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K.O.YOUR COMPETITIONTechniques to put yourself on top!— pg. 21
BUSINESSVSFAMILY
What your children think about your busy lifestyle.— pg. 41
FOR BUSINESSES AND PROFESSIONALS
IS YOUR BUSINESS IN GOOD SHAPE?Exercises that will reshape the way your business runs!— pg.88
0 74470 02542 9
01
APRIL 2008 $4.99CAN
TOPCHOICEAWARDS.COM
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We refer your business.
We referred their business.© COPYRIGHT 2007 TOP CHOICE AWARDS INC.
Top Choice April 2008 » Table of Contentswww.TopChoiceAwards.com 5
Café
Café Diplomatico 14
Alarm Services
Aim Security 12
Appliance Retailer
Premier Appliance Centre 77
Aquarium & Fish Retailer
Big Al’s Aquarium Service 18
Article
Is your business in shape? 88
Article
Julian Fantino 67
Article
International Top Choice Awards 59
Article
Business vs. Family 41
Article
K.O. Your Competition 21
Bakery
Golden Wheat Bakery 61
Bankruptcy Trustee
David Sklar & Associates 45
Beauty Salon
Prive Spa 63
Building Materials Retailer
New Canadians Lumber 75
Business College
Canadian Business College 25
Child Care Services
York Professional Care & Education 43
Cleaning Services
IBX services 35
Cosmetic Services
Middleton Cosmetic 71
Custom Home Builder
Capelas Construction 29
Dance Academy (Youth)
Rugcutterz Danz Artz 39
Dance Entertainment
Samba Brasil Entertainment 83
Dance Studio (Adult)
Dance Studio One 55
Display Services
ExpoSystems Canada 49
Duct Cleaning Services
City Duct Cleaning 28
Event Review
Multicultural Top Choice Awards 2007 79
Fashion Retailer
Chunri Creations 51
Feature
Ethnic Media 2007 47
Financial Services
Maia & Associates 13
Hair Care Services
De Oliveira Hair Care 61
CONTENTS
ON THE COVER
B f b i d t d
BUSINESS
FAMILYIs your business in shape?
LAST PAGE / PG. 88Business vs. Family
PG. 41K.O. Your Competition
PG. 21
K.O.YOUR COMPETITIONTechniques to put yourself on top!— pg. 21
BUSINESSVSFAMILY
What your children think about your busy lifestyle.— pg. 41
FOR BUSINESSES AND PROFESSIONALS
IS YOUR BUSINESS IN GOOD SHAPE?Exercises that will reshape the way your business runs!— pg.88
0 74470 02542 9
01
APRIL 2008 $4.99CAN
TOPCHOICEAWARDS.COM
THE COVERModel
Monica CoutoTop Choice Awards President
Hamburger
Hero Certifi ed Burgers 57
Investment
Jaymor Group 33
Laser Hair Removal
Spa Lumina 15
Laser Vision Correction
Bochner Eye Institute 17
Lawyer
Marek Tufman 69
Limousine Services
Erin Mills Limousine 84
Magazine
Flare 50
Martial Arts School
Axe Capoeria 10
Masonry Company
Trican Masonry 86
Message
Prime Minister 7
Music Centre (Piano)
Michael Chau’s Piano Emporium 68
Newspaper
Toronto Sun 78
Offi ce Furniture Retailer
ABCO Business Interiors 8
Optician
Hakim Optical 53
Property Mangement (Residential)
Del Property Management 31
Radio Personality
John Derringer (Q107) 66
Radio Program
The Z103.5 Morning Show 22
Real Estate Broker
Fernando Perri 32
Restaurant
Torreense 87
Sandwiches
Califonia Sandwiches 23
Security Guard Services
Intelligarde 65
Take-out
Bairrada Churrasqueira 4
Travel Agency
Happy Travellers 60
Uniform Service
Canadian Linen & Uniform Service 27
Website
EnterVote.com 37
Windows & Doors
Northern Comfort Windows & Doors 73
PEOPLE
Publisher
David Silvestre
Creative Director
Michael Fillier
Marketing & Sales
Grace Beckham
Graphic Designer
Julius ManaloHybmed Studios
Contributing Photographer
Sam SantosJC Pimentel Photography
Contributing Artist
Rocco Commissotippedchair.com
Contributing Editor
Marco Luccisano
CONTACT
Telephone
416.662.2123
Toll-free
1.800.771.9743
Web
www.TopChoiceAwards.com
SURVEYS
Conducted online at:
www.EnterVote.com
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It is with great pleasure that I extend my warmest greetings to all
those attending the 2007 Multicultural Top Choice Awards Gala. Canadians are fortunate to be living in a country that embraces the many cultures of the world. Our success as a nation is based on the social, cultural and economic contributions of people of all backgrounds working together. Tonight’s event gives due recognition to those businesses and professionals from our country's diverse ethnic communities who have earned the trust and loyalty of their clients, and the respect and admiration of their peers. I would like to offer my personal congratulations to all those being presented with this very special honour. On behalf of the Government of Canada, please accept my best wishes for a memorable evening and continued success.
The Rt. Hon. Stephen Harper, P.C., M.P.
OTTAWA 2007
Our dedication to customer service has earned us an envious reputation among our peers, the honor of 8 Consumers Choice awards as well as 2 consecutive Top Choice Awards.
The ABCO Group of Companies
The ABCO Group was found-ed in 1987, and has consis-tently grown at a rapid pace over the past 20 years. We
are a Toronto based Canadian ownedand operated company. Our diversity has afforded us the opportunity to be-come a one stop shop when it comesto office relocation services, new busi-ness start ups and office furnishing.
A B C O B u s i n e s s I n t e r i o r s
A B C O B u s i n e s s I n t e r i o r s i s apurveyor of quality Ergonomic officefurniture solutions. Professional,knowledgeable consultants mixedwith a wide range of top suppliershave allowed us to consistently meet or exceed our customer’s expectations.Offering intelligent office solutionsat an affordable price has affordedus the opportunity to grow andmaintain the largest New & Used office furniture showroom in the GTA.
Top Offi
ce Furniture Retailer
Q: What is the “Aff ordable Alternative”?
Everything you need!
Reception Executive DeskBoardroom Tables Accessories
Work Stations Seating Filing & Storage
ABCO Office Moving and Installations
AB CO Off ice Moving andInstallations is one of Toronto’sm o s t r e c o g n i z e d o f f i c ecommercial moving specialists. Serving the Greater TorontoArea for over 20 years, thisd iv i s i on c an b o as t ab outservicing some of the largest and most influential clients in the city. If you have on officein the Toronto area, remember,all you need to know is ABCO.
ABCO Business InteriorsabcoOffice.com2480 Lawrence Ave EToronto416 750 0118
A: Th e ABCO Group Of Companies
RECIPIENT OF THE 2007 & 2008 TOP CHOICE AWARD™
FOR TOP OFFICE FURNITURE RETAILER
www.TopChoiceAwards.com Top Choice April 2008 » Top Office Furniture Retailer : Abco Business Interiors 9
Capoeira (cap-oh-AIR-ah) is an exciting and unique art that com-bines martial arts, dance, music and acrobatics. From a humble beginning in , the group has now expanded to different coun-
tries with more than , members around the world. Since the opening of the Toronto branch, in , Axé Capoeira Toronto has become the most recognized and respected Capoeira and Afro-Bra-zilian performance group in Ontario and across East Canada. With the creation of the “Axé Capoeira Fighters Team”, many of our fighters are stepping into MMA rings and achieving great success. Our school is a community oriented group which also performs Capoeira and traditional dances all year-round. From elementary schools to weddings, conventions and International Festival our shows and work-shops are always in high demand. We are now preparing for our unique annual Festival of Capoeira and Brazilian Arts that will take place through various venues July -, . In short, Axé Capoeira offers health, self-discipline and lots of fun!
www.axetoronto.com
647-340-2293 • 1069 St.Clair Ave W, 2nd Floor
Axé CapoeiraTorontoToronto
coun-
Top Choice April 2008 » Top Martial Arts School : Axe Capoeria www.TopChoiceAwards.com10
Top Martial Arts School of 2008 in the GTA
www.axetoronto.comwww.axetoronto.com
647-340-2293 • 1069 St.Clair Ave W, 2nd Floor
647-340-2293 • 1069 St.Clair Ave W, 2nd Floor
Top Choice April 2008 » Top Martial Arts School : Axe Capoeriawww.TopChoiceAwards.com 11
When protection is all that matters
Security Systems • Video Verifi cation • Access Control
Data & Telephone Systems • Home Theatre & Audio
416-255-8888 • www.AimSecurity.ca
“Recipient of the Top Choice Award™for Top Portuguese Alarm Services”
their fi nancial and insurance advisors. Maia makes it his mission to educate customers on the products and services they have bought or are buying. He gives customers options and spends hours educating them. He com-pares himself to Mike Holmes, a contractor on television’s Holmes on Homes, who tries to fi x the damage already infl icted on people’s homes. Similarly, Maia looks out for people and guides them to fi x potential problems and achieve their dreams.
His fi rm provides full fi nancial ser-vices including insurance, fi nancial and estate planning and conservation, mortgages and loans. Well connected both inside and outside the Portuguese community, Maia helps his clients fi nd many other services, too.
In regard to insurance, he says, “The biggest misconception people have about insurance is that it’s expensive. It’s not. It’s expensive not to have it if something happens.”
Maia treasures his family and credits his success to wife, Ellen, who supports him in supporting his clients. •
Proud to accept a Top Choice Award™ for being the best fi nan-cial and securities’ advisor within Toronto’s Portuguese community, Pedro Maia, founder of Maia and
Associates Inc., has one rule: when people need him, he’ll be there for them. He prides himself on returning phone calls in fi ve hours or less and on providing friendly, compassionate, and ethical services. When it comes to claiming in-surance benefi ts, Maia and his staff work with clients and insurance companies to get benefi ts to clients as soon as possible.
Born in Lisbon, Maia realized that many Portuguese people place undue trust in
Top Financial ConsultantPEDRO MAIA
(416) 419-5984 3200 Dufferin St. Suite 210, Toronto
AAA
Top Choice April 2008 » Top Financial Services : Maia & Associateswww.TopChoiceAwards.com 13
Celebrating40 years!
