Pair named finalists in EY Entrepreneur Of The Year program
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Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 23/06/2023 (864 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.
Alex Varricchio and Kiirsten May, the principals of UpHouse Inc., have been named finalists in this year’s EY Entrepreneur Of The Year program, the only Winnipeg firm to make it as a finalist for the Prairies region.
They have built a 35-person agency — founded in 2017 after they left positions in another marketing agency — with offices in Toronto and Vancouver as well as Winnipeg, and have nearly doubled their revenue almost every year since the company was formed
UpHouse is a certified B Corp and their consistent purpose-driven approach has earned Varricchio the honour of being named LGBT+ Entrepreneur of the Year in 2019 both federally and provincially. As well, UpHouse is a certified diverse supplier from Canada’s LGBT+ Chamber of Commerce.
“We have applied to other EY programs in the past, but this was a wonderful surprise to be a finalist,” said May.
“It’s very exciting,” said Varricchio. “We feel incredibly excited yet humbled to be named as a finalist alongside so many other inspiring entrepreneurs. It’s amazing to see how much impact our agency has had on organizations across Canada.”
Earlier this year, UpHouse acquired Dooley PR, Manitoba’s premier public relations agency, which made UpHouse one of the largest marketing- communications agencies in Manitoba.
With a focus on social consciousness, they started their agency working with non-profits and organizations that wanted to make a difference with their brand.
Their decision to identify as part of the LGBTTQ+ community has had significant business development benefits.
“It has been a big recruitment and retention piece for us,” said May.
And with major corporations like telcos and banks and large consultancies that are actively trying to work with diverse-owned businesses in their supplier network, it has put UpHouse in the mix.
The EY Entrepreneur Of The Year award recognizes Canadian entrepreneurs who embody passion, determination, character and skill in their business ventures. Varricchio and May were named finalists alongside over 100 nominees, with 39 of those in the Prairies region.
martin.cash@freepress.mb.ca