Having been named 2004 Rotman
Women Entrepreneur of the Year has caused me to reflect on my success as a businesswoman, an entrepreneur and to the success of Student Express.

Business always came naturally to me, and I always dreamed of having my own business. At that time women in leadership roles in business were not the norm. Determined to follow my dream I entered the business school and obtained an MBA. I was one of the three women in the program and on the dean's honour list.

From there I followed my colleagues into the corporate world where I developed many of the skills needed to succeed in business.

Full of ideas, I decided to look for an opportunity to create and build a company. Student Express was born. Like all births it was difficult but very rewarding. The greatest challenge was to follow my own instincts, to once again strike out into the unknown and pursue my dream.		 I discovered a niche market, transporting special needs students and obtained a contract for 8 buses in 1990 and began to build the business. Student Express now has 250 buses, employs 295 people and generates over $10 million in revenue.

I looked for the best people. I knew to be a star, and build a star company, I needed an all star team. The Student Express team were stars.

My passion and commitment to making Student Express the best school bus company was insatiable. The Student Express team shared this passion and commitment and did extraordinary things everyday to ensure to the safety of the children transported. The customers were loyal, the suppliers first rate. Student Express truly became an extraordinary company.

Having recently sold Student Express, I am pursuing my next business, sharing my ‘lessons learned’ as a keynote speaker
and following my dreams.