Cafe Diplomatico was fi st opened in 1968 by Rocco Mastrangjelo Sr., shortly thereaft er younger brother Paul came on board. Th e brothers envisioned having a typical Italian bar where Italian nationals could gather in the morning over coff ee. At a time in Toronto when out-door dining was almost unheard of, the sunny patio quickly caught on and now almost 4 decades later what started out as an innovation in the neighbourhood has now set the standard.
Over the years the popularity of the Diplomatico has caused the bar to expand into a full restaurant eventually taking over the store next door as well. “Th e Dip” (as it is aff ectionately referred to by its many regulars) has had staying power due to its versatile & reason-ably priced menu paired with its comfortable & unpretentious atmo-sphere.
Th e restaurant is still owned by the Mastrangelo family, younger brother Paul now runs it with Rocco Mastrangelo Jr. and niece Tina Mastrangelo-Windsor.
RECIPIENT OF THE TOP CHOICE AWARDFOR TOP CAFÉ OF 2008 IN THE GTA
594 COLLEGE ST, TORONTO416-534-4637WWW.DIPLOMATICO.CA
Top Choice April 2008 » Top Café : Café Diplomatico www.TopChoiceAwards.com14
Top Laser Hair Removal
SPA LUMINA74 Cedar Pointe Dr. Unit 1004, Barrie705 721 7775 • www.SpaLumina.com
I N T E R E ST I N G FAC T S A B OU T B IG A L’ S AQUA R I U M SU PE RC E N T R E
- Big Al’s sells approximately 15,000,000 fi sh per year and growing!- Big Al’s sells approximately 15,000,000 fi sh per year and growing!- Big Al’s serves over 20,000 customers per week.- Big Al’s serves over 20,000 customers per week.- Big Al’s has more sharks on display than any other Aquarium Store, - Big Al’s has more sharks on display than any other Aquarium Store,
aside from Sea-Aquariums.aside from Sea-Aquariums.- Presently Big Al’s has over 400,000 VIP Customers and growing.- Presently Big Al’s has over 400,000 VIP Customers and growing.
Big Al’s Aquarium ServicesBig Al’s Aquarium Serviceswww.BigAlsOnline.cawww.BigAlsOnline.ca(905) 851-1858 (905) 851-1858
Top Aquarium Top Aquarium Store SupplierStore Supplier
Who Let The Fish Out?
www.TopChoiceAwards.comTop Choice April 2008 » Top Aquarium & Fish Retailer : Big Al’s Aquarium Service18
- Big Al’s sells approximately 15,000,000 fi sh per year and growing!- Big Al’s serves over 20,000 customers per week.- Big Al’s has more sharks on display than any other Aquarium Store,
aside from Sea-Aquariums.- Presently Big Al’s has over 400,000 VIP Customers and growing.
Big Al’s Aquarium Serviceswww.BigAlsOnline.ca(905) 851-1858
Top Aquarium Store Supplier
Big Al’s would like to thank i t ’s c u s t o m e r s f o r m a k -ing us their the Top Choice for the 2nd consecutive year.
Big Al’s has for over 31 years has brought to its patrons’ the largest selection of aquariums, aquar-ium furniture and aquarium supplies, as well as an extensive variety of marine fish, live cor-
als, goldfish and tropical fish. Big Al’s superstores are de-
signed to bring technical services, plus a vast va-
riety of equipment, to the fi rst time hobbyist and ultimate marine specialist. Big Al’s is continuously grow-ing with 21 locations across North Amer-ica. Known as “The Pond and Aquarium
Hobby Specialists”.
Big Al’s unique livestock show-rooms (“ENTER THE DEEP”) off ers, the largest selection of fi sh and aquatic plants (“25,000 to 50,000 gallons of water displays.”) in a retail warehouse store. Big Al’s Shark Tank and Shark Feed-ing Frenzy is one of the weekly highlights of the fish-rooms.
Big Al’s takes great pride in the training of its technical service staff , so that they can off er helpful advise on the extensive variety of equipment, livestock, through its retail stores. Big Al’s buying power through the Direct Buy division headed by Tally Saul, “Big Al’s of-fers a best price guarantee, and there is no formula stronger, at present, in the aquatic industry.”
Plus, www.BigAlsOnline.com our e-commerce website with over 11 million hits a month. •
Who Let The Fish Out?Who Let The Fish Out?
PROUD RECIPIENT OF THE TOP CHOICE AWARD™FOR TOP AQUARIUM STORE SUPPLIER OF 2007 & 2008
Top Choice April 2008 » Top Aquarium & Fish Retailer : Big Al’s Aquarium Servicewww.TopChoiceAwards.com 19
Before we begin we need to med-itate over a certain philosophy
used by top Masters around the world:
“Know yourself and know your compe-tition and you will never be defeated.”
This philosophy is used by winners in many types of competitions; in busi-ness it can, and should be, applied daily. Let’s review some key points to learn how to embrace this ideology and ben-efi t from its profound wealth of wisdom.
Research Source: Entreprenuer Magazine
Top Choice April 2008 » Top Article : K.o. Your Competition www.TopChoiceAwards.com20
“ K N O W Y O U R S E L F ”
To know yourself you must take the time to realize and re-evaluate your business goals. Know your mission, examine your motives, and make sure you identify your strengths and weaknesses. It is vital to put everything on paper in order to assess where your current strategies will bring you in fi ve years. This will determine if this is where you want to be, what you can do to improve your situation, and the actions you need to take to ensure that this fi ve year goal is met. Some important tips to keep in mind:
Short-term sacrifi ces are often neces- »sary for long-term business growth.
You must be willing to commit to the »extra hours; discipline and continu-ous learning are required to take your business to the top and keep it there!
Conduct a competitive analysis »in your market, including prod-ucts, prices, promotions, adver-tising, distribution, quality and service. Be aware of the outside in-fluences that affect your business.
Seek help from other small busi- »nesses, vendors, professionals, government agencies, employ-ees, trade associations and trade shows. Be alert, ask questions.
These tips will help you discover more about yourself and your business. But now it’s time to take a look on the oth-er side of the fence…your competition!
“KNOW YOUR COMPETITION”
No matter what fi eld of business you are in, the same rule applies to all: nothing is new but every-thing can be improved. In a world of leaders and followers it is important to identify which group your business falls into. Are you satisfi ed with fol-lowing the pack or would you rather create your own path and defi ne a new leadership experience for others to follow? Businesses of ten or more years can often become affl icted with “out of the blue” syndrome; this is when you fi nd yourself compet-ing with businesses you have never heard of. Th is happens when new competitors fi nd a way to jump into a market with new products and technology that could leave you wondering what hit you. It may not be that your product has a fundamental fl aw; it is more often the case that someone has brought innovation to the industry. You earn no points for just thinking. Action must be taken…and the best way to start is by tracking your competitors’ actions.
Keeping on top of what your competitors are do-ing means you’ll fi nd out when they make eff ec-tive product or service developments. If they get to the market before you do, there’s a good chance you’ll end up the loser. Organize some sort of competitive-intelligence-gathering system that will help you keep track of what they’re do-ing. However, do not lose yourself into what they are doing; learn from their mistakes, improve your business accordingly, and keep pressing on!
On the other hand don’t be fooled when you see some of your competitors leaving the market. In the short term, this sounds great. Your competitors drop out, and you pick up the business they leave behind. Th e pie is shrinking, and as it does, business gets better than ever. But beware: Th is is a classic signal of a declining market. Nobody walks away from a growing business. Vibrant growth markets attract new competitors; they don’t discourage them.
“STAYING AWARE OF YOUR COMPETITORS WILL MAKE SURE YOU ACHIEVE YOUR BUSINESS GOALS AND STEP OUT OF THE RING A WINNER.”
Top Choice April 2008 » Top Article : K.o. Your Competitionwww.TopChoiceAwards.com 21
Canadian Business College is dedi-cated to providing high quality in-struction in many careers; account-
ing, business, law, computer programs, graphics, childcare, dental, and health care. off ering full-time and part-time courses, with options for certification and diplo-mas. Canadian Business College has been a leader in the fi eld of career-oriented train-ing since 1992. The school is a recipient many awards, rating it as Toronto’s Premier Business School and Computer Trainer.
The school received special recognition by the Government of Canada and from Ontario including a letter commending the staff of the College for achieving an exemplary level of customer service and satisfaction. Th is college is registered with the Government of Canada - Human Re-
sources Development Canada, and there-fore issues tax receipts to fee-paying gradu-ates and accepts international students.
Several diploma programs and numerous certifi cation courses are off ered. Full Time and Part Time Courses range in duration from a few days to two years. Please view www.cbstraining.com for more information. Corporate training and consulting services are also off ered. Financial Assistance may be available to those students who qualify.The College is a Microsoft Gold Certi-
anadian Business College is dedi-cated to providing high quality in-
sources Development Canada, and there-fore issues tax receipts to fee-paying gradu-
YES YOU CAN!
Full Time and Part Time Courses range in duration from a few days to two years.
Top Choice April 2008 » Top Business College : Canadian Business College www.TopChoiceAwards.com24
CALIFORNIA SANDWICHES• Since 1967 •
The fi rst California Sandwiches is the Clare-mont location, still hidden in Toronto’s little
Italy region. In the late 1960’s it was a grocery store that was purchased by the Papa/Bertucci family. Th ey quickly discovered they had some-thing special, as customers were coming for lunch instead of the groceries. Th ey decided to capitalize on this opportunity as their hot Italian sandwiches were selling out daily. Th us the fi rst California Sandwiches was born. From its incep-tion in “La Rinacente” (the stores fi rst name), the veal sandwich has become one of Toronto’s favorite meals.
Today, very little has changed. Th ere are now 8 locations all family owned and operated. Tra-ditional methods of food preperation are still in practise. Each store has its own butcher and the meat is cut on site. Only the fi nest in Italian tomatos are ground for the sauce that is made fresh daily. Th e kaiser buns are baked every morning and are delivered by an Italian bakery. Cheeses and produce are bought and prepared for use as needed. Quality food and attention to detail have kept this business strong and valued. California Sandwiches is Toronto’s favorite hot Italian sandwich. You can taste the diff erence!
