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CAN'T FIND SOMETHING? |
Seana WadeCEO, Survivor Boot Camp Inc.Age: 36 With two businesses under her belt with more than 100 locations, it’s safe to say Seana Wade is a serial entrepreneur. Survivor Boot Camp Inc., Wade’s second business, was founded in 2005, and she thinks its success is partly due to the fact that her brain never shuts down. “Business has always been my thing,” said Wade. “I just sort of sit there and think about it and think about how to market it.” In just four years, Wade transformed her business into a brand she could franchise across Canada. In 2008, Survivor recorded $3.7 million in sales, more than double the previous year. But she owes some of her business savvy to her credentials. In 1997, she earned a small-business and fundamentals certificate from Langara College. That same year she got a venture-development certificate from the British Columbia Institute of Technology and in 2002 earned a business-administration diploma from Capilano College. Wade’s first business venture was Perk Street Drive-Thru Espresso Inc., a drive-through coffee bar she founded in 1998. In its first year, Perk earned $100,000 in revenue, and she opened a second location before she decided it was time to move on. “I came up against city rules and the permitting for drive-through coffee bars was a challenge,” she said. After giving birth to her first child, Wade wanted to get back into business and into shape at the same time, and that’s when Survivor was born. “The fitness component was really exciting, because I was going to be the perfect customer,” she said. The first Survivor opened with a full class, and business boomed from there. “A lot of people have hobbies and I always wonder why I don’t have one, but it turns out it’s business.” • Birthplace: Vancouver Where do you live now: Pitt Meadows Highest level of education: Business administration diploma from Capilano College Car or chosen mode of transport: West Coast Express Currently reading: E-Myth Mastery by Michael E. Gerber Last CD bought or music downloaded: Mad World by Adam Lambert Favourite movie: Slum Dog Millionaire Favourite local restaurant: Sushi or Lebanese food Person you would most like to meet (living or deceased): Chip Wilson, CEO of Lululemon Profession you would most like to try: Perhaps a doctor Mentor: I met Todd Margolis more than 12 years ago at the BCIT Venture Development Centre. He has been a great sounding board over the years, something I never take for granted Most memorable career milestone or event: When we used our marketing formula to go from one location in Port Moody to more than eight locations throughout the Lower Mainland Toughest business or professional decision: To close down non-performing franchise partners. Protecting your brand integrity is first and foremost when running a franchise-based business What’s left to do: I want to take Survivor into eastern Canadian markets. As well, we want to expand into the U.S. through franchise sales and conversion 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. |
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