Former Midale-area residents Elysia and Natasha Vandenhurk have been nominated for a provincial award.
The Saskatchewan Chamber of Commerce announced the finalists for the Association of Business Excellence (ABEX) Awards on Aug. 23, and the Vandenhurks are up for the Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award, thanks to the success with the Three Farmers food company.
The Vandenhurks grew up in the Midale area but have relocated to Saskatoon. The company is owned by three Midale-area farmers: Colin Rosengren, Ron Emde, and Natasha and Elysia’s father, Dan Vandenhurk.
Natasha is the company’s chief executive officer, while Elysia is the chief operating officer and a red seal chef.
Three Farmers started by selling camelina oil. They were the first company in Canada to offer the product, which has been popular in Europe and other parts of the world. The early success of the company led to Elysia and Natasha appearing on the CBC television series Dragon’s Den in October 2012.
All five “Dragons” who were on the show at the time raved about the product, and the Vandenhurks eventually agreed to a deal with Arlene Dickenson, a top marketer in Canada. The deal eventually fell through.
They have continued to forge ahead with their company, and in addition to the camelina oil, they sell several different types of chickpeas.
Also up for the award are: Jordan Boyes with Boyes Group Realty in Saskatoon; Jessica Tetu from Just for You Day Spa in Saskatoon; Dustin Nehring and Taylor Lange with N.L. Construction Inc. in Yorkton; Cole Thorpe from Prairie Proud Apparel Corp. in Saskatoon; Jill Kelly from the Red Bicycle Communications Corp. in Lloydminster; and Mackenzie Firby with Two Fifty Two Boutique in Saskatoon.
Fifty-five businesses from across the province are nominated for ABEX awards in 10 different categories this year.
“We at the Saskatchewan Chamber of Commerce are once again very impressed with the quality of nominations from so many businesses throughout the province,” said Steve McLellan, CEO of Saskatchewan Chamber of Commerce.
The ABEX Awards will be handed out on Oct. 22 at TCU Place in Saskatoon.
