Lindsay Sedgwick, left, owner of Can-Do Auto & Lube, received the first Women in Business award from Randi Noble Smith of Red Bicycle Communications at the Business Excellence Awards night at the WLS Convention Centre last Thursday. Photo courtesy of Videre Images by Jason Whiting
Lindsay Sedgwick, the owner of Can-Do Auto & Lube, may have to rebrand her business as Can-Did.
Her company is the first recipient of the new Women in Business Award from the Lloydminster Chamber of Commerce among seven women-led business nominees.
Sedgwick was thrilled to accept the award from Red Bicycle Communications account manager Randi Noble Smith during the Excellence in Business Awards night at the WLC Convention Centre last Thursday.
“This is such an incredible honour. There’s so many powerhouses in this category. I just knew that all of us are so strong and we’ve come such a long way,” said Sedgwick.
“Thank you to the Chamber for recognizing me and Red Bicycle for bringing such awareness to women in business and help celebrate their achievements.”
Red Bicycle sponsored the award that Smith introduced earlier in the proceedings when she told the audience out of 98 per cent of small businesses in Canada, only 16 per cent are owned by women.
“Tonight’s award is about celebrating women in business, the challenges they’ve overcome and how women rise up from those challenges,” said Smith, who filled in for Red Bicycle CEO Jill Kelly, who’s on vacation in Germany.
“Congratulations to all of the nominees in the room tonight.”
The other nominees were Nouveau Laser & Aesthetic Centre, Lash Lounge – Kim Newsted, Brixton Shoes, Performance Business Consulting, To The Core Pilates & Nutrition and Brandi Hofer artist.
Smith also took the opportunity to set the scene for next year’s Women in Business nominees before opening the envelope to announce Can-Do as the first recipient.
“I want you to just take a look around the room and look at all of the women we know who are running businesses right now. Next year, just go online and nominate them,” she said.
With the spotlight on Can-Do, Sedgwick told the audience the award isn’t just for her.
“This award is for the women who have worked alongside me and put up with all the crap. We’ve paved the way and shown others that women can be successful in a male-dominant industry.”
She also thanked her parents, Gary and Karen Ollen, who founded the business in 1984.
“Without them, I wouldn’t have had the opportunity to buy into this business,” said Sedgwick.
She reflected in life and in business, there’s always going to be those who support you and those that try to discount your credibility.
“My message to you is to keep going anyway. You have a vision that others do not,” said Sedgwick.
“And hey, if you want to do it while wearing heels, well, that’s just the icing on the cake.”