This month…

Edmontonians launched its dramatic Changing Cover Series this month with Sizzler Jenny Adams and kept its reputation as a pacesetter of city magazine publishing in Greater Edmonton. Why? Because Edmonton is changing at a blistering pace and we’ve been chronicling the rhythm of this metropolis since 1989: Its wins, its losses, its history.  Edmontonians is the must read for sophisticated consumers and a must buy for advertisers who want to reach the influential and affluent market in Greater Edmonton. For starters, we profile the region’s most interesting people each month; deliver the scoop on emerging trends within context of the province and the country;  create franchise features like Sizzling Twenty under 30, Family Business Report, and the annual Social Calendar. Editorial content takes readers deep behind the headlines into the issues that concern our area. We do all of this with lively writing, stunning photography, and design.

We do it in print…and we do it On-Line!  National tech reporter and local guru Gregory Michetti kicked up the electronic style of Edmontonians—and presto. The magazine sees 5,000 visitors/20,000 hits each month. And we’ve just started. You can catch your favourite magazine wherever your mobile technology roams plus stay tuned to updates and extras that don’t make into print.  And now! They are self-starting entrepreneurs, promising professionals, and motivated community volunteers. They are dynamic, urban, and modern. They are trendsetters and hang out in the hottest places, or discover them. They stay fit, regularly frequent gyms, and they attend colleges and universities.

We call them Sizzling 20s—young people under the age of 30—introduced again this year through the pages of Edmontonians magazine by a top journalism student from the MacEwan School of Communications and Photographer Terry Bourque.  It’s our fifth annual Sizzling edition…and you find it irresistible! The Sizzling 20—nominated by Edmonton’s business leaders, professional associations, and interested individuals—mark two aspects of Greater Edmonton’s youthful vitality: young writers and young leaders.

We believe that Edmontonians Sizzling 20 under 30 encourage other young Albertans to reach beyond their grasp. And once again, as part of this Signature Event, Lexus of Edmonton will host their  blazing reception held in November to recognize these rising stars…with hot entertainment, bling from Swedish Jewelers, commemorative images from Rowles Gallery…and much more! Read on!

Feature Story - August 2006

Sizzling Twenty Under 30

By Talea Medynski

It had been a while since I’ve worked as a journalist, so I was a bit nervous when I embarked on an internship with Edmontonians to write its annual Sizzling Twenty under 30. Four years ago, I had finished the journalism program at Grant MacEwan College with the feeling that I wasn’t ideally suited to the profession. Then two years ago, I returned to GMC for the professional writing program. Along the way, I decided that I wanted to finish my internship and finally receive my journalism diploma. In May, I received both my diplomas—a week after I re-entered the world of journalism… uncertain of whether I would remember all I had been taught four years previously.

It turns out, I had nothing to be worried about and I thoroughly enjoyed my time at Edmontonians. In fact, I am even considering working as a journalist after this experience. I had the honour of working with Barb Deters, who is a veteran of the journalism industry and as fine an editor as any writer could wish to work with. Working with photographer Terry Bourque added another dimension to my internship.

I also was blessed with the opportunity to meet and interview some truly inspiring people, especially since I myself am under 30 and beginning my career.  In this fifth year of the Sizzling Twenty under 30, I have found there to be a fine mix of business-savvy go-getters and humanitarians. I have never heard the words “I love my job” more than in this experience. Those very words encompass what most people seek in their careers, and it is proof that if you love what you do, success will follow. Everyone I interviewed was so different, had so many different experiences, but they all have achieved so much in such a short time. These are busy people who make time for the things that are important to them.

Although only 20 could be chosen from among the nominees, I have no doubt that everyone I interviewed will be recognized for their accomplishments. Thank you all, for being gracious with your time… for sharing your experiences… and for inspiring me and others to work toward what matters to us.

It was challenging to condense the essence of these personalities into a mere 300 words and still do The Sizzlers justice. However, I think the glimpse offered will demonstrate to everyone how dynamic and dedicated they are.

Take note, fellow readers: these are the people of my generation and they will surely change the world. Scroll down to read the entire Sizzling Twenty under 30 story or click on a name below to jump right to that person.

