Download Panel of Entrepreneurs

Entrepreneurship Panel – Experienced and
Established Entrepreneurs
Video Overview:
The Entrepreneurship Panel video consists of five of Halifax’s most successful entrepreneurs: Jason Rodgers, Kenzie
MacDonald, Rob Steele, Mickey MacDonald and Michael Duck. These panellists come from diverse backgrounds
and have been in business ranging from five years to several decades.
Through a series of questions, the panellists discuss the everyday challenges entrepreneurs’ face, the importance of
having a qualified staff, business plans and the impacts of competition and globalization. The panellists reflect on
their personal experiences and provide advice and insights based on their successes and challenges.
Panellists Biographies:
Jason Rodgers – Rodgers is the founder of All Terrain Landscaping. Rodgers and his brother started the company
in 2003 following Hurricane Juan in Halifax, Nova Scotia. Today the company is one of the leading intermediate
sized construction companies in the area and completes everything from residential landscaping to commercial
contracts.
Kenzie MacDonald – MacDonald is the national partner and provincial owner of the commercial real estate firm of
Avison Young. MacDonald has been active in all aspects of commercial real estate brokerage for the past 15 years.
He has been involved in many significant investment sales transactions throughout Atlantic Canada and has worked
on behalf of many of Canada’s leading real estate investment and development companies including Desjardins,
GWL Realty Advisors, Standard Life and Sunlife.
Rob Steele – Steele is the Chairman of a family run business called the Steele Auto Group. Based in Halifax, Nova
Scotia, the Steele Auto Group is dedicated to serving customer’s full automotive needs. Steele started with one
Chrysler dealership in 1990 and has gradually expanded to 14 dealerships since then.
Mickey MacDonald – In 1988 MacDonald began selling phones from a car lot in Bedford, Nova Scotia, which led
him to purchase DownEast Cellular, now known as DownEast Communications, in 1991. Under his leadership,
the company expanded and by the time he sold it to Aliant in 2004, DownEast had 51 outlets across Atlantic
Canada and $100 million in sales. In the spring of 2007, MacDonald purchased two established Halifax businesses:
The Chicken Burger, a popular 50’s style restaurant in Bedford, and Mills Brothers, a high-end clothing store in
downtown Halifax.
Michael Duck – Invented and founded SureShop Dispensing which are machines that dispense equal sized portions
of cream, sugar, etc. used by many restaurants such as Tim Horton’s, Starbucks and Dunkin Donuts. Duck
developed the first portion control dispenser in 1985 and with his leadership the company has built its reputation
on developing innovative solutions for the dispensing challenges of its customers.
Student Discussion Questions:
1. When the word entrepreneur is said, what face pops into your mind? What makes this individual so
prominent in the area of entrepreneurship?
2. Several of the panellists stated that sustaining an adequate flow of cash is the biggest challenge for
entrepreneurs. What are other challenges you would identify for entrepreneurs?
3. Rob Steele indicates that networking is critical to being a successful entrepreneur. Already, how have you
utilized your network of contacts? Why is networking critical for an individual looking to start their own
business?
4. Mickey MacDonald expresses his lack of enthusiasm regarding business plans. Do you believe business
plans are useful tools for entrepreneurs? Why or why not?
5. Mickey MacDonald states that successful entrepreneurs learn quickly and that in order to succeed it is
important to “invest back into your business [and] invest back into your employees”. Why do you feel this is
important? What would be the expected results if an entrepreneur did not do this?
6. Michael Duck states “Competition is like cod liver oil. First it makes you sick, and then it makes you better.”
What does Duck mean when he makes this comment? What is an example of a business that is prospering
due to competition?
7. Many entrepreneurs seek financial assistance from banks to start up or sustain their business. Research and
identify other financial assistance options and resources that are available in your city/town for
entrepreneurs who do not receive adequate funding from banks.
8. Overall, what are the pros and cons of owning your own business versus working for someone else?