November 29, 2011 PRESS RELEASE
For immediate release WI-FI ENTREPRENEUR FROM RURAL MANITOBA WINS VIDEO CONTEST RUSSELL, MANITOBA – The winning entry in the entrepreneurs with disabilities video contest belongs to wireless internet service provider Chris Gaulin and his company Wi Fi Country. He was one of five finalists competing for the $1,000 top prize in the “Just Watch Me” contest. “We’re thrilled with the number of people who got involved in voting for their favourite entry,” says Susan Bater, Entrepreneurs with Disabilities Program (EDP) Coordinator for rural Manitoba and spokesperson for the contest. “Chris received just over 30% of the 2,300 votes cast.” The video contest is an initiative of the Community Futures Entrepreneurs with Disabilities Program (EDP), and aims to get more people with disabilities interested in being their own bosses. Since the contest went live in October, a total of 11 entries were received from people with self-identified disabilities or ongoing health conditions living in rural Western Canada. “Self-employment can be a great fit for people with disabilities or ongoing health conditions,” explains Bater. “Owning a small business means you can set your own hours, create a personalized work environment, and – most importantly, gain a sense of control over your destiny.” In Chris’ winning video entry, he explains that he comes from a long line of entrepreneurs, and has understood from an early age how to make self-employment work for him.
“As a person with a visual impairment,” says Chris, “I have learned the importance of working on the things that I do best, and leveraging and empowering the people around me to do the things I can’t.”
Chris also makes use of a variety of adaptive technologies and tools in his day-to-day work, and advises other people who are thinking about self-employment to get a clear understanding of the supports they need before they embark on their enterprise.
“For me, entrepreneur is a state of mind,” continues Chris. “Figure out what you want to do, how you are going to get there and then just dive in.”
Martijn van Luijn, manager of Community Futures Parkland, will present Chris with his $1,000 prize this week, in recognition of the International Day of Persons with Disabilities (December 3rd).
For more information, contact Susan Bater at edpinfo@mts.net or visit the contest website at http://communityfuturespanwest.ca/contest/