20 -- Friday, March 17, 1995 ~ North Share ‘News NEWS photo Paul McGrath CAPILANO COLLEGE graduates Jason Pistawka and . Michael Smith are young business owners looking tor job security in n self-employment. “ Sanitone Master Digeloonss GOODY’S CLEANERS “Where you save money everyday on prepaid drycleaning” 989-3393. OPEN MON.-FRI. 7am-7pm; SAT. 8-6; SUN. 11-5 ° PARK & TILFORD CENTRE,. NORTH VANCOUVER LAST MINUTE SPRING SAVING Crown Jewel, 7 night CARIBBEAN CRUISE Apr. 1, 15, 22, 29, May 06, 1995 From *4 409. 60 cap per person * {includes air from Vancouver « Port taxes extra Space is timited. Call now for details CALL THE EXPERTS _ 980-9 66 “We Serve You Save” en oe ee Valid at all participating North Shore loca -styled entrepreneurs AT ONE time, not so long “gO, lack of security wis a major rea- son young workers scorned self- employment, By lan Noble Business Reporter The best and brightest offered themselves lo big firms providing pen- sions, decent paychecks and even com- pany cars. But Cimes have changed, Young North Shore — residents involved with organizations promoting entrepreneurship for youth said they work for themselves because they ike the security self-employment provides. With large firms handing the pink slip to long-term employees by the thou- sands, their arguments are persuasive. Jason Pistawka, a 25-year-old grad- uate of Capilano College's business program, now toils with fellow gradu- ate Michael Smith at their own securi- ty sales firm, Lower Mainland Alarms sells alarm systems and contracts out installation work from a Vancouver office. Heading into their second year of _ operation, the partners can look back on a first year that saw sales hit $300,000, and ahead to goals of $500,000 per year. Fresh baked ST. PATRICK’S CUPCAKES They plan to open oa North Vancouver Jocalion soon, Pistawka believes their fast-grow- ing industry affords then job security. “With this,” he said, referring to his firm of seven sales reps, “destiny is ours.” It is that optinusm which pervades the 600-delegate Generation Entrepreneur conference now under way in Vancouver. During the event, successful young entrepreneurs from North America will learn from the most successful of youthful business owners, The event sponsors include the Association of College Entrepreneurs and Young Business Owners, both of which have Lower Mainland chapters and seem to eschew the Generation X fabel. Pistawka, who lives in North Vancouver, said the conference will help delegates network and “let the public know there is a generation of entrepreneurs out there.” Other local members of the two organizations share Pistawka’s inde- pendent spirit. West Vancouver resident Corey Wade saw a hole in the financial plan- ning field, and with partner David Melles. went about filling it. A 1993 University of British. Columbia commerce grad, “Wade believes the businesses of financial planning and selling should be largely separate, “We're advisers. more than sales people and that's the way L think it should he done,” he said. Wade, 25, suid he enjoys his inde- pendence working for Melles Wade Financial Group Inc. In the long-run, he expects the firm to provide him with a bigger -income and more security than the large financial conglomerate he worked for for a year after gradua- tion, “I'm more in control of what I'm doing,” he said. Randaff Zieber of Neo:Lithic, his own quarrying company, balances studying at Simon Fraser University, helping with the conference, running his business and overseeing a praject for the B.C, Festival of the Arts. He quarries in 15 locations through- out B.C, and sells the rock to sculptors from California to the Northwest Territorics. . In- its. best years, his firm “has grossed sales of $80,000. It puts Zieber .: through school. Zieber, who calls himself extremely entrepreneurial, said. he .predicts: the self-employed will be the ones to bring creative products to markel. “There is a new way of doing busi- ness,” he said. SAVE-ON- FOODS Park & Tilford #990 store only A DIVISION OF THE OVERWAITEA FOOD GROUP 983-3033 PET FOOD 'W MORE. “Bringing You The Best in Pet Food" At Pet Food ’N More we are committed to the total satisfaction of our customers and their pets. We continually strive to uphold our reputation as being the Best in Service, Selection and Low, Low prices. Drop in today for all of your pet needs! Park & Tilford 745-333 Brooksbank Ave. North Vancouver, B.C. 980-0669 tions Mon.-Wed. 9am-7 pm Thurs. & Fri. 9 am - 9 pm Saturday. 9am-6pm Sunday 10 am-6 pm “We Serve You Save” You'll be Savin’ Plenty ‘O’ the green at Park & . ‘Tilford Centre with peal