woman Entrepreneur Awards:Deloitte Start-Up Award Winner:
Miriam and Natalie Gee, Gee Beauty (Toronto, Ontario)
The mother-daughter team saw holes in the retail beauty world and were
determined to create a more modern, focused concept. The Gee women came up
with the time-sensitive concept of "beauty-on-the-go", all because of the
desire to look and feel gorgeous. Gee has won a number of awards for branding
including: the Gold Design Lion from The Cannes Lion Advertising Festival in
Cannes 2008.
HKMB HUB INTERNATIONAL Impact Award Winner:
Baljit Gill, Kitwanga (Vancouver, British Columbia)
Kitwanga is an independent lumber manufacturing and marketing business.
Baljit created a global initiative for Kitwanga after taking it over at the
brink of bankruptcy in 2004. Gill has earned her status as one of the largest
exporters of B.C. Wood Products, is the largest employer in NW BC, of which
70% are First Nations people. The Kitwanga Mills Ltd. international markets
include North America, Central America and South East Asia.
RBC Momentum Award Winner:
Tarana Nina Gupta of Greenlite (Montreal, Quebec)
Greenlite sells compact florescent lights but it is their sense of social
and environmental awareness that makes the company truly unique. When she
started the company in 1993, Ms. Gupta's aim was to educate and encourage
North Americans to use energy efficient lighting to reduce greenhouse gas
emissions. Greenlite's revenue has increased over 40% each year over the last
3 years.
Bell Trailblazer Award Winner:
Teresa Coady of Bunting Coady Architects (Vancouver, British Columbia)
Bunting Coady is on the forefront of the sustainable movement, having more
square footage of LEED NC Gold certified institutional and commercial projects
than any other firm in North America. Teresa's key to success has been
pioneering the Integrated Design Process (IDP). Her firm developed such
landmark projects as the award-winning UBC Life Sciences Centre, the NRC
Institute for Fuel Cell Innovation, the Vancouver Port Authority Head Office,
the Kwantlen Trades and Technology Centre and the Douglas Border Crossing.
PROFIT Award for Excellence in Entrepreneurship:
Christina Jennings of Shaftesbury Films (Toronto, Ontario)
Shaftesbury has been behind a remarkable body of dramatic Canadian
television programming including; series, mini-series, TV movies, family and
children's programming, in both live-action and animation formats. Jennings
has led her company to more than double their profit over the last four years.
They recently acquired Smokebomb Entertainment, a developer of original multi
platform digital content, which puts Shaftesbury into the forefront of
production of original content for the web and all digital media platforms.About the Canadian Woman Entrepreneur Awards
The RBC Canadian Women Entrepreneur Awards are the pre-eminent national
business awards recognizing the country's leading female entrepreneurs.
Canada's future economic development and prosperity depend on the fact that
entrepreneurs, particularly women entrepreneurs be encouraged and cultivated.
Women deserve recognition for their dedication to their business success and
for the inspiration to younger generations of aspiring women entrepreneurs.
For more information, visit www.theawards.ca.
About The Powerpoint Group
The Powerpoint Group is an event and marketing firm that is dedicated to
the advancement of women. Since 1994 their focus is to fulfill the needs of
the Canadian business women, by producing various series of events focused on
creating opportunities for women to inspire and guide each other towards
success. Other event includes the Women of Influence Luncheon Series.
From December 5 to December 6, 2008, Angus Reid Strategies conducted an
online survey among a randomly selected, representative sample of 505 adult
Canadian women. The margin of error for the total sample is +/- 4.36%, 19
times out of 20. The results have been statistically weighted according to
Statistics Canada's most current education, age, and region Census data to
ensure a representative sample of the entire adult population of Canada.
Discrepancies in or between totals are due to rounding.
If you have any questions don't hesitate to send me an e-mail or give me
a call. Please ask for Carolyn Lawrence with the Powerpoint Group, who
coordinated the event. To schedule an interview time you can get in touch with
Carolyn at (416) 567-1201.When: December 9th, 2008
Where: Fairmount Royal York Hotel, Canadian Ballroom (100 Front Street)
For further information: Carolyn Lawrence, (416) 567-1201
