2010 Successful You Business Awards Winners
CGA-BC Business Start-Up Award
Growing City, Vancouver
Lisa von Sturmer & Andrew Sutherland (Co-Founders)
Growing City was founded in Vancouver in October 2009 and is quickly becoming a vital part of Vancouver’s thriving green business community by providing a solution to the composting challenges experienced by businesses and urban dwellers.
Co-founders Lisa von Sturmer and Andrew Sutherland have been friends since their high school years on Vancouver’s North Shore. Growing City combines their passion for urban sustainability, healthy living and community involvement.
Besides running their burgeoning business, Andrew and Lisa speak at conferences, trade shows and community events.
Judges’ Comments:
• Innovative and proven concept
• Have a vision for continual growth
• Working partnerships with local governments and municipalities
• Sound environmentally and socially responsible business practices
• Strong marketing campaign and branding
• Growing industry and market demand
• Management team is passionate about the company
TELUS Business Growth Award
My Tech Guys, Comox
Bob Wells & Scott Swanson (Co-Founders)
My Tech Guys was founded on July 1, 2006 by Bob Wells and Scott Swanson to provide “Friendly in-home Computer Service”. Opening a store in Comox BC, My Tech Guys started with four employees and has grown to twelve.
Focusing on in home service, they were amazed at how successful retail sales were by the end of their first year. They recently opened their second store and become an Apple Authorized Reseller, further increasing their premium product line.
My Tech Guys has had its share of difficulties, but customer support has kept the team striving to be better. My Tech Guys has truly earned the title of “The Friendliest Geeks in Town!”
Judges’ Comments:
• Proven concept and business is established
• Well defined corporate culture
• Strong and loyal client base
• Able to recognize & capitalize on competitors' service gaps
• Consistent growth and profits over the past three years
• Strong competitive advantage with quality products, good customer service and remote IT support
• Management team is passionate about company and surrounded with qualified mentors and professional experts
TD Canada Trust Small Business Champion Award
SEEDS Developement Centre, Surrey
SEEDS Business Development Centre provides business support and mentoring to new entrepreneurs who are EI-eligible and reside in the Lower Mainland. The program teaches individuals how to develop business skills, gain the knowledge to survive and succeed in a competitive small business environment.
SEEDS is funded by The Ministry of Housing and Social Development, Employment and Labour Market Services Division.
Judges’ Comments:
• Programs proven effective to support small businesses
• Positive community response to the organization, confirms third-party validation
• SEEDS staff shows high level of volunteerism to help small business community, outside business operations
WorkSafeBC Company of the Year Award
CityMax.com, Vancouver
Dean Gagnon (President)
CityMax.com was founded in 1999 by two former college classmates, Dean Gagnon and Sunny Hirai, with one simple goal – to create an easy website builder that empowers aspiring Internet entrepreneurs with all of the tools and education they need to achieve their dreams.
The technology has since launched over 572,000 websites with hundreds more going live each month. Headquartered in the historic Gastown district in Vancouver, CityMax.com employs 36 staff and two Directors of Greeting.
Judges’ Comments:
• Innovative in their offering and value proposition
• Shows leadership and strong vision
• Community oriented and involved
• Fosters entrepreneurial spirit and proved sustainable for 11 years
• Good HR practices – voted “Best Company to Work For in B.C.” (2009 BC Business Magazine)
