Close to 500 people attended the 18th annual Jeune personnalité d’affaires Banque Nationale Groupe financier awards ceremony held by the Young Chamber of Commerce of Québec City (JCCQ) under the theme “Follow the business rhythm.”
During the animated evening, Christiane Garant, president and head of design at the MYCO ANNA label, was chosen as Young Business Personality 2009. Recognized as an outstanding leader in the Arts, Culture and Design category, the young business personality won out over the seven other finalists from the Québec City area through her positive impact on her industry, her generosity to the community and her determination, vision and poise.
“Tonight, it’s not my company that’s being recognized; it’s the person I have become after 10 years in the marketplace, and that makes me very happy,” exclaimed our Young Business Personality of the Year.
The event, headed by honorary president Jean-Yves Germain, co-president of Groupe Germain Inc., was an opportunity to celebrate the passion, bold ideas and excellence of up-and-coming entrepreneurs. “These eight young and committed personalities make a decisive difference in our community. They don’t follow business rhythms – they create them,” according to Jean-Philippe Cantin, president of the JCCQ.
The Young Business Personality contest was made possible by the invaluable support of our partners and the involvement of the members of the Board of Governors. This year, 10 governors faced the daunting challenge of choosing among eight deserving candidates in the categories of Public Relations, Marketing and Communication; Technology and Research; Public, Paragovernmental and Non-Profit Organizations; Administration, Management and Finance; Sales, Sales Representation and Business Development; Food and Restaurants; Professional Services; and Arts, Culture and Design.
After passing the Bar in 1998, Christiane Garant made the leap into fashion, one of her long-time enthusiasms, becoming a sales representative in charge of development at MYCO ANNA. In 2001, Christiane became co-owner of the company and then, in 2003, sole owner, president and head of design. In only a decade, MYCO ANNA went from a design studio tucked away on Saint-Vallier to a prestigious, international and forward-thinking label that is ethically responsible and produced entirely in Québec, the pride of Québec City. On a limited budget, she managed to attract attention from an ever-growing public to MYCO ANNA and its unique, collage-chic clothing blending new and recycled fibres, gaining recognition along the way from the European market.
The Young Chamber of Commerce of Québec City (JCCQ) is made up of over 500 members driven by a vision for the future and a determination to build the Québec of tomorrow today. It provides young business people with tools and opportunities to develop and reach their potential as they contribute to the region’s influence and economic growth. As the voice of the younger generation, it aims to work positively and collaboratively to maintain a business-favourable climate and create wealth in the region. Over the last 18 years, many personalities now well-known in the business world have been finalists, including Dominique Brown, Guildo Griffin and Steve Couture.
Source: Young Chamber of Commerce of Québec City
