b'WHERE ARE THEY NOW?SPARKING SUCCESSBy Bryan HansenJ o r d a n J o l i c o e u r s u c c e e d s i n b u i l d i n g a n e l e c t r i c a l b u s i n e s s t h a t i s m a k i n g a d i f f e r e n c e i n t h e l i v e s o f I n d i g e n o u s p e o p l e sJ ordan Jolicoeur, president andcompany. Im able to take risks in myhis primary work at a power plant. CEO of Carvel Electric, didntlife knowing that I have people besideHe had three kids, and to make extra intend to build a prosperousme and behind me that are there for memoney he would go around and wire businessone that now boastsregardless of the outcome.I think myhouses on Indigenous communities in Canadian Pacific Railway andstory is a story that every IndigenousAlberta, shares Jolicoeur, a member of Suncor among its impressive client list.entrepreneur needs to hear. It is athe Mtis Nation of Alberta. As a young But things dont always go as planned.story of coming from nothing andkid, I would jump in the van and go Thanks to a decision to commit to acreatingsomething. help my dad when he wired houses on small side-business started by his father,the weekend, doing things like putting Jolicoeur has succeeded in building aToday, 70 per cent of Carvel Electricsboxes together and assisting. Its just flourishing electrical business. staff is Indigenousa testament towhat we did growing up.the companys commitment to diver-It was this commitment, in part, thatsity and inclusivity. As the companyAs time passed, both Jolicoeur and led to Jolicoeur receiving the 2018continuestoexpand,andasanhis brother Joel, now Carvels VP and CanadianCouncilforAboriginalIndigenous man himself, Jolicoeurdirector of quality, health, safety and Business (CCAB) Young Aboriginalrecognizes the unique challengesenvironment ,grew up and pursued Entrepreneur award. He continues tothat Indigenous peoples face, and hetheirowncareers.However,they actively support CCAB and currentlyincorporates these sensitivities intocontinued working with Carvel during serves as a board member. CCABthe working culture of his company.evenings and weekends. Everyone has done so much for the IndigenousWhen one of our employees expressesknew that Carvel was there, and our community in Canada, and Im proudthat they are grappling with family andbig thing was customer service, says to be so involved with the organiza- homelife issues, we truly comprehendJolicoeur. We never advertised. We tion, hesays. the profound significance of theirdid good work at an honest price, and struggles and strive to provide tailoredthats how it started off. Dad would hire When I won [the award] I was so happysupport, hesays. local Indigenous peoples, always trying and very honouredit was a reassur- to give them skills, get a good trade, ance that the vision we set out for ourOne could say that Jolicoeurs first stepjob and skillset.company is on the right path, saysto business success had its roots in Jolicoeur. My success is also my fami- 1997, when his father founded CarvelAn early lesson Jolicoeur learned was lys success because we are a familyas a part-time gig, balancing it withthe power of steady employment and 58A CCAB PUBLICATION2023'