Visit us online, www.CaliforniaSandwiches.com
7 LOCATIONS IN THE GTA244 Claremont St • 2700 Dufferin St • 3703 Chesswood Dr. • 1603 The Queensway
3018 Winston Churchill Blvd • 5950 Dixie rd • 200 Windfl ower Gate
st California Sandwiches is the Clare-location, still hidden in Toronto’s little
on In the late 1960’s it was a groceryon. In the late 1960 s it was a grocery was purchased by the Papa/Bertucci
TOP SANDWICHIN THE GTA
Top Choice April 2008 » Top Sandwiches : Califonia Sandwicheswww.TopChoiceAwards.com 23
fied Partner for Learning Solutions and is a Supporting Degree Granting Insti-tute for the University of London. They also offer Harvard Business School pro-grams via a unique agreement online at www.cbstraining.com or they can be reached by phone at 416 925-9929.
ABOUT THE COLLEGE: Canadian Busi-ness College is dedicated to providing high quality education and instruction to individuals seeking careers in accounting, business, law, Information Technology, graphics design, childcare, dental, and health care. We off er both full-time and part-time programs which lead to certifi -cation and diplomas. CBC is an approved Supporting Institution for some of the world’s fi nest Public Universities. Th ereby graduates can apply for programs in Ac-
counting, Business, Information Technol-ogy, Law, Dental Hygiene many more ...
OUR APPROACH: We use a collabora-tive approach to learning. The College works with some of the worlds high-est rated academic institutes, corpora-tions and accreditation bodies to de-liver relevant, up-to-date curriculum.
WHO WE ARE: Canadian Business Col-lege is registered with the federal govern-ment, the Ministry of Training Colleges and Universities (MTCU) and is an approved educational institution approved to teach both domestic and International Students.
AWARD WINNING: Canadian Busi-ness College has been a leader in the fi eld of career-oriented training since 1992. •
recipient of the Top Choice Award™for Top Business School of 2008
Admissions Toronto Campus2 Bloor Street West22nd FloorToronto, OntarioTel: (416) 925-9929Fax: (416) 925-9220
Mississauga Campus77 City Centre DrSuite # 105Mississauga, OntarioTel: (905) 279-9929
Scarborough Campus55 Town Centre CourtSuite # 600Scarborough, OntarioTel: (416) 290-6565
Top Choice April 2008 » Top Business College : Canadian Business Collegewww.TopChoiceAwards.com 25
Cheers to over 80 years!
1-866-539-7575Nation-Wide Service Since 1925www.canadianuniform.com
Two-time recipient of the Top Choice Award™For Top Uniform Supplier, 2007 & 2008.
It all began in 1925 when our founder, Frank Steiner, set up a small textile rental plant in beautiful Vancouver, British Columbia. The early years focused on a single location, but opportunity abounded beginning with the rapid growth of the Alberta oil boom in the 1950’s. Frank’s son, George, recognized the potential in Canada and established eight new locations throughout the decade.
Today, we have 21 processing plants and 14 special sales and service centres strategically located throughout Canada from Victoria, British Columbia to St. John’s, Newfoundland. We provide work uniforms, restaurant linens and doormats to more the 80,000 commercial busi-ness customers.
Canadian Linen and Uniform Service will continue into the next century, pursuing the highest level of service perfection for its many valued cus-tomers. We will, however, always recognize the importance of our many capable and dedicated associates who ensure that our customers receive the quality of service they expect and the courtesy they deserve.
For this we will always be grateful.
www.TopChoiceAwards.com 27Top Choice April 2008 » Top Uniform Service : Canadian Linen & Uniform Service
Residential • Commercial • Dryer Ducts • Insulation Removal
C ity Duct Cleaning Inc. began serving the Greater Toronto Area in 1987, and offers service and installation departments man-
aged and operated by qualifi ed professionals. As one of the original duct cleaning companies in the GTA, City Duct Cleaning Inc.’s commitment is to provide the highest quality, dependable and cost-effective services available.
Since it’s inception, City Duct Cleaning Inc. has placed customer satisfaction foremost in its priorities. A large part of their growth can be attributed to referrals and repeat business from customers with whom long-term relationships have been formed. When the company surveyed their past customers, they received an approval rating of over 99%. Most people responding said they would use them again and recommend them to a friend. All business relationships are based on professionalism, integrity and trust.
The company often works directly with build-ers, ensuring quality heating and cooling perfor-mance in homes and condos. City Duct Cleaning Inc. also offers video inspection and air balancing in residential and commercial dwellings. A resi-dential air duct cleaning job takes just a few hours and is a surprisingly clean and routine process. While making your home’s air safer, duct cleaning can also reduce heating and cooling costs by al-lowing your system to operate more effi ciently.
Duct cleaning can reduce maintenance costs because a clean system has fewer breakdowns. Sleep patterns and overall personal comfort are generally improved in an environment of clean air. When this service is coupled with the installa-tion of a whole-house HEPA fi ltration system, their customers enjoy the absolute highest quality of clean air possible. A whole-house HEPA fi ltration system is an excellent investment in your family’s health, and is relatively inexpensive considering the benefi ts you will receive.
In addition, dryer vent cleaning improves the safety and effi ciency of your dryer installation. As a dryer vent becomes fi lled with lint and other debris, drying-time increases and can cause the dryer itself to overheat, sometimes causing a fi re.
City Duct Cleaning Inc.’s list of commercial clientele is extensive. Thousands of satisfi ed cus-tomers own or manage facilities such as schools, hospitals, laundromats, apartment buildings and factories of all types and sizes. The company has state-of-the-art commercial vacuum equipment to handle any type of job, including truck-mounted and portable equipment that allow them to reach the 50th fl oor of any building if required.
City Duct Cleaning Inc. - recipient of the 2008 Top Choice Award for Best Air Duct Cleaner - are proud of their employees and the integral part they play in the company’s success. •
CUSTOMER SATISFACTION IS FOREMOST!
For more information or to receive a free estimate,call (416) 293-1800 or visit us online at www.cityductcleaning.com.
Two-time recipient of the Top Choice Award™For Top Duct Cleaning Company of the GTA
CUSTOMMADE
casas por encomenda
Builder ofnew homes.
Expert incarpentry(framing)
Custom-madehomes
Carlos Botelhot: 905.792.3600f: 905.838.4205
14202 Hurontario StCaledon, ON L7C 2C1
A Division ofCapelas Homes Ltd.
Since 1979
Top Custom Home Builder of 2008 in the GTA
Born out of its affi liation with acclaimed
condominium developer Tridel, DEL
Property Management Inc. has been
providing professional condominium prop-
erty management services since the incep-
tion of the condominium concept in Ontario.
DEL’s prestigious portfolio of over 37,000
condominium homes includes the entire
spectrum of residential condominium accom-
modation, built by a variety of builders and
spanning from the late 1960s to the present.
DEL’s success begins with the team-
work of its highly skilled professionals, spe-
cializing in the many diverse areas of condo-
minium management. The complexity of
challenges faced by our clients today calls
for a multi-faceted management team that re-
sponds swiftly and efficiently to the unique
requirements of each community. Over the
years, DEL has successfully attracted and re-
tained outstanding personnel, whose commit-
ment to excellence is proven in all aspects of
our stimulating, challenging profession. We
refer to our entire staff as our DEL Condo-minium Management Resource Team. Our
commitment is to utilize this talented, caring
and resourceful team to economically and ef-
ficiently manage condominiums, while en-
hancing the lifestyle of each community to
which we are fortunate to render our services.
As a result of DEL’s extensive port-
folio and positive influence in the market-
place, many suppliers and service contrac-
tors offer our clients significant volume
discounts, rebates and preferred rates for
goods and services. We sincerely believe that
we can help reduce our clients’ operating
costs without negatively affecting the qual-
ity of comfort and lifestyle that they enjoy.
Every employee participates in our on-
going, comprehensive DEL Professional De-
velopment Program. This has helped cre-
Top Choice April 2008 » Top Property Mangement (residential) : Del Property Management www.TopChoiceAwards.com30
(416) 661-3151www.delpropertymanagement.com
ate the highest standard of
training and personalized
service in the profession.
At the dawn of the new
millennium, the Association
of Condominium Managers of
Ontario (ACMO) recognized
DEL as an inaugural recipient
of certification in the ACMO
2000 Quality Standards Pro-
gram. To have the endorse-
ment of the highly respected
Business Development Bank
of Canada, the independent
auditors for the Program, and
the Condominium Manage-
ment Standards Council, an
esteemed group of profes-
sionals serving condomini-
ums, is extremely rewarding.
Today DEL remains
one of only three companies
authorized by ACMO to of-
fer internally, all of the nec-
essary courses leading to the
designation of Registered
C o n d o m i n i u m M a n a g e r.
To fur ther augment
DEL’s commitment to high
quality services and staff pro-
fessional development, DEL
created its Information Re-source Centre (I.R.C.), which
serves as our primary internal
information hub. The I.R.C.
is a state-of-the-art, proactive,
interactive, well-utilized asset
and information technology
tool. It is a virtual one-stop,
self-serve information centre.
DEL believes that con-
dominiums are not merely
bricks and mortar, but rather
vital communities. In that
spir i t , we take seriously
our responsibility and commit-
ment to keep our clients en-
lightened. Several unique DEL
initiatives address this need.
The DELegram is a peri-
odic newsletter containing topi-
cal information to assist our cli-
ent boards in keeping current on
changes affecting condominiums.
Another value added feature
of our DEL Distinction Program
is our Client Board of Directors’ Seminar Series. This creates a fo-
rum in which professionals, from a
variety of fi elds serving the needs
of condominiums, address inter-
ested board members on subjects
that are relevant and informative.
Underlining DEL’s com-
mitment to the human aspect of
condominium management, DEL
Condominium Life is a maga-
zine in its 22nd year of publica-
tion, which offers enlightening
and entertaining features on
condominium lifestyle trends.
