Attitude is everything; innovative entrepreneur's philosophy is to work hard and have fun."Creative" and "tenacious te·na·cious adj. 1. Clinging to another object or surface; adhesive. 2. Holding together firmly; cohesive. tenacious viscid; adhesive. " are the words our judges used to describe Bob Firth firth or frith, Scottish term applied to an arm of the sea, usually an estuary or strait. For Firth of Clyde, see Clyde; for Firth of Forth, see Forth. , the winner of the 1991 Entrepreneur of the Year Award sponsored by the Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce The Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce TSX: CM NYSE: CM, better known to most customers as CIBC, is one of Canada's major banks. CIBC is classified as a Domestic Chartered Bank (Schedule I). . Firth is the owner and operator of Bar-B-Que Bob's and Turtle Beach See Voyetra. Wear in Kenora. The Manitoba native first became an entrepreneur 14 years ago when he purchased a restaurant in Falcon Lake Falcon Lake is located in Eastern Manitoba, Canada, near North Western Ontario. It is within Whiteshell Provincial Park. See also
In the few short years since his arrival in the Tri-Municipal area of Kenora, Keewatin and Jaffray Melick, Firth has bought, started up and expanded three businesses and contributed much of his energy and talents to the community. Under his management, Kenora Husky Car/Truck Stop's sales increased to $2.4 million in 1988 and $3 million in 1989. The number of its employees increased from 30 to 65 during the same time period. Meanwhile, sales at the Husky restaurant increased from $430,000 in 1987 to $670,000 in 1989. Husky Oil recognized this success by giving Firth its Image Award in 1988. In the following year Firth became a member of the Image Council, the highest award given by Husky Oil Marketing Company. Despite this success and recognition, Firth sold the car/truck stop last November in order to concentrate his efforts on expanding his two other business ventures - Bar-B-Que Bob's and Turtle Beach Wear. Firth opened Bar-B-Que Bob's chicken and ribs barbecue house in October 1989. He had renovated the existing restaurant that fall to increase its seating capacity Noun 1. seating capacity - the number of people that can be seated in a vehicle or auditorium or stadium etc. commodiousness, spaciousness, capaciousness, roominess - spatial largeness and extensiveness (especially inside a building); "the capaciousness of Santa's from 46 to 125 seats and he built two volleyball volleyball, outdoor or indoor ball and net game played on a level court. An upright net, 3 ft (or 1 m) high, the top of which stands 8 ft (2.43 m) from the ground for men, 7 ft 4 1/8 in (2. courts on the lot the following summer. The innovation and investment both paid off. Not only has Bar-B-Que Bob's become known as "home of the Big Bob Burger," but its sales have increased from $185,000 in 1988 when the restaurant was known as The Log Cabin log cabin or log house, style of home typical of the American pioneer on the Western frontier of the United States in the great westward expansion after 1765. It was constructed with few tools, usually an axe or an adz and an auger. , to $401,874 last year. The restaurant has hired 24 new employees for a total of 30, and sales are expected to reach $461,000 this year. In addition, the restaurant has become the host site for a summer volleyball league and a series of weekend tournaments for youths, men and women. Turtle Beach Wear began in 1988 when Firth designed his own line of T-shirts, sweat shirts and shorts. He opened stores in Kenora and Falcon Lake in December 1989 and later obtained a warehouse in Winnipeg as well as a network of suppliers and agents. Today Turtle Beach Wear is distributed in retail stores throughout most of Canada, promoting the Lake of the Woods Lake of the Woods, 1,485 sq mi (3,846 sq km), c.70 mi (110 km) long, on the U.S.-Canada border in the pine forest region of N Minn., SE Man., and SW Ont. More than two thirds of the lake is in Canada. area from Toronto to Vancouver. Sales have increased from $27,800 in 1988 to $93,000 in 1989. They are expected to reach $200,000 this year. Firth attributes the success of his business ventures to three philosophies. They are: * to demonstrate a fun atmosphere and a good attitude from management on down * to surround yourself with good people * to work, work, work His admirers describe Firth as an innovative, hardworking and high-energy person. In business Firth is credited with maintaining a positive outlook and for being sensitive to the needs of his markets, and in the community he is known for his high degree of community involvement. Under Firth's management, the Kenora Husky Car/Truck Stop was involved in a number of community projects such as the Kenora Library expansion fund and the Dan Park cancer fund. Firth serves on several local boards and committees in the Kenora area, including the committee for skill development and the Youth Employment Services Board. He is also a member of the Canadian Restaurant and Food Services food services Hospital services A 24/7 department in a hospital that provides for the nutritional needs of inpatients–eg, those needing special diets, preparing meals and transporting them to the floor and, through the cafeteria, the hospital staff and Association, the Lake of the Woods Tourism Association and the Kenora and District Chamber of Commerce. Last year Firth was named Entrepreneur of the Year by the Kenora and District Chamber of Commerce. |
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