Choose one of the stories and, connecting it to this unit's readings, explain how the story illustrates how to run a successful business. Why is the story important and interesting and how does it connect with some of the concepts from the readings in this unit?

For the question posted, students are required to post two different types of responses: a single Initial post reacting directly to the question and a minimum of three substantive Peer Responses aimed at building on the responses posted by fellow classmates. Each of the postings are expected to advance the overall depth of the discussion.

• Initial Postsfor these Discussion Questions are due no later than 11:00p.m. on Wednesday.
• Peer Responses may begin at any time but will close 11:00p.m. on Sunday.
• Please see theCourse Syllabus for information regarding required criteria and grading.

1 / 15 (Jennifer Roberts)

"I look at the business not as a sprint but a marathon"

Gillam Group has carved out a niche in the market between local firms that do smaller residential or commercial projects and the highly integrated companies like PCL, Eastern, EllisDon and Hatch. Marcus Gillam, the company's CEO, grew up in the family construction business, but after it was acquired he struck out on his own to service the industry's underserved middle space. It's produced remarkable results, placing Gillam Group atNo. 1on thePROFIT 500ranking ofCanada's Fastest-Growing Companies. Since 2011, the firm has clocked revenue growth of more than 29,000%revenues doubled in each of its first three years. In 2016, its employee roster grew from 60 to 85, and the firm now has 30 active projects. While it's not yet a household name in development circles, the company generated sales in the $50-to-$100-million range last year.

READ THE FULL STORY: How construction firm Gillam Group became Canada's Fastest Growing Company

2 / 15 (Jennifer Roberts)

"This product actually changes lives"

SinceDiva Internationallaunched the Divac up in 2003 out of Kitchener, Ont., a cult-like following of women have been hailing the virtues of the flow catcher, citing reduced landfill waste and leak-free sleeping. Others encouraged reluctant users like De La Rosa to talk more frankly about their periods. Founded by CEO Carinne Chambers-Saini and her mother, Francine Chambers, Diva has dramatically grown in the past five years, with revenues up 712%enough to land theNo. 103spot on the 2017PROFIT 500ranking ofCanada's Fastest-Growing Companies. Sold in 21 countries, its annual sales now top $20 million, thanks to the founders' efforts to take a niche product to the masses.

READ THE WHOLE STORY:Diva International grew by leading the mainstreaming of menstrual cups

3 / 15 (Colin Way)

"If something doesn't elevate the quality of life for everyone involved, we don't do it"

There's nothing particularly revolutionary about a mobile vet service; it's as old as the profession itself. ButGreg Habstritt and Dr. Wendy McClelland have built Vets to Go into a business that employs 31 people and serves pet-owners in Calgary and Edmonton. Sales have spiked 986% over the past five years, earning the company theNo. 72spot on the 2017PROFIT 500ranking ofCanada's Fastest-Growing Companies. In a sector not always known for service, it has amassed a fiercely loyal client base by first delivering a novel offering, then adding complementary offerings reverse-engineered to fix specific pain points.

READ THE WHOLE STORY:Vets to Go is a hit with time-starved pet owners (and their furry friends)

4 / 15 (Troy Moth)

"We started our business with a singular focus"

Sean Bourquin is always figuring out a better way. It's what drove him to take the leap and start a businessafter years of repairing solar lights, he and Justin Taverna felt compelled to build a product that, simply put, required less fixing. "We started our business with a singular focus," says Bourquin. That pursuit of a better solution has become ingrained inFirst Light Technologies, and has fueled its growth; sales increased 341% from 2011 to 2016, earning the firm theNo. 190spot on the 2017PROFIT 500ranking ofCanada's Fastest-Growing Companies.

READ THE WHOLE STORY:How First Light Technologies taps its customers to make a better product

5 / 15 (Guillaume Simoneau)

"The phrase 'game changer' has been bandied around"

Montreal-based biomedical devices companyBioastra Technologies is onthe bleeding edge of developing and commercializing practical uses for smart materials. Since launching Bioastra in 2008, Sumitra Rajagopalan has grown her business from a one-woman operation to a team of 17 whiz-bang inventor-types; together, they've increased sales by 906% in the last five years, landing the business atNo. 82on the 2017PROFIT 500ranking ofCanada's Fastest-Growing Companies. In a sector known for long timelines and fervent secrecy, Bioastra has embraced a research and development orthodoxy that allows it to quickly market its inventions.

