Awards honour Atlantic youth entrepreneurship

The following is being distributed at the request of the Nova Scotia Department of Education, Centre for Entrepreneurship Education and Development:

Chris Griffiths, Newfoundland's 26-year-old guitar-making guru, swept Atlantic Canada's Planet Entrepreneur Awards tonight in Moncton, N.B. 

Mr. Griffiths, owner of Griffiths Guitars International in St. John's, took home the top honour by being named the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency Young Entrepreneur of the Year. He also garnered the Canadian Intellectual Property Office Innovation Award and the Atlantic Progress Publishing Entrepreneurship and Technology Award. 

"Congratulations to Chris Griffiths and all Planet Entrepreneur Award recipients, finalists and nominees for their inspiring work," said Chris Curtis, chief entrepreneurship officer for the Centre for Entrepreneurship Education and Development (CEED), the awarding body. "They provide a snapshot of the vibrant entrepreneurial environment that's being created by our young people in Atlantic Canada." 

The Planet Entrepreneur Awards attracted more than 160 nominations. The 28 finalists were announced earlier in April. Nine awards were presented at the Universit�� de Moncton as part of the Spirit of Entrepreneurship 2001 Conference. Over 600 delegates, sponsors and guests attended the ceremony. 

The Young Entrepreneur of the Year award was presented by the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency to Mr. Griffiths for demonstrating entrepreneurial practices in many of the award categories. He was also recognized for his innovation of the Griffiths Active Bracing System and the incorporation of technology into the production of his company's acoustic guitars: Garrison Guitars. 

The award for Entrepreneurship and Technology is shared by Griffiths and co-winner Jason McGrath, 29, who founded his award-winning Halifax company, KLJ Computers, in 1995. Mr. McGrath began tinkering with computers at a young age and his intense interest in them inspired him to start his own business. KLJ Solutions specializes in developing innovative information-management solutions and market-research tools and technologies. Mr. McGrath's first-year revenue target was attained within the first four months of operation and he now employs nine full-time and two part-time employees. 

The J.D. Irving Limited Student Entrepreneur of the Year Award was taken home by Cara Hazelton of Halifax. A full-time business student at Mount Saint Vincent University, Ms. Hazelton, 22, is the owner of The Inside Edge Skating Supplies. The full-service skating boutique is the only one of its kind in Atlantic Canada and offers everything from custom boots and blades to clothing and accessories. 

Ms. Hazelton is also the recipient of the CanJet Airlines Service Excellence Award. She extends her services outside the doors of her boutique, offering advice and service on and off the ice. She involves her business in the community by supporting figure skating events and local Special Olympic figure skaters. 

The McCain Entrepreneurship Educator of the Year went to Newfoundland's Stella Greenslade. The only enterprise teacher at Mount Pearl Senior High, she has advanced the entrepreneurial culture in the school system in the past four years. Her honours entrepreneurship class has grown from 23 students to over 100 in four classes. 

Ali Asad Zaidi of Rothesay, N.B., captured the CBC Television New Media, Film and the Arts Award. Mr. Zaidi, 23, with his company GammaWave Internet Solutions, has created online communities for several areas, including Saint John and the Kennebecasis Valley. He has provided services for over 75 organizations and hosts over 100 domains. Most clients are from the Maritime region with a few from other parts of Canada. 

The Greater Moncton Economic Commission Supporter of Young Entrepreneurs Award was presented to Scott McKellar of Dartmouth, N.S. An instructor in the Entrepreneurship and Business Program at Nova Scotia Community College, Mr. McKellar initiated the first Nova Scotia Community College chapter of the Association of Collegiate Entrepreneurs. He sits on loan approval boards and the Chamber of Commerce, and he often delivers free seminars to entrepreneurial organizations. 

Nova Scotia Economic Development's YES Entrepreneur of the Year went to Chris Cameron, 17, and Jeff Ellis, 16, of Sydney, N.S., for their Summer Blades Hockey League. The Youth Entrepreneurial Skills (YES) Program chose this hockey-loving duo from four regional finalists from across Nova Scotia. Chris and Jeff brought five teams of 16- to 18-year-olds together for a full season, playoffs and awards presentation during the summer months. 

The Planet Entrepreneur Awards banquet is the largest event at the Spirit of Entrepreneurship 2001 Conference. The conference began in Moncton on Thursday, April 26 and wraps up on Saturday, April 28, at a trade show presented by more than 25 creative young entrepreneurs from across Atlantic Canada. The trade show will be held at Champlain Place Mall in Dieppe. It begins at 10 a.m. and the public is invited to attend. Trade show awards will be presented at 1:30 p.m. in the mall. 

Complete profiles on the award recipients and finalists are available at www.planetentrepreneur.com.

 Media contact:

Caitlin Rochon 
Centre for Entrepreneurship Education and Development 
(902) 424-5363 
Moncton site: (506) 388-1895  Cell: (506) 381-4187 
E-mail: rochoncn@gov.ns.ca

2001 04 27                               8:45 p.m.