Jenny Scott wins BDC's Young Entrepreneur Award forNew Brunswick
(Saint John, New Brunswick October 17, 2006) Jenny Scott, 27, sole proprietor of the largest spa in Saint John, has made it a destination of choice that attracts an ever-growing number of customers seeking beauty and wellness treatments. For this achievement, she has earned BDC's Young Entrepreneur Award for New Brunswick and will be honoured tonight at a ceremony in Moncton.Ambiance Day Spa is an Aveda concept spa which offers everything from manicures to pedicures, waxing, facials, body treatments, body wraps, body scrubs, massages and a hair salon. It has the distinction of being the only spa in the area that can accommodate large groups, the only one that offers hydrothermal massage and pre-natal tables designed especially for pregnancy massage. "We're booked solid and we still turn clients away every day," says Jenny, whose business results doubled in the first and second years and continue to grow at a steady pace. Jenny started the business three years ago when she took advantage of the opportunity to move into a location in the Market Square mall where a spa was closing. "I was living in Halifax at the time, working as a massage therapist and I moved back to Saint John within a week." With plans to renovate and rebuild the space, she went looking for financing. "I was 23 and not even out of school a year and I had no assets," she says. "I just kept going until I found a bank that would take a chance and finance a young entrepreneur with very little work experience."Top-notch treatmentWord of mouth, says Jenny, has been the best advertisement for her business. She believes her staff and the special Ambiance experience is what keeps clients coming back. "It starts from when you first call," she says explaining that the spa's philosophy is to "make sure the entire experience relaxes and re-invigorates each and every client". Ambiance, which started out with eight employees, now has a staff of 27, who are specially trained on the services they provide.Ambiance has garnered extra visibility in Saint John through participation in various charitable causes. Jenny and other tenants of the mall get together every year to organize fashion shows to raise money for breast cancer research and other causes, such as Dress for Success which helps disadvantaged women. The Ambiance staff also participates in the Run for the Cure and holds fundraising events for Earth Month, a cause which Aveda supports. "We've done cut-a-thons in the mall, sold Earth Day bracelets and tickets to win a day at the spa," says Jenny. "This year we raised more money than any other Aveda spa in the Maritimes and will be featured in Marie Claire magazine." "Jenny stands out as a role model for young Canadian entrepreneurs," says BDC President and CEO Jean-René Halde. "At just 24 years old, she seized an opportunity and created a sought-after and growing service business. It's a pleasure to recognize her passion, drive and excellence with this award.""I'm proud that I was able to start this on my own when a lot of people didn't think I could do it," says Jenny. "It's satisfying to have been able to take it as far as I have, yet I realize that there is so much more to learn and to work towards."Recognition for young entrepreneursA major feature of Small Business Week, BDC's Young Entrepreneur Awards recognize the entrepreneurial spirit and business success of Canadians between the ages of 19 and 35. The winners one from each province and territory are selected by a committee based on criteria including success, growth potential, innovation, participation in new economy activities and community involvement. The committee also considers export performance, the entrepreneur's age when the business was started and any special challenges overcome. Small Business Week partnersNational partners help make Small Business Week a success. Western Economic Diversification, WestJet, Rogers, Export and Development Canada, CFIB and Intuit Canada are official partners of the 2006 Small Business Week and Young Entrepreneur Awards. The Canadian Chamber of Commerce has been a privileged partner of the event since 1981. About BDCBDC is a financial institution wholly owned by the Government of Canada. BDC actively supports the development and growth of Canadian small and medium-sized businesses through its complementary financial, investment and consulting solutions. BDC is one of Canada's Top 100 Employers for 2007.
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For more information or to arrange for an interview on October 17:Media Room:1-877-330-4343506-857-2117After October 17:Eva Boucher HartlingMedia Relations Manager514-283-7929