At DEL, we view a condomin-
ium as a community of homes.
To further establish a sense
of community, DEL’s Lifestyle Program Coordinator organizes
several special events throughout
the year, including an art show
and bridge, tennis and golf tour-
naments. In the process, we take
pride in knowing that these ac-
tivities have spawned greater use
and appreciation of condominium
recreational and social amenities.
DEL’s h ighes t pr ior i ty
has always been client satisfac-
tion. We are extremely proud
to be an award-winning com-
pany, winners of numerous cus-
tomer satisfaction, professional
and business excellence awards.
We are very appreciative
that most of our contractual as-
sociations are long standing,
some originating more than 35
years ago, because, we believe,
we have done our best to main-
tain the highest possible stan-
dards of quality, care, integrity,
knowledge and creative ability.
DEL Proper ty Manage-
ment Inc. is proudly celebrating
its 40th Anniversary doing what
it most enjoys, providing its ser-
vices to valued condominium cli-
ents. Our clients are secure in the
knowledge that we will be pro-
viding top quality management
services for the foreseeable future,
as our incomparable DEL Condo-
minium Management Resource
Team, our DEL family, continues
to pursue excellence in condo-
minium property management. •
RECIPIENT OF THE TOP CHOICE AWARD™ FOR
TOP RESIDENTIAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT
DEL’s highest priority has always been client satisfaction. We are extremely proud to be an award-winning company, winners of numerous customer satisfaction, professional and business excellence awards.
Top Choice April 2008 » Top Property Mangement (residential) : Del Property Managementwww.TopChoiceAwards.com 31
“Top Choice Award For Top Real Estate
Broker of the Hispanic Community”
FERNANDOFERNANDOPERRIPERRI
OFFICEOFFICE 416 445 8855 • DIRECTDIRECT 416 822 4119www.FernandoPerri.com
Top Choice April 2008 » Top Real Estate Broker : Fernando Perri www.TopChoiceAwards.com32
Hurontario St.
Agnes St. Dundas
St. West
TOP CLEANING COMPANY 2007-08“We are honoured to accept the Top Choice Award™, Mark of Excellence in the GTA for the second consecutive year.”
WWW.IBX.CAWWW.IBX.CA 944 A St. Clair Ave W, Toronto416-252-5959 • 1-800-962-7814
Carpet Cleaning »
Upholstery Cleaning »
Leather Furniture »
Window Cleaning »
Air Duct & Furnace Cleaning »
Eaves trough Cleaning »
Drapery & Blind Cleaning »
Scotchguarding »
Cleaning Ser vices
Water Damage »
Mould Remediation »
Fire & Smoke Damage »
Windstorm Damage »
Trauma Scene Clean »
Odour Removing »
Environmental Restoration »
Emergenc y Ser vices
Visit our web site for a complete list of ser vices, w w w.ibx.ca
Top Choice April 2008 » Top Cleaning Services : Ibx Services www.TopChoiceAwards.com34
WWW.IBX.CA
I BX Services is ranked as one of the best residential, commercial and industrial cleaning and disaster
restoration companies in the GTA and the surrounding areas for 2008.
It’s a great feeling to know that our hard work is appreciated. We are very honored and proud to accept the Top Choice Award for Mark of Business Excellence in the GTA for the second consecutive year.
Excellent reputation is what defi nes IBX Services from its competitors. We are highly respected from property owners, managers and major insurance companies in the GTA
We provide prompt, high quality services and effi cient solutions to our clients in a timely manner. Our certifi ed staff brings world class experience, fast response and professionalism to your every project.
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BBXXXXXXXhhlyyyyhhlyyyyyyeerssssserss
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We are equipped with the latest, high effi ciency state of the art restoration, cleaning and remediation equipment in the industry.
For all the other Top Choice Award winners this year, we will pay the deductibletowards any future insurance claims.
We congratulate them all on this amazing journey to greater success, and we wish them good luck and all the best for many years to come.
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Top Choice April 2008 » Top Cleaning Services : Ibx Serviceswww.TopChoiceAwards.com 35
OFFICIAL VOTING SITE OF TOP CHOICE AWARDS
CUSTOMER SATISFACTION SURVEY
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You may contact me by e-mail for future surveys.
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APPEARANCE | base your rating on the image and presentation of facilities, staff and materials.
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Questionnaire
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If you are unsatisfied with any aspects of this business, please tell us how they can improve:
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Instructions
EnterVote.comEnterVote.com
Please write the name of a business or professional below and use this form to rate their performance. All data will be collected to identify the businesses
and professionals with the highest customer satisfaction scores and present them with the Top Choice Award™. As a participant, you will remain anony-
mous, personal information is collected for data validation purposes and will never sold. Your opinions are important, thank you for your participation.
Business/Professional Information
Cut, complete and mail this form to 75 Four Winds Dr, Suite 103 Toronto, On M3J 1K7.
Business & professionals may take copies and distribute to their customers. One survey per customer.
EnterVote.comEnterVote.com
OFFICIAL VOTING SITE OF TOP CHOICE AWARDSOFFICIAL VOTING SITE OF TOP CHOICE AWARDS
VOTE & WINCITY • COMMUNITY • TRAVEL • ENTERTAINMENT & MEDIA
BUSINESSAs a business owner I do understand the needs of success, in fact success is my passion. I enjoy it so much that I actually make a living by promoting it. I would like to give you a glimpse of my experience of 12 years in business, and the struggle to fi nd the crucial balance between Business and Family.
As a young entrepreneur I was always involved with many communities and their diff erent varieties of business. So I quickly understood that busi-ness can get really intense, and passion for what you do is the only way to stay in business. You have to keep pushing until your business becomes a part of you. But, on the other hand, we have our family which plays a huge role in our lives. I always focused on my business to provide for my family, but when your business is growing fast it demands more time and
eff ort, leaving less time for your family. Th rough my experiences I now understand the importance of balance between Business and Family!
It is a dead-end street whenever we try to tackle the “Business vs. Family” debate, because both
sides play important roles in our lives. As a family man I teach my children how to integrate themselves positively into society and provide them with the basics in life. Th is is where business comes into the picture and makes it possible for me to provide for my family; it’s importance
is undeniable. So the question remains... how do we deal with this unstoppable dilemma? I would take the risk to state that one should focus
on the business goal, but never forget the foundation of life... your family!
On the opposite page you have the opinion of a business owner’s child, my daughter Dyvine, and what she feels about her experience with
a parent in business. I guess she, and my growing boy Bradlee, are the fine examples that I have found balance in my life.
By: David Silvestre
P.S. My Daughter I love you, unconditionally; thanks for your words, I look forward to taking good
care of you and your baby brother Bradlee.
IT IS A DEAD END STREET WHEN-EVER WE TRY TO TACKLE THE “BUSINESS VS. FAMILY” DEBATE, BECAUSE BOTH SIDES PLAY IM-PORTANT ROLES IN OUR LIVES.”
T ISVER
Top Choice April 2008 » Top Article : Business Vs. Family www.TopChoiceAwards.com40
FAMILYHi, my name is Dyvine Silvestre, and I am a business owner’s daughter; through-out my life I have had many feelings, both good and bad. Th e good ones always
make my life easier and the bad ones just make me stronger. For the good feelings, I can’t describe how awesome it is to be able to meet so many important people and
visit so many extraordinary places, which gives me so much education about the busi-ness world. For the bad feelings I have to learn how to have fun while helping my parents with their business and not just like any regular kids my age who spends their time doing as they wish.
I am very lucky to be a business owners daughter, my parents teach me so much about life and they are able to offer many opportunities to help my dreams come true. But with these great opportunities comes great responsibility, such as having to do my homework by myself and making sure I have time for extra activities that help me to un-derstand and help my parents’ business.
By now you must be asking yourself what kind of business my parents run, let me explain. Th ey survey the general public to fi nd out who are their favourite businesses inside and outside of Canada. Afterwards, they award the business-es that got the most votes and they even organize a yearly event for the winners in multicultural communities. At the event we have the honor to receive the support from our Prime Minister Stephen Harper and I have the great opportu-nity to open the event by singing the Canadian National Anthem. If you want to see me performing and more info about my parents business, you can visit www.topchoiceawards.com and click on the media button.
I guess hard work pays off !
Th ank you for reading and have a Top day.
By: Dyvine Silvestre
P.S Dad I know you’re working hard to enjoy good times with me in the future and off er me what you never had, but remember that I am here now, and the best off er is your time to play with me!
I CAN’T DESCRIBE HOW AWE-SOME IT IS TO BE ABLE TO MEET SO MANY IMPORTANT PEOPLE AND VISIT SO MANY EXTRAORDINARY PLACES,”
Top Choice April 2008 » Top Article : Business Vs. Familywww.TopChoiceAwards.com 41
WE MAKE A DIFFERENCE!www.YorkProfessional.com
For The Children’s Academy nearest you in Thornhill or Richmond Hill call 905 841 1314
Top Child Care Services of 2008
Top Choice April 2008 » Top Child Care Services : York Professional Care & Education www.TopChoiceAwards.com42
We are proud of being GTA’s 2008 Top Choice for Child Care. The driving
force behind everything we do at York Professional is “what is best
for children?” It begins with what happens in the classroom, the variety of
educational programs we offer to children, includes the training we provide
for our teachers, and the partnerships we develop in the community.
Our children enjoy more than a safe, happy learning environment: they are
encouraged to be courteous, respectful, responsible and confi dent individu-
als who are prepared to meet not only the demands of school but also the
pressures of society.
Our Child Care Centres, Before and After School Kids’ Clubs and licensed
Home child Care programs are designed to meet the daily needs of children
12 months to 12 years. These are supplemented by Early Literacy programs
and a unique overnight Summer Leadership Camp for 7 to 16 year olds.
We also provide twelve week Family Child Care Training programs, funded
by the Region of York, for individuals providing informal child care in their
homes.
We are part of the Character Community of York Region, associated with
the Future Aces Foundation, and a partner with the Board of Education in
the delivery of the Roots of Empathy program. We challenge and support
our teachers to help them perform with purpose and passion.
