Torjman was working in the fashion industry in New York when he decided to move back to Canada and strike out on his own. He founded 18 Waits, and now his clothing and accessories are featured in high-end North American stores, like Holt Renfrew, and around the world in China, Japan and the United Arab Emirates.

I knew I was on my way when… We brought our collection to sell at a very well regarded trade show in Paris and New York and it was incredibly well-received. We showed alongside the best brands in the world for buyers who came from all over the world and everyone loved our brand and collection.  It was pretty exciting as the people who walk these shows are educated, skilled and acutely aware of what’s happening in the fashion world on an international level. And we fit right in.

Action Plan

• Be well organized. It’s so easy for things to get out of hand — and quickly — when starting a business.  Set up a good system of organization right off the bat so you’re off to a good start and not trying to clean up messes down the road.

• Surround yourself with the right people. Don’t have an ego about it. Find great people to work with and let them do what they’re best at without getting in their way.

• Don’t give up. It doesn’t matter what industry you’re in; starting and running your own business is not easy. But if your goal or dream is to do it then all the work is worth it. Don’t get frustrated by small failings or not succeeding as fast as you would have hoped. It takes a few years for a business to really find its legs and start working.  Lastly, work your ass off.  Because that’s what it takes to make it work. If you love what you do — which I do — the work is fun and exciting, as opposed to laborious and boring. Love what you do and then work your ass off doing it.

From a young age, Christine had always loved working with children, and went to university to become a teacher. After taking a criminal law course she found the courage to change her focus and began studying to be a lawyer.

She obtained her BA in  criminology and criminal justice from Carleton University, her Canadian law degree from the University of Ottawa and her American law degree from Michigan State University, ultimately landing an articling position at the Crown law office, criminal division in Toronto.

Today she is a Federal Crown prosecutor in Toronto, but has also kept her dream of teaching alive by being a course instructor at the University of Guelph.

I knew I was on my way when… I was offered a job as a prosecutor right out of the interview.

My first day was very overwhelming and exciting because I was parachuted into the busiest criminal courthouse in the country. I enjoy helping people and using my voice to advocate for the public interest.

Right now I teach advanced law and politics at the University of Guelph as well as being a crown prosecutor, which is a definite challenge, but I love it because I’m bridging both of my passions at this point in my career.

Action Plan

• Prepare yourself for opportunity: My family is very hardworking and always valued education. They gave me everything they had, but I had to bridge the gap, so I worked, sometimes up to three jobs, while going to law school. Don’t limit yourself. Create your own opportunities.

• Choose your own path: Be selective where you spend your time and efforts. Use your skills and focus on moving forward and progressing. Don’t become stagnant in your career.

• Nurture your relationships: I didn’t get here on my own.  I had help from my family, defense lawyers, Crowns, judges and colleagues.

I am constantly learning from those around me and I’ve been surrounded by a lot of strong women in my career who have given me poignant advice at critical points.

I truly value those relationships and they have been a major contributor for where I am now and where I’m going in the future.

In his third year of university, Darren started recipe development for his own brand of beer in a pot on top of his stove. After putting together the necessary financing, Smith opened his brewery in May of 2010 with a staff of four. After two successful years, he now employs 25 people and sales of Lake of Bays Beer have quadrupled.

I knew I was on my way when… we started getting the first round of merchandise with our Lake of Bays logo on them. The night we opened, we went into the local pub in Baysville. Everyone was drinking Lake of Bays beer out of our glassware.

It was cool seeing it served to people. We’ve gone from pale ale to four beers and our aim is to become one of the major players in the beer business, taking our brand across Ontario and eventually across the country.

Action Plan

• Talk to people: As an entrepreneur, it’s easy to be filled with enthusiasm to make your idea work.  Find people who are in the same business as you and really listen to them. You will benefit when they give you honest feedback on your business plan.

• Do some serious financial sleuthing: See if you can get your hands on the finances of a company that is doing what you want to do. Get an idea of the financial structure of the business and ask them how long it took to get established and profitable.

