2010 TBDC Awards Finalists:
Congratulations to all our 2010 TBDC Awards finalists. Undoubtedly, these rising stars in the business world truly embody the essence of entrepreneurship.
Excellence in Entrepreneurship
Edward Gal, MotionsMedia Technology and Communications
Remaining current and constantly evolving has always been the basis of Edward Gal’s 20-year career. Beginning as a software developer in the banking industry and moving from various Internet software companies, he eventually founded MotionsMedia Technology and Communications in 2002. Specializing in marketing, branding, interactive websites, database applications and more recently promotional videos, MotionsMedia provides a one-stop shop for a company’s, marketing, multimedia and Internet needs. Edward wears many hats, developing an award winning documentary film, as a regular writer and contributor to The Examiner and TV co-host strongly dedicated to helping the self-employed and small business owner. He credits his success to being the “go-to-guy:” always able to adapt, and provide clients with exactly what they’re seeking. www.motionsmedia.com
Jason Van Tassel, Mouth Media Inc.
With a 1,700 square foot loft space on trendy Queen St. West, Mouth Media has come a long way from the small windowless den from which it was launched in 2003. In that time, the new media design house has become the go-to creative crew for agencies, businesses and organizations alike including two of their largest clients, Mirvish Productions and Luminato. But despite its success, Mouth Media continues to offer web and branding services designed especially to suit entrepreneurs’ needs and budget—showing that Mouth Media hasn’t forgotten its entrepreneurial roots. With savvy marketing campaigns like Canada’s Worst Website Contest, Mouth Media’s fresh ideas and approach are clearly more than just lip service. www.mouthmedia.com
Excellence in Youth Entrepreneurship
Ashley Proctor, Creative Blueprint
Ashley Proctor has been working with artists and entrepreneurs since 2001 when she first became involved with the OCAD Student Union. As Director of Finance and an artist herself, Ashley developed the first representational Board of Directors in 2003 and the student-funded, student-run gallery Xpace in 2004. Ashley began independently representing local artists in 2005, launched the arts management company Creative Blueprint in 2006, and is currently expanding the company's facilities and services by developing collaborative arts incubators in Toronto. In 2009 Ashley was a Finalist for TBDC's “Excellence in Perseverance” and the Impact “Woman Entrepreneur of the Year” award. www.creativeblueprint.ca
Jeff Mann, Method Creative Studios
After graduating from Humber College, Jeff Mann jumped head first into the deep-end of the ad industry. He was first nabbed by one of the top national ad agencies and was then hired as creative director for Virgin Mobile Canada at the age of 24. With an approach to creative work described as passionate, strategic and slightly eclectic, Jeff eventually built Method Creative Studios. As a boutique studio they can switch gears quickly, involve clients throughout the process, push brands to new realms of potential and take on only the projects they’re passionate about so they never have to compromise creatively. Jeff has also lent his talent to the local music and acting communities, providing design and promotional services at budget prices. Method Creative Studios do not harbor grand aspirations to take on the titans of the industry, but instead set the standards for design and execution excellence. www.themethod.ca
Excellence in Community Impact
Rose Cathy Handy, BilingualLink.com
Despite significant training and experience in HR, difficult circumstances left Rose Cathy Handy living in a woman’s shelter. While at the shelter Rose found books on entrepreneurship and decided it was time to not only rebuild her life, but start her own consulting business. She clinched her first contract while living in the shelter, using the money to get an apartment and complete a business plan. Rose started Bilingual Link after realizing there was a real need in Ontario to connect employers with bilingual personnel. Her enterprise runs bilingual job fairs, an online career site and other HR services for bilingual employment candidates. As a single mother of two heading her own company, she has helped over 16,000 bilingual candidates find work, and also uses her own experiences to help homeless women get back on their feet. www.bilinguallink.com
Anthony Stanberry, Freeze-DNA
To “design, create and educate,” has always been the mandate of Anthony Stanberry’s family-run company Freeze DNA— a business which began in his mother's basement. Now Freeze DNA is a successful publishing company with seven book titles on the market that teach children how to draw comic art. Anthony’s first book, Blac Ice, is a graphic novel which developed out of the realization that there are more green superheroes than black ones, identifying a real need for strong and intelligent black leading characters. Learn to Draw Comic Art: Ultra Heroes Blac Ice Edition teaches people to draw characters from Blac Ice inspired by legendary afro-Canadian and African-American figures. A teacher and role model to young kids, Anthony travels across Canada instructing children on drawing with his Freeze Kids Comic Book Art workshops. Although he notes he lacked experience, industry knowledge and finances when he started Freeze DNA, Anthony’s commitment to promoting literacy and art is nothing short of heroic. www.freeze-dna.com
Excellence in Perseverance
Sunny Gervan, Design Revolution
Growing up knee-deep in her parent’s home-based renovation business, Sunny Gervan’s lifelong interest in home design began early. Later, she also developed an enthusiasm for environmental issues and a devotee of the creative arts. By combining her passions, Sunny created the full-service architectural and restoration company Design Revolution in 2007. With a focus on sustainable design and eco-friendly home renovation products, Sunny’s services include architectural plans, building permit procurement and project management. Sunny’s career path, however, has not been without struggle, having faced debilitating fatigue and illness. But through her love for Moksha Yoga and her passion for her work, Sunny has overcome the obstacles and continues to run a thriving “revolutionary” home design business. www.designrevolution.ca
William Primrose, Rattailfilms
William Primrose is no stranger to entrepreneurship. At the ripe old age of 23 he got into the gas meter business. Things took a tragic turn, however, when a severe car accident left with him with brain damage and physical injuries that meant he couldn’t maintain his gas fitter’s license. Forced to re-evaluate his William discovered his untapped artistic talents and enrolled at OCAD. Realizing his love for film and video, William decided to focus on supporting the independent filmmaker, founding Rattailfilms 2008. The company gives independent artists access to the very best equipment at a reasonable cost—previously unattainable through the big production companies. As a cutting edge business with a unique niche, Rattailfilms has been able to help filmmakers realize their dreams on a small budget, giving them the edge they need to thrive in the cut-throat “rat race” of the movie-making world. www.rattailfilms.com
Excellence in Innovation
Jane Hayes, Garden Jane
Jane Hayes, educator, artist and gardener extraordinaire has earned her green thumb. With a dedication to the accessibility of healthy food, she founded Garden Jane in 2007 to help communities design and implement organic food gardens and programs. Through workshops, training, consulting services and events Garden Jane has been able to reach clients responsible for much of the food policy, and community garden education being developed across the GTA while empowering families, adults and children to get “down-to-earth.” Through the corresponding launch of the earth circus event Cirque Dirt, Jane has also been able to co-ordinate with and continually foster the local organic gardening community. www.gardenjane.com
Axel Davids , Distility Branding
At the tender age of seven on a week-long boat journey from Oxford England to Canada, Axle Davids was forced to find ways to entertain himself and learned a thing or two about innovation and invention along the way. Later in life, Axle was creative director at two of Canada’s top interactive agencies but wanted to take his unique ideas and start anew. What initially began as aXle Branding has since evolved into Distility Branding: a business based on the belief that consensus is the key to effective re-branding. Led by an insightful branding expert, Distility Branding’s 1day1brand workshops bring together a company’s biggest minds into one room for an entire day. The result? A radically accelerated process of creating a defined brand in one session. A welcome change from conventional branding efforts that can take months of gut wrenching effort. www.distility.com
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