FORTYUNDER40
MONDAY, JUNE 6, 2016
2016
OBJ.CA
12
take small steps forward to ensure the business would succeed. Biggest influence: This is a two-fold question for me. I was initially influenced by Orléans Chamber of Commerce members to open my own business. Through networking, the relationships that I developed and the knowledge that I gained, I became confident in my abilities to start and run a business. Marie-France Lalonde, now MPP for Ottawa-Orléans but at the time a business owner in Orléans, told me I had the skills needed to run a business. This gave me the confidence to start on my entrepreneurial journey. After reading the E-Myth by Michael Gerber, I came to a point where I had to look at the model of care we were delivering as well as the various processes and systems in the business. I’ve taken inspiration from business-minded physiotherapists from across the world such as Paul Wright and Jerry Durham to name a few. The entrepreneurial journey is a constant process of learning and being open to new ideas. Biggest lesson learned: I can’t please everyone and I’m going to ruffle some feathers. I want everyone to be 100 per cent satisfied with the decisions I make, but ultimately someone is not going to be happy and I have to get over that. As long as I know that at the end of the day I’ve put careful thought into a decision and it was in the best interest of the business, it was the right thing to do. First job: Working in the corn fields in the summer in southwestern Ontario. Advice I’d give the younger me: When things don’t seem to be going the way I planned, I think of the old saying, “Look for helpers. You will always find people who are helping.” Whether it be community members, friends or family, you always want to surround yourself with the people who are going to help and support you, not the ones who will bring you down. I chose this career because: I’ve always had an interest in sports, science and helping people and I thought that physiotherapy was a good blend of all three. One word to describe my career: Dedicated When I was a kid, I wanted to be: Initially I wanted to become a teacher, but by the time I was in Grade 12 I became fixated on being a physiotherapist. Favourite pastime: Spending time with my family. I’m currently reading: How to Run A One Minute Practice by Paul Wright Favourite movie: The Dark Knight Favourite song: Anything by Michael Jackson, especially the stuff from the Thriller album.
Favourite local pro sports team: Ottawa Senators Favourite local summer event: Ottawa Bluesfest Preferred social media platforms: Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram Personal Twitter handle: @JasonBPT Company Twitter handle: @BellefleurPT
Alex Benay, 35 CEO, Canada Science and Technology Museums Corporation Birthplace: Québec City Company: Science culture, museum, science centre. Education: Bachelor of arts in history, University of Ottawa (2002); currently completing PhD in cultural studies at the University of Leicester. Charitable involvement: Canadian Association of Science Centres Biggest biz achievement: Appointed CEO of the Canada Science and Technology Museums Corporation at the age of 33. Biggest biz obstacle: Continuously fighting against age discrimination. Biggest influences: My parents, both in their own way. They gave me the belief that I can do anything I want with my life by setting a goal and going to get it. Biggest lesson learned: It’s a big world. Canadians often think too small. Sectors must collaborate with one another to compete globally because there is no longer such a thing as a “local” business. First job: Kitchen staff at Dairy Queen Advice I’d give the younger me: Don’t change a thing. It wasn’t easy, it’s still not easy, but push hard, go get what you want and make a difference. I chose this career because: I love history, technology, people. I’m living the dream. It’s the best job I will ever hold. One word to describe my career: Diverse When I was a kid, I wanted to be: Military officer Favourite pastime: I have started making beer from scratch. I’m currently reading: Deconstructing Digital Natives, edited by Michael Thomas Favourite movies: Casino; Lawrence of Arabia Favourite song: Weighty Ghost by Wintersleep Favourite local pro sports team: Ottawa RedBlacks Favourite local summer event: CityFolk Preferred social media platforms: Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, Snapchat, Instagram Personal Twitter handle: @alexbenay Company Twitter handle: @SciTechMuseum
Ottawa’s biggest and best celebration of entrepreneurship Frank Bouchard, 27
Catherine Clark, 39
co-founder and president, Wipebook
president, Catherine Clark Communications
Birthplace: Ottawa Company: Wipebook manufactures and distributes whiteboard notebooks and flip charts. Education: Master’s degree in engineering management, University of Ottawa (2013); bachelor of electrical engineering, University of Ottawa (2011) Charitable involvement: University of Ottawa Biggest biz achievement: Running the largest Kickstarter crowdfunding campaign in Ottawa. In 30 days, we raised more than $424,000 in sales. Biggest obstacle overcome: Surviving a major lawsuit from one of the initial founders of Wipebook while keeping the company afloat. Biggest influence: The Fresh Founder community. It’s just a great community of passionate young entrepreneurs doing great things in the city and a great source of inspiration. Biggest lesson learned: You can trust your gut. I’ve made the mistake of not listening to my gut before and then entering into bad business relationships. No matter how much something makes sense logically, sometimes listening to your gut can prevent you from making bad decisions. First job: Freelance animator and illustrator Advice I’d give the younger me: Never stay stuck in your bubble of comfort. You’re just going to miss out on a world of opportunity. I chose this career because: I invented the Wipebook from a personal need to easily erase my mistakes. The engineering and education spaces are also areas that I find very important. One word to describe my career: Creative When I was a kid, I wanted to be: An inventor Favourite pastime: Working I’m currently reading: Now You See It by Cathy N. Davidson Favourite movie: Donnie Darko Favourite song: Imagine by John Lennon Favourite local pro sports team: Ottawa Senators Favourite local summer event: Canada Day Preferred social media platform: Twitter Personal Twitter handle: @fr4nkbouchard Company Twitter handle: @wipebook
Birthplace: Ottawa Company: We create compelling, personal video content which helps companies and individuals to tell their stories effectively. We also offer personalized media and presentation training to help organizations and individuals put their best foot forward in a public setting. Education: Bachelor of arts in art history, University of Toronto (1999) Charitable involvement: I am involved with numerous charitable organizations but sit on the national board of CARE Canada and the organizing committee of Politics and the Pen benefiting The Writers’ Trust of Canada. Biggest biz achievement: Starting my own company and seeing it become a success. Biggest biz obstacle: Every day presents new obstacles but also new opportunities. I prefer to focus on the opportunities. Biggest influence: My husband and my parents for their unwavering belief that I can achieve anything I set my mind to, and my children, who are the reason I started my own business – so that I could structure my life to include equal measures of parenting and professional engagement. First job: Selling lemonade to the golfers on the 17th hole at the Champlain Golf Course in Aylmer. Advice I’d give the younger me: To not be apologetic about sticking up for yourself. I chose this career because of: Circumstance and children. I had an idea for a business that I thought could be successful. I felt that starting my own company would give me the chance to try out my idea and the control to continue being an active, engaged parent. One word to describe your career: Eclectic When I was a kid, I wanted to be: A fashion designer and a country and western singer. Luckily for the world, those things did not work out. Favourite pastime: Being active with my family. I’m currently reading: Best not to tell, so that I can maintain my reputation as an “intellectual.” Favourite movie: Dirty Rotten Scoundrels Favourite song: I have a lot of favourite songs. Favourite local pro sports team: Ottawa RedBlacks