• Abhor fixed costs:  In a new business you’re building sales and volume and if you have a lot of fixed expenses, it can be really challenging. If you have to deliver your product, contract another company to do the deliveries and when the sales come you can justify buying your own vehicle.

Devon started Blo Blow Dry Bar with two other women when she was still in school and today it has grown to 28 locations across Canada and the U.S. While starting her business no one knew she was going through post traumatic stress disorder from being raped when she was 18 and violently assaulted and held against her will when she was 21. Today she speaks about her experiences and how personal troubles shape our lives and affect how we do business.

I knew I was on my way when…

I gave my first public talk about my experiences with assault. I knew sharing this was the most important thing I was going to do. You’re not always responsible for what happens to you, but you are responsible for how you behave. As a leader, if you’re not abreast of what’s impacting humanity, you can’t understand what’s impacting your people. Statistics around violence are staggering. Leadership is in how we react to what we learn — it shapes and defines the future for our companies, teams, and our lives.

Action Plan

• Define your core values: They are the essence of us as individuals and the foundation of our company’s potential. Live and die by your values.  Hire and fire by your values.

• Never sacrifice them: Most things in life are negotiable. Your values are not one of them.

• Get real on passion: Passion is a choice. It is when you give something more energy than is required. Passion is your core values in action.

Deciding he was more passionate about marketing and sales than becoming a criminal lawyer, Hale founded Soshal Group, a digital marketing agency. In just two years Soshal Group has grown to 12 employees and is aiming for 20 by the end of the year.

I knew I was on my way when… I signed my first six figure client and I realized I wouldn’t have to go to my parents anymore and ask for money. Right now we’re working with some pretty notable clients like the United Way, Ottawa Senators, the Canadian Hockey League and Algonquin College. Our first year compared to the second was monumental and our year over year growth is 500 per cent. Right now we’re really focused on how we can take the people who have already invested in us and help them move higher.

Action Plan

• Be humble. I was egotistical and cocky when I got started at age 19. I realized early that business isn’t about getting publicity. You have to run a business with a real purpose.

• Be open. We met some of our largest clients in the most obscure ways — like at speaking events. We pitched one person and they introduced us to one of their friends. Any opportunity is worth exploring when you’re a start up entrepreneur.

• Be brave. If you can’t wake up tomorrow and make ten dollars more than you made the day before then you’re not cut out for this business. If you can do that in a small scale then you should be able to do it in a big way down the line.

City: Vancouver

Age: 31

Occupation:  Co-founder and CEO of HiretheWorld.com

As the youngest elected official ever in Canada (he was a city councillor for Nanaimo, B.C. when he was 18) Beech went on to co-create HiretheWorld.  The online company is a marketplace for graphic design attracting designers from 132 countries.

I knew I was on my way when… I started running into happy customers. I’d be driving downtown and see a restaurant storefront that was entirely designed on my site. I flew to Heathrow in London and I had my HiretheWorld shirt on. A lady ran up to me and told me that her company logo had been done on my site.

A large majority of our business is word of mouth.  We want to grow, grow, and grow.  We want to expand internationally and I’m excited about all the other entrepreneurial opportunities out there.

Action Plan

• Have an intense focus on value creation. Think about how you can make a person’s life better rather than make another dollar. If you provide value to the consumer then the money will come.

• Surround yourself with amazing people who love what they do. Being an entrepreneur is hard enough and you don’t need to waste your time and energy with employees who are just adequate. If you want to be a rock star surround yourself with rock stars and your odds of success will exponentially increase.

• Do not develop a fear about what other people think of you because it will prevent you from taking risks. I never regret the risk that went badly but I regret the risks I didn’t take because I was playing it safe.

City: Toronto

Age: 25

Occupation: Loose Button Luxe Box founder

Started an online apparel company but found the market was saturated.  Switched to Luxe Box, where consumers can sample new beauty products. Thirteen months later, Cao now employs 15 people and his membership base is on track to reach 100,000 people.

I knew I was on my way when… We got one order, then four, then 15. Soon my cellphone was ringing with non-stop orders. Since then we’ve grown extremely fast. It all started with a simple idea we wanted to test and it grew from there.