Jenny Adams * Matt Aubin * Chris Bolivar * Lora Brovold * Derek and Cody Bruno * Kori Chilibeck * Sarah Conant * Karen Dackiw * Kent Greaves * Gino Marghella * Melanie Nakatsui * Amanda Olivari * Alice Louise Phipps * Rishi Patel * Robert Prybysh * Laura Radbourne * Barret Reykdal * Jay Sparrow * Rosemary Williams

Jay Sparrow Lead singer Murder City Sparrows www.murdercitysparrows.com

Imagine the rush: singing into the same microphone as Frank Sinatra, playing your guitar in the same room as Ray Charles’ piano, and recording an album at Willie Nelson’s studio in Texas. How cool is that?

Ask Jay Sparrow.

He’s the 25 year-old lead singer of the Murder City Sparrows, a four-person Edmonton band. Sparrow describes their music style as a combination of punk, country and pop.  How did the band get its name? Sparrow was struck by the homicide rate in Washington, DC—250 to 400 people are murdered each year, in a city half the size of Edmonton. The other part of the name—and his own—comes from Charles Bukowski’s printer, Black Sparrow Press. Sparrow has no musical training and can’t read music—he plays by ear. He started playing when he was 14, and wrote the lyrics and music to his first album when he was 16 and 17.

The band has been around since 2002, but 2005 was its best year so far. Sparrow explained that they weren’t particularly thrilled with their first album, so they decided to hone their music style for a year before they released another album. They teamed up with Gordie Johnson, a former member of Big Sugar, to make it happen. The new single, Burn in Water, is getting national air play, and they have a video on Much Music.

Accolades are coming their way. Sonic FM named Murder City Sparrows Band of the Month, and they were written up in the defunct DOSE Magazine as a group to watch in Western Canada. The New Music West festival in Vancouver presented them with the Future Superstars Award.

The second single from their self-titled album will be released this summer. Murder City Sparrows will also be touring Eastern Canada, stopping at the North by Northwest Music Festival in Toronto.

Derek and Cody Bruno Co-owners  Cree Convenience & Peace Hills Pure Water

Derek Bruno is a “big picture kind of guy” and Cody Bruno focuses on the details. Together the brothers have combined their talents to run two successful businesses on the Samson Cree Nation Reserve in Hobbema, Alberta.

The Brunos saw opportunity in their community. Samson was lacking quality customer service and clean drinking water. With well-developed business plans, the duo opened the Cree Convenience store and Peace Hills Pure Water in 2001.

When they first opened the store, there were occasions when Derek would sleep underneath the office desk, with Cody on top of the desk, “curled up like a cat.” They dined on Kraft Dinner to save money. Their sacrifices paid off. Three months after opening, Cree Convenience met the profit projections of the third year, enabling them to start Peace Hills Pure Water. Most of Peace Hills’ revenue comes from the five gallon water bottles, but it also sells 600 ml water bottles, water coolers, softeners, water purifying products and filters.

In their first year at Cree Convenience, they achieved $1.2 million in sales. With steady growth and continued success, the Brunos won the Syncrude Aboriginal Youth Entrepreneur Award of Distinction in 2006.

They find that humour gets them through the rough patches. One day while they were working through some problems, their father gave them some advice from the Bible.

“No offense to this, but I couldn’t see a direct correlation from the Holy Bible to the concepts of employment insurance and modern accounting practices. Before he left, I jokingly developed the Holy Trinity of business which consisted of hard work, opportunity and luck,” recalls Cody.

“I credit much of our success to the dynamic partnership of Derek and myself,” says Cody. They trust each other, and always take something positive out of their mistakes. “Forward motion is important in business.”  Besides running their businesses, the brothers lead busy lives. Twenty-eight year old Derek is the youngest ever chairman of the board of the Samson Cree Nation Holding Company. He’s also a trustee on the Samson Education Trust Fund and a councillor of the Samson Cree Nation.

Derek is adamant about his motivation: “What means the most to me is the community of Samson. This is what makes my life purposeful.” He believes a lot of a community’s social problems can be solved by developing the economics of a community. “A job helps with integrity… it will reach beyond just putting money in their pockets.” Since Derek has become more involved in community politics, Cody, 24, has taken over the daily responsibilities of running both companies.

