This journey began when our accountant Steven Chong surprised us by nominating Pure + simple for the Most Innovative Company Award 2009 to the Association of Chinese Canadian Entrepreneur Awards committee just before Christmas. This is very telling of Steven’s exceptional talents as an accountant if you knew my unconventional approach to bookkeeping.
The vetting process was very formal and thorough as Pure + simple’s achievements and potentials were tested by the ACCE Selection committee of business owner members and outside professionals from the Ontario Ministry of Small Business and Consumer Services and Pricewaterhouse Coopers.
When we became finalist, we were interviewed by Christine Lam of Pricewaterhouse Coopers and Vernon Tao of the Ontario Ministry of Small Business and Consumer Services.
While Kristen and I did our best to win them over---- we, or at least I was not fazed by the opportunity. While Kristen took the day off to get her hair professionally done and had taken some time off to shop and put together a special outfit— I decided to work my shift at our Oakville shop and had not even thought of my outfit until it was time to dress.
Of course as a Mid-Ager, I have a collection of designer suits to comfortably choose from. I chose one that was evening’ish – black on black with sequins discreetly caught in mesh —conservative cut to help me look the part of an serius business woman ---and was old enough to be considered vintage to convey my philosophy of conservation and respect for the environment.
I rush to pick up a couple of my staff and to get some help in make up. I had to put on enough make up as to not look washed out for the cameras but not so heavy handed as to scare onlookers in daylight as the cocktail reception was at six.
As a habitual late arriver, we enter with some of the dignitaries who arrived in Rolls Royce’s and dropped off elegantly and expensively dress women with jewelry that sparkled even in daylight. My first hint this not just any business as usual award.
The second hint was the parade of VIP’s, including Canada’s Minister of Finance Jim Flaherty, entering the dining hall. My stomach closed as I took a bite of my smoked salmon appetizer. I could feel my heart beat faster and I blame the salt in the salmon and decide not to eat anymore. When the main course arrived I ate the sea bass which I ordered to substitute for the usual beef. An Ayurvedic aside --- I only eat beef if the weather is very damp and cold as it has a tendency to make me dull minded and sleepy otherwise. When ever I hear my voice on tape, I am shock at its high pitch so –it was no to bread, potatoes, dairy or sugar to keep my voice at its best squeaky best. And a big no to cold drinks as in times of nervous energy, it can stir up Vata and making me appear flakey and incoherent.
After dinner and a lengthy introduction of dignitary speeches about how important entrepreneurship and innovation were especially in these “recessionary time” the award announcements begin.
My petty nature gives me momentarily relief as we followed a “not too stellar” speaker as the second recipients. But it is not long before I experience the fleeting quality of confidence from the external sources as I walked across the stage and was overcome by the sea of lights from cameras that are there to objectively record my actions into oblivion.
Now I panic. I am to speak as my ADD mind is attracted to the lights and the reverberations of the microphone. Add to it my stage fright and my fear of looking foolish and I am filled with a feeling of jeopardy. I fight for my concentration, as I coach myself to talk slowly. I regret not having cue cards. So I decide to make it short by editing down the people to thank and to forget any attempts at humour.
Kristen is prepared with notes, which instead of looking robotic, she came off as a very articulate and confident. After we leave the stage I am calm but finally feel my hunger. There is no opportunity to eat as food is cleared from the tables and Kris and I are called to get photographed for the newspapers to publicize our win.
When I return I catch the lengthy speech of female winner—it was a great year for women as five of the seven winners were owned or c-owned by women. But at thirty minutes long, her acceptance speech it was longer than the audience’s attention span and reminiscent of the droning on’s of an old codger.
I met the talented designer my closet of black down coats as they announced the winner of the Most Progressive Company of 2009, Johnny Yui. I love his coats for their warmth, quality, design and because they did not make me look like the Michelin Man. I was truly honour to meet Johnny and his partner, Bessi Chow the VP of Everything. And of course it was a nice surprise she was already a client of Pure + simple’s.
Then to top off the evening Ann Hoy, director of the Ministry of Small Business and Consumer Services, came to congratulate me and asked if I would find time to meet with the Minister. Even though I have no idea who the Minister is – I did finally realize the importance of this award and the importance of the ethnic community that has generously accepted Pure + simple as one of their own.
The vetting process was very formal and thorough as Pure + simple’s achievements and potentials were tested by the ACCE Selection committee of business owner members and outside professionals from the Ontario Ministry of Small Business and Consumer Services and Pricewaterhouse Coopers.
When we became finalist, we were interviewed by Christine Lam of Pricewaterhouse Coopers and Vernon Tao of the Ontario Ministry of Small Business and Consumer Services.