Just a few weeks ago we launched into the U.S. We are looking to build a platform where all types of products can be sampled and ordered on a subscription basis. We have some crazy growth plans in play. This is just the beginning.

Action Plan

• You’ve got to surround yourself with the right people. Ideas change but as long as you have a strong core team they will help you get through the difficult times.

• Fail fast, fail cheap and fail often. You won’t get it the first time. Most overnight successes are built over 10 years and people have to realize they don’t happen right away

• A lot of first-time entrepreneurs set themselves up for failure and then they give up. Sometimes the extra push makes all the difference. A couple of days could make an incredible difference so never give up.

Business: Talentegg.ca, a career website aimed squarely at generation Y.

Friese graduated with an economics degree but couldn’t find any online resources to help grads find work. Started TalentEgg in 2008 and now works with hundreds of companies and employs over 15 people.

I knew I was on my way when:

“I spent my first dollar on TalentEgg.”

“I’m risk adverse so I knew the minute I put money into it I would have to make it back. We’ve literally helped millions of students and recent grads over the last few years transition from school to work by providing the access to employers and job info they didn’t have before We’ve just launched TalentEgg in the U.S. and one of the traits that defines me as an entrepreneur is to never accept success. We must always strive for more.”

Action Plan

• “Seriously consider whether being an entrepreneur is the right path for you. For the right person it’s the best job in the world but for the wrong person it could have long term financial consequences.”

• “The best time to start a business is when you’re young. The risk is lower, your opportunity cost is lower and there’s a ton of support out there for young entrepreneurs.”

• Ideas are the easy part, execution is everything. I’ve had countless people say they had the idea and I tell them “It wasn’t my idea but it was ME that did it.”

Glori Meldrum sat across the dinner table from her husband and weighed her options.

Having just moved from New Brunswick to Edmonton, the bachelor of commerce grad was working as a promotions director at a radio station and was making $27,000 a year.

They looked at each other and knew the answer was clear.

“Let’s do it”.

Today, Glori owns two companies, g (squared) and trafik interactive and is a proud wife and mother of three children including a five-year-old boy she adopted from Ethiopia.

Meldrum is also giving back.

As a survivor of child abuse she is raising money to build Little Warriors Be Brave Ranch.

“In most major markets there are two to three facilities for sex offenders but not for kids.

“My dream is to build a spiritual oasis where a neglected survivor can be given the tools they need to heal their body and spirit and mind.

“It’s not about money. It’s about having a loving, balanced, happy life and being of service to others. It’s that simple.”

Glori’s guide to life

•    Have vision and execute.

•    Be true to yourself, employees and clients. Then the right team and clients will be built around you.

•    Always act from a place of love. Even if I have to let an employee or client go, I do it from a point of authenticity and love.

•    littlewarriors.ca

After graduating with a degree and becoming a chartered accountant, he acquired a gas station and restaurant; then a pharmacy. Two pizza franchises and real estate ventures followed.

But Greg had his eye on the big prize. When the franchise rights for Mary Brown’s Famous Chicken and Taters became available, he mortgaged everything he had to buy the brand.

“At the time I didn’t think it was a gamble because I knew the business and knew it had a lot of potential”

Today, Roberts has close to 100 franchises in Canada, 1,250 employees, a flagship store in South America and hundreds of international franchises in the planning stages.

“All in 14 years.  It feels like 40,” Roberts says with a laugh.

His advice?

“Work hard. Be candid. Listen to everyone and make the right decisions. At the end of the day I don’t want to be the richest man in the cemetery.  I just want to be known as a good person and an even better family man.”

Canadians were first introduced to Mary Brown’s in Newfoundland in 1969.

“I sat there and thought, ‘I’m so busy I can’t even take my kids to Disneyland.’”

Diane did some soul searching and then came up with a new plan. She gave up her store and began hosting fashion trunk shows across Canada. She will expand internationally soon with online shopping.

Becoming automated and hiring the right people are the keys to her new success.

“I think a lot of entrepreneurs are stuck being in control of everything. Find the right people, train them and then let go. I can’t believe I wasn’t doing this 10 years ago.”