As well, both are pursuing an education. Derek, who already has a First Nations management diploma and a Bachelor of Commerce degree, is in the process of receiving an MBA with a major in community studies through distance learning. Cody is completing his fourth year of his Bachelor of Commerce degree on a part-time basis, driving to Edmonton three times a week during the academic year.  “It is a challenge to attend school and maintain my businesses at the same time. Being organized and planning ahead are vital to making the entire system work,” explains Cody.  Their business experience has led them into public speaking. Derek spoke at the Aboriginal business summit about small businesses interacting with big businesses. Cody has spoken to students on topics ranging from business to self-awareness.  “Once you’re involved in your community,” says Derek, “it’s a positive cycle.”

Karen Dackiw Fundraising consultant Ketchum Canada Inc. www.kciphilanthropy.com

“Fundraising truly is a rollercoaster and you just need to enjoy the ride,” says Karen Dackiw, a professional fundraising consultant with Ketchum Canada Inc. KCI sends her to different organizations to help with their campaigns.

Currently, as the campaign director for the RCMP Heritage Centre in Regina, she is responsible for raising $10 million. Despite the challenge, she is excited about the chance to educate people about the RCMP’s long and illustrious history. For Dackiw, fundraising is about “impacting the community,” not just about raising money.

The 29 year-old Edmontonian started her career working for the United Way at Norwood school, in the Partners for Kids mentor program.

“Norwood was a rude awakening,” says Dackiw, having discovered it was in one of the most impoverished communities in Edmonton. She realized how fortunate she was when she was growing up, and how poverty impacts families. It was from this experience that she decided to become a fundraiser.

While Dackiw loves her job, it isn’t easy. Not many people like to ask for money, and people aren’t easily parted with their money. Good thing she’s tenacious.

“Fundraising is about linking donors with organizations in order to work collaboratively to improve the community and create lasting impact.”

When she was at Norwood, she made over 200 speeches about working with students and families living in poverty. In 2000, Dackiw was the United Way’s most requested speaker and named the speaker of the year.

“The best thing about my job is that I get to learn about all the good work being done.” Each assignment has its ups and downs—that’s the nature of raising money for a cause.

“At the end, I can say it was hard… it was challenging… but it was worth it.”

Alice Louise Phipps Owner Sea Grape Gifts www.seagrapegifts.com

“Wow, it smells nice in here.” That’s the first thing people say when they walk into Sea Grape Gifts.

Alice Louise Phipps named her Caribbean-themed store after an ornamental tropical plant that produces edible grapes. Sea Grape has everything from Haitian hand-made dolls to rum cake to coconut tea.

“It’s kind of a cultural exploration,” says Phipps.

Her parents come from the islands of Carriacou and St. Kitts, but Phipps was born and raised in Edmonton and attended French immersion schools. She always wanted her own business, and took action when Hurricane Ivan wreaked havoc on her grandmother’s home in Grenada in 2004. Phipps decided a specialty store could help the affected island’s economies and spread the diverse Caribbean culture.

She opened Sea Grape Gifts in April 2005. She wanted to jump in to running her business full time, but she was too practical. Instead, the 27 year-old works full time at Intuit Canada, and opens Sea Grape from Thursday through Sunday.

 "My whole family’s been really supportive,” she says, explaining that her dad works in the store Thursday and Friday while she is at Intuit. Phipps has promoted Sea Grape Gifts by joining a couple of different African American organizations and by taking part in Black History Month, where she sold her products at the Taste of Africa and Caribbean event. She’s also involved with the Caribbean Women’s Network and in the upcoming Cariwest Festival.

At first, Phipps was concerned her business wasn’t growing quickly enough. But, a successful entrepreneur friend, told her not to worry, and teased her that it would be a while before she could afford anything but macaroni and cheese. Certainly less hard to swallow when you can sip a soothing cup of cinnamon coffee.

