Three business leaders from the B.C. farming, real estate and retail industries shared their insights regarding business in Richmond at a special Richmond Chamber of Commerce event on Wednesday.
Rick Ilich, founder and president of Townline Group of Companies, Peter Dhillon, chairman of Ocean Spray Cranberries Ltd. and Darrell Jones, president of Overwaitea Food Group, were joined by more than 240 attendees at Sheraton Vancouver Airport Hotel to talk about issues such as housing affordability, the agricultural land reserve and business education.
The event was moderated by Coun. Alexa Loo, who posed questions about everything from ethics and goals to challenges and visions for the future, at the panel-style luncheon.
A question about concerns regarding housing affordability, she directed at developer Ilich.
“I don’t have a solution,” he said, although he added there should be planning policies in place that would allow more smaller homes to be built.
“There is not enough supply for a big demand, and people are living in smaller and smaller homes.
He also argued that not everyone is going to be able to afford to live in Richmond.
“But I don’t buy it when people say ‘my family is here, so I have to live here.’ Economics is economics.
“Some people have to move to other places because that’s where they can afford, which is not necessarily a bad thing.”
The three leaders agreed that the most important quality for a successful entrepreneur is integrity, while also emphasizing the necessity of giving back to the wider community.
“My core value is that my ‘house’ needs to be in order,” said Ilich.
“We need to keep our province in good shape, make sure youths are going in the right direction and that seniors live with dignity.”
Jones agreed business need to put the community first.
“To differentiate us from big players like Walmart, we need to be closely connected to local businesses and to create local fun and excitement for consumers.”
Dhillon, whose company oversees hundreds of acres of farmland in Richmond, would like the City of Richmond to conduct an updated agriculture land review (ALR).
“The review has remained the same since 1972, but the land is now completely different, which doesn’t make any sense,” said Dhillon.
“Farming is changing and new technologies are now much more advanced. A review and adult discussions need to happen. It irritates me when non-farmers use ALR for political uses.”
Jones said he’s thrilled by the passion young entrepreneurs show and encourages more to start their own small businesses.
“Small businesses are the life blood and back-bone of society,” said Jones.
“And it’s very rewarding.”
He hopes more young people will have a chance to learn about economics and business, no matter what direction they go in the future.
“Everyone should know how business works because it will help you with everything you do,” added Jones.
For those who also strive to be successful entrepreneurs, Jones advised them to “be honest, work hard and never give up.”
“And always have a plan B,” added Ilich.
Dhillon believes the key to success is to follow your passion.
“Do what you like to do. Life is not long,” he said.
“If you ask ‘who would you love to become in your next life’ and the answer is not yourself, you need to make a change.”