Designing success

1. Define what success means to you and use it as the foundation for your business.

2. Always focus your energy on the product/service you offer that brings you the largest profit margin and let everything else come to you.

3. Automate your business as much as possible and give yourself the freedom to enjoy your success.

4. Finance as much as you can on your credit card, pay it off on time while building your credit and make sure to collect all the travel miles to cover your travel expenses. (This trick saves me thousands of dollars every year on interest and travel.)

5. Never stop learning and growing … you and your business must change and evolve with the world around you.

“One day the ‘F’ word showed up on my Blackberry and I thought ‘Oh God, now I’m going to have to learn Facebook.’ I thought it was just for kids and cheating spouses.”

As she began to navigate her way through the emerging world of social media she knew she was onto something.

Larter went to a networking luncheon and was astonished when someone told her she would pay if Lisa showed her how Facebook and Twitter worked. After introducing a beginner’s course, 10 people signed up immediately. Four years later, Larter’s consulting business has multiple six-figure sales, her retail phone store is doing more than one million a year and she owns three houses. The key to Larter’s success? Keeping her eyes open for new opportunities and then going for it.

“There has never been better time to be in business because we’ve never been able to access people like we can today. Act in spite of your fear because when you push through it, there’s magic on the other side.”

Larter is also passionate about helping single mothers because she saw the challenges her own Mom went though. Lisa recently created The Ultimate Kindness Project and through the magic of social media is raising money to help a single Foster Mom of a child with special needs.

Moola motto

Lisa Larter’s C.A.S.H. Model

• C. Courage: Take a risk and take action or your idea will always be a dream

• A. Aptitude: Invest in yourself because you need the right skills and tools to be successful

• S. Self-confidence: Confidence comes from courage and gaining the aptitude you need to become successful.

• H. Habits: You need strong habits for your business to grow. Systems, routines and getting things done make a tremendous difference in the results you accomplish.

Gary was diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder and got help. He started to write about his experiences and was eventually encouraged to put his stories and poems into a book called Out On a Cliff.

“I want to stop one person from committing suicide. For the person suffering from crippling depression I want them to know there is a light at the end of the tunnel. If one person is about to pick up a drink or use drugs there is another way out. You don’t have to destroy your mind and body anymore.”

For 25 years, Rubie put his life on the line everyday as a police officer. Today, he has a new career. He’s giving people hope.

“It’s a miracle I’m alive today. I should have been dead 20 times over. From now on I plan to give back and help others.”

Correction: Last week’s In-Credibility column featured singer Meredith Shaw, whose Girl Who Believes contest was listed as being open to girls 11-17. The contest is, in fact, open to female applicants 11 years old and up

For Meredith Shaw that’s making music. The singer-songwriter has been performing most of her life and got her big break when Gordie Johnson of reggae-rock band Big Sugar took her under his wing. Johnson produced her CD Place Called Happy and invited her to tour with his band.

“Between touring with Big Sugar, doing my solo shows, hosting my radio show (with Toronto’s Boom 97.3) and muffymade (her greeting card company) it’s been incredible. I’m so grateful.”

Meredith’s single, Girls Who Believe is a hit and now she’s reaching out to inspire other young girls to go after their dreams. She’s launched a Canada-wide contest for girls to appear in her next video.

“Whatever they want to go after in life I want to show them they can. For me it’s music, for them it could be being a dentist, owning a business or being a mom. Sometimes we need a little help and inspiration.”

Calling all girls who believe. Send Meredith your video! “I want to celebrate and do it together.”
Are you a girl who believes?

•    Upload a video (three minutes max) to YouTube telling Meredith why you are a girl who believes.

•    Send the link to   girlswhobelieve@gmail.com

•    All Videos are due by August 13, 2012 at 12 a.m.

•    The winner will receive a cameo in the Girls Who Believe music video; a piece of Believe bling by Rock and Reverie and a $250 donation in your name to charity, Girls Inc.

•    Contest open to girls between 11-17 years of age.

He’s also revitalizing Winnipeg’s downtown, one old building at a time, while he gives people who are suffering on the street a new lease on life.

