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. 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.
Jana Danielson owns and operates Lead Pilates and Fitness Centre, integrating health and fitness for a growing client base. During her speech, Jana shared her journey, complete with ups and downs, successes and failures. Each young entrepreneur in attendance took something unique from her presentation, but one nine-year-old girl felt great relief from Jana’s message. It is OK to change directions, professions, and even interests as you get older.
L to R: Keith Willoughby – Dean of Edwards School of Business, Maureen Haddock, Jana Danielson, Gord Haddock
The Haddocks presented Jana with an original Denyse Klette painting titled “Off to the Races.” The painting illustrates a story by the same name, written by Maureen Haddock and published in Get an Even Bigger Wagon. In the story, an overconfident younger Gord Haddock ends up with a very sore backside.
Duane Smith began his speech by sharing the lessons he learned, as a child, while running his chicken and egg business. Duane, the former CEO of AgTech, shared his entrepreneurial journey and the truths he discovered along the way. Through experience, Duane developed the art of making a deal. One of his biggest deals occurred when he sold his award-winning company. He often referred back to his early days in the chicken business, which, along with his enthusiasm, made him the perfect speaker for the inaugural Get a Bigger Wagon Young Entrepreneur Awards.
The Haddocks presented Duane with an original Denyse Klette painting, featured in Maureen’s second book titled Get an Even Bigger Wagon. The painting illustrates a story titled “One With the Wind,” which stresses the joy of having an idea and making it work. In this story, the boy learns that there are no free rides in life.
L to R, Gord Haddock, Maureen Haddock, Duane Smith, and Dean Keith Willoughby.
John Williams, President and CEO of Canwest Commercial and Land Corp, shared his entrepreneurial journey, which began in refrigeration and has evolved through 18 businesses into a successful family business. John openly shared many of his key life lessons, and the Haddocks felt they had much in common with the Williams.
Pictured L to R: Maureen Haddock, Gord Haddock, John Williams, and Dean Keith Willoughby of Edwards School of Business.
The Haddocks presented John with an original Denyse Klette painting featured in Maureen’s second book, Get an Even Bigger Wagon. The painting illustrates a story titled “Cliff Hanger,” which stresses the importance of hanging onto your dreams and your reputation.
Learn more about John Williams at North Prairie Developments and Canwest Commercial and Land Corp.
The tenth presentation in the Haddock Entrepreneurial Speaker series was fun and energized. Members of the audience laughed, took notes, and were genuinely engaged. The message for the day was the importance of getting to know people – many people. Friendship can lead to mentorship, which can lead to partnership, as it did with Bryan, Evan, and the Haddocks. Bryan and Evan also shared five key lessons from their experiences. The audience remained well past five o’clock, asking excellent questions.
Pictured above L to R: Gord Haddock, Evan Willoughby, Dean Keith Willoughby, Bryan McCrea, and Maureen Haddock (Note: The Dean is not related to Evan).
Maureen and Gord presented Bryan and Evan with original paintings done by Denyse Klette for Maureen’s book entitled Get an Even Bigger Wagon. Evan Willoughby received Caught in a Web, while Bryan McCrea received The Carnival Conspiracy. Both stories illustrate life lessons applicable to entrepreneurs.
