“Success” can be quantitative (financial success, profit, market share) but also qualitative (job satisfaction, quality of life, giving back). Douglas recently reached out to a cross-section of Victoria’s business leaders to help define success both in business and in life. We asked two simple questions: “How do you define success? And if you could give Douglas readers one piece of advice based on your success, what would that be?” Here’s what they said.

Christina Clark – Executive Director, Indigenous Prosperity Centre

“Early in my career, I measured success by achievements. Profits and promotions were clear indicators. This type of success can feel hollow and leave you chasing the next win. I’ve come to understand success differently. Looking back over my career, my most important contributions were helping other people learn and grow and believe in themselves. Watching someone you mentored achieve their dreams is deeply gratifying. Today I measure success by my contribution to positive change in the world.”

Martin Scaia – Owner, Green Island Builders

“Success, for me, is about creating a lasting, positive impact both in business and in life. At Green Island Builders, we measure success not just by financial achievements, but by the quality of life we help foster in our community, the opportunities we provide for personal and professional growth, and our commitment to social and environmental responsibility. Living and working in Victoria, we strive to build responsibly and sustainably, ensuring that our projects benefit both our clients and the environment. Set a clear intention for the world you want to live in and work towards it with integrity and passion. This approach empowers you to take control of your interactions and decisions, fostering a sense of purpose and agency. By aligning your actions with your values, you not only achieve personal fulfilment but also inspire and positively impact those around you.”

Anita Bhappu – Dean, UVic Gustavson School of Business

“Success is when you can walk away from dysfunction and despair to embrace regeneration and hope, even if you choose not to do so. Ask questions and listen carefully to find out what you don’t know you don’t know!”

Deirdre Campbell – President, tartanbond

“In June, I celebrated 23 years of running my own company. Surviving the ups and downs of a global company could be one definition of success. What drives me, and what I consider my biggest success, is surrounding myself with people who inspire and enable me to provide value to clients, colleagues, family and friends. What I mean by value is my hope that having me in their lives makes it better — whether to grow and protect their reputation via public relations, enhance their careers by the connections I share or my ability to be there as a support system (my nickname is The Connector and Fixer). Early in my career I had a boss who told me, ‘It is all about relationships.’ That’s the best advice I ever received because it is true.”

Corey
Gillon – CEO, Peninsula Co-op

“Success, for me, is a concept that goes beyond mere financial metrics or market share. While achieving profitability and growth are crucial, true success encompasses a balanced life where professional achievements harmonize with personal well-being. Taking calculated risks in my career has been pivotal, as it has allowed me to explore new avenues and drive innovation. However, the most gratifying aspect of success is enabling others and witnessing their growth and accomplishments. Living a healthy lifestyle with my family, while generally just being a good human, is integral to my definition of success. The single most valuable piece of advice I can offer is to always embrace the opportunity to tackle the most challenging things. These endeavours, though daunting initially, often yield the most rewarding outcomes. It is through these difficult experiences that we grow, learn and ultimately achieve the greatest sense of fulfilment.”

Calen McNeil – President, Big Wheel Burger

“I think most people would define success in terms of monetary return or value. It’s hard to be in business if you don’t turn a profit, but focusing on this will limit your business success but also personal happiness. I measure my success on the impact on the people that I work with and that my product serves. If you stay true to your core values and company vision with your staff and customers in mind, the money will take care of itself.”

Cathy Scott – CEO (chief exploration officer), Departures Travel

“My definition of success is being able to balance work and play (leaning heavily on the play!), fostering loving relationships with family and friends, and making a positive impact on the world around me.”

Paul Hadfield – Owner, Spinnakers Brewpub

“Forty years ago we set out to change culture, to bring to market beer with flavour, offering it to consumers, who we hoped would become patrons, in an inclusive contemporary environment that played to a broad demographic in order to fill seats and generate revenues in what was, at the time, an exceedingly restrictive regulatory environment. We learned what was needed to sell the beers we wanted to make and along the way we chipped away at regulatory constraints, creating opportunity to increase capacity, to diversify offerings and create alternate revenue streams to weather storms beyond our control. Success is a continual process of inspiration, innovation and adaptation, seeking opportunities that align with core aspirations and values, never giving up and importantly, giving back to the community. It’s a two-way street.” 

Jennifer Robinson – Owner, Adventure Clothing

“I truly believe success in business directly correlates with success in our personal life. As an entrepreneur our business and personal lives are intrinsically connected. Our health and the health of our business is key. Being a trusted go-to brand within our community is a most important measure for me. And last but not least, being able to sleep through the night knowing you’ve treated your employees with kindness and respect…. And your bills are paid! Are all my measures of success!”

Jim Hayhurst – Entrepreneur and Adviser

“I grew up with someone who actually “wrote the book” on this topic. In The Right Mountain: Lessons from Everest on the Real Meaning of Success, my father told the story of our 1988 Canadian Everest expedition. After two French climbers died, he spent time with their teammates learning about their lost friends. He soon understood that the two climbers made decisions on the mountain that didn’t fit who they truly were — their skills, interests and values — or the challenge of Everest. Eventually, that story helped create this definition: ’True success is the attainment of purpose without compromising your core values.’ And so, my advice is simple: Understand your core values before you get stuck making (actual or metaphorical) life-and-death decisions on the wrong mountain.”

Marianne Alto – Mayor, City of Victoria

“Success is knowing that something you did, said, shared, showed — made someone’s life better. My advice is: Value, learn and grow from every experience, whether you think it is good or bad at the time — appreciate that you are a composite of it all, and use it all to open every door you can, push hard on the doors that are the most resistant, tell your stories to anyone who wants to listen, do good work — and always be kind, generous, patient, thankful.”

Dan Gunn – CEO, VIATEC (Victoria Innovation, Advanced Technology & Entrepreneurship Council)

“For me, success is best defined by the impact and purpose behind my actions. I run a not-for-profit because it allows me to give back to our region, help people realize their dreams and feel good about the difference we make. I see it as a formula: Meaning = Purpose x Impact. It’s about the tangible and intangible benefits combined. My advice? Life is short — identify the contribution you want to make and focus your energy on making a difference that you’ll be proud of.

Eric Jordan – CEO, Code Name Entertainment

“For me, to be successful is to be happy. The foundation of happiness is taking care of your health (physical, emotional, and mental). Afterwards, turn your focus to helping others and making the world a better place. I think you’ll be happier living a life in service of others than living a life in service of yourself. My one piece of advice is to recognize that you help shape your community and to ask yourself, ‘What do I want my community to be and how can I help it to become that?’ ”

Jim Swanson – Managing Partner, Victoria HarbourCats and Nanaimo NightOwls

“Success for me is in seeing other people improve themselves and feel good about their work, it’s about accomplishing things that are good for the community and for those around you, and knowing that what you did was done with honesty and integrity and accomplished more than you even hoped when you started to do whatever task or vision was in front of you.”

Al Hasham – President & CEO, Maximum Express Courier, Freight & Logistics and Max Furniture

“My definition of success is being involved in my community and giving back to where you work, live and play. You can’t do that without the support of your clients, friends and family. My advice is to be passionate and love what you’re doing, otherwise you won’t do it well. It’ll feel like work, and you’ll hate waking up to go to work. When you enjoy what you do, not only do you do it well, you’ll keep getting better and better!”