Business community recognized at gala

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This article was published 14/04/2023 (1139 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

From humble beginnings to running a prosperous business for more than 45 years, Brandon’s Wes Norosky says while there is no secret to success, there may be a recipe.

Norosky was one of a dozen business leaders who were recognized at the 140th annual Brandon Chamber of Commerce awards gala at the Keystone Centre on Thursday.

In his acceptance speech for the Lifetime Business Builder Award, Norosky, who took over South End Lumber from his father in the late 1970s, proudly referred to himself as a born-and-raised Brandon boy, which drew cheers and applause from the crowd of 500.

Following his speech, Norosky told the Sun he began his career in lumber when he was 19, but it was work he put in years before that laid the foundation to success.

“I had a paper route, I shovelled driveways, unloaded rail cars by hand — whatever I could to make a buck,” Norosky said. When I worked for Pepsi, I made $1.35 an hour. It really is about being committed to hard work.”

The awards gala is an opportunity to shine a light on people who are driving change in the business community, according to Tanya LaBuick, president of the Brandon Chamber of Commerce.

However, LaBuick said the city should realize the importance of a strong and connected business community.

“I would say that everybody’s involved in business in one way or another. Whether as a consumer or a service provider, we’re all involved,” said LaBuick. “And a lot of the tax dollars that come from businesses support public services that happen not only in our city, but across our country as well.”

Another prominent award from Thursday was for the Business Person of the Year, which went to Barry LaRocque. LaRocque purchased Atom-Jet Industries 21 years ago and helped turn it into one of Westman’s largest industrial and agricultural product manufacturers.

In the past, LaRocque has been recognized by the Manitoba Chambers of Commerce for long-term achievement and received a Distinguished Alumni Award from Assiniboine Community College. While he said it was his honour to receive those accolades, he added his success is due to others who have helped him along his path in life and business.

“I think just trusting people goes a long way, and the biggest thing that I push for is respect. I truly believe that if you respect people, they’ll respect you, and that’s the best way to move forward,” LaRocque said.

The Young Entrepreneur of the Year was Rhoni Mohanraj, founder and owner of Trident Event Group, who has grown his company to more than a dozen staff. From early beginnings providing disc jockey services for weddings and socials, Mohanraj expanded into event planning, film production and photo booths. He said his next step is to launch a marketing agency.

There were two winners in the Community Impact category: an individual and a business that were both seen as standouts because of their contributions to the well-being and quality of life for those in Westman.

Victoria Inn general manager Brent Miller received the individual award for his 13-year commitment to the Provincial Exhibition of Manitoba. He’s currently a director but is a past-president and member of the Dome Building restoration committee.

The YMCA of Brandon won for having the biggest community impact. The Y has been at its current location for 107 years, said president and CEO Lon Cullen, adding the secret to the organization’s success has always been about people and relationships.

“We believe that as a charity, the better we are at business, the better we are at charity. We rely on the business community, ourselves and good business practice to help the community at large,” said Cullen.

Tweed Media, co-owned by Charles Tweed and Zach Wyss, won the Outstanding New Business Award; Friends Fur Life Daycare and Grooming received the Business Excellence Award for small business and Daydreams Esthetics Spa won the same award for large business.

Rounding out the list of honourees were Westman’s top 4 under 40, awarded to Leah Campbell, human resources and marketing manager at Alliance Accounting Group, Alex Cartlidge, co-owner of Cartlidge and Cormier Landscaping Inc., Trevor Kehler, operations manager of Alair Homes, and Stacy Senkbeil, partner at Meighen Haddad LLP, the largest law firm in Westman.

Brandon is a great city in which to do business, said Ashleigh Hamm, owner of Create Marketing, a small business that provides marketing services, coaching and consulting. The chamber gala is a great way to connect with others, she said, but more than that, its support network really helps.

“There is so much collaboration and support from other businesses,” Hamm said. “We wouldn’t be where we are today without the support of every other business in Brandon, and for that I am thankful.”

Up next for the Brandon Chamber of Commerce is the State of the Province Luncheon on April 20 at the Keystone Centre, featuring Premier Heather Stefanson. Information and registration are available at https://brandonchamber.ca.

» mmcdougall@brandonsun.com

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