Business by the Book

A Testament to the Power of Faith and Perseverance in Life and Work – From a Painful Past to a Promising Present and Future

This month we hear from multi-generational leaders Ken McAllister and his sons, Liam and Brennan. Gain valuable insights on how to blend faith, family, and business.

Business by the Book is back! An incredible evening of networking, learning, and discovering how faith can inspire and transform our work and business lives. In this episode we're excited to interview David Robtertson & John Neate.David Robertson – Canadian chef with 20 years of experience, is known for his culinary expertise and passion for teaching. He has won numerous awards, including a Gold medal at the 1996 Culinary Olympics. David opened the Dirty Apron Cooking School with his wife Sara.John Neate – John founded JJ Bean Coffee Roasters in 1996 after starting his coffee career in 1979. From a small outlet on Granville Island, JJ Bean has grown into a prominent coffee chain in Vancouver and Toronto, known for its premium coffee and its commitment to customer service.

Pastor Chris Karuhije from Coastal Church shares his story of how his family escaped the Rwandan genocide

At the height of his career, Michael Franzese was one of New York’s most feared mafia bosses for the Columbo crime family. Considered the biggest money earner for the mob since Al Capone, Mr. Franzese will share his life and the incredible transformation that no one expected.

Jonathan was raised in the small Japanese coastal town of Kanazawa, on the edge of the Japan Sea during the rapid economic growth of the 1960s. Having attended boarding school in Tokyo in the 70s and University in Los Angeles in the 80s, he gained a broad perspective, which pointed in the direction of the business world.

For now almost 20 years Canadian born David Robertson has successfully pursued a career in the culinary industry, building a strong reputation as a passionate engaging chef and an excellent and inspiring tutor.

As the daughter of missionaries, Jenny Konkin started her life on the mission field and naturally inherited the gift of caring for the broken, lonely and forgotten from her parents.

Gordon Pennington is the Founder of Burning Media Group and serves as its Managing Director. Mr. Pennington began his career on Wall Street developing marketing communications for institutional investors and the emerging electronic banking services sector for Citicorp and serving as a consultant to both Chase Manhattan Bank and J.P. Morgan Bank.

Dan’s education includes graduation from the Arrow School of Leadership in 2011 and he speaks to numerous organizations on leadership and current financial events. He is an advocate for Child Adoption and has spoken about this at the Canadian Parliament.

Tara Teng is a Blogger, TV host, Miss World Canada 2012, TEDx Speaker, and works with various organizations around the world to combat gender-based violence and human trafficking.

Since 2005, Woon Ai has been managing portfolios for private clients at RBC Dominion Securities. She has a very strong investment track record and is appreciated for her thoughtful approach to wealth management.

Managing Director & CEO, Burning Media Group As a business thought-leader and creative genius, Gordon Pennington is the former Director of Marketing for Tommy Hilfiger.

Neil and Sharol Josephson, Directors of FamilyLife Canada.

Through his award winning company, Jelly Marketing, Darian has worked with various local, national and global brands building and executing on their digital & PR strategy.

Founder and Director of Relationship Lifeline For over 32 years, Tina Konkin has been helping heal the broken-hearted. She is the Founder and Director of R3 Lifeline and facilitates the intensive Relationship Lifeline and Couples Retreat.

Known for her love of sparkle and bling, quirky laugh, and warm genuine personality, world-class improv-violinist and vocalist Rosemary Siemens has mesmerized audiences around the world since the age of three.

Kevan Dobsin is the founder of Designer Ceremonies.

Shannon MacDonald is a senior Partner and Vice Chair with Deloitte Canada. She has frequently been honoured for her contributions to business and community leadership, twice she has been named in the top 100 of Canada’s Most Powerful Women by the Women’s Executive Network (WXN).

At the height of his career, Michael Franzese was one of New York’s most feared mafia bosses for the Columbo crime family. Considered the biggest money earner for the mob since Al Capone, Mr. Franzese will share his life and the incredible transformation that no one expected.

Founder of Beatniks Bistro in Fort Langley

Strategic Planning Specialist

Originally from Winnipeg, MB, Sam is both a musician and an entrepreneur. He has a B. Mus. (McGill), Op. Dip. (University of Toronto) and a M. Mus. (Boston University). He has sung on opera stages across Canada, the US and Europe. Sam also has a passion for helping others.

Director at Integrated Design Consulting

Prior to his election to the Legislative Assembly of British Columbia, Peter served as a Councillor to the City of Langley for three years before being elected as Mayor in the November 2005, 2008 and 2011 Civic elections. Peter also served the community and region in a host of other volunteer capacities and served on numerous national, provincial and civic committees.

Alphil Guilaran co-founded the Financial Literacy Counsel (FLC) in 1999 out of a passion and a call to build financially literate generations. He is responsible for developing and teaching financial education programs with a unique emphasis on inter-generational stewardship and leadership coaching for heirs and beneficiaries.

Joey is an international business advisor, impact investor, and mentor who invests in people’s lives in a way that encourages personal and social change. As a critical thinker and strategist, Joey has spent the last 20+ years working with a wide range of people in organizations ranging from startups to multi-nationals throughout the Americas, Asia and Europe.

Herman Kwee is the Principal of Alabaster Homes – a boutique real estate development company based in Vancouver. He leads a team of development professionals, as well as some of the city’s leading architects and engineers, in the design and construction of mid-size residential communities.

As the daughter of missionaries, Jenny Konkin started her life on the mission field and naturally inherited the gift of caring for the broken, lonely and forgotten from her parents.

Stockwell Day was successfully elected 9 times over 25 years at two levels of government and in 2 separate provinces. He is a regular media commentator, appears weekly on a national TV political panel, and is a known national and international speaker. Stockwell and his wife Valorie have 3 married sons and 14 grandchildren.

