Following Your Passion: How to Turn a Personal Dream Into a Multi-Million Dollar Business
October 21st, 2019
Kelowna
- This event has passed.
Allison Grafton, President and Founder, Rockwood Custom Homes
Jennifer Hamilton, CEO, Oxygen Yoga and Fitness
Jill White, President, Waterplay Solutions Corp
Moderator: Nikki Csek, CEO, Csek Creative
One of the key ingredients of success for any entrepreneur is to be truly passionate about what you do. But what does it really take to leave a secure corporate career and turn your hobby or interest into a profitable business? On October 21st we are tapping into the trade secrets and compelling journeys of three award-winning entrepreneurs who did exactly that.
Meet the panelists:
Join us, along with presenting sponsor BDC and moderator Nikki Csek, for one night only in Kelowna and discover exactly what it takes to grow your passion into a multi-million dollar business and tap into key insights including:
Whether you are already a budding entrepreneur or currently in a corporate role and looking for the motivation to transition out, this is an opportunity to get inspired to take your next step.
[woitabs class=”yourcustomclass”]
[woitab title=”About the Women of Influence Spotlight Series” active=”active”]
Our Women of Influence Spotlight Series is designed to motivate and inspire the next generation of emerging leaders and provide a platform for them to meet their peers and role models who have had early success and high-profile careers. Keynote speakers share tactical advice on negotiation, leadership, entrepreneurship, communication and personal branding and a structured “Connecting Activity” enables our guests to make career-defining connections.
Event Agenda
6:30 – 7:00 pm Registration and Cocktail Reception
7:00 – 7:50pm Panel Discussion
7:50 – 8:20pm Connecting Activity
8:20 – 8:30pm Door Prize
** Your ticket includes complimentary Wine and Hors d’Ouevres.
.[/woitab]
[woitab title=”Allison Grafton Biography”]
Allison Grafton is the dynamic president and founder of Rockwood Custom Homes. In 2009, this tenacious go-getter turned her passion into a business. Previously in investment banking, Allison has uniquely combined her financial know-how with her keen design eye to lead this sophisticated residential construction company based in Calgary, Alberta.
Today, this fledgling company of one in 2009, now has 35 employees and over 500 contractors. Allison has grown Rockwood into an industry leader with a sustained growth of over 1,600% since its inception. With a full suite of integrated construction, architectural and interior design services Rockwood is creating beautiful, functional custom homes and exclusive communities in the city of Calgary. Rockwood’s newest division, Rockwood Okanagan, also offers its signature style of luxury custom building in the heart of the BC interior.
As the president of Rockwood, Allison is widely recognized as a strong Canadian female leader and entrepreneur. As such, she has been featured in local and national media, and is a distinguished speaker, sharing her thought leadership on topics such as entrepreneurship, construction and design, gender relations in the workplace, leadership and more. In 2015, she won the prestigious RBC Women of Influence Momentum Award; in 2016, she was inducted into the WXN Hall of Fame; and in 2019, she received the Upsurge Entrepreneur Award at the AWE (Alberta Women Entrepreneurs) Awards. Allison is happily married to her husband Kevin and is a dedicated mother of three children.
.[/woitab]
[woitab title=”Jennifer Hamilton Biography”]
In 2006, Jen Hamiton left the security of her job at a school district and trusted herself to become an entrepreneur. When she opened her first Oxygen Yoga and Fitness location, her goal was to create an environment where any person could come, regardless of age, gender or level of fitness, to channel their energy and focus back on themselves. Their mission for members — to realize “I Love my Life” — guides their business philosophy as well. Offering a wide variety of both yoga and fitness classes has attracted a broad clientele, and their unique FAR Infrared rooms sets them further apart from the competition. With a comprehensive franchise model, Oxygen Yoga and Fitness has grown to 68 locations across Canada — and more on the way.
.[/woitab]
[woitab title=”Jill White Biography”]
Jill White is passionate about uniting people through play and social experiences. As the President of global aquatic play manufacturer, Waterplay Solutions, and two full-service playground and park amenities companies servicing Western Canada, RecTec Industries and Playworks-Parkworks, she feels that play is a right for children throughout the world, in every culture, regardless of background or preconceived notions of ability. As a group of companies, the Waterplay, RecTec and Playworks- Parkworks Teams have embraced the 10-Minute Walk Movement, an effort aimed at providing every child a community park within a 10 minute walk from their home, as a guiding light to their passion. To date, the teams she leads have provided access to play to millions of children in the more than 10,000 projects they have been involved in, and Waterplay projects can be found throughout the world on every continent aside from Antarctica.
.[/woitab]
[woitab title=”Nikki Csek Biography”]
Meet the CEO and co-founder of Csek Creative and NowMedia. Nikki has become an integral member of the business community. She is the current president of the Kelowna Chamber of Commerce, and has served as a director on many local business and not for profit boards while serving her community. For over 20 years she has worked alongside businesses to understand their challenges and provide solutions that make a difference.
.[/woitab]
.[/woitabs]