Features April 2018

When sales reps for Barkman Concrete go to tradeshows, they run into a problem not uncommon in sales: people don’t believe them, but it’s not for the usual reasons. Barkman’s recent line of wood replica products so closely imitate the real thing it’s hard to tell they’re actually made from concrete. “People are down on […]

Today’s consumers are more informed in their shopping choices, making product authenticity a major factor in buying decisions. Based in Toronto, Aurora Importing & Distributing Limited has been on a quest to deliver the highest level of product quality and authenticity in traditional Italian imports and fine foods from around the world more than 61 […]

Business and politics don’t always mix, as was the case in 2014, when war in Ukraine and subsequent embargoes by Russia sent the companies that supply those markets scrambling to find new customers. Luckily, after more than 40 years, the Mann family says it knows how to navigate both meteorological and political storms. The family […]

After one of Epicure’s consultants teaches a cooking class at your house, you might be able to turn out authentic pad thai in as little as 10 minutes or whip up a healthy vegetarian omelet using the company’s microwavable cookware. CEO Amelia Warren says her company wants to remind people how easy it is to […]

The road to the Monster Jam World Finals XVIII passed through the Northlands Coliseum (also known as Rexall Place) in Edmonton, Alberta, the first weekend in February, with the legendary Randy Brown and his Grave Digger ripping and roaring around the track and over the mounds, leaving a packed house of novelty truck enthusiasts sky […]

Well-versed in financial analytics from his former career in Canadian banking, Robin Bateman knew that yesterday’s business model didn’t ensure a productive tomorrow and that one must anticipate trends. That he did in 2004 as the new owner of Western Oil Services Ltd, a suburban Vancouver company that had long made the bulk of its […]

There’s no faking the taste and texture of an authentic Italian dessert. That, at least, is the opinion of Elite Sweets Inc., which says it brings the flavor and quality of grandma’s delicious chocolate almond tortetufo, white raspberry cheesecake and other classic treats to the freezer aisle. The Brampton, Ontario, Canada-based company makes and distributes […]

A one-time rising star in the Maryland House of Delegates from 1998 to 2002, Paul Carlson earned the respect of educators by spearheading such initiatives as early childhood development, smaller class sizes and teacher training, but has long since found another calling in the investment world. “What I care about is helping people, in a […]

Chief executive officers have their stump speeches, but given the opportunity to be heard, John Prado may opt for a lesson that encompasses history and political economy. Bolivia, the land-locked South American country of his birth and return, is blessed with natural resources that have not been used to full advantage. For far too long, […]

A seasoned and savvy wealth adviser with an MBA from Gulf Coast University, Tamara Surratt works with multigenerational families, from the wealth creators themselves all the way to the youngest generations, to help families preserve and grow their wealth. Engaging the entire family is important because, statistically, the odds are against families hoping to pass […]