Top Choice April 2008 » Top Child Care Services : York Professional Care & Educationwww.TopChoiceAwards.com 43
* * HHEAD OFFICEEAD OFFICE | | NORTH YORK - SCARBOROUGHNORTH YORK - SCARBOROUGH (Don Mills & Sheppard) (Don Mills & Sheppard) Suite 720, 245 Fairview Mall Drive, North York Suite 720, 245 Fairview Mall Drive, North York (416) 498-9200 (416) 498-9200
* * ETOBICOKE - MISSISSAUGA ETOBICOKE - MISSISSAUGA (427 & Burnamthorpe) (427 & Burnamthorpe) Suite 133, 21 Four Seasons Place, Etobicoke Suite 133, 21 Four Seasons Place, Etobicoke (416)621-7448 (416)621-7448
** NORTH YORK - WEST NORTH YORK - WEST (Finch & Keele) (Finch & Keele) Suite 406, 1280 Finch Avenue West, Downsview Suite 406, 1280 Finch Avenue West, Downsview (416)667-1507 (416)667-1507
* * TORONTO - MIDTOWN WESTTORONTO - MIDTOWN WEST (On St. Clair between Bathurst & Duff erin) (On St. Clair between Bathurst & Duff erin) Main Floor, 845 St. Clair Avenue West, Toronto Main Floor, 845 St. Clair Avenue West, Toronto (416)652-0800 (416)652-0800
David Sklar & Associates Inc.David Sklar & Associates Inc.www.DavidSklar.comwww.DavidSklar.com4 Locations To Serve You4 Locations To Serve You
Top Bankruptcy TrusteeProudly celebrating our 2nd year on TOP!
www.TopChoiceAwards.comTop Choice April 2008 » Top Bankruptcy Trustee : David Sklar & Associates44
* HEAD OFFICE | NORTH YORK - SCARBOROUGH (Don Mills & Sheppard) Suite 720, 245 Fairview Mall Drive, North York (416) 498-9200
* ETOBICOKE - MISSISSAUGA (427 & Burnamthorpe) Suite 133, 21 Four Seasons Place, Etobicoke (416)621-7448
* NORTH YORK - WEST (Finch & Keele) Suite 406, 1280 Finch Avenue West, Downsview (416)667-1507
* TORONTO - MIDTOWN WEST (On St. Clair between Bathurst & Duff erin) Main Floor, 845 St. Clair Avenue West, Toronto (416)652-0800
David Sklar & Associates Inc.www.DavidSklar.com4 Locations To Serve You
David Sklar & Associ-ates Inc. ( DSAI ) has grown dramatically and is considered one of the larger filers of
proposals and bankruptcy for con-sumers and small businesses in the GTA. Th e cornerstone of the business has been a commitment to Integrity, high morals and to finding creative solutions in dealing with financial problems. Success is evidence by the numerous client and professional re-ferrals coming back to the company. Th e personal satisfaction involved in fi nancial restructuring led David into the world of Insolvency. Th e challeng-es of emigration and adaptation to his new home had also identifi ed a need in the ethnic communities for both teachers and role models in insolven-cy and problematic fi nancial matters.
The company has taken on a small family business flavor, not surpris-ing given David’s adherence to strong family values and beliefs. The first consultation is always at no charge and people are left with a a much clearer picture as to what options
or alternatives are available . The most common comments made are:
“ I should have done this years ago “ , or “ I feel I can make a rational and practical decision, aft er acquiring the necessary information from DSAI “.
David immigrated to Canada from South Africa in 1979. He had received his Chartered Accountant designation in South Africa and obtained his Ca-nadian designation in 1981. He has been interviewed on the television program, “Report on Business”. He is a member of the Canadian Institute of Chartered Accountants, The Insti-tute of of Chartered Accountants of Ontario and he he holds the desig-nation CIRP ((Chartered Insolvency and Restructuring Professional) and is a general member of of the On-tario Association of Insolvency and Restructuring professionals . He is also a licensed Credit Counsellor. ■
“It’s a huge honour to receive the Top
Choice Award for the 2nd consecutive year. It recog-
nizes the quality service pro-vided by our people to the public”.
– So says David Sklar, president of David Sklar & Associates Inc. (DSAI) who att ributes
the success of his company to the high standards and values of its staff .
David Sklar, President
David’s philosophy is to add value to all those stakeholders in the Insolvency Profession. More specifi cally:
arm debtors and bankrupt’s with the necessary information and tools to avoid a • recurrence of fi nancial problems and in it’s place, to teach the accumulation of wealth and fi nancial independence.to creditors: the provision of accurate and timely information so as to maximize • potential dividend returnsto the Superintendent of Bankruptcy and the Bankruptcy Court: the timely and • accurate administration of all estates in accordance with the applicable statutes.
www.TopChoiceAwards.com 45
v
TOP SOUTH ASIANRADIO PROGRAMMINGCMR 101.3
TOP PORTUGUESENEWSPAPERPOST MILÉNIO
TOP CHINESERADIO PROGRAMMINGFAIRCHILD RADIO
TOP PORTUGUESERADIO PERSONALITYMARIA FERNANDA
TOP HISPANICTV PROGRAMMINGTLN TELELATINO
TOP ITALIAN & PORTUGUESERADIO PROGRAMMINGCHIN RADIO 100.7
Top Choice April 2008 » Top Feature : Ethnic Media 2007 www.TopChoiceAwards.com46
MULTICULTURAL MEDIA AWARDS 2007PHOTOS BY SAM SANTOS/JC PIMENTEL PHOTOGRAPHY
TOP HISPANICRADIO PROGRAMMINGVOCES LATINAS
TOP CHINESETV PROGRAMMINGFAIRCHILD TV
TOP SOUTH ASIANNEWSPAPERVOICE WEEKLY
TOP CHINESENEWSPAPERMING PAO DAILY
Top Choice April 2008 » Top Feature : Ethnic Media 2007www.TopChoiceAwards.com 47
Nigel Vance-Lousada, President of CanadaNigel Vance-Lousada, President of Canadag , fNigel g of fVance-Lousada, , CanadaPresident
TOP Display and Exhibit Services
Top Choice April 2008 » Top Display Services : Exposystems Canada www.TopChoiceAwards.com48
TOP MAGAZINEFLARERecipient of the Top Choice Award™Recipient of the Top Choice Award™for Top Magazine of 2008for Top Magazine of 2008
As the #1 sel l ing fashion and beauty magazine in Canada, FLARE Magazine is the source for Canadian sty le. Since i ts debut as Miss Chatelaine in 1964, the magazine matured along with i ts teenage female readers. In 1969, i t appeared on newstands in a large format and in 1977 publ isher Donna Scott , edi tor Kei tha McLeand, and advert is ing maganger David Hamil ton began the search for a new name to better represent the readership between the ages of 18 and 34. The magazine was off ic ia l ly launched with i ts current name in 1979.
FLARE, an eye-catching t i t le, is a name that has come to stand for the best in Canadian fashion and beauty. FLARE is the Canadian sty le author i ty, del iver ing relevant interpreta-t ions of g lobal t rends from fashion to entertainment in an intel l igent manner that exci tes consumers and inspires them to express their own personal sty le using sources avai lable across Canada. The emphasis on merchandise avai lable in Canada, the Shopping Planner sect ion, and “Where to Buy” guide make staying in sty le exci t ing and accessible. Readers also rely on Flare.com, the most v is i ted fashion websi te in Canada by women over 18, for t imely sty le informat ion f rom the experts. With FLARE, readers can update their beauty looks, learn more about heal th issues, rela-t ionships, f i tness and keep up with the hottest news in entertainment. Celebr i ty news is also a component of the magazine and FLARE covers of ten at t ract the appearance of a diverse range of celebr i t ies including Linda Evangel ista, Sarah MacLachlan, Sarah Jessica Parker, Gwen Stefani and more recent ly Nel ly Furtado, and Mandy Moore. In 2004, FLARE celebrated i ts 25th anniversary and i ts unique Canadian perspect ive wi th a special issue featur ing subt le design and edi tor ia l changes to enhance readers’ enjoyment of FLARE. As FLARE enters a new era, i t cont inues to evolve along with cut t ing edge fashion and the needs of fashion-conscious, Canadian women.
www.Flare.comwww.Flare.com
Nigel Vance-Lousada, President of CanadaExpoSystems Canada
3640 McNicoll Avenue, Scarborough416.291.2932
www.ExpoSystems.com
“W i n n i n g t h i s a w a r d i s q u i t e u n i q u e”, s a i d N i g e l Va n c e - L o u s a -da , Vice President of E x poSy stems Canada , “ because the w in-ner is decided by the results of a sur vey taken from a ver y wide a n d d i ver s e s e c t i o n o f t h e b u s i n e s s co m mu n i t y – n o t a pa n el
of judges. This Award represents the opinion of our customers from our industr y.“My thanks go to ever ybody in our ExpoSystems team, We are lucky to have a ver y dedicated group of people, who work hard to make our clients stand out at trade-shows and special events. My thanks also go out to our clients for rating us so highly.”
Based in Scarborough, Ontario, ExpoSystems Canada designs, manufactures, installs, dismantles, manages, stores and ships displays, exhibits and tradeshow booths for companies around the world.T h e y w i l l a s s i st you i n ever y way p o s s i b l e n o matter w hat t y p e o f d i s p lay you n e e d . Fr o m a Ta b l e t o p d i s p l ay, a r e t r a c t a b l e b a n n e r r i g h t u p t o a f u l l y s e r -viced custom modular solution. E xpoSystems Canada will make YOU stand out. ■
ExpoSystems Canada designs, manufactures, installs, dismantles, manages, stores and ships displays, exhibits and tradeshow booths for companies around the world. ExpoSystems Canada has been at the forefr ont of the Canadian exhibition market since 1965. It has a wide range of high-quality, versatile display systems fr om table-top and banner dis-plays to fully customized and serviced trade show booths. ExpoSystems is a leader in the modu-lar display sector and is presently one of the largest display systems manufacturers in Canada.
YOUMakingStand Out!
