He credits his success to the work ethic his father, Nicholas Kefalas, instilled in him when Theo was 12 years old.

"We couldn't afford name-brand shoes and jeans," Kefalas said. "My dad said to me, ‘I can't afford this stuff. If you want them you have to work for it.'"

Kefalas earned $5 an hour labouring at odd jobs for his father's Hellenick Stripping Construction as a teenager. By 18 years old, he had socked enough money away to buy shares in one of Vancouver's first Quiznos franchises with two partners.

Restless and business-minded, Kefalas spotted the niche to operate a personnel agency catering to the construction sector while he was working for his dad. He opened Proactive Personnel and now bills clients a total of $5.4 million a year. He said he makes a tidy profit after he pays his employees.

"A competing agency paid workers daily and offered the minimum wage. I found that those business practices meant that the workers were a low quality and they didn't take their jobs seriously," Kefalas said.

The fast-growing 12-employee company places about 300 field workers at a time and has many national accounts.

one of its workers makes minimum wage or is paid daily. Instead, Kefalas pays his workers a competitive wage, Kefalas said.

But instead of being content to grow one success story, Kefalas branched out to found both Acropolis Ventures Ltd. and Acropolis Contracting Ltd. So far, those two companies share five staff and combine to bill about $640,000 for forming and framing work. Kefalas also owns four lots in Abbotsford, where he intends to develop homes and an 11-storey high-rise.

"I'm just so busy with all this," he said. "But the credit goes to my staff who do such a great job. They pretty much run the show. That's how we've grown."

Profession you would like to try: Architect

Where do you feel most comfortable? On a beach in Greece

Favourite movie: Rounders

Currently reading: Business in Vancouver and Journal of Commerce

Toughest decision: Whether to expand Proactive Personnel or focus on real estate development. I couldn't decide so I'm doing both

Car: A 15-passenger van to transport employees and a 2004 Suburban

Would most like to meet: Donald Trump to tell him what he's doing wrong

Birthplace: Vancouver

Last CD bought: Can't think of one

Education: Douglas College business courses

What's left to do: Perhaps do some motivational speaking or mentor kids in junior high or high school