“You may not always be ready at the time of the idea, but ideas take time to carry through.” – Justin Lussier
Although Justin Lussier was simply describing the initial expansion of his company, Famoso Neapolitan Pizza, he highlights a key characteristic of how the Top 100 Fastest Growing Companies differentiate themselves from all other businesses. The companies’ fearlessness in taking their businesses one step ahead of itself drives the growth that earns their position on the list. Having a natural interest in entrepreneurship, attending Business In Vancouver’s gala dinner was a great way to not only socialize with likeminded individuals, but also to gain insight from industry leaders. Throughout the night, the event found a comfortable balance between sagacious speeches and good food, in an endless room full of talented and fascinating individuals.
During the speeches, Andrew Reid, founder and president of Vision Critical, shared a list of tips that have helped him develop the success of his company today. Among that list, two pieces of advice particularly stood out to me. When it comes to setting goals, Andrew believes in “being stubborn in the long term, and flexible in the short term”. He explains that while a company must stay true to its core values, staying flexible in the short term allows for greater maximization of opportunities. The second piece of advice that stood out to me explains the concept of “hiring people who are more talented than you”. Not only does this idea explain the exponential growth of Vision Critical, but it also exemplifies Andrew’s understanding of how to be a great leader. A great leader knows not only when to step up and step down, but also that they do not have the ultimate understanding of all content. His drive for continuous learning and growth is exemplified through his desire in surrounding himself with other talented individuals.
Ending off the night by speaking with several other intriguing characters, I went home, captivated by the success in the diversity that surrounds us. Throughout the speeches and the conversations, I learned that there was no one common key to success. It was evident that by embracing and sharing our personal differences and passions, we are truly able to distinct ourselves from others and succeed.
Cheryl has had experience with a diverse range of student activities which include her recent roles as the Director of Community Relations for BASS FROSH and the Sponsorship Executive for CaseIT 2013. She continues to be part of CaseIT 2014 as Creative Director. She is extremely excited to be a part of the Ambassador program so that she can broaden her insights andchannel her new knowledge into giving back to the Beedie community.