Holly Norris remporte le Prix aux jeunes entrepreneurs de BDC pour les Territoires du Nord-Ouest
(Inuvik, NWT October 17, 2006) Holly Norris' business, Delta Sun Services, is spicing up the food services industry in Inuvik with a distinctive and highly sought-after catering operation, a newly-refurbished restaurant and the concession stand at the town arena. In recognition of this accomplishment, Holly, 26, has been named BDC's Young Entrepreneur Award for Northwest Territories and will be honoured tonight at a ceremony in Moncton, New Brunswick.
Delta Sun Services' catering business, which started in January, 2003, filled a real void in Inuvik, where no such service existed at the time. Holly and her partner, Brad, an experienced chef, recognized the market potential and acted on it. "We decided to get a business license and try it out," explains Holly, "and it really took off."
Their catering services were quickly in high demand, for everything from meetings of oil and gas company representatives to local theme parties to the 2004 Western Premiers' Conference. In 2005, the company bid on and won the contract to run the concession service at the local arena and also purchased a local restaurant that they have renovated and continue to improve.
A recipe for growth
Today, Delta Sun Services is not the only catering business in town, but it has the distinction of being the only 100-percent Aboriginal-owned company and restaurant in Inuvik that serves and specializes in authentic local cuisine. And Delta Sun brings what Holly describes as a "youthful" approach to theme parties.
The company counts 10 to 12 employees and local people are often called upon to help out at larger events. "I have a lot of family in Inuvik and they are constantly helping me," points out Holly. "My success is based on the support that I've been given by my family and staff."
That support works both ways. Holly provides opportunities for high school students to gain work experience in her business. She assists staff members who are interested in pursuing a career in the cooking trade and she encourages young staff members to come up with original concepts for custom and theme parties. "They've amazed me with their ideas," she points out. She has also worked with Inuvik's Youth Council, and hopes her own success shows aspiring young entrepreneurs "you can do something like this if you really want to."
"Holly stands out as a role model for young Canadian entrepreneurs," says BDC President and CEO Jean-René Halde. "She should be commended for building a socially responsible business that provides opportunities for young people to gain valuable work experience. It's a pleasure to recognize her passion, drive and excellence with this award."
"It takes a lot of hard work and commitment," says Holly of being an entrepreneur, "but I think I represent the youth of today who want more and work hard to achieve their goals."
Recognition for young entrepreneurs
A 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 partners
National 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 BDC
BDC 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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