INSPIRE 2015: Join Small Business BC for an evening with B.C.'s top business leaders

Dec 20 2017, 1:00 am

Join 400 small- and medium-size business owners, government representatives and industry influencers at the 6th Annual INSPIRE Celebration of Entrepreneurship, hosted by Small Business BC and TD Canada Trust, at the TELUS World of Science on October 1.

INSPIRE features an exciting evening of networking and discussion with some of B.C.’s leading entrepreneurs.

INSPIRE 2015 speakers lineup

Christine Day, CEO of Luvo Inc.

Christine Day is the CEO at Luvo, a revolutionary frozen food company that offers great tasting, nutritionally-dense food, made from the highest-quality ingredients. In her role, she leads the strategic direction of the company including marketing, operations and financial performance.

Prior to Luvo, Day served as the CEO at Lululemon Athletica for six years, growing the company’s revenue from $290 million to $1.6 billion, making it the most profitable retail-apparel company in the world. Day has been named in Fortune Magazine’s top five International Most Powerful Women, Canada’s Top 100 Women and CEO of the Year by both Globe and Mail and Business in Vancouver.

Arran Stephens, CEO and Co-Founder, Nature’s Path Foods

Born and raised on Vancouver Island, Arran Stephens learned a valuable lesson from his dad: “Always leave the soil better than you found it.” After twenty years of providing wholesome foods both locally in his vegetarian restaurant, and nationally with Lifestream, Canada’s first natural foods supermarket, Arran and his wife created Nature’s Path Foods in 1985. Built on a foundation of social responsibility, sustainability and financial viability, Nature’s Path has grown to become North America’s largest breakfast foods company.

Despite many offers, Nature’s Path remains proudly independent, with his son, daughter and other team leaders in place to carry on Arran’s passion and mission.

Kate Ross LeBlanc, CEO and Co-Founder of Saje Natural Wellness

Kate Ross LeBlanc is the CEO and Co-founder for Saje Natural Wellness. Featured in the Top 100 Women Entrepreneurs list by Chatelaine Magazine, LeBlanc has also been nominated for the YWCA Woman of Distinction and Canadian Entrepreneur of the Year Award.

Currently serving as the ICSC Retail Chair for British Columbia, LeBlanc is passionate about retail, product innovation and design. She travels the world every year inspiring the Saje product line and design teams to evolve, expand and create. LeBlanc was recently honoured at the 2014 CEO for Profit 500 top earners award.

Roger Hardy, Co-Founder, Chairman and CEO of Shoes.com

Roger Hardy is an e-commerce veteran. Founding Coastal Contacts in 2000, he sold the online eyewear store in 2014 to Essilor International for $430 million – the highest price paid for a Canadian online retailer and for a Canadian optical company. In 2013, Hardy became the seed investor for Shoes.com, founded by Sean Clark, a former member of the Coastal Contacts team. Hardy joined the Shoes.com team in July 2014 as CEO, and built a team of leaders with world-class e-commerce experience.

In the last 12 months, he has led the acquisition of two U.S. based online footwear retailers with a loyal following across North America and increased the valuation of the company from $8 million to $320 million and growing. Today, Shoes.com is Canada’s largest Canadian e-commerce business.

Katie Reiach, Co-Founder of Talk Shop Media and Smart Cookies

Katie Dunsworth-Reiach, is the Co-owner and Principal of Western Canada’s largest independently owned PR and digital marketing agency, Talk Shop Media. Reiach is also a co-founder of the Smart Cookies – a personal finance brand offering lifestyle and money saving strategies to women. She contributes to Global Weekend Morning News, CTV News and Best Health Magazine. Today, Reiach is an enthusiastic entrepreneur, investor, mother, friend and wife. Reich is also among the youngest women to rank on Business in Vancouver’s 40 under 40 and volunteers her time with Habitat for Humanity’s Women Build and CKNW Orphan’s Fund.


This year’s panel will focus on “Leadership and Growth Strategies for Driving Bottom-Line Results,” followed by a keynote from Christine Day on the topic “From Idea to Market Share – The 5 Greats of Great Business.”

Vancity Buzz readers receive 30% regular price admission and live webcast access by using promo code VANCITYBUZZ. Register now!

About Small Business BC

Small Business BC provides entrepreneurs with the information and guidance necessary to build a solid foundation for their business. Through a wide range of products, services, education and resources there’s a piece that fits with every business. No matter what stage or what skill level, when an entrepreneur finds themselves asking “How do I…?” Small Business BC is the one to call.

INSPIRE 2015

When: Thursday, October 1

Where: TELUS World of Science

Time: 6 to 9:15 p.m.

Tickets: $59 – Get tickets now at smallbusinessbc.ca and get 30% off your ticket when you use the promo code VANCITYBUZZ

 

Vancity Buzz is a proud sponsor of Small Business BC. 

DH Vancouver StaffDH Vancouver Staff

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