Walls enjoyed a tremendous career as a designer in the hospitality industry.

He also took the lead in restoring Winnipeg’s warehouse district and along the way he turned an old hotel on Main Street into 40 rooms of safe and dry housing.

“We took the main floor room and turned it into a drop-in centre for people on the street to come in and get involved in arts and crafts. We found vast majority have mental health issues and are in recovery from drug and alcohol issues. We work with them to give them a more complete life.

I never thought I’d become a social worker and a designer but my work is more rewarding to me than getting a big cheque at the end of the day.

It’s not about making money it’s about making a difference in life.”

Secrets of success

Richard Wall’s business tips

•    There’s nothing better than the apprenticeship model. Start small and get to know the business.

•    Understand the people that work with you and deliver your ideas. Rather than be an expert, get your hands dirty and walk a mile in their shoes.

•    Have honesty and integrity and remember that it’s not about making a quick buck.

•    Make sure you can add value to anything you get involved with.

•    It’s never about the money. Enjoy what you do and it’ll never be work.

“I wanted to be the bread winner for the family that they could rely on and be proud of.  The only way to surpass her was if I started my own company.”

It was on a trip to China with his Mom that he found his inspiration. A crowd of people were lining up at a TV store.

“I was told it was ‘Tuangou’ which is Mandarin for team buying.  You get people together to get a discount and it’s a big thing in China.”

He convinced childhood friend Andrew Hutchings to become his partner and they went to work creating TeamBuy.

“Today we’re operational coast to coast,” says the now 25-year-old. “From baby supplies to travel, you name it, we have it. Our run rates exceed 30 million dollars annually.  We have just over 100 people and we are happier than ever.”

Edward, his sister, Mom and Dad have a lot to smile about these days.

“My family is extremely proud.”

For Edward Yao, that’s the biggest accomplishment of all.

Remember these start-up tips

•    Entrepreneurship is risk taking. You have to be ready to accept the highs and lows.

•    No matter how good the idea is, don’t assume it will grow on its own. It takes hard work.

•    Investors aren’t stupid and they’re not going to give you money to burn.  They’re there to make money. It’s a relationship that is give and take and they won’t take all the risk.

•   Don’t do anything illegal. There will be times that you’re tempted because it’s the easier way but it’s never the right move.

•   Life’s not easy but if you work hard that’s when you maximize your chances for success.

“It’s a real feather in our Canadian caps — err, toques!” Duff says with a laugh.

The affable President and CBN (Chief BBQ Nerd) has weathered the storm of the recent world recession and off shore products taking away market share.

“It’s always hard trying to stay ahead of the competition but I firmly believe if you enter into a category you must command and dominate it in your trading area.”

Duff’s advice to someone thinking about starting a new business?

“There are very few new ideas, just twists on what has worked in the past. If you think you know it all, you are wrong. Don’t be afraid to ask for help and always trust your gut feeling. Your morals and your gut will tell you if it’s the right thing to do or not.”

Duff’s Advice

• Develop and pay your suppliers on time because they are your partners.
• Don’t be afraid to hire someone to do something you don’t do well (i.e. accounting or marketing)
• Don’t be afraid to ask business associates for advice
• When in doubt, go with your gut.

Angela Shim was working in a bank when she gave birth prematurely to her son.

When he was diagnosed with severe health problems, she was told by the doctors that there was nothing more they could do.

“He was eight years old and looked like a dehydrated old man covered in gauze.  I made a decision at that time I was going to do whatever it took to find a solution.”

Angela went to workshops, web seminars and naturopaths; then she went to work on her son.

“I saw him heal completely.  We got him off puffers and medications and we saw a new person.”

Angela’s son is now a healthy 19-year-old.

She left the bank and created a new career helping other parents heal their children through food nutrition and energy management.

“I feel very blessed with what I’ve experienced and it has been an awakening process.  Create your wellness bank account. And make sure you invest more than you withdraw.”

Road to rejuvenation

A guide to balanced healing.

