The Haddock Entrepreneurial Speaker Series
Gordon and Maureen sponsor a speaker series, enabling the Murray Edwards School of Business to bring successful entrepreneurs to Saskatchewan annually to address students and the public.
Mr. Grant Kook was the 18th presenter in the Haddock Entrepreneurial Speaker Series. His title was Betting on Saskatchewan – A Billion Dollar Journey.
As daunting as that title sounds, Grant presented an informative, inspiring speech sprinkled with humour, keeping audience members of all ages engaged. Mr. Kook pointed out that he doesn’t have a billion dollars but manages a billion dollars in investments. He explained that he invests in people, not companies. The Young Entrepreneur Award Winners were particularly taken with stories of Mr. Kook’s childhood in Outlook, Saskatchewan.
He is devoted to making this province a better place for everyone and gives back in many ways. After the GABWYEA presentations, audience members lingered to talk to Mr. Kook and visit with each other. The Haddocks presented Mr. Kook with an original painting by Denyse Klette, which illustrates a story titled ‘Mushrooms are Money,’ written by Maureen Haddock for the book Get an Even Bigger Wagon.
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Greg Porter was the 17th presenter in the Haddock Entrepreneurial Speaker Series. Greg shared his journey from Gears to Garages, offering many memorable visual images. As a young child, he pacified himself at his father’s work by looking for prizes under the bottle cap liners. He learned to never give up by realizing the “try again” words came up more often than the prizes.
The Haddocks presented Mr. Porter with an original painting by Denyse Klette, featured in a book titled Get an Even Bigger Wagon by Maureen Haddock. This painting illustrates the story Stolen Pleasures.
Cindy Lowe was the 16th presenter in the Haddock Entrepreneurial Speaker Series. After spending several years in banking, Cindy became a teacher to save as many young people as possible from financial troubles. She wants all students to become financially literate before graduating high school. Students who understand money soon understand the importance of having marketable skills. Many find themselves exploring entrepreneurship as a financial option.
The Haddocks presented Cindy with the Denyse Klette painting that illustrates Driving Underage, a story written by Maureen and found in the book Get an Even Bigger Wagon. The boy in the story is depicted counting his money. It seemed like a perfect gift for Ms. Lowe.
Alex Cruder was the 15th presenter in the Haddock Entrepreneurial Speaker Series. He shared his entrepreneurial journey with genuine honesty, complete with ups and downs, recent disappointments, and the resilience required to move forward. His presentation was sometimes funny and occasionally touching. This “moment in time” presentation is worthy of multiple plays.
L to R, Maureen Haddock, Alex Cruder, Dean Keith Willoughby, Gordon Haddock
The Haddocks presented Alex with a Denyse Klette painting, featured in the book titled Get an Even Bigger Wagon written by Maureen. The story, like this illustration, is titled Another Close Call.
Mr. Percy Hoff, our fourteenth speaker in the Haddock Entrepreneurial Speaker Series, gave an inspiring speech. He calmly demonstrated the importance of kindness and forgiveness as well as survival through entrepreneurship. Percy provided the audience with lessons of persistence, creativity, resilience, and innovation; his words were uplifting for these times.
L to R, Dean Keith Willoughby of Edwards School of Business, Mr. Percy Hoff, Maureen Haddock, and Gordon Haddock. The Haddocks presented Percy with a Denyse Klette painting illustrating a story titled “Drums, Not Trumpets” found in the book Get an Even Bigger Wagon written by Maureen. In this story, the boy becomes familiar with the feeling that sweeps over him whenever someone tries to force him to do something.
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