|
|
 |
|
ph: 604-688-2398 fx: 604-688-1963
CAN'T FIND SOMETHING? |
Marcell NewellQuarterback (CEO), AVIDWORX Productions Inc.Age: 37 With a $20 bill, a 700-square-foot apartment and a U-Haul truck, Marcell Newell found a way to create a retail-electronics-display business. In 2002, his first year of business, AVIDWORX Productions Inc. made $400,000 in sales. It now has annual revenue in excess of $2 million. Success, says Newell, is about creativity. “I think for us it’s definitely being outside the box, being innovative and staying ahead of anyone else,” Newell said. “A lot of people can make displays, but very few people can do what we do.” The company’s specialty is large electronic display areas where customers can test multiple products at one time. Newell has a diploma in electrical engineering technology from the British Columbia Institute of Technology, and he believes his education is for more than just wiring electronics. “I think it helps me, being an engineer and having that analytical background, because it really helps me problem-solve in any situation.” AVIDWORX is lucky enough to count Futureshop and Best Buy among its growing list of clients, but it’s not the only business Newell has tried. In 2007, he was awarded three of the first four pilot franchises for Nurse Next Door, a personal-care service. Newell found out that being a franchise owner wasn’t for him. “I don’t really make a good employee or a franchisee … it just wasn’t a good fit,” he said. In the spring of 2009, he sold his three franchises and turned his focus back to AVIDWORX. He plans to develop a new segment of the company that will focus on the design and manufacture of prefabricated homes for the affordable-housing industry, a topic that’s close to his heart. “I was primarily raised by my mother … growing up having a home was a challenge, so I sympathize and I understand.” • Birthplace: Toronto Where do you live now: Vancouver Highest level of education: Electrical engineering diploma from BCIT Car or chosen mode of transport: F-350 Diesel work truck; I look a little funny driving downtown with it Currently reading: Build to Last: Successful Habits of Visionary Companies by James C. Collins Last CD bought or music downloaded: The 50 Most Essential Pieces of Classical Music Favourite movie: Back to the Future Favourite local restaurant: Vij’s Person you would most like to meet (living or deceased): Richard Branson Profession you would most like to try: Business coaching Mentor: Greg Nichvalodoff, Inscape Consulting Most memorable career milestone or event: The day I got my first client with AVIDWORX Toughest business or professional decision: When I had to downsize the company in our third year, laying off the majority of our team. That was tough. Good news is that it was only temporary, and most of the original team is back and we are moving forward What’s left to do: We are reshaping our company image from the inside out, so it is a more true expression of who we are. Then we will be ready to use our gifts and talents to what we believe is needed in the world – affordable housing This article from Business in Vancouver December 29, 2009-January 4, 2010; issue 1053 Business in Vancouver (www.biv.com) has been publishing in-depth local business news, analysis and commentary since 1989. The newspaper also produces a weekly ranked list of the biggest companies and players in a wide range of B.C. industries and commercial sectors, monthly features and industry-focused sections that arm its subscribers with a complete package of local business intelligence each week. |
|
||||
|
Comments about this site should be sent to: | ||||||
