BMO Entrepreneurs Awards

Recognizing women who own and operate thriving businesses

BARBARA FOX

Chief Executive Officer ENTERPRISE CANADA

BIO: Barbara Fox spearheaded Enterprise Canada’s rise to one of the country’s leading strategic communications and public affairs firms. Widely respected for her strategic thinking and relationship skills, she was recognized with the Public Affairs Association of Canada’s Award of Distinction in 2017. From organizing Royal visits to successfully guiding Enterprise through the rapidly changing business landscape, Barbara’s career has been defined by the loyalty and respect of employees, clients, associates and competitors.

EARLY, LASTING LESSON: Treat people the way you want to be treated: with respect, empathy and loyalty.

ADVICE I WOULD GIVE MY YOUNGER SELF: Operate outside your comfort zone. It’s the best way to learn and grow.

POWER SONG: “Don’t Stop Me Now” by Queen.

REETU GUPTA

President and

Chief Executive Officer THE EASTON’S GROUP OF HOTELS/ THE GUPTA GROUP

BIO: Under Reetu Gupta’s leadership The Easton’s Group of Hotels has become one of Canada’s largest private hotel development firms. The Gupta Group is an award-winning residential builder with five million square feet of mixed-used projects currently under development. Reetu is also the co-founder and chief strategy officer of Rogue Insight Capital Ltd., a private venture capital firm. She was recognized as a Top 40 Under 40 winner in 2017.

EARLY, LASTING LESSON: Always trust your intuition.

SUCCESS IS: Happiness and giving back. If my team, partners, customers are all happy, I feel I have achieved success. I also feel it is my duty to give back to the community. When I do that, my heart is happy.

POWER SONG: “Run the World (Girls)” by Beyoncé.

KARINA HAYAT

Co-founder and President PRIZM MEDIA INC.

BIO: Karina Hayat is a purpose-driven entrepreneur who has made it her life’s work to create a positive impact in her community. By establishing Prizm Media and RxtoMe, the company has helped more than 20 million people with chronic conditions connect with health-care products/services at their point of need. She dedicates countless hours to homelessness initiatives, female mentorship and interfaith dialogue.

EARLY, LASTING LESSON: My family taught me financial discipline and to always save for a rainy day. This lesson evolved into our lean startup methodology, allowing us to bootstrap the company from day one. I’m always extra diligent in spending, having a firm grasp on cash flows, and allocating the necessary resources to overcome financial challenges while investing in technology to stay ahead of the competition.

JENN LOFGREN

Founder, Executive Leadership Coach & Consultant

INCITO EXECUTIVE & LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT

BIO: Jenn Lofgren helps executives across Canada and worldwide unlock their leadership potential and grow into inspired, authentic leaders. She is one of only 60 recipients of the esteemed Master Certified Coach (MCC) designation in Canada and five per cent of coaches worldwide. Jenn is a champion of local enterprise, an ally to women in business, an actively involved citizen and a passionate member of the global business community.

ON BEING DESCRIBED AS POWERFUL: I’ve done things anyone could do. Powerful is choosing courage a little more than I’ve been comfortable with.

SUCCESS IS: Doing what I love, on my terms, to benefit others.

ADVICE I WOULD GIVE MY YOUNGER SELF: Don’t be afraid to do what you love and you’ll find a way to create both success and happiness.

SANCHARI SEN RAI

Co-founder and

Chief Executive Officer EDUCATION CONSULTANTS CANADA (ECC INC.)

BIO: Sanchari Sen Rai and her all-women team have helped thousands of international students work through the onerous process of applying to study in Canada, getting accepted and flourishing both academically and in their lives. Sanchari believes it is a vitally important social obligation for businesses to give back to the community when they are in a position to do so.

ON BEING DESCRIBED AS POWERFUL: It makes me feel more responsible, as with power comes great responsibility.

SUCCESS IS: When you are in a position to give back all that you have learned and earned to create empowering teams and individuals.

ADVICE I WOULD GIVE MY YOUNGER SELF: Success doesn’t come from money but from passion and the love for what you wish to do.

POWER SONG: Om chanting.

RENÉE MERRIFIELD WASYLYK

Partner

Chief Executive Officer TROIKA MANAGEMENT CORP.

BIO: Three-time Canada’s Most Powerful Women: Top 100 winner Renée Merrifield Wasylyk leads a company committed to building sustainable communities. Troika has projects in four provinces including commercial and residential developments, and master-planned communities. Renée is an award-winning leader on issues of entrepreneurship, urban planning, sustainability, health, and water conservation, as well as an advocate for community in Canada.

EARLY, LASTING LESSON: Don’t worry about how long the journey is, just keep moving forward, even if you have to crawl.

ON BEING DESCRIBED AS POWERFUL: I feel honoured and humbled. I have never thought about being powerful, only having a positive impact.

ADVICE I WOULD GIVE MY YOUNGER SELF: Be kind to yourself.

JESS TETU

Chief Executive Officer JUST FOR YOU DAY SPAS / LIA REESE BEAUTY – CANADA

BIO: Jess Tetu is a national award-winning serial entrepreneur making waves across Canada in the beauty industry through her dedication to philanthropy. She faced and overcame adversity at a young age, relocated to Saskatoon from her small home town with a backpack and a bus ticket and through dedication and determination has become one of Canada’s most inspiring entrepreneurs.

EARLY, LASTING LESSON: Show kindness. You are the only one responsible for your future and your own happiness.

SUCCESS IS: Helping others and showing kindness is what fuels me and is the true definition of success.

ADVICE I WOULD GIVE MY YOUNGER SELF: You are stronger than you think you are and far more capable than you realize.

POWER SONG: “Run the World (Girls)” by Beyoncé.

IRINI MIKHAEL

Chief Operating Officer LULLABOO NURSERY AND CHILDCARE CENTER INC.

BIO: After having her first daughter and being unsatisfied with the service and quality offered in childcare, Irini Mikhael, a professional engineer, decided to open her own childcare centre in 2008. Irini went back to school to obtain her Early Childhood Education degree to improve the program’s educational content. Today, Lullaboo has nine locations across Ontario, cares for more than 1,300 children and employs 350 educators.

ON BEING DESCRIBED AS POWERFUL: I am a powerful woman because I have the ability to envision a dream and know what I have to do in order to make that dream a reality.

ADVICE I WOULD GIVE MY YOUNGER SELF: Believe in your goals, value your strengths, and never let anyone tell you that you are not capable of those dreams or achievements.

POWER SONG: “You Gotta Be” by Des’ree.

SUSAN YORKE

Chief Executive Officer and Founder

LOVE GOOD FATS

BIO: Susan Yorke is a 30-year veteran of the consumer packaged goods industry and has worked at high-profile companies such as Proctor & Gamble, PepsiCo, Kraft Heinz and more. After spending years adhering to a low-fat diet and hitting a wall in her forties, Suzie shifted to a high-fat, low-carb diet and felt better right away. Seeing a gap in the marketplace and the opportunity to help others through food, she developed Love Good Fats to make high-fat and low-sugar bars and shakes.

EARLY LASTING LESSON: In order to do a good job, you need to believe in what you are doing. I think that applies to all areas of your life.

ADVICE I WOULD GIVE MY YOUNGER SELF: There is never going to be a “good” time to become an entrepreneur so you just have to trust yourself and do it.

POWER SONG: “Don’t Stop Me Now” by Queen.