33366640 M
Top Choice April 2008 » Top Display Services : Exposystems Canadawww.TopChoiceAwards.com 49
Open everyday, except Monday.
Golden Gate Plaza (Near Mavis and Williams Pkwy) 80 Pertosa Drive, Unit # 12Brampton905-459-3264
Tuscany Place (Near Vaughan Mills) 9100 Jane Street, Unit # 18 Vaughan905-669-6030
In Indian fashion a “Chunri” is a decorative scarf or wrap that can be worn a variety of ways, either on the head as a veil or over the shoulders or arms. To Pinki Gulati, “Chunri represents respect and tradition, and evokes the feel of true Indian culture. Chunri provides latest collection inspired by art and history of Great India translated into every stitch and every weave. Styles that link past to the present. Refl ecting your spirit and the vibrancy of age-old cultures.
His father started the business in 1950 in Jullundhar, Punjab. Gradually, his brothers joined him and eventually in 1978, Pinki joined the business also. There were two locations with the names “Gulati Cloth House” and “Golden Silk Store”. “Since this was a family business, I received first-hand knowledge and guidance from my father and brothers. Different colors and patterns always attracted my atten-tion but manufacturing and purchasing are the secrets to my success.”
In 2001, the family moved to Canada and set up shop in Brampton. Success soon followed due to their unique de-signer collections and selections unlike any other stores in
North America. The result was expanding of the horizons as another location was opened in Vaughan.
“Our customers tell us that our dress and accessories are addictions for them!” Repeat business is incredibly important for the company. Clients return again and again because of one thing, unique designs. Even the actor Shahrukh Khan used to visit with his wife Gauri, “even they appreciated the exclusivity of the designs”. “Thankfully we now have a name within the industry and now people approach us to design wardrobes and collections for them.” Also, Puja Gupta, Miss India Universe 2007 and representative of India in Miss Universe 2007 (one of the top ten contestants) likes to wear our collection.
The design and merchandising team includes his wife and children, allowing another generation of the Gulati fam-ily to continue their grandfather’s work. Pinki’s daughter Neha, has done designing from Delhi and his son Ankit is a Gemologist who is now pursuing his career in Fashion Designing (from the IADT). For the future Gulati plans on opening location in New York and UK.
TOP SOUTH ASIANCLOTHING RETAILER IN THE GTA
Top Choice April 2008 » Top Fashion Retailer : Chunri Creationswww.TopChoiceAwards.com 51
1. EARLY DAYSWhen he was just nine years old, Karim Hakim suffered through the loss of his father. The young Iranian left school to support his family. After a brief stint at a Tehran blacksmith shop, Karim found employment grinding magnifying glass from old window panes. As a young boy, he learned many aspects of the eyewear business, from lens grinding to equipment maintenance and upkeep of worn machinery. Long before he knew it, Karim was sowing the seeds of one of the most successful optical companies in Canadian history, by learning from his experiences and fi nding opportunities where others saw adversity.
2. A WORLD OF OPPORTUNITYAs a 14-year-old, Karim set his sights on completing his education and tried to reach the former Soviet Union to enroll. Caught by a border guard and returned to his native Iran, Karim was undaunted in his effort to improve himself, and toiled in night school to learn how to read and write. Five years later, Karim enlisted in the Iranian army and enjoyed his fi rst tastes of the world that awaited beyond his own borders. He emigrated to Germany and also worked in Switzerland, where he learned modern methods of grinding optical lenses for precision instruments and eyeglasses.
3. SETTING SIGHTS HIGHIn search of a future where he would fi nd the success he craved, Karim came to Canada and found work in the fi eld of ophthalmic
lens grinding. Carefully saving his money as he gained the expertise he needed, Karim waited for his chance to strike out on his own. In 1967, he set up a laboratory in a dance hall in the former Elmwood Hotel in downtown Toronto, and then moved his operation to Elm Street. Next, he bought and rebuilt old equipment from a closed-down lab in Chicago. Karim’s dream was becoming reality. Armed with dozens of pairs of his very own and brand-new lenses for sale, Karim began to knock on doors.
4. A MAN OF VISIONKarim’s entrepreneurial spirit led him to the shops of opticians and optometrists who supplied him with frames to mount his lenses and paid him the not-so-princely sum of about $4 per pair. And although Karim’s reputation as a quality lens grinder soon became well-known, he quickly realized that he needed to become his own middle man if he wanted to capture more of the $80 retail price of a pair of eyeglasses that his optician friends were able to charge. Karim decidedhe needed to learn more about marketing strategy; specifi cally, something called “vertical integration.”
5. WHOLESALE MEETS RETAILIn the wholesale trade, his profi t margin was less than one dollar. By making his own lenses and selling directly to the public, his profi ts increased to over fi ve dollars, with prices still well below those of other shops. Karim decided that the key to bigger success was to fi nd a way to market his quality, lower-cost products directly to the public. Opening a small storefront operation, Karim sold dozens of pairs of eyeglasses during the day, and then would often stay at work most of the night grinding lenses to fulfi ll his promise to his customers of 24-hour delivery on every order.
6. GOING THE EXTRA MILEKarim’s philosophy of honest value, quality and personal attention brought customers fl ocking to his retail outlet, which became so busy that customers had to wait outside until someone left. Satisfi ed customers returned often, and brought their friends and family with them. To accommodate his burgeoning business, Karim moved his
Left to right: Jeff Coburn, Cindy Young, Bijan Minbashian, Sir Hakimi, Elizabeth Casimiro & John Worden
TOP CHOICE AWARD™ RECIPIENTFOR TOP OPTICIAN OF 2008
Top Choice April 2008 » Top Optician : Hakim Optical www.TopChoiceAwards.com52
equipment into the basement. Soon, his showroom and eye examination centre had taken over the entire main fl oor. Not wanting to turn anybody away, Karim went the extra mile to grind special lenses for cataract patients and provide other unique services as requested by his customers.
7. KEYS TO SUCCESSOne of the many keys to Hakim Optical’s success was Karim’s commitment to hiring, personally training, and mentoring the best young staff he could fi nd. As a result, many have stayed with the company for decades, working as opticians and technicians. As well-trained staff began to run more of the technical side of the business, Karim’s time was freed up to enable him to focus on developing new retail opportunities. Today, customer value and quality remain integral to the company’s mission statement, and factor largely in Hakim Optical’s extremely loyal client base.
8. QUALITY FIRST – AND FREE FRAMESBy purchasing frames at bargain prices through bankruptcy sales, Karim launched his innovative marketing strategy of offering free frames with the purchase of a pair of lenses. Soon, he was buying thousands of low-priced fashion frames directly from manufacturers and offering a much wider selection of frames. To keep standards high, Hakim still offers a oneyear guarantee against breakage on all frames. Karim enjoys recounting the story of competitors’ objections to his claims of having the lowest prices in town. After thorough investigation, the case was dropped when it was revealed that Hakim Optical’s claim was completely valid.
9. MORE THAN MEETS THE EYE“A pair of glasses isn’t just a device to aid your eyesight,” says Karim. “They’re fashion.” Many
customers are attracted by the store’s philosophy that eyewear should also look good and fl atter the face. Today, Hakim Optical offers a selection of more than 3,000 fashion frames imported from as far away as the Far East, Italy, France and Germany. The golden rule at Hakim remains the same in 2008 as it was in 1967: serve as you would be served. Today, 80% of the store’s clientele are repeat customers. In a typical day, the company sells at least 1,000 pairs of prescription eyeglasses.
10. A CANADIAN SUCCESS STORYBy consistently offering value, selection and excellent customer service, Sir Karim Hakim has turned a one-person operation into one of the most successful optical companies in Canada, with over 40 million pairs of eyeglasses sold to date. Today, Hakim Optical has 140 showrooms and 100 one-hour factory outlets in Ontario, Manitoba, Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador and is expanding further into Western Canada. A supporter of Ride For Sight, Karim regularly dons helmet and leathers before hopping on his motorcycle to participate in this and other vision-oriented charitable causes. Hakim Optical also donates hundreds of thousands of pairs of eyeglasses to those in less fortunate countries.
1-800-387-0791Over 60 locations accross the GTAwww.HakimOptical.ca
Today Sir Hakimi is considered
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attracted by the store’sphilosophy that eyewear should also look good and fl atteer rrrrrthe face. Today,Hakim Optical offers aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaselection of more thannnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnn3,000 fashion framesimported from as faraway as the Far East, Italy, France and Germany.The golden rule at Hakimremains the same in 2008 as it was in 1967: serve as youwould be served. Today, 80% of the store’s clientele are repeat customers. In a typical day, thecompany sells at least 1,000 pairsof prescription eyeglasses.
10. A CANADIANSUCCESS STORYBy consistently offering value, selection and excellent customer service, Sir Karim Hakim has turned a one-person operation into one of the most successful optical companies in Canada, with over 40 million pairs of eyeglasses sold to date. Today,Hakim Optical has 140 showrooms and 100 one-hour factory outlets in Ontario, Manitoba,Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Newfoundlandand Labrador and is expanding further intoWestern Canada. A supporter of Ride For Sight,Karim regularly dons helmet and leathers before hopping on his motorcycle to participate in this and other vision-oriented charitable causes. Hakim Optical also donateshundreds of thousands of pairs of eyeglasses to those in less fortunate countries.
GTA
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Top Choice April 2008 » Top Optician : Hakim Opticalwww.TopChoiceAwards.com 53
W ith over 25 years of teaching experience in Ballroom Dancing, Dance Studio One puts you in touch with today’s most popular dances to today’s most popular songs. Our directors, Angela and Vadim Mostovoy are Six time Canadian representatives to the world championships held in Holland,
France, Germany, Japan, Hong-Kong, and England. In 2002 they were runners up in the Asian Pacifi c Dance Sport Championship, Latin American division and Showdance. Angela and Vadim are recognized as high quality instructors and are key fi gures in Toronto’s Ballroom dance community.