•    Develop awareness of your thoughts and feelings, since they create your reality.
•    Health is a choice and a daily habit.
•    Focus on uncovering the root cause versus masking symptoms.
•   Observe nature’s laws and principles.
•   Feed and nourish your immune system daily; it is your best wellness support team.

Visit: wholechildnetwork.com

“I pointed my finger at God saying, ‘Why do you allow this to happen?’ At one point I heard a voice speaking to me.  ‘If you are really concerned, why don’t you do something for them?’”

Elio was a pillar of the Italian community in Toronto and had recently sold his interest in several beverage companies.

He was also newly retired. The mayor of the town donated a piece of land and Elio went to work, building 25 new homes for the families he had met. That was in 1990.  Today, Madonia and The Samaritan Group have built and donated 10 villages filled with 1,200 homes, six schools, five medical centres and 12 churches.

“We work a lifetime to acquire wealth. Then we look back and say, ‘Is this all there is to life?’All this experience, talent, skill and knowledge is now wasted on the golf courses of the world.

“Help those in need and leave a legacy that will influence the world.”

Visit: thesamaritanfoundationdr.com

Elio’s personal mottos:

•    Put God first at all times and in all things. You will discover that this is true wisdom.
•    Let love motivate everything you do.
•    In all relationships follow the golden rule: As you would like others to do to you, do likewise to them.
•   In all dealings let fairness prevail.
•   At all times protect your good name (reputation) for it is worth more than gold.

From the legal profession, to the fashion world to becoming a successful life, health and wellness coach, Leslie has grown and evolved along with her career.

She says the keys to reinventing yourself are having the courage to act on your ideas, overcoming fear and doubt and then identifying tangible goals.

“Write down what you want to accomplish in a month then break it down to what you can do per week and each day.  You make yourself accountable and that’s what I found to be the most important thing in reinventing myself.  When you look at your list and it’s all crossed off you have an incredible sense of accomplishment and it gives you the strength and self confidence to move forward to the next day.”

Now in her sixth decade of life, Leslie says she’s cracked the code of youthfulness and is passing it on to her clients through meditation and coaching.

“I empower women aged 45 and beyond to live vital, youthful, healthy and focused lives. Change your mind, change your body, change your life!”

A coach’s advice

•    Be clear about your passion and take tangible steps to make it happen. Go for it.

•    Write down where you want to see yourself in five years. Then do monthly, weekly and daily planning.

•    Break down the doable steps to get there and make them your goals.

•   Allow yourself to make mistakes and don’t allow any naysayers to put out your passion.

“I look atrocious,” she recalls thinking. “Where did I go?”

She was 204 pounds of unhappiness brought on by a divorce. Tosca realized she had to make some changes, but little did she know the joy that would come her way.

Within three years Tosca had shed the weight, toned up and had met the love of her life, fitness guru and publishing magnate Robert Kennedy.

She started writing about her journey in Oxygen magazine and propelled by her success, began writing The Eat-Clean Diet.

The series of books has now sold two million copies worldwide and she has become one of the world’s leading authorities on health and wellness.

“I knew I wouldn’t hit my stride until my later decades and I have a ways to go yet.”

Tosca tragically lost her husband last month to lung cancer so she finds herself once again in transition.

She is grieving but still strong in facing the mission ahead of her.

“His blessing infuses me. We have a role to play in the health landscape in this country and I intend to take it.”

Tosca is coming to Toronto

Reno is speaking at the eWomen Network Reception on May 29 at 6:00 p.m. at Novotel Hotel. For tickets, contact Mary Morassutti at marymorassutti@ewomennetwork.com

Finally after working for someone else for 30 years Iain Scott did what many of us long to do: he quit and started his own company.

Combining his printing experience with an established franchise, he opened his first UPS store in 2006 in Winnipeg.

The one-stop shop for small business owners with printing and photocopying  needs was a hit and within three years, Scott’s store was number one in the region.

“You have to be an optimist. We had two girls in private school and a mortgage but I firmly believed we had something and we could make a go of it.”

Today, Iain has started a second franchise called Instant Imprints which will help business owners with branding and promotion.

