Toronto - Rise Asset Development is pleased to announce the winners of the second annual Dr. Paul E. Garfinkel Awards for Entrepreneurial Achievement, in recognition of two Rise entrepreneurs’ outstanding business accomplishments in the past year.
Each year, two winners are selected to receive the Garfinkel Award from a pool of Rise clients who have already embarked on their business venture. In recognition of their exceptional entrepreneurial achievement, both winners will receive a grant of $1000 to support their businesses.
The two 2013 winners are: Tommy Ye, owner and operator of Toronto Skyline; and
Naomi Muise, owner and operator of Celeeaknak.
Tommy Ye is a graduate of RiseYouth Small Business Program. His mentor and youth coach, Geff Stutman helped him keep motivated and gain insight on how to transform an idea into a business. After just a few conversations with Tommy, Mr. Stutman said “Tommy is so eager to learn, creative and fun to work with, he is truly passionate about his business.” Mr. Ye is a highly motivated, ambitious individual with plans to run a unique, open-concept performance venue called “Toronto Skyline”. His idea focuses on the market opportunity of developing a fresh alternative for local musicians and artists to effectively reach fans under the age of 19. Tommy’s business is among the first to offer musicians, artists, students and others a venue to publically showcase their talent and reach out to fans in an all-age friendly setting. “RISE helped uplift my spirit and made me feel confident about what I did. And without confidence, there would be no entrepreneurship to begin with.”
Naomi Muise is a client of the individual lending program at Rise. Ms. Muise’s bakery delivers fresh items to several natural health retailers in the Ottawa region, and appeals to those who wish to enjoy gluten free options without sacrificing taste. Celeeaknak offers fresh, artisan breads and home style dessert loaves, all shipped the same day they are baked. Having a mentor helped Naomi feel guided and gain the skill of remaining calm, no matter what came her way. “Before I opened my business I felt like I was nobody important”, Naomi says. “Today I feel like someone who feeds more than a thousand people a month something they really want and couldn’t have until CeleeakNak came along. I improve the quality of life for many and that makes me feel like somebody”.
“As the Rise mentor for Naomi, I've sought to be a sounding board as she laboured over the progress and challenges of running her business over the past several months. In Naomi I've seen someone very dedicated to delivering a quality product to meet a well-defined customer need. She deals with problems head-on, thinks about the future and ensures that her day-to-day efforts are efficient and effective. Her impressive attention to detail sets up CeleeakNak for on-going success. Congratulations to her for her success so far, and the recognition of receiving the Dr Paul Garfinkel Award,” says Ross Kouhi.
This annual event was created to acknowledge the leadership and inspiring contributions of Dr. Paul E. Garfinkel, through his role as founding President and CEO of the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH). Dr. Garfinkel is also recognized for his leading role in the advocacy of support for psychiatric science and reducing the stigma associated with mental health challenges and addictions. Community leaders Joseph and Sandra Rotman introduced the award to honor Dr. Garfinkel’s extensive involvement as a psychiatrist, researcher, leader, hospital administrator, humanitarian, advocate and innovator.
Rise Asset Development, with the support of the Rotman School of Management and the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH), works to empower business owners with a history of mental health or addictions challenges. Rise recognizes the interdependency of financial well-being to one’s overall quality of life. Rise is a not-for-profit organization that offers small business loans, training and mentorship to entrepreneurs facing mental health or addiction challenges, who do not qualify for traditional financing. Rise serves entrepreneurs across Ontario, with central offices in Toronto, together with Rise Ottawa, in collaboration with Causeway Work Centre, and Rise London, in collaboration with the Ivey Business School’s International Centre for Health Innovation.
Mr. Ye and Ms. Muise will receive their awards at a ceremony and luncheon, joined by entrepreneurs, partners, community leaders, as well as guest speaker Seamus O’Regan. The event will take place from noon to 1:30pm on November 28, in Desautels Hall (2nd floor) in the Rotman School of Management at the University of Toronto.
Visit Naomi Muise’s Business website: www.celeeaknak.ca/
Visit Tommy Ye’s Business website: www.torontoskyline.net/
To learn more about why Rise does what it does, check out this video: https://vimeo.com/59370269
To learn more about the impact of the Rise Youth Small Business Program, check out this video: https://vimeo.com/72224859
For more information, contact:
Jodi L.H. Butts
Executive Director
Rise Asset Development
105 St. George Street
Toronto, ON M5S 2E8
647-232-RISE (7473)
jodi@riseassetdevelopment.ca
Follow Rise on Twitter - @riseCAN
Like Rise on Facebook: www.facebook.com/riseassetdevelopment
Ken McGuffin
Manager, Media Relations
Rotman School of Management
University of Toronto
Voice 416.946.3818
E-mail mcguffin@rotman.utoronto.ca
Follow Rotman on Twitter @rotmanschool
Watch Rotman on You Tube www.youtube.com/rotmanschool