Melanie Nakatsui Owner and director of Melanie Nakatsui Salon & Spa Owner of Melanie Nakatsui Management Corporation Publisher of Philippine Asian Chronicle

At 27 years old, Melanie Nakatsui runs three businesses, is actively involved in her community, and has a young family. Nakatsui was an entrepreneur at a young age. At 22, she created the Melanie Nakatsui Management Corporation, a one-woman operation that helps other companies start up and get organized. She also owns the Melanie Nakatsui Salon and Spa, and is the publisher for the Philippine Asian Chronicle.

“[The paper] is more about bringing people together,” Nakatsui says, explaining she doesn’t run the paper just to make a profit. “It helps bridge a gap.” Her biggest business is her salon, which she opened when she was 23.

“I’m not a hairdresser, but I love the industry. I love making people feel good about themselves.” Nakatsui runs the salon and spa, taking care of tasks such as payroll, inventory and supervisory duties. She credits the salon’s success to her stylists and staff. “They’re the make or break of a business. Good staff helps with client retention—from the front desk to the stylists.”

Nakatsui has a huge drive to help others and volunteers for several charities, organizations and committees. She’s the president-elect of the Junior League of Edmonton, an organization that trains women in leadership skills and also emphasizes community involvement.

“It’s one of the more important community organizations.” She’s also on the Mayor’s multicultural advisory counsel, is the chair of the proposed Mayor’s Multicultural Arts Evening, and is on the communications and community development committees. Through her position on the outreach committee, she is a strong promoter of the Lois Hole Hospital for Women. Despite all her current success as an entrepreneur and volunteer, Nakatsui aspires to someday open a homeless shelter.

 Matt Aubin Partner Pure Vision Inc. www.purevisioninc.com

Matt Aubin’s dad is an entrepreneur, his mom is an artist. So it seems natural that he would partner in a business that combines common sense with creativity. Aubin, 27, went to NAIT for marketing and photography, and has certificates in design. His wife, Stephanie, has a business degree from the University of Alberta. In 2002, they pooled their talents to form Pure Vision Inc., a design, marketing and photography company.

 “I’ve always loved marketing, I’ve always loved design,” says Aubin. “I really feel passionate about this.”

The company is based in Sherwood Park and has a staff of five people. Aubin is involved in every stage of projects and Stephanie is the business manager. “I love what I do. I like being able to take things from conception to finished product.”

The talented crew produces work that has appeared in national magazines. But another reason for the company’s popularity is its customer relationships. Aubin encourages clients to go with what will work best for them, not just what they want. “It’s based on a customer’s needs.”

Aubin also loves to work with people. “We view our customers as friends. I think our customers feel the same way.”

Aubin and Stephanie have both worked hard, with 12 to 14 hour days being common. And it has paid off. In the past year, business has doubled. And yet, Pure Vision doesn’t do any marketing itself. “Mostly, it is word of mouth. It’s a good testament to us and our work habits. It’s the best kind of advertising,” beams Aubin.

 Gino Marghella Deli manager Italian Centre Shop www.ItalianCentre.ca

If you become a regular customer at the deli counter at the Italian Centre Shop, Gino Marghella will soon know your name. His personality trait brings in business, and customers wait to be served by Marghella.

“I like it when I have 50 [customers] and I can make everyone happy,” says Marghella.

He started working at the Italian Centre Shop when he was 17 years old; now, at 24, he is manager of the deli counter. Despite his youth, he has become an exceptional manager because he makes the effort to get to know his customers and his co-workers.

When he first started working as a manager, he struggled to gain the respect of his co-workers, most of whom were older than he. That came by working alongside them, not just supervising them.

“You can’t tell people to do something without being willing to do it yourself,” Marghella explains of his success.  His caring attitude toward his co-workers, and his own work ethic make for a productive environment. He has shown increases in deli sales each year through his customer service, and helps with employee retention through his positive relationships.

“I’m a working manager, a people’s manager,” says Marghella. He works long hours and rarely takes a vacation, readily admitting, “I couldn’t consider myself doing something else.” Marghella is also finishing a business administration accounting program at NAIT, and got married in July. “I like to be busy,” he laughs.

Lora Brovold Actress and producer

Lora Brovold’s parents were set on her becoming a lawyer. She decided to become a theatre actor instead. Her parents protested at first, but then encouraged her.

