Award Winning Island Family Businesses Chosen for 2018

January 3, 2018

VICTORIA – The Family Business Association (FBA) of Vancouver Island is pleased to announce that DriveWise BC and Titan Boats tied for the Family Business Excellence (FBE) Award with Mike Geric Construction coming in as a finalist. Daisy Klaibert of Beacon Hill Wealth Management was named the recipient of the family business Young Entrepreneur Award.

DriveWise BC is the largest driving school in British Columbia and the leader in driver training in the province. Founded by Arthur and Pat Harris more than 40 years ago, the family business has a head office in Victoria and four additional locations. The company has taught more than 50,000 drivers of all ages, offering a total of 900,000 lessons.

Titan Boats began in the basement of founder John Stanner’s home. John saw a need for a more durable product to offer the local Victoria eco-tourism industry. Titan has produced over 400 vessels to date that are still in operation. Titan currently employs 30 full-time staff including five family members.

Mike Geric Construction, FBE finalist, was founded by Mike Geric in 1968 to build quality homes in Saanich. In the almost 50 years since, the Geric family has built more than 1,500 homes and grown their company into a leader in the industry.

Daisy Klaibert, Young Entrepreneur Award recipient, is responsible for providing client services and business development for her family business, Beacon Hill Wealth Management. They have identified a niche market servicing client with cross-border needs. Daisy is an excellent example of maintaining the work-life balance as a young mother and is an encouragement for other young women to become entrepreneurs.

The awards will be presented at a gala ceremony at the Beach House Restaurant in Victoria on February 8th. Gold Sponsors for these awards are the Business Examiner, Country Grocer on Vancouver Island and Salt Spring Island, Hot House Marketing and Reed Pope Law. Platinum Sponsor is Black Press.

The Awards are given annually by FBA to recognize, celebrate and promote achievements of Vancouver Island family businesses and the considerable contribution they make to both their local communities and our national economy.

Past award recipients include: Tru Value Foods; Wilson’s Transportation; The Canada Homestay Network; Capital Iron; Country Grocer; McCall Gardens; Pacific Sands Resort; Robinson’s Outdoor Store; Monk Office Supply, and Accent Inns.

Tickets to the award celebration are now available for purchase.

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