John Fluevog has come a long way since his humble beginnings in 1970 as a partner in the Vancouver shoe store, Fox and Fluevog.

As Managing Director of the second largest ad firm in Sydney, he was the Aussie version of Mad Men. Then he seized on an opportunity that would change his life and those around him.

Founder of JJ Bean Coffee Roasters John Neate Jr.’s family is no stranger to the coffee business. It is his innovation, knowledge and passion for coffee that has made John Neate Jr. so successful in the industry and the first to be inducted under the Restaurant Hall of Fame’s coffee and beverage category.

Come hear the life of Vancouver entrepreneur Dr. Peter Chung, from rise and fall, to rise again - a compelling true story of smarts, perseverance, and faith.

Vancouver Native Daryl Ee is a entrepreneur in the logistics and transportation sectors. In the marketplace he holds the position of President of Rolls Right Industries and 18 Wheels Logistics. In his talk, Daryl shares personal experiences from his business and personal life, and reflects on what it means to have faith as an entrepreneur.

Peter Lee and his family have been in business in Vancouver for a hundred years. His grandfather ran a successful import and real estate business and also imported fancy foods, which is the business Peter is still in. Interestingly enough, Peter’s first coffee venture was a part of his masters thesis at Regent College on UBC campus. Eighteen years later he is still in the coffee business, but on the wholesale roasting side. Currently he is the Director of Canadian Sales for Caffe Umbria, an Artisan Coffee Roasting company based in the Pacific North West. As a premium wholesaler, Caffe Umbria is privileged to serve some of the top chefs and several hundred fine food outlets across North America.

For now 20 years David Robertson has successfully pursued a career in the culinary industry, building a strong reputation as a passionate engaging chef an excellent and inspiring tutor. In 2009, together with his wife Sara, David realized his dream of opening a recreational, state-of-the-art cooking school in form of The Dirty Apron Cooking School. As owner and head chef, David’s infectious enthusiasm for the products he uses and his patient nature have proven to be the perfect blend of ingredients to offer the most talked about cooking classes in the city.

Ross Colello is Chairman and CEO and one of the two founding partners of Spa Utopia, a leading day spa in Canada. Ross’s heart is to release the presence and power of God into the market place and into his city and region to bring about revival accompanied by reformation through the seven mountains. His vision is to see the Body of Christ activated, trained and equipped to build a highway and open gateways for the Lord of Hosts to see His Kingdom established in the spheres he has been given by the Lord.

Stepping out and doing it boldly as professionals, entrepreneurs and a couple in faith – we’re going to experience the life of a couple whose work takes them into the pressures of life around the globe. Whether for Stephen as CEO of his pacific-rim private equity firm or Kristine’s psychotherapy work with human rights internationally, they have learned the power of team with each other and with God. You won’t want to miss this grande finale to the series!

A light-hearted and humorous discussion with a former schoolyard bully turned Vice President of Finance, and one of PwC’s most knowledgeable tax specialists who came to Christ through the Alpha program. With unique stories of faith and salient miracles, this Vancouver power couple will leave you encouraged and convinced that your past can’t hinder your future.

The real story behind these two successful entrepreneurs is not all glamour, but the hard-hitting reality of life and death. We invite you to witness their incredible ordeal through endless battles of personal survival, defeating insurmountable odds, and the struggle to remain in faith through it all. This is a tale of resplendent triumph that you will not soon forget.

Roy Chong is the Creative Director of Noodle Wave Media, a boutique marketing agency focussed on creating engaging web content that helps small to medium sized business owners build brand equity.

After graduating from Marquette University with a degree in Journalism, Jim Krueger won two Addy Awards during his first year as a copywriter. A year later he became a creative director at Marvel Comics and has since become president and publisher of his own comic book entertainment company, 26 Soldiers. Jim was also named as one of the top ten writers in comics and an innovator in the field by Wizard Magazine.

Trevor is a God fearing man, husband, and father to two beautiful boys with strong family values. Trevor aspires to fulfill his vision for his life through business and community development. Trevor will share his journey, before and with a relationship with God, struggles and breakthroughs in business, speaking directly about his experience with financial challenges and blessings, and ultimately by the end of his talk you will believe that if he can do it, so can you.

Richard Scott is the president of Clarity Business Strategies Inc (Clarity), a coaching, training and consulting practice that is a several time winner of international awards. As a leading FocalPoint Certified Business Coach, international trainer, presenter and speaker, Rich works with owners and leaders in technical heavy fields around the systems and changes required for growing their organizations. His talk is entitled: "Peace, Passion & Profits: Great Business from the Midst of Personal Chaos".

As a strong believer in God, Ken experienced an incident at his work place that almost destroyed his business and threatened the commitments he had made to hundreds of orphaned children. Listen to how God used this incident to build his faith, and understand the power of prayer.

Dr. Peter Eppinga has completed a degree in Kinesiology, which was tailored to sport psychology. After completing medical school he decided to learn more about research and epidemiology by earning his Master’s Degree in Health Science. Over the years, he has learned about the brain at a researcher level and hopes to share this knowledge with you in his talk and in his newly released book, Your Brain Three Pounds of Fat Equals Your Life and Your Destiny.

Joshua Lepin is a Technology professional who has consulted and led a number of IT Application Development teams in the software industry for over 13 years. He is currently a Director of IT Global Account Management at SAP (one of the largest software companies in the world) where he serves as the first point of contact for SAP internal IT program and project requests globally.

Shaila Visser has been living and working in Vancouver for the last 15 years. Most of those years Shaila helped women investigate their own spiritual lives through her work with Women in Leadership and then Alpha in the Workplace. Currently Shaila is the National Director of Alpha Canada.