While Kristen and I did our best to win them over---- we, or at least I was not fazed by the opportunity. While Kristen took the day off to get her hair professionally done and had taken some time off to shop and put together a special outfit— I decided to work my shift at our Oakville shop and had not even thought of my outfit until it was time to dress.
Of course as a Mid-Ager, I have a collection of designer suits to comfortably choose from. I chose one that was evening’ish – black on black with sequins discreetly caught in mesh —conservative cut to help me look the part of an serius business woman ---and was old enough to be considered vintage to convey my philosophy of conservation and respect for the environment.
I rush to pick up a couple of my staff and to get some help in make up. I had to put on enough make up as to not look washed out for the cameras but not so heavy handed as to scare onlookers in daylight as the cocktail reception was at six.
As a habitual late arriver, we enter with some of the dignitaries who arrived in Rolls Royce’s and dropped off elegantly and expensively dress women with jewelry that sparkled even in daylight. My first hint this not just any business as usual award.
The second hint was the parade of VIP’s, including Canada’s Minister of Finance Jim Flaherty, entering the dining hall. My stomach closed as I took a bite of my smoked salmon appetizer. I could feel my heart beat faster and I blame the salt in the salmon and decide not to eat anymore. When the main course arrived I ate the sea bass which I ordered to substitute for the usual beef. An Ayurvedic aside --- I only eat beef if the weather is very damp and cold as it has a tendency to make me dull minded and sleepy otherwise. When ever I hear my voice on tape, I am shock at its high pitch so –it was no to bread, potatoes, dairy or sugar to keep my voice at its best squeaky best. And a big no to cold drinks as in times of nervous energy, it can stir up Vata and making me appear flakey and incoherent.
After dinner and a lengthy introduction of dignitary speeches about how important entrepreneurship and innovation were especially in these “recessionary time” the award announcements begin.
My petty nature gives me momentarily relief as we followed a “not too stellar” speaker as the second recipients. But it is not long before I experience the fleeting quality of confidence from the external sources as I walked across the stage and was overcome by the sea of lights from cameras that are there to objectively record my actions into oblivion.
Now I panic. I am to speak as my ADD mind is attracted to the lights and the reverberations of the microphone. Add to it my stage fright and my fear of looking foolish and I am filled with a feeling of jeopardy. I fight for my concentration, as I coach myself to talk slowly. I regret not having cue cards. So I decide to make it short by editing down the people to thank and to forget any attempts at humour.
Kristen is prepared with notes, which instead of looking robotic, she came off as a very articulate and confident. After we leave the stage I am calm but finally feel my hunger. There is no opportunity to eat as food is cleared from the tables and Kris and I are called to get photographed for the newspapers to publicize our win.
When I return I catch the lengthy speech of female winner—it was a great year for women as five of the seven winners were owned or c-owned by women. But at thirty minutes long, her acceptance speech it was longer than the audience’s attention span and reminiscent of the droning on’s of an old codger.
I met the talented designer my closet of black down coats as they announced the winner of the Most Progressive Company of 2009, Johnny Yui. I love his coats for their warmth, quality, design and because they did not make me look like the Michelin Man. I was truly honour to meet Johnny and his partner, Bessi Chow the VP of Everything. And of course it was a nice surprise she was already a client of Pure + simple’s.
Then to top off the evening Ann Hoy, director of the Ministry of Small Business and Consumer Services, came to congratulate me and asked if I would find time to meet with the Minister. Even though I have no idea who the Minister is – I did finally realize the importance of this award and the importance of the ethnic community that has generously accepted Pure + simple as one of their own.
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ReplyDeleteAs the recipient of The Award of Merit from the same evening (Duvet Comfort Inc.) for the down labels Johnny Yiu, Canadian Spirit, The M Coat, one of the highlights of our evening was the opportunity to meet Jean as well.
ReplyDeleteThe excitement and anticipation of the evening was overshadowed by our nervousness and reluctance to make an acceptance speech in the event that we won. Silly, really, when you think about it, as we are supposed to be experienced and confidence business professionals, not teenagers in Grade 8.
While waiting in the wings for the photo ops, and whispering with Jean, I was immediately struck by her confidence, effervescence and gracious nature. The fact that she was already a huge fan of Johnny Yiu was not overlooked as well. One thing all of us Winners of the evening have in common is our passion for our businesses. When I gave her my newly printed business cards, in which I titled myself “VP of Everything”, she immediately got it, instantly relaying to me the same sense of humour and playfulness that I like to surround myself with.
As I attempt to clumsily navigate through my 40’s, Jean shows me that there is a light (an extremely bright light) at the end of the tunnel. I thought it would be downhill from here, but she shows me that you can be in your 50’s and still have lots of chutzpah to boot!