READ THE WHOLE STORY:Bioastra Technologies uses open innovation to help firms outsource R&D

6 / 15 (Della Rollins)

"Brands that make the best products defy trends"

Dani Reiss, CEO of Canada Goose, is well aware that the vast majority of people who wear his company's products will never visit the North Pole. Just as most people who drive Land Rovers don't do a lot of off-roading, and most people who wear TAG watches don't deep-sea dive. Some of Canada Goose's most enthusiastic markets are in countries that rarely see snowfall. Still, the underlying importance of product leadership, says Reiss, is how his company has remained fad-proof. "From the beginning, we've built Canada Goose as the best, warmest, most functional product in the world."

READ THE WHOLE STORY:Canada Goose's global success is built on its "made in Canada" roots

7 / 15 (Darren Hull

"I wouldn't ever put a limit on the growth of the company"

house is a relatively new player in the multi-billion-dollar industry of persuasion, in which a company develops and executes another company's marketing strategy in exchange for a commission on each customer or sale that comes from the arrangement. Not yet four years old, Straw house has become very good at it in a very short period of time; its sales grew 3,034% in the past two years, to well above $50 million, earning the company theNo. 1spot on the 2017 STARTUP 50 ranking of Canada's Top New Growth Companies. Situated in picturesque Kelowna, B.C., it's both off the beaten path and under the radar; there's a good chance you've never heard of it. That's by design. Founders Naveed Ramadan and Jason Kristi believe the best way to grow its business is by aligning its success with that of its clientsand giving them all of the credit.

READ THE WHOLE STORY:How Straw house helps clients cut through the noise of digital marketing

8 / 15 (Trevor Brady)

"We have to constantly reinvent who we are and how we do things"

After a couple of working at a car dealership,Cody Greenhe realized there was a flaw in the prevailing sales paradigm, one that, as a natural problem solver, he couldn't let go. Would-be car owners were too often choosing their dream vehicle only to find themselves ineligible for the financing needed to pay for it, an outcome that left everyonedealer, consumer, financial institutionfrustrated and inconvenienced. "For the customers who didn't have perfect credit, that process was backwards and broken," says Green. The platform he built to solve the problem has changed the way Canadians buy vehicles. His company, Canada Drives, grew by a staggering 12,686% from 2010 to 2015, to well above $20 million last year, earning it theNo. 1spot on the2016 PROFIT 500and the title of Canada's Fastest-Growing Company for 2016. Its journey to date has been as unconventional as it has been speedy, and it's only gearing up.

READ THE WHOLE STORY:How Canada Drives became Canada's Fastest-Growing Company

9 / 15 (Grady Mitchell)

"We make it our first mission to find out how people are doing when they enter our stores"

Founded in 1991 by CEO Kate Ross LeBlanc and her husband, Jean-Pierre (who was driven by health issues to develop his own natural remedies), holistic health products brand Saje Natural Wellness has dramatically expanded its retail presence in the past five years. And it has, in turn, posted remarkable growth: Revenue rose 1,012% between 2010 and 2015, earning the company theNo. 74spot on the2016 PROFIT 500 ranking of Canada's Fastest-Growing Companies. The natural wellness chain now has 40 (and counting) retail locations across the country, and also sells online. Total sales topped $50 million last year.Saje credits its "outrageous" customer service for its success.

READ THE WHOLE STORY:How Saje Natural Wellness creates amazing customer experiences

10 / 15 (Jennifer Roberts)

"We have the ability to double the business again"

Since the turn of the decade, C.R. Plastic Productshas expanded at a steady clip, posting revenue growth of 181% from 2010 to 2015 and earning theNo. 297spot on the2016 PROFIT 500 ranking of Canada's Fastest-Growing Companies. The manufacturer of outdoor furniture from recycled plastic isnow Stratford's largest private employer and last year bought a 300,000-square-foot former automotive factory to dramatically increase its capacity. It's been an ambitious acceleration for a company that started in co-founder Jamie Bailey'sbasement in 1994.

READ THE WHOLE STORY:How C.R. Plastic Products builta global furniture empire

11 / 15 (Colin Way)

"We work at what we can, one day at a time"

Lara Murphy and Karen Ryanhad every reason to believe their new venture would be an indelible and immediate success when they incorporated the company in September 2008. Then the global financial markets fell apart. That arduous launch forged a resilience in Ryan Murphy Construction that has helped it to not only growrevenue increased 595% from 2010 to 2015, placing the company in theNo. 126position on the2016 PROFIT 500 ranking of Canada's Fastest-Growing Companiesbut to do so in very volatile conditions. Even as the recent oil downturn hit and once again set their Calgary base into retreat, the company added customers and increased overall sales. Why? Because its leaders have spent the past eight years building a slump-proof business.

READ THE WHOLE STORY:How Ryan Murphy Construction built a slump-proof business

12 / 15 (Will Figg)

"If you are a good person, good things will happen to you"

Just Quality International grewits revenue by 8,697% from 2010 to 2015, earning it theNo. 4spot on the2016 PROFIT 500 ranking of Canada's Fastest-Growing Companies. The firm sources produce from around the worldbroccoli from China and Guatemala, papaya from Mexicoand sells it to packaged goods companies, grocery stores and restaurants. JQI also produces a consumer-facing line of frozen vegetable mixes under the name Arctic Harvest. Founder Yupeng Liu attributes the company's blockbuster growth to his deep knowledge of the industry, and, crucially, his transparent approach with suppliers and customers.

READ THE WHOLE STORY:How Just Quality International grew by doing the right thing

13 / 15 (Regina Garcia)

"Deep in my heart, I knew it was going to work"

In the 10 years since Tonia Jahshanstarted Steeped Tea, shehas builta loose-leaf empire with annual sales of more than $20million (and growing) and 9,000 salespeople peddling tea and accessories across North Americaenough to earn her the No.1 spot on the 2016 W100 ranking ofCanada's Top Female Entrepreneurs. She has learned what it takes to turn a hunch into a massive business: a clear vision, yes, and the conviction to see it through, of course, but also an appetite for risk, a willingness to make changes on the go and nerves of highly tempered steel.

READ THE WHOLE STORY:How Tonia Jahshan built Steeped Tea into a huge retail empire

14 / 15 (Matt Barnes)

"When you partner up, you cut the risk in half and double the chance of success"

Hamilton-born buddies Matt Johnston and Bob Russell pooled their expertise to create Collective Arts Brewing. Theirbeers connect drinkers to creative types by featuring an ever-changing array of wall-art-worthy labels designed and illustrated by artists and musicians. The brews' popularity soon exceeded supply, so Collective Arts partnered with Nickel Brook Brewery to buyan empty space once occupied by former beer giant Lakeport Brewery Company in Hamilton. "We sort of said to ourselves, we can't succeed as individuals. Building a brewery is an expensive undertaking, and neither of us could afford it, so it only made sense to work together," says Johnston.

READ THE WHOLE STORY:For craft beer-makers Collective Arts, two heads proved better than one

15 / 15 (Amanda Skuse)

"It was the best decision I've ever made"

Traci Costa created Peekaboo Beans in 2006 after noticing the clothes she bought for her vivacious child were hindering her from moving around freely. The buttons and snaps dug into her little waist and limbs, and prevented her from unadulterated play. It gave Costa the idea to construct better clothing for children. Costa designed her colourful line of kids wear to be versatile. The pants and sleeves have zippers so they can easily come off, and if there's an accidental spill, parents can just reverse the clothing. Costa initially sold the kids wear to specialty children's boutiques in Vancouver, where Peekaboo Beans is based, but switched her business model to direct sales after witnessing heaps of retail stores going out of business during the financial crisis. "It was the best decision I've ever made," Costa says.