“Being an entrepreneur gives you determination over your own future,” he notes. “At the end of the day, you’re building equity and it will become an investment for your retirement.”

Expert advice

Iain Scott’s key tips for business success:

•    Franchising helps build business success with a proven business model.
•    Research the market and research it again. Prepare a business plan and have it reviewed by peers and professionals.
•    Deliver on time every time. Make it happen!
•    Check quality and never allow your product to leave unless it is perfect.
•    Network. Let people know you are in business and promote your services.

Pineapple Pete’s is an island hotspot.

Born on a farm outside of Quebec City, Pierre started his own business at the age of nine selling fishing worms, and with his savings went on to put himself through university.

With a love for the hospitality industry his travels took him all the way to the Caribbean.

“It was a feeling when I landed.  I just loved St. Maarten”.

The year was 1996 and today he is the proud owner of five businesses on the island employing over 80 people.

“Self-discipline is the only thing that will get you through. You also have to learn how to control being homesick so I fly home a lot,” he says with a smile.

Ferland also gives back to the island supporting local churches, charities, sports teams, musicians and authors.

“I was helped, so now I give back because I like to see people succeed.”

World wise

On being successful in another country:

•    Do your homework and learn about the market, the labour force, work permits and taxes.
•    Choose a business you have experience in because you can’t rely on someone to run it for you.
•    Check your supplies and adapt to what you can get in your geographic region.
•    Have self-discipline and stay away from tourist temptations like gambling and drugs.
•    Balance your family life with work. I give 200 per cent every time I’m here but I have two kids and I just want to be a perfect dad.

He washed windows, fixed car mufflers, then sold vacuum cleaners and life insurance.

But he found his true calling when he got into transportation management and quickly turned a struggling air cargo company around. With an opportunity to go out on his own, Virmani didn’t think twice.

“I thought, ‘I’ve got enough contacts in business.  If I make $150,000 a year, I’ll be happy.’”

That was in 1990 and today Cargojet is Canada’s air cargo leader doing 200 million a year in sales.

Virmani says the key to being a successful entrepreneur is to never underestimate yourself and to believe in your skills.

“Take risks, be stubborn, dream and have a sense of purpose when you get up in the morning. At one point I had two mortgages on my house. I paid one credit card to another.  Risk-taking ability is the biggest thing an entrepreneur can have.”

The final word from the award-winning entrepreneur?

“Ask yourself, are you going to be a follower or a leader?”

Spelling it out

Ajay Virmani’s secret to success:

•    S. Sense of purpose
•    E. Educate yourself
•    C. Creative ability with your ideas
•    R. Responsibility — be accountable
•    E. Excellence — anything you do, do it well
•    T. Time management

As she looks back on her life and career, she says resiliency and being able to adapt are keys to long-term success.

“I think I am most proud of my ability to survive and live through each changing decade.”

“America’s Sweetheart” burst onto the Hollywood scene in the 1950’s after leading roles in the musicals Singing in the Rain and Tammy and the Bachelor. As her star rapidly climbed in Hollywood, her marriage to singer Eddie Fisher famously dissolved after he fell in love with Elizabeth Taylor. Two more marriages over the years would end, leaving her in financial ruin.

“I constantly had to adapt, have patience and love to get through each challenging era and to maintain my sanity!”
She also took care of her family members as they aged and grew ill.

“My grandmother and grandfather lived with us and when I was 14, my mother started getting ill, having seizures and heart trouble, so I began to take care of her. I looked after my mother-in-law until she was 97 and my drama coach until 96. If people can stay in their own familiar, loving surroundings, they do much better than if they’re feeling abandoned. And that is what March of Dimes does for the people it serves; it helps care for people, and keeps them in their homes.

On May 3rd we’ll share our experiences and our happiness, our trials, our tribulations and be together for that moment in life, and I think we’ll all come out better and we’ll have a wonderful time.”

Gala
Debbie Reynolds will be guest speaker at the March of Dimes Ability and Beyond Gala, Thursday, May 3rd, at the  Fairmont Royal York.

• For tickets. Contact Linda Yielding (416) 425-3463 ext. 7290.