“My dad always said to concentrate on dreams first,” says the soft-spoken thespian and producer.

It was decided that if she was going to be an actor, she was going to get a degree. Brovold moved from Ontario to Alberta to attend the University of Alberta’s drama program. She graduated in 2002 with a Bachelor of Fine Arts, and she has been acting since, in both free and paid performances. She also produces plays, an experience that “is hard work but empowering.”

Brovold acknowledges acting is a tough market: Even though she has been acting since 2002, most directors want more experienced actors. As well, there aren’t many female roles, and some theatres in Edmonton don’t hold auditions.

At 27, this is the first year she hasn’t had to rely on a full-time job to support her acting. “It’s hard not to have a job, but it’s good because it gets your entrepreneurial brain in gear,” explains Brovold.

Success comes after four years of hard work; this year, she’s had major roles in Three Days of Rain and Hockey Stories for Boys. Her performance in Three Days of Rain earned her a nomination for an Elizabeth Sterling Haynes Award.

In March, Brovold  signed with an agent who should open up more opportunities for her in film, television and radio. In the next year, she would like to produce a play and will begin her four year apprenticeship to become an equity actor, which may help her to get more acting jobs.

Rosemary Williams Project manager Bottom Line Productions www.bottomlinepro.com

Rosemary Williams didn’t plan for a career as a project manager at a public relations firm. It just happened that her love of arts and promotions led her in the right direction.

With a Bachelor of Arts degree and a diploma in public relations, Williams ended up having the right combination of education needed for the position at Bottom Line Productions, an Edmonton company that promotes clients and events.

Williams, 28, has been there for two years and says, “I like being able to start from the planning stage [of a project] to the implementation of it.”

Her dedication flows over into her volunteer work, which is encouraged by her employer. “It’s a mandate at Bottom Line to work for a bigger reason.”

Williams has volunteered for events such as the Junos, the Magnetic North Theatre Festival, the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation’s CIBC Run for the Cure, and the Country Music Awards. She directs her efforts to public relations, marketing and communications activities because there are not many volunteers with that expertise. In 2005, she generated so much best media coverage for the CIBC Run for the Cure that she was recognized with the outstanding run volunteer award in the Prairies-NWT chapter.

Williams is finishing her Master of Arts in professional communication from the Royal Roads University by correspondence. She practices yoga and is also taking up golf. With so much going on in her life, something has to give. So, despite her love for volunteering, Williams has decided to take a two year hiatus.

“It’s too hard to balance it all.”

Kori Chilibeck Owner and chief executive officer Earth Water International www.earthwater.ca

When Kori Chilibeck was in Nepal, he saw an old man with no shoes or coat, laden with cases of Coca-Cola in a woven straw basket on his back. Chilibeck recalls thinking about the futility of the situation: Obviously, the man was working for such a pitifully small wage, he couldn’t even afford to consume the product he was carrying.

Upon his return to Edmonton, Chilibeck resolved to help. His idea was to purify Strathcona County water by reverse osmosis… bottle it… sell it… donate profits to help those in need.

He submitted a proposal to the United Nations in which he committed to creating a for-profit company that would donate 100 percent of its net profits to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees. Chilibeck was diligent and determined: He phoned, e-mailed, and wrote the UN for three months before someone contacted him. He was given 10 minutes to talk to a UN representative.

His persistence paid off. In October 2004, Earth Water International was launched—the only product authorized to display the UN logo. In the past 16 months, the company has been growing at a phenomenal rate, selling its bottled water in the United States and Canada. Chilibeck went to the Netherlands to set up a European Earth Water office. In June, he traveled to Southeast Asia to meet with potenial importers.

Earth Water is a partner in ninemillion.org, launched on World Refugee Day, June 20, 2006. Nine million children are refugees, and the campaign helps those in refugee camps “through education and sport.” The ninemillion.org logo is now on Earth Water labels.

Chilibeck’s long-time friend, Atlantic series racecar driver Mike Forest recently added the Earth Water label to his Champ car.

Although not a traditional business, the 27 year-old says the company answers to its shareholders just like any other.

“Our shareholders are everyone in the world in the worst conditions.”  