Dance Studio One caters to every students dance goals from beginner to champion and from social to com-petitive dancing. Conveniently located uptown Toronto, our studio is easily accessible by public transporta-tion and is located by Finch subway station. Whether you’re interest ed in private ballroom lessons, latin group lessons or social pract ice lessons, you will fi nd that Dance Studio One provides a fun and comfortable learning atmosphere for everyone! •
Shall we dance?Foxtrot, Rumba, Argentinean Tango, Waltz, Cha-cha-cha, Salsa/Mambo, Tango, Samba, Hustle, V.Waltz, Jive, Swing, Paso Doble, Quick Step, Merengue, Bolero
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DANCE STUDIO ONE IS PROUD TO BE THE 2007 & 2008
TOP CHOICE DANCE STUDIO OF THE YEAR!
Top Choice April 2008 » Top Dance Studio (adult) : Dance Studio One www.TopChoiceAwards.com54
5801 Yonge St, Suite 1Toronto416 226 4442dancestudio1.ca
Top Choice April 2008 » Top Dance Studio (adult) : Dance Studio Onewww.TopChoiceAwards.com 55
PRESENTING THE HERO CERTIFIED BURGER – 100% Free Range Angus Beef with no addi-tives, preservatives or hormones. Charbroiled to per-fection, every burger is personalized to satisfy each individual’s taste. At Hero, we’re committed to exceed-ing your expectations of quality, fl avour and service.
EVERY HERO MAKES A DIFFERENCE.
TOP CHOICE AWARD™HAMBURGER OF THE YEAR
In an effort to capitalize on a void within the fast casual food market, John Lettieri iden-tifi ed the lack of quality food products and launched Hero Certifi ed Burgers in 2002, serving high quality burger, opening the fi rst Hero location in November 2003.
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In an effort to capitalize on a void within the fast casual foo
ESENTING THEESENTING THE RO CERTIFIEDRO CERTIFIED RGER – % Free Range Angus Beef with no addi-g gs, preservatives or hormones. Charbroiled to per-
b i li d t ti f hon, every burger is personalized to satisfy each vidual’s taste At Hero we’re committed to exceed-vidual s taste. At Hero, we re committed to exceed-your expectations of quality, fl avour and service.y p q y
ERY HERO MAKES A DIFFERENCEERY HERO MAKES A DIFFERENCE.
WWW.HEROBURGERS.CA
Top Choice April 2008 » Top Hamburger : Hero Certified Burgers56
The burger business is one of the largest take-out fast casual food offerings, however it has been regarded as a market with an emphasis placed on fast, not quality. Hero Certifi ed Burgers was launched as a response to a void in the market, which recognized that a burger offering does not have to reside in the non-nutritional fast food category.
When planning the menu for Hero, he took everything that was typical in a burger place and gave it his own twist. Thus, the hamburger is pure Angus Beef with no additives, hormones or antibiotics, free range beef, and the cheese, real cheddar, not processed. The buns come from a local quality bakery made to specifi cations developed by Lettieri. And the restauant also offers custom toppings such as avocado spread, zucchini wtth eggplant, and smoked provolone, boursin or brie cheese.
Equally as important as the menu are the means of presenting the product. Let-tierl worked with Toronto deslgn and branding fi rm to complete the identity, look and feel of the store, because the interior becomes an essential part of reinforcing Hero’s brand equity. Feature elements such as the large illuminated menu board and a communal table are distinctly unique details that build brand equity to support the quality of the Hero products. customers are visually alerted by this attention to detail and immediately anticipate a positive dining difference at Hero.
The formula has brought favourable reviews from food critics, and its success with consumers is encouraging Hero’s further expansion.
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John Lettieri (Centre) and his team of enthusiastic Franchisees and Operation Managers are the keys to the tremendous success and continuous expansion of the Hero Certifi ed Burgers Franchise.
Top Choice April 2008 » Top Hamburger : Hero Certified Burgerswww.TopChoiceAwards.com 57
In 1988, at the request of his brother, Tony Carreira par� ci-pated at the last Song Contest, in Figeira da Foz, organized by Maestro Antonio Calvario, performing the song “Uma Noite a teu lado” (One Night Beside You). From 1000 par� cipants, the panel of judges chooses 8 fi nalists for the award, Tony was one of them. In 1990 Tony signed a 3 year contract with the Record company Discossete and in the following year recorded his debut album “E verao em Portugal” (It’s Summer in Por-tugal) which includes the track “Meu Heroi Pequeno” (My Li� le Hero) is dedicated to his fi rst son becoming a hit.
A� er so much instability in his career, Tony got to Pla� num Award through the song “Adeus Amigo” (Goodbye My Friend)
dedicate to a his friend that passed way.
In 1995 the single “Ai des� no” (Des� ny), earned him interna-� onal recogni� on and since then success is all he knows. Labeled the “Sweet Roman� c”, Tony be-came the idol of many, showing why he was Na� onal Top for 54 weeks straight. In no � me Tony went from his triple Pla� num Album in Paris “Tony Carreira ao vivo no Olympia” (Tony Car-reira Live at the Olympia) to #1 a� rac� on in Portugal, selling out Major Naitonal Pavillions just months before celebra� ng 15 years of success in the industry.
Working constantly to sa� sfy the fans, Tony releases “Vagabundo por Amor” in 2004, whose shin-ing single “Sabes onde eu estou” helps the album reach 5th Pla� -
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Tony Carreira
Photos b
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Toronto, On – Mul� cultural Top Choice Awards 2006Le� to right: Luíz Felipe Scolari, Moncia Couto, David Silvestre & Gilberto Madaíl (President of the Federação Portuguêsa de Futbol)
Top Choice April 2008 » Top Article : International Top Choice Awards58
INTERNATIONAL :INTERNATIONAL : PORTUGALPORTUGALIn anticipation of the Top Choice Award™ launch in Portugal, we hilight 2 of our international award winners
INTERNATIONAL : PORTUGAL
num for superior sales of 100 Thousand units, a rare case in Portugal.
Tony is not only known for his strong work ethic, as demonstrated by his showcase career, but also his Humanitarian eff orts. Touched by his homeland’s forest devasta-� on, Tony embraced a solidarity campaign and gave away all of his “Cachet” from his Geneve Concert to the vic� ms of the fi res at Pampilhosa da Serra.
Today, Tony Carreira is celebra� ng 20 years in the industry and has earned the love and admi-ra� on of a na� on and Portuguese people around the globe. Recently Tony added a Top Choice Award™ to his trophy case for Top Interna� onal Ar� st of 2007 and accepted the award in Porto, Portugal on the popular TV Program “Praça da Alegria”. The presenta� on was made possible by Happy Travellers and Ferma Foods in Toronto.
Biography Source: Lidia Carvalho / www.TonyCarreira.com
Luíz Felipe Scolari
Photo by: Michael Fillier/TOP CHOICE AWARDS
Photos b
y: Sam
Santos/JC
Pim
entel Photograp
hy
Luíz Felipe Scolari, also known as Felipão (“Big Phil”), is the head coach of the Portuguese Na� onal Soccer team and is credited with leading the team to its best fi nish in ever, during the World Cup of 2006.
Scolari is famous for his temper and for his histrionic “performance” by the fi eld while the match is going on, reac� ng strongly to both the best and the worst mo-ments of his team.
During 2006, Scolari was a formidable leader and earned the interna� onal Top Choice Award™ for Leadership, which he accepted in Toronto accompanied by delegates from the Federação Portuguêsa de Futbol, including its President Gilberto Madaíl (inset, opposite page). Scolari declares “this award belongs to the en� re team and all members of the coaching staff and management.”
WORRIED ABOUT YOUR NEXT VACATION?
DON’T WORRY GET Happy!
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3-Time Top Choice Award™ Recipient for Portuguese Travel Agency of the Year
Top Choice April 2008 » Top Travel Agency : Happy Travellers www.TopChoiceAwards.com60
RECIPIENT OF THE TOP CHOICE AWARD™ FOR TOP BAKERY IN THE GTA
Golden Wheat bakery was opened in December 1993 at 652 College St in the heart of Little Italy. The idea behind it was to provide quality baked goods and a comfortable environment in which to enjoy them. It is owned by Jose Cun-ha and Patricia Brandao; a father and daughter team who are supported by a staff of twenty dedicated employees.
Golden Wheat features a variety of European breads and pastries however their specialty are Portuguese baked goods, the pasteis de nata being the most popular. Decadent desserts and fresh breads are only part of what they offer, Brazilian salgadinhos, Italian gelato, and beautiful wedding cakes are all on the menu.
The European inspired design of the newly renovated café is the perfect backdrop to enjoy the compa-ny of family and friends. Whether you stop in for a galão and croissant early in the morning, or the tradition-al tostamista and espresso after Saturday night clubbing, there is always someone ready to welcome you.
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652 College Street • 416 534-1107
Photo by: Sam Santos/JC PIMENTEL PHOTOGRAPHY
RECIPIENT OF THE TOP CHOICE AWARD FOR TOP HAIR CARE SERVICES OF 2006 & 2007
PRIVÉ SPA STAFF (LEFT TO RIGHT): AZI, JOANNA, REGINA (OWNER), LORRAINE AND AMANDA
Top Beauty Salon of the GTA
Top Choice April 2008 » Top Beauty Salon : Prive Spa www.TopChoiceAwards.com62
“Your comfort and well being is our pleasure.”Initially I would like to take this opportunity to thank all readers and the community for this honour! Secondly I will introduce myself. My name is Regina Soares and I am proud to be part of this experience and long time dream which is “Privé”, you may have heard of it, seen it or visited. We are conveniently located at 1069 college street (near Dufferin) in Toronto and open 7 days a week to facilitate our clients busy schedules. Privé is a spa and hair studio, offering a wide range of spa and hair services. Our staff is highly trained and very diverse, making the Privé experience very interesting and welcoming to all of our clients. Our estheticians and hair stylists carry vast experience in each of their respective fi elds. At Privé we offer the best treatment in a safe and hygienic environment at very affordable prices.
Immediately as our clients/visitors arrive at the spa our main focus is to offer a welcoming atmosphere, then comes the comfort, the enjoyment and an overall well being. Whether you are looking for relaxation, sweedish or sports massage our RMT (Registered Massage Therapist) carries twenty years experience and will provide a receipt so you, the client, can be reimbursed through your insurance or work benefi t plan. We also offer our famous spa pedicures and manicures, European style facials, microdermabrasion, light therapy. hair removal (wax or threading) and many other spa services. We also specialize in hair cutting, styling, colour and modern, innovative bridal hair /up do’s and professional makeup.
