National Post - Financial Post Magazine
FIRST JOBS AND THEIR LASTING IMPACT
Canada’s Top 40 Under 40 celebrates young leaders who are excelling in business, finance, not-for-profit and more. Here are some insights from some of Canada’s rising stars.
SAHAR SAIDI, founder and CEO, LUS Brands Inc., a direct-to-consumer ecommerce hair product brand devoted to helping consumers embrace and love their own natural features.
FIRST JOB In my first job, I was operating rides at the Fantasy Fair Indoor amusement park for kids at Woodbine Centre (in Toronto). I was just 15, working after school and on weekends. I took the job to save up for a car. It was a great experience over the twoand-a-half years I worked there. I learned critical customer service skills and how to adjust them for different people because I had to deal with children and parents. And also, the importance of being on time. Empathy was a really huge thing that came out of it. Throughout my career I have had to manage people much older and much younger. I also developed a strong work ethic, because I often worked 12-hour shifts with hardly any breaks. At the same time, I was also doing some part-time work at a coffee shop, all while juggling school. That kind of experience teaches you to manage time, organize and prioritize. I’m glad all of that was ingrained in me really early.
LEADERSHIP Probably the best people to ask about my leadership style would be my staff. I like to think I have a motivational and inspirational style. I love to teach, and hope that I lead by example and show people how I do my work. For me, LUS should be a platform to catapult other people’s careers forward. It’s great to see junior people come in and grow. I had tough bosses in my early days, which I am grateful for now. But that also means I set a high bar that I hold myself and my staff to. I don’t think I’m an easy boss, but I do like to teach and motivate others.
TOP 40 IMPACT This is such an honour for me. Four years ago, I couldn’t land a job at the right compensation level for my skillset. I thought the only choice I would have would be consulting, which is a constant hustle. Starting LUS was a big gamble for me, but it turned out to be an affirmation of what I internally knew I could do. I did everything
backwards – making money first, then going to university, and then job hunting where I got rejection letter after rejection letter. Getting recognition from the outside world is really nice, and I hope my story inspires others and encourages them to keep going.
SHAWN CHEUNG, founder and CEO, Raising the Village, a charity focused on alleviating poverty through increasing livelihoods in rural places in Africa.
FIRST JOB My first job was as a forest ranger in Northern Ontario for the Ministry of Natural Resources when I was 16 years old. I had just moved to Ontario from Alberta. It was a lot of hard work, clearing trails, doing construction, portaging and hiking. During that time, I learned what hard work actually was, and gained a sense of how much effort it can take to get things done.
LEADERSHIP That’s not an easy question to answer. I guess you could say I have a flexible leadership style. I need to be flexible given the majority of our team is in Uganda and our staff is so varied. They come from different places, are different ages, and have many cultural differences. It’s important to understand what motivates them and how to get the best out of the team. In that way I can help them get to where they want to go and become leaders wherever they are – especially in the developing world.
TOP 40 IMPACT When I told my kids I was in Canada’s Top 40 Under 40, one of them said I was already a No. 1 dad. The other asked for a fresh diaper. So in some ways, nothing changed. The fact is, we’re considered an early growth non-profit charity. Most of our support comes from outside of Canada from places like Europe, the U.S. and Australia. This award helps us to show how we are bringing Canada to the world and builds awareness for what we are doing. I hope this raises our profile and helps us get more traction in Canada.
JOELLE FAULKNER, president and chief executive officer, Area One Farms, an alternative asset management firm focused on the agriculture sector.
FIRST JOB My brother and I sold grass seed to neighbours for a couple of summers. We were eight or nine years old at the time and thought we did well. Only later did we learn we had sold below my father’s cost. The job taught us the enjoyment of working together and earning an income. We invested some of our money in Nortel just before it collapsed – it turned out we were not good stock investors – that was another good lesson for us.
LEADERSHIP I am a straightforward and in-the-trenches leader. I work hard and it is easy to do so when others are doing the same. In this business, there are two areas that I need to excel at: managing an internal team and managing our farmer partnerships.
My best ability as a leader is with the farmers. I am from a farm background so I look can at the opportunity the way they see it. Many people underestimate how hard it is to run a successful farm business, and underestimate the person running it. I can see the opportunity from the farmer’s perspective and we work together for the best outcome for everyone – that’s what we aim for.
TOP 40 IMPACT I have a number of really wonderful mentors who have helped me over time, people who are interested in seeing success happen, and ideas turn into reality. This award is really the result of that more than anything else. Having advice from people who have had longer to try things is extremely valuable.
KOSI STOBBS, chief executive officer, Property Owl Group of Companies, an investment organization focused on manufacturing sector and real estate acquisitions.
FIRST JOB My first paying job was as a cook at Burger King. I was 16 years old and paid $4.50/hr. I later got a raise to $4.75/hr as crew chief. I learned that when you walk into a job, do it to the best of your ability no matter what it is, or how small the activity. Even if a job is mundane, if you do it amazingly well it reflects positively on you. As you move into other positions, people around you will reflect on that experience and form an overall understanding of who you are. I also learned that it doesn’t matter how much or how little you earn, you can save. That first job taught me budgeting early on. Even on that meagre salary, I was able to save $100 per month.
LEADERSHIP I’m very good at knowing what I don’t know and surrounding myself with people who complement my skills. Once identified, I allow them to do their thing really well and I take a hands-off approach. As an entrepreneur you have to scale yourself and understand that you can’t do everything. Any owner has two or three critical decisions they need to make for the longevity of the business. Outside those critical areas they need to step away, because if you don’t get out of the way you’ll have a problem. Also, I don’t cry over spilled milk. Few things upset me in business – you’re either winning or learning. If you’re learning, learn and move on. Dwelling on the issue serves no purpose.
TOP 40 IMPACT My older brother was killed in 2006. I really wanted to honour him by establishing a charity in his name and by winning this award. I have now achieved both. To create that vision in my early 20s, and today accomplish both of those goals, means a great deal on a deep emotional level.