Sarah Conant Co-owner, vice president  and event coordinator VIP Concierge & Errand Service www.vipedmonton.net

 When Sarah Conant is at a wedding, she carries a kit filled with everything from Band Aids to smelling salts, a habit from her college days studying technical theatre production. She uses a similar kit now in her job as an event planner for VIP Event Consultants, a division of VIP Concierge & Errand Service.

Conant and her mom, Lisa, got the inspiration for their company during a trip to New York three years ago. Concierge companies are common there, but not in Edmonton. When VIP opened last September, there was a great response.

“We do anything within the confines of being legal and ethical,” laughs Conant, who explains the cost are “very affordable” because they want single mothers to be able to access their services. She was raised by her mother, who knows the financial challenges of a single parent.

The 22 year-old launched the events consultant division, and plans everything from charity functions to fashion shows. Conant’s experience as a stage manager makes planning events easy by comparison. She’s also a personal shopper, either for or with clients.

But Conant doesn’t work only at building VIP. In addition to her job as its event coordinator and vice president, she is also an assistant manager at Reitman’s.

“Sometimes brides are concerned that I have another full-time job,” she admits. But, she obviously thrives on being busy.

Conant loves both of her jobs—she’s never bored. And that’s important to her.

Kent Greaves  Accounting technician Veres Picton & Company www.verespicton.com

“My dad and I joke all the time that we’re playing Monopoly, only with our lives,” says Kent Greaves.

He grew up in Stony Plain, and has already owned two businesses—a slate installation business and an accounting business. Like any Monopoly player knows, you win some… you lose some. And this keen entrepreneur is ready to get back into the game with a goal to make money and develop a skill set.

The 25 year-old, an accounting technician at Veres Picton & Company, holds a Bachelor of Commerce degree and is finishing 14 months of course work to become a certified accountant.

“Accounting will teach me what I need to know about business,” Greaves explains. He recognizes that being an entrepreneur is risky, so he wants to make sure he has a solid plan before owning a business again.

Greaves wants to work in the “business of necessity”—people will always need to eat and have a place to live. The plan is to invest in franchises like McDonald’s and Tim Horton’s, and to buy real estate such as apartments, houses and commercial buildings. In fact, he and his entrepreneur father have teamed up to buy two or three houses—one every six months—in need of TLC and renovate them for rental.

“Our first purchase will be this September. Right now, we are finalizing the business plan and gathering the team.”

Greaves idea is to work hard now so that he can work less in the future. “My goal is to work two to three days a week while still making $100,000 a year.”

This ambitious young man also wants to sail around the world with his family.

“I’d start in Vancouver and head south and then head east.” 

Amanda Olivari  & Laura Radbourne Owners Cinnamon Baby Boutique www.cinnamonbabyboutique.com

 At Cinnamon Baby Boutique, you can buy couture for children. Owners Amanda Olivari and Laura Radbourne even sell the shirt that Brad and Angelina’s baby, Shiloh, is wearing in her alleged $4 million debut picture.

The boutique looks like an upper class child’s bedroom, painted with bright colours, filled with large white cabinets, and lit with boutique-style chandeliers. Since most of the clothing lines are exclusive in Western Canada, being a bit posh is appropriate.

Despite the exclusivity of their products, Olivari and Radbourne insist that wealthy parents are not their typical customers. In fact, an array of customers frequent Cinnamon Baby, from the parent who buys a barrette to the grandmother who splurges on a stroller. Prices range from the $20 t-shirt to the $500 designer diaper bag… you can buy everything from newborn to size 10 clothing to custom-designed furniture. They are even equipped to organize baby showers, and host yoga and pilates sessions.

“I do think our customer is someone who wants something unique,” says Radbourne.

Being unique in Edmonton is exactly what the partners wanted. Olivari wasn’t able to find exclusive children’s clothing for her two girls in Edmonton, so she shopped in Phoenix, Arizona. For Radbourne, Cinnamon Baby combines two of her loves: children and fashion and she thought the boutique was a great idea.

