Devon Brooks – Representing Canada at the G20 YES

The Canadian Youth Business Foundation has selected 20 dynamic young Canadian entrepreneurs to form the official Canadian delegation at 2012 G20 Young Entrepreneur Summit (G20 YES) in Mexico City, Mexico on June 3 -5, 2012. 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.

First name / last name: Devon Brooks

My motto: “Courage is grace under pressure.” – Ernest Hemingway

My Company
Name: Blo Blow Dry Bar
Activity: Consumer
Number of employees: 275 + Inc. franchise employees
Headquarters’ Address: 1100 Sheppard Ave. West, Suite 340, Toronto, Ontario, CANADA, V6B 2S2
Website: www.blomedry.com

My life as an entrepreneur
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 cultivating something of substance. Blo creates awesome jobs for young professionals entering the workforce.

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. Business is interpersonal, and my goal is to create profoundly human environments.