We carry a fi ne line of national and international products, our “bioline” skin care line is imported directly from Italy and our mineral makeup “youngblood” is from Vancouver. For more information on spa/hair services and prices visit our web site www.PriveSpa.ca.
TCA PRESIDENT MONICA COUTO (LEFT) PRESENTS THE AWARD TO PRIVÉ SPA OWNER REGINA SOARES
1069 College St (near Dufferin)
416-535-1919
www.PriveSpa.ca
www.TopChoiceAwards.com
TOP SECURITY GUARD SERVICES IN THE GTA 2007 & 2008
Intelligarde: Canada’s premier security force Intelligarde only employs guards who are committed to careers in law enforcement because professional protection demands skill, focus, and absolute reliability. This successful formula has worked extremely well for our clients since the company’s inception in 1982.
Top Choice April 2008 » Top Security Guard Services : Intelligarde www.TopChoiceAwards.com64
Leading the evolution of property protectionIn the past, security guards dealt with mischievous kids and drunken trespassers. Today, they often confront gangs, drugs and weapons. A guard merely qualifi ed to “observe and report” is no longer qualifi ed to do the job effectively.
Our guards actually deter crime with their high profi le, uniformed presence. They are also carefully trained to arrest perpetrators and respond effectively to emergencies.
Building the BestIntelligarde’s highly qualifi ed personnel combine rigorous security knowledge with well-honed customer service skills.
Character. We hire individuals who are civic-minded and conscientious.
Learning. Our guards receive ongoing training in health and safety, customer service and law enforcement
Accountability. WiredTime technology measures 100% patrol compliance through live monitoring.
That safety feeling. Your employees, customers, and/or residents will simply feel better and more assured with Intelligarde on the premises.
Comprehensive ServicesSTATIC SITE GUARDS • MOBILE PATROLS• K-9 BOMB DETECTION AND PATROLS• PRIVATE INVESTIGATION• PERSONAL PROTECTION•
Protect with the best. Intelligarde.1-800-387-0000 or 416-760-0000
www.intelligarde.com
AWARDS & ACCOLADES
Appointed Commander of the Order of the Police Forces by the Government of Canada (2003)
Appointed a Member of the Order of Ontario by the Government of Ontario (2004)
Awarded the Commander of the Order of Merit to the Republic of Italy (2002)
30-Year Police Exemplary Service Medal (1999)
Order of St. John (2001)
Recipient of the Queen’s Golden Jubilee Medal
Recipient of the Inter-national Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP) Civil Rights Award in Law Enforcement, Education/Prevention (2002).
Recipient of the Top Choice Award™ for Lead-ership (2005), voted by the ethnic communities of the GTA
MEETTHE
COMMISIONERJULIAN FANTINO
Appointed Commissioner of the Ontario Provincial Police on October 12, 2006 by the provincial Liberal government, Julian Fantino continues to add to his resume in the law enforcement fi eld. Commissioner Fan-tino was born in 1942 in Vendoglio, Italy and immigrated to Canada at the tender age of 11. He began his carreer as an Auxilary Offi cer for the Metro Toronto Police and has worked his way through the ranks in various departments including drug, crime, homicide and detective. He is a natural leader which has earned him many honours, including the 2005 Top Choice Award for Leader of the Year.
Top Choice April 2008 » Top Article : Julian Fantinowww.TopChoiceAwards.com 67
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Proud Recipient of the
Top Choice Award™ For
Music Centre of the Year
80 Bass Pro Mills Drive, Unit 16, Vaughan, On • 905-738-7887 • www.MikesPiano.com
Mason & Hamlin
Steinway & Sons
Heintzman
Yamaha
Kawai
Young Chang
Weber
Kurzweil
Restoration
Refi nishing
Repairs
Tuning
Moving
Rentals
& Piano Disc
Mason & HamlinMason & Hamlin
SALESNEW & USED
RestorationRestoration
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TOP LAWYERMAREK Z. TUFMAN
Cert.D.R., Mgr. Jur., LL.B., LL.M., LL.M.390 Bay St, Ste 1102, Toronto • (416) 360-1689
Top Choice April 2008 » Top Lawyer : Marek Tufmanwww.TopChoiceAwards.com 69
“Advanced Treatments to correct nature’s imperfections”
Dr. William G. Middleton
Top Choice April 2008 » Top Cosmetic Services : Middleton Cosmetic www.TopChoiceAwards.com70
Top Cosmetic Surgery ServiceMIDDLETON COSMETIC SURGERY CENTRE(416) 966-3223 • 120 Spadina Rd. • www.middletoncosmetic.com
DR. William G. Middleton is proud to be the recipient of this year’s Top Choice Award. An ex-pert in the fi eld of cosmetic surgery for over 20 years, Dr. Middleton and the staff of the Middleton Cosmetic Surgery Centre employ a comprehensive approach to patient care by
offering both surgical and non-surgical procedures to both enhance and restore a patient’s appearance. Located in a warm and inviting Victorian brownstone at 120 Spadina Road in Toronto, Dr. Middleton’s friendly, knowledgeable staff instills confi dence, while striving for perfection in their treatments.
Dr. Middleton is a Fellow of the Royal College of Surgeons of Canada, as well as being an assistant professor at the University of Toronto, Faculty of Medicine. He is regularly featured on Style by Jury and Skin Deep where he artfully transforms candidates into jaw-dropping “Wow’s!” with his skill and expertise. His goal is to achieve a natural refreshed look: “Cosmetic surgery that doesn’t leave you looking plastic”.
Dr. Middleton is widely recognized for his outstanding primary and revision rhinoplasties, or ‘nose jobs’. Liposuction for both men and women remains his most popular procedure, having treated thousands of patients over the past two decades. Other surgical specialties include designer face, brow and eye lifts to correct droopy facial skin associated with aging and sun damage. Body contouring, breast aug-mentation and tummy tucks are very popular with women after childbirth and breast feeding, and can greatly improve one’s self-esteem. All surgeries are performed on-site with overnight facilities and complimentary parking available.
The Middleton Cosmetic Clinic contains a state of the art MediSpa offering the latest in non-surgical anti-aging technology. Open Monday through Saturday, it is among the fi rst in the city of Toronto to offer Ultrashape: the only scientifi cally proven means of non-surgically eliminating localized fat deposits. Other MediSpa services include Accent, the next generation of thermal skin tightening for the face and body and fraxenated laser skin peels which effectively eliminate fi ne lines and wrinkles, while refi ning pores and skin texture. Epilite laser hair removal, laser tattoo removal, cellulite treatments, and intense pulsed light photo facials to repair sun damage and broken capillaries are also very popular treatments that aid in maintaining a fresh, youthful looking appearance. Often referred to as ‘lunchtime treatments” MediSpa treatments have little or no down time, and are performed in an hour, allowing the patient to resume normal activities almost immediately.
The Middleton Cosmetic Surgery Centre is one of the premier Bo-tox practices in the City of Toronto. Botox injections are a fast and easy way of achieving a naturally refreshed look by temporarily eliminating the worry lines, crows’ feet, and brow furrows that make an individual look tired and grumpy. Injectable fi llers can be used to fl esh out smile lines and folds, correct acne scars, and augment lips.
For a consultation with Dr. Middleton, call the offi ce at 416-966-3223, and visit www.middletoncosmetic.com for more information on Dr. Middleton and the Centre.
Top Choice April 2008 » Top Cosmetic Services : Middleton Cosmeticwww.TopChoiceAwards.com 71
SERVING ALL OF SOUTHERN ONTARIO, WITH SHOWROOMS IN BARRIE AND NEW MARKET:
BARRIE 556 BRYNE DR., UNIT 7 705 7339600
NEW MARKET 16700 BAYVIEW AVE, UNIT 15 905 8539400
WWW.NORTHERNCOMFORTWINDOWS.COM
Top Choice April 2008 » Top Windows & Doors : Northern Comfort Windows & Doors www.TopChoiceAwards.com72
COMMITMENTNorthern Comfort windows and Doors are committed to providing consumers with the highest level of quality workmanship and service of such excellence that you would, without hesitation, recommend us to your friends, neighbours and relatives. You can be rest assured that your investment in your home is well protected. A satisfi ed customer is our greatest asset.
INSTALLATIONYour window is only as good as the installation. You can have the best window, but if it is not installed right, it won’t be energy effi cient. All of our installers are Window Wise Certifi ed and factory trained. As dedicated crafts people, they take great pride in their work and a job well done. With meticulous attention to detail, they strive to complete each job to your complete satisfaction.
COMMITMENT
your house, into ahome.
Change...
Top Choice April 2008 » Top Windows & Doors : Northern Comfort Windows & Doorswww.TopChoiceAwards.com 73
Recipient of the Top Choice Award
For Top Building Materials Supplier of 2008
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804 Dupont Street(416) 531-2401www.newcanadianslumber.com
New Canadians Lumber Home Building Centre has been serving the lumber and building material
needs in the downtown Toronto area since 1974.
It has always been family-owned and operated, by Jose Gabriel and Rogerio Henriques, currently
employing over 65 employees. Located on the corner of Shaw and Dupont, New Canadians offers
a huge selection of standard and custom-built doors, fl ooring, plumbing, electrical, hardware,
paint, high-end ceramic
tiles, and kitchen &
bath accessories from
all over the world, all at
competitive prices.
We have one of the
largest and most
complete lumberyards
in downtown Toronto
and delivery is always
available, which is why
Toronto’s best contractors
choose to shop at New
Canadians Lumber.
Top Choice April 2008 » Top Building Materials Retailer : New Canadians Lumberwww.TopChoiceAwards.com 75
applianceappliancePREMIER
CENTREx PREVIOUSLY KNOWN AS:
It has only been two years since “Th e Maytag Store” began in 2006, but the business has grown quickly and, due to high demand from its clients, is now expanding with a new name
and more brand name appliance lines. As the newly renