2012 entrepreneur of the year

entrepreneurs are, by reputation, daring risk takers, mavericks who put everything on the line to turn inventive ideas into bold juggernauts. But while it does take guts of steel to reap great glory in the dog-eat-dog business world, the most successful entrepreneurs take only calculated risks, extensively analyzing their market before leaping into action with secure initial capital, a tenacious business plan and robust financial controls at their backs. These people are the true game changers, the ones who transcend the annals of the business world to become household names. For nearly 20 years, in more than 50 countries around the world, the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year awards have celebrated these calculated risk takers, catching up with them early in their empire building as they leap hurdles to build bold ventures, and in doing so create sustainable growth and jobs in places like B.C. In Canada, each year winners are chosen in five regions across the country, then an overall Canadian winner advances to Monte Carlo, Monaco, to take his or her place among the global finalists. In 2007, Guy Laliberté, founder and CEO of Cirque du Soleil, became the first Canadian atop the pedestal as World Entrepreneur of the Year. Last year, Singapore’s Olivia Lum, executive chair and group CEO of Hyflux Ltd., became the first female World Entrepreneur winner. This year, the Pacific Region will be represented at the Canadian finals by a man who, fresh out of university, began to lay the groundwork for a company that has grown to change our national security market with its innovative use of employment screening, training programs and technology applications. To be inspired by him and his many inventive peers – from miners to epicureans – keep reading.