The 26 year-olds were both raised in businesses: Olivari managed her grandparent’s store, Giovanni Yamaha Music School, for six years, and Radbourne worked at her grandparent’s Grande Prairie store, Ernie’s Sport Experts. They met in the marketing program at NAIT, where they soon became friends. After NAIT, Olivari married and had two children. Radbourne became a certified nail technician, and managed a restaurant and another clothing company, but none of those jobs were her passion. In early 2005, after two years of talking about opening a children’s store, Olivari called Radbourne and said she was ready.

Cinnamon Baby Boutique opened in August 2005, six months after the friends starting planning. It was named after a store called Cinnamon Girl that Olivari went to when she was honeymooning in Hawaii. She decided that if she every opened a store, the name would start with “cinnamon.”

They look forward to when they can hire people to work in the store. Right now, Radbourne works onsite most days and takes care of daily tasks such as accounting. Olivari does the purchasing from home so she can be with her girls, and works in the store twice a week. While extra help would be great, both admit that they have a close connection to their customers. “We’ve really formed a lot of friendships,” says Olivari.

Radbourne says it’s been a lot of fun because they’ve met so many great families and customers. “We get to watch people’s babies grow up,” says Olivari.

In the future, these friends and business partners would like to open a maternity store, and turn Cinnamon Baby into a franchise. 

Chris Bolivar  President & Creative Director Optamedia www.optamedia.com

“I’ve never actually worked for anyone,” admits this young entrepreneur.

Optamedia, an Edmonton communications company that specializes in branding, was born when Chris Bolivar was studying political science at the University of Alberta. There are only eight employees, but he considers his small company to be his competitive advantage.

“When you have ownership over projects, you have better results,” says Bolivar. The staff takes care of the creative aspects of the business, while he focuses on business development.

Since its conception, business has grown 200 to 300 percent per year, with clients such as Microsoft Canada, Isotechnika, and the Kidney Foundation of Canada.

“I don’t think the equation to business is difficult or profound. If you deliver the goods and treat your customers right, you’re going to do well.”

But the success also comes with a challenge. “The growth of the company is very difficult to manage.” He explains that it’s important to ensure that the resources match up with the growth.

Bolivar plans to expand Optamedia, first in western Canada, and then nationally. His goal is to be a leader in the national branding and design community in Canada.

“I have ideas everyday. The most difficult thing is choosing which ideas to pursue and which ones to drop.”

He also has a rich community life, and is on the fundraising committee for the CARITAS organization and volunteers for the Edmonton Junior Chamber of Commerce.

“We all want to make Edmonton a better place.”

Barret Reykdal  COO and vice president operations Rentcash www.rentcash.ca

Barret Reykdal loves people. He wants them to succeed, and this is reflected through work and volunteerism.

He is the chief operating officer and vice president of operations for Rentcash, a publicly traded company that operates under three banners: The Cash Store, InstaLoans, and Insta-rent. These companies deal in rent-to-own services and short-term cash advances, and have 1700 employees across Canada and over 400 hundred stores. At 28, this Edmonton native has worked for Rentcash since 2001.

His father is the president and chief executive officer of Rentcash, but Reykdal started out as a store manager and worked his way up to chief operating officer within five and a half years. He thinks he has advanced so quickly because he produces good results and he works hard. “It’s a fun, intriguing, good job.”

Reykdal’s day is filled communicating with people he supervises. He also travels to different store locations, and trains the regional managers. He’s not afraid to recognize employees for their achievements, and to provide feedback.

He is known for being a leader; he listens to and motivates people. But Reykdal downplays this claim, saying he surrounds himself with people who make him look good.

For the past three years, he has volunteered for the YESS 2 Success event in support of the Youth Emergency Shelter Society. He is one of the original founders, and got the company involved in his cause. Now, Rentcash is a huge sponsor, and Reykdal is a company representative by donating his time.

Reykdal helped organize the World’s Longest Hockey Game in 2004 to help raise money for YESS 2 Success as well as last year’s Race to Success, a go-cart race fundraising event.

“It’s a fantastic cause. When you hear the stories of the kids, you just want to help them.”

Robert Prybysh  Co-owner Arrow Engineering Corporation

 When Robert Prybysh was a boy, he liked to play with Lego. Now, at 29, he still likes to build things.

The mechanical engineer is one of three partners in Arrow Engineering Inc. in Edmonton. Formed in March, it has eight employees.

“It’s absolutely amazing how much work has come to us in the last couple of months,” says Prybysh. If all goes well, plans to double the size of the company within a few years could be  possible.

He attributes Arrow’s early success to the good relationship he and his partners have with the Edmonton community. They try to address the needs of the company, the client, and their employees. Prybysh explains that material and labour costs have increased dramatically, but they attempt to keep the costs competitive and fair for everyone.

“We try to make an effort to remember everybody.”

In his spare time, Prybysh likes to take part in sports such as running and mountain climbing.

Some trips are more interesting than others, like his recent trip to Tanzania, where he climbed Mount Kilimanjaro. He says the trip was a disaster—their luggage, including their climbing gear, was lost so Prybysh and his friend had to rent gear and warm clothing. They made the ascent with a group of professional mountain climbers from Slovakia. Prybysh was fine, but everyone else got altitude sickness. The trip is definitely memorable.

Keeping in shape is part of his regimen: Prybysh does it so he can keep on working.

“Engineers never retire. They work until they die. I want to be able to work until the day I die.”

Jenny Adams  Marketing coordinator, Edmonton City Centre www.oxfordproperties.com

Pictured on cover

“I like to take initiative. People say I’m a doer,” says Jenny Adams, a 24 year-old Spruce Grove native. The marketing coordinator for Oxford Properties Group helps promote Edmonton City Centre with year-round events.

She likes the variety of her job, joking that “I don’t have to find new ways to market coasters.”

She had an opportunity to promote the arts during the Edmonton International Film Festival last year. She and a co-worker did such a good job that they won the award for promotion of the arts at the Mayor’s Evening of the Arts in late May.

Adams tends “to go with the flow.” This attitude got her a part in 2005’s The Bachelor, a television series where comely ladies vie for the affection of a gent searching for his true love.

She explains that being on the show wasn’t as glamorous as most people thought, but the self-confidence she gained was valuable. One great thing from her stint on The Bachelor was her experience in front of the camera. Adams has appeared on Breakfast Television on Citytv to talk about the show, and has also promoted events for Edmonton City Centre on The Bounce radio station.

“I always end up getting thrown back into TV somehow or another,” says Adams. Ironically, she originally wanted a career in TV and broadcasting, but her math mark was too low to get into NAIT’s radio and television program. Now, because aspects of her job involve working with the media, she has decided to study public relations at Grant MacEwan College on a part-time basis.

Adams is a big believer in helping out her community. One place she volunteers for is the Youth Emergency Shelter Society.

“Some stories are really sad. We live in this bubble,” says Adams, explaining that most of us are oblivious to the hardships that others face. “I think it’s really important to help.”

Rishi Patel Owner Keeran Systems www.keeransystems.com

“Unsurpassable” is a word that is starting to ring true for Rishi Patel.

When his father bought a computer in the late 1980s, Patel started to learn how they worked, and was only 17 when he started his one-man consulting business in 1999. Seven years later, the business has turned into a nine-person team. At 24, this born and raised Edmontonian is the owner of Keeran Systems, an IT security and infrastructure design firm where his role is to “steer our ship and build our client base.”

Keeran “helps companies measure and manage security risk through network design, system support, and hardware procurement.

“We come in there like a SWAT team to clean things up,” says Patel, adding that they’re not there to replace a company’s IT department, only enhance it.

One specialty is vulnerability assessment: the evaluation of a company’s computer security.

“I think vulnerability assessment is the new antivirus of the millennium,” explains Patel.

A new software and hardware, called KeeranGuard, has the company on the radar in the United States. The product assesses a client’s network, rates the security risk and impact, and provides a solution. It was developed in collaboration with an American firm. Patel says it’s nearly 100 percent effective, and 12 percent of Fortune 1000 companies use KeeranGuard. Not a bad start to his long-term strategy of expanding nationally and into the European market in the next five years.

Patel gives his thoughts on having a successful company: “The secret is managing your growth. The challenge is delivering the solution on time.”

Top  

Now, you can view Edmontonians in Adobe Acrobat PDF format by clicking here.