|
|
 |
|
ph: 604-688-2398 fx: 604-688-1963
CAN'T FIND SOMETHING? |
Brian SmithBusiness and social-enterprise developer, Building Opportunities with BusinessAge: 35 Brian Smith would rather improve his community than his bank account – and it shows. As the business and social-enterprise developer for Vancouver non-profit organization Building Opportunities with Business (BOB), in two years Smith has helped inject more than $45 million worth of investment into some of the city’s poorest neighbourhoods. “Since a very young age, I’ve been interested in the notion of economic justice,” said Smith. “The fact that there are poor people really bothers me.” BOB promotes community and business development in Vancouver’s inner-city neighbourhoods, and it’s Smith’s job to turn that mandate into a reality on the streets of the Downtown Eastside (DTES). Over the last year, Smith has helped divvy out $120,000 in grant money to a variety of businesses and organizations in the DTES. But even though Smith said he always had a desire to help his fellow man, he wasn’t always sure how to do it. In 1998, he graduated from Simon Fraser University with a BA in economics and political science, but he found he had no passion for what he termed “neoclassical” economics. He went on to earn a post-baccalaureate diploma in community economic development from SFU in 2001 and, in 2004, an MA in planning from the University of British Columbia. “My formal education has been a progression from identifying what I wasn’t interested in doing to identifying what was possible,” Smith said. He hopes to establish an endowment fund for business development in the DTES, but for now he said he’s focused on turning the 2010 Winter Olympics into an opportunity for the area. “It’s a time to highlight both the challenges that are faced in that neighbourhood as well as the opportunities for some innovative changes.” • Birthplace: Vancouver Where do you live now: Gibsons Highest level of education: MA in planning from UBC Car or chosen mode of transport: 2001 Trek 2500 road bike Currently reading: Zen Ties by Jon J. Muth Last CD bought or music downloaded: Fork in the Road by Neil Young Favourite movie: Good Will Hunting Favourite local restaurant: Deacon’s Corner Person you would most like to meet (living or deceased): Jean Vanier Profession you would most like to try: Brewmaster Mentor: Al Etmanski Most memorable career milestone or event: Helping to build the SOLEFood urban farm in the Downtown Eastside Toughest business or professional decision: Having to lay off good people in tough times What’s left to do: Raise good kids, ride a portion of the Tour de France route and invent something that changes the world for good 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: | ||||||
