The Canadian Youth Business Foundation has selected 30 dynamic young Canadian entrepreneurs to form the official Canadian delegation at the G20 Young Entrepreneur Summit (G20 YES) in Nice, France on October 31-November 2, 2011. The G20 YES is an annual international summit that brings together dedicated and influential entrepreneurs of the G20 countries. Devon Brooks is a Canadian delegate.

  • My motto: “Courage is grace under pressure.” – Ernest Hemingway
  • Company name:  Blo Blow Dry Bar
  • Activity: Consumer
  • Number of employees: 200 + Inc. franchise employees
  • Headquarters’ Address: 1100 Sheppard Ave. West, Suite 340, Toronto, Ontario, CANADA, V6B 2S2
  • Website: www.blomedry.com

The Trigger: Why did you become an entrepreneur:

Becoming and entrepreneur wasn’t an active choice. I had been raised by a single mum as a young girl, so I understood hard work, and the idea that you can create your own opportunities. I started my first freelance business at 16 years old. Blo was an idea that my mum and I created together when I was entering my second year of university. I used the concept for a business plan project which I submitted that fall. Six months later, in the spring of 2007, we opened our first location in Vancouver.

My best moment as an entrepreneur, my success:

Getting recognition for creating something of substance. The coolest is definitely when I learned how to create change or a movement so to speak.

My next challenge:

Currently, I am incredibly fascinated by the latest demographic of working professionals and their take on personal and professional development. My next project is really about connecting on a one-to-one level with young people and exploring how companies will need to adjust themselves in order to nurture the next wave of professionals.

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