Pics Canada is given top prize for Going Global

Pics Canada of Kaslo was given the Going Global award at the Small Business BC event held in Vancouver on March 12. The event honours businesses from across the province and Pics Canada was chosen from over 100 entries.

The Going Global award is presented to the contestant who demonstrates the most viable import/export business plan. Judges considered how contestants plan to enter the global markets taking into account their marketing strategies, distribution and selling strategies and knowledge of the countries' entry regulations.

Randy Bencke and Pat Gemmill started their business, Pics Canada, in Kaslo in January of 2008. Their Picture Mug products are designed so photos, artwork or even fabric can be placed in a display area, and changed as often as one wants, thus totally customizing the mug to the owners’ preference. The mugs are made of high quality stainless steel and the design keeps the displayed artwork or photos dry. Stainless steel Picture Water Bottles will soon be available as well.

Contest judges stated that the Pics Canada business plan showed “Realistic expectations of their business growth, clear understanding of the costs of importing, well defined target market and a clear strategy for achieving sales”. The judges went on to say that Pics Canada also provides “clear and compelling marketing materials”.

“Congratulations to the winners on their successful business plans,” said Ida Chong, Minister of Small Business, Technology and Economic Development. “Small business is vital to our economy, and it is the innovative efforts of our entrepreneurs that make such positive contributions to small business success in British Columbia.”

Pics Canada also won the Community Futures award for Overcoming Barriers to Business in October 2008.

Pics Canada is demonstrating corporate responsibility by donating a portion of its sales to Global Water, an NGO that works on water supply projects around the world.

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