Aplin Wins Family Enterprise of the Year Award (FEYA), Calgary Chapter

Family businesses usually start in a garage somewhere—father and son, mother and daughter, two brothers, etc. They start something that tends to grow a little bit, then a little more.

Family businesses generally create more jobs faster than larger organizations, and they tend to contribute to economic development more broadly while helping diversification efforts across the country.  It’s these small family-run businesses that maintain the true fundamentals of a family unit.

For the past 30+ years, Calgary’s business community has shown a great history of entrepreneurial family business success stories. March 1, 2018, marked the 14th annual Family Enterprise of the Year Award (FEYA) Gala, where the Family Enterprise Xchange (FEX) celebrates business families. This year’s finalists included McArthur Fine Furniture, RGO, and our very own David Aplin Group.

After its first nomination and win in the Edmonton chapter 10 years ago, I’m thrilled once again to announce Aplin’s second FEYA win, this time in the Calgary chapter. I’d like to take a moment to personally offer special congratulations to the other finalist families for bringing the challenges and achievements of the family business to life.

It’s always an honour to receive this type of recognition. Family-run businesses are in business because they’re passionate about the work they do. At Aplin, we have the unique privilege of impacting people’s lives and careers, while at the same time helping businesses find the right candidates.  It’s a thrill to be nominated and stand alongside such a fantastic group of local family-run companies.

What is the FEX FEYA?

The goal of FEX is clear, “To empower enterprising families and their advisors so they can succeed and flourish. To achieve this, FEX provides business families and their advisors with a unique blend of shared wisdom and experience, and the world’s best, leading-edge thinking and knowledge.”

According to FEX, “The Family Enterprise of the Year Award (FEYA) is given annually by FEX to recognize, celebrate and promote the achievements of Canadian family businesses and the considerable contribution they make to both their local communities and our national economy.”

Successful winners of each of the 11 Regional Awards will advance to the FEYA selection committee, where one lucky National winner will be chosen. Previous recipients of this prestigious award include businesses large and small, from E.D. Smith & Sons Ltd. and Rogers Communications to Beau’s All Natural Brewing Company and the Saskatoon Funeral Home. On behalf of the entire David Aplin Group, I’m honoured to join this distinguished group of family-owned businesses.

FEX Has Played a Large role in Aplin’s Business

FEX is a very important organization for family-owned and operated businesses in Canada, helping companies by offering extensive knowledge, advisory services, resources, and business planning capabilities. Members can take advantage of e-learning programs, peer groups, and symposiums, all within a confidential “safe-harbour” environment free of sponsorship and solicitation.

I find great value in my Personal Advisory Group (PAG) at Family Xchange. This mastermind group, comprised of leaders from a variety of industries, meets monthly to share experiences on not only the business front but also on how to navigate the intricacies of working with family. It’s an impactful group, and is now part of the framework that FEX has for their members. We developed the PAG to provide FEX members with expert, objective and intimate advice in an atmosphere of mutual trust and support. Personal Advisory Groups are open to all family members who are active in the business.

FEX has been and continues to be, an integral part of Aplin’s success, and we look forward to many more years of actively participating to support fellow familial businesses. If you haven’t done so already, we strongly recommend any and all family-run businesses take advantage of the many benefits FEX has to offer.