THANK YOU!

As the 2005 BDC Young Entrepreneur of the Year for Prince Edward Island, there are just not enough words to describe how appreciative I am to have been chosen for this incredible honor. I want to say a huge "thank you" to all my clients, friends and supporters of Fresh Media Inc. I especially want to thank Judy Clair of Scotia Bank and Bertha Jay of BDC, for the nomination and continuing support. I look forward to continuing to grow my company by growing your image through fresh creativity.

Melody Dover

EXPERIENCE OF A LIFETIME

Having the opportunity to attend the 2005 BDC Young Entrepreneur of the Year Awards in Calgary was an experience of a lifetime. To meet the other winning entrepreneurs from across Canada and learn about their successful companies was incredible. Sharing stories, making friends and learning how to be a better entrepreneur were all great aspects of the event.

One of the highlights was being a part of the BDC Enterepreneur's Forum, a roundtable discussion and analysis of two business case studies. It was enlightening to hear the challenges that other businesses overcame and to see how they approached their decisions. I'm certain all future BDC award winners from PEI will benefit as I have from this amazing experience.

Pictured is Melody Dover and Rosanna Imbrogno, VP Guest Services, Westjet.

GREAT EXPOSURE

As the winner of the 2005 BDC Young Entrepreneur Award for PEI, I have been fortunate enough to have gained national exposure. As a result of winning this prestigious award, I've been interviewed by Breakfast Television of Calgary's City TV, profiled by the Globe and Mail, interviewed by the CKNW Radio business guru, and published in Progress magazine, as well as profiled by the Business Development Bank of Canada.

Aside from media exposure, winning this award has allowed me the opportunity to speak at a number of events about what winning the award has meant and to further spread the word of Fresh Media Inc. Some of these engagements included The Charlottetown Chamber of Commerce, The PEIBWA Annual Business Women's Symposium, a Holland College lunch time presentation to students, and speaking with UPEI students of the Entrepreneur program.

BREAKFAST TELEVISION

Scott MacDonald of Noise Solutions, the 2005 BDC winner for Alberta, and I were interviewed LIVE on the air by Tara McCool the host of Breakfast Television. While the city was still wrapped in darkness the morning of October 18th, Scott and I were up bright and early to make our appearance on ths local Calgary morning program. It was an amazing experience that I won't soon forget.

Seated in front of the cameraman sits Tara McCool, Scott MacDonald, and Melody as the prepare to go live on Calgary's Breakfast Television.

GLOBE AND MAIL

I was contacted by Globe and Mail journalist, Sasha Nagya, to be interviewed by the Globe and Mail. The story title "A fresh spin on a bad break" is a great way to sum up the start of Fresh Media Inc. To read the article online, click here.

PROFILE BY CALGARY BUSINESS MAGAZINE

The November issue of Business in Calgary magazine profiled the 2005 BDC Young Entrepreneur of the Year Awards, which were hosted in the capital city in October. Scott MacDonald and I were highlighted as two of the winners.

THANKS TO LOCAL COVERAGE

Being the winner of such a prestigious award in a small province has allowed for additional exposure from the local press such as The Guardian, The Journal Pioneer and The Buzz, as well as an on air interview with Matt Rainee of CBC Radio program Main Street.

As well as having coverage from publications and media, associations such the PEIBWA, Charlottetown Chamber of Commerce and ITAP were also instrumental in spreading the news.

Special thanks to all who sent me wonderful greetings, congratulatory messages and emails. This award could not have happened without the support of my clients, friends, family and of course my husband, Robbie.

EMBRACING THE MOMENT

While in Calgary, I had the chance to better get to know Bertha Jay of the Prince Edward Island BDC branch. Although I had not receieved any funding through the BDC as of the awards, I saw first hand how the BDC helps with the growth of businesses by assisting entrepreneurs to achieve their goals. I believe that they are a wonderful institution for which any business may help to further their vision.

For more information about the PEI branch of BDC, please click here.

Pictured is Melody and Bertha Jay, of the PEI BDC branch, at awards gala.