Going Above and Beyond: 2021 Inspire Awards

When is the last time that you’ve thought about what truly inspires you? Certainly, you’ve seen things or met people that have sparked some sort of passion, drive or general sense of awe, but when you find those instances of inspiration, do you recognize what it is that stands out or makes it extraordinary?

At Start.ca, we find endless amounts of inspiration in the people we have the pleasure of calling our teammates each day. Having employees who go above and beyond to truly represent everything that your brand stands for is something that as a company, we thought we could only dream of. It’s about being friendly, honest, reliable, smart, forward and involved. And our team has made this dream a reality.

We celebrate the success and achievements of our employees through our annual Inspire Awards, and each year, we recognize certain individuals who undoubtedly demonstrate alignment with each of our company values. So, who are the well-deserving recipients of the 2021 Inspire Awards? Learn more about each of them below.

The Friendly Award – Chudi

Telephony Administrator, TechOps

Kind, respectful and ready to make you smile, with a positive attitude that’s contagious.

What does being friendly mean to you?

Being friendly means making people feel at ease when engaging them and helping people out in any way you can.

What is one of your favourite memories of working at Start.ca?

The Movember mustache contest and photo booth.

What is one thing your colleagues would be surprised to learn about you?

A nerdy thing about me is that I’m an avid chess player. I was formerly president of the chess club while at university. Chess anyone?

Dogs or Cats?

I love dogs but Rupert would kill me if I didn’t say cats, so… CATS!

^{Chudi and Start.ca team members hamming it up for the camera at the Movember staff event in 2019}

The Reliable Award  – Shannon

Vendor Experience Representative, Customer Experience Group

Always there and ready to help and assist coworkers through collaboration and encouragement.

What does being reliable mean to you?

Being reliable means showing up no matter what and trying your best, but also striving to be better. It means making sure those around you feel supported and heard.

What is one of your favourite memories of working at Start.ca?

It would have to be my first year working Start.ca’s Rock the Park – everyone’s energy was amazing and it really made the experience that much better.

What is one thing your colleagues would be surprised to learn about you?

One cool thing about me is that I taught myself how to do a headstand and can hold it for about 3ish minutes.

Friends or Seinfeld?

Friends all the way!! The reunion was sooooo good.

^{Rock the Park 2017, Shannon and the Start.ca team}

The Forward Award– Rhawnie

Customer Experience Specialist, Customer Experience Group

Always trying new things and making them better by bringing new ideas to the table.

What does being forward-thinking mean to you?

My goal has always been to find ways to make things better for the next person.

What is one of your favourite memories of working at Start.ca?

Definitely the day when the Trews played for us in the lunchroom.

What is one thing your colleagues would be surprised to learn about you?

I used to really be into computers and was learning Linux when I decided to quit it all for about 5 years. I had no computer, no TV, no cell phone. It was a nice break and I read so many books at that time. Phones went from phones to text messaging and cameras that can tell you anything you want to know in that time and that was something I had to get used to (still working on it too).

Morning or Afternoon productivity?

Afternoon. Mornings are for getting your day planned out.

^{The Trews and Rhawnie, Start.ca Lunchroom 2019}

The Involved Award – Silvija

Training Development Specialist, Customer Experience Group

Actively involved in the community and supporting local initiatives by giving back, being engaged, and fostering inclusion.

What does being involved mean to you?

It means that I am part of making Start.ca a better place, along with our local community. When we all work together to better our city, we have a better city to live in.

What is one of your favourite memories of working at Start.ca?

I have a lot of great memories, some big grand events, some small fun things… but I would have to say being able to work events within the community are my favourite – like Comic Con 2017, it was amazing!

What is one thing your colleagues would be surprised to learn about you?

I Love camping, canoeing and just being out in the deep woods, away from tech!

Music or Podcasts?

Music! I need to dance.

^{London Comic Con, 2017}

The Leadership Award – Ben

Systems Manager, TechOps

Recognizing people’s potential, dedicated to help teammates achieve success while driving organizational goals and professional growth.

What does leadership mean to you?

Leadership to me is listening, coaching and being there for your team. Being available to help, to be the front person to shield the team from too many meetings or “red tape” items, letting the team do the work that needs to be done. It means being the person on the same side of the desk saying, “let’s do this together” instead of the one behind the desk saying, “do this”.

What is one of your favourite memories of working at Start.ca?

Going to lunches to try new restaurants with my team – they have certainly exposed me to places I had never been, and I’ve loved so many of them.

What is one thing your colleagues would be surprised to learn about you?

Something that often surprises folks is that my music choice tends be country, although I listen to almost anything. I also like to bake fun birthday cakes, not Cake Boss level but homemade, tasty and cute. Less so as my kiddo is a teenager now, but my girlfriend has a 7-year-old who had a blue dragon cake this year!

Morning or Afternoon productivity?

Afternoon for sure, but I like working in pockets of time vs. continuous

The Honest Award – Morissa

Sales Manager, Sales

High moral standards, trustworthy, responsible, and always doing what’s right.

What does honest mean to you?

Honesty means doing the right thing. Sometimes it involves hard conversations but being transparent and having accountability is very important.

What is one of your favorite memories of working at Start.ca?

I have a lot of fond memories, especially when it comes to Corporate Events, we take part in throughout the community. During the pandemic, I’ve really missed being in the office and out in the field.

What is one thing your colleagues would be surprised to learn about you?

I’m not sure that anything would come as a surprise, I’m a pretty open book!

Sandals or Bare Feet in the summer?

Either, but definitely no socks. I hate socks!!

The Smart Award – Gabe

Director of Engineering, Engineering

Seeing things differently and finding creative or innovative solutions to overcome obstacles.

What does being smart mean to you?

Being smart means continuously learning, reading books, staying curious and being open to being wrong.

What is one of your favorite memories of working at Start.ca?

Probably working with the team on upgrades/migrations in the middle of the night in Toronto and in our Data Centre. That’s usually when we solve the biggest problems and that’s really rewarding.

What is one thing your colleagues would be surprised to learn about you?

I didn’t speak much English until I was 17 years old, when I was a part of this Canadian exchange/immersion program and stayed with a family up North in Saskatchewan.

Office or Work from Home?

Home for productivity, office for collaboration.

The President’s Award – Sarah

Marketing Specialist, Marketing

Embracing company values and cultures, proud to be a part of the Start.ca family and inspiring others daily.

In your own words, what does the President’s Award mean to the Start.ca team?

When we started the President’s Award a few years ago, I envisioned it as someone who was the ultimate “Starter” – who was a team player and always had the company’s best interests at heart in all that they did. Of course, it was something to strive for, but I never thought it would be something I’d achieve because we have such an awesome team. I always assumed it would be someone who had more tenure than myself. Ultimately, I’m so incredibly honoured and shocked by this award! It is an amazing feeling to be recognized by your peers and feel you’ve made an impact in some small way.

What is one of your favorite memories of working at Start.ca?

So many options! To name a few (and in no particular order): our tradition of going out to lunch on Fridays to try local spots, the Sunshine Float for Dreams floating down the Grand River to raise money for the Sunshine Foundation, Rock the Park (because it rocks!), and the Start.ca Sports Celebrity Dinner. There are so many more that could be added to the list. I apparently don’t take direction well, that was a lot more than one!

What is one thing your colleagues would be surprised to learn about you?

I’m more of an introvert than an extrovert. I love my solitude and downtime!
I lived in Southern California for 9 months working with a performing group right after college.

Coffee or Tea?

Coffee for energy, tea for enjoyment!

^{Sunshine Float for Dreams – 2018, Sarah and the Start.ca team!}

To all our 2021 Inspire Award winners, congratulations! You contribute so much to our Start.ca team and we couldn’t do it without you!

Read more about our past Inspire Awards here:

2020 Inspire Awards

2019 Inspire Awards