VICTORIA – Doug Wittich, President of Family Business Association (FBA) of Vancouver Island, is pleased to announce that Butler Bros Supplies and Pepper’s Food Store are the recipients the 2021 Family Business Excellence (FBE) Award. Elspeth McGillivray, Prince of Whales/North Island Kayak, is the recipient of the 2021 Family Business Young Entrepreneur Award.
Butler Bros started in 1930’s as a trucking company and by the 50s were growing into concrete production, cement distribution, hardware and lumber sales and even further into farm equipment and irrigation. At its peak they had over 300 employees and when a serious financial crisis in the later 70s and early 80s, Brian Butler was asked to return to lead the company.
Travis Butler
Now the third generation with Travis and Roxy now manage the two parts of the business, Butler Concrete and Aggregate and the Butler Properties. One of their greatest achievements is the longevity of the business from the 1930s to today and overcoming a variety of challenges and obstacles while keeping the business successful with a strong forward focus. Congrats to Brian, Travis and Roxy
Pepper’s Food Store is your local grocer in Cadboro Bay. They began in 1962 and in 1992 was purchased by John Davits and renamed Pepper’s Foods. They now provide full-service deli, butcher shop and expanded produce department plus delivery service. In 2017 John retired and leaving it in the hands of his son Cory. Their mission is to provide a workplace where the staff are valued, be an integral part of providing the community with quality, locally made products and service.
“Our goal is to maintain the small community store feeling while providing all the services of the larger, chain store, said Cory Davits. A big community supporter, Pepper’s is very deserving of this recognition.
Prince of Whales was formed in 1883, originally offering a water taxi service to the Gulf Islands. In 1995 they began offering wildlife and adventure tours. By 1998, they moved the operations to the Victoria inner harbour. Alan McGillivray started the business and now we recognize his daughter, Elspeth, as the 2nd generation of this family business.
Even as a Young Entrepreneur, Elspeth as many years of experience in the business and is now the Director of Operations responsible for three locations and North Island Kayak. She is an inspiring recipient of this award and we look forward to the many years of growth and leadership within the family business. While this past year has been a roller coaster ride, they weathered through the storm and remain optimistic on their continue growth in the future. Way to go, Elspeth as the FBA Young Entrepreneur of the Year!
The FBA awards were acknowledged at a virtual awards night due to the Covid-19 restrictions and are given annually by FBA to recognize youth leadership and to celebrate and promote achievements of Vancouver Island family businesses and the considerable contributions they make to their local communities. Past Family Business Award (FBE) recipients include: Nimmo Bay Wilderness Resort, Proline Management; Drive Wise BC; Titan Boats; Tru Value Foods; Wilson’s Group of Companies; The Canada Homestay Network; Capital Iron; Country Grocer; McCall Gardens Funeral & Cremation Service; Pacific Sands Resort; Robinson’s Outdoor Store; Monk Office and Accent Inns. Past Young Entrepreneur recipients are: Erin Boggs, Robinson’s Outdoor Store, Daisy Klaibert, Beacon Hill Wealth Management and Andrew Wilson, Wilson’s Group of Companies.
Family Business Association Vancouver Island Mission: To promote the sustainability and growth of Vancouver Island business families by providing education and support through community and shared experience.
Valued Sponsors: Platinum Sponsor: Dean Innes, Sotheby’s Realty International & Gold Sponsors: Bellrock Benchmarking; CIBC; Country Grocer; Country Grocer Salt Spring Island; Nimmo Bay Wilderness Resort; Thank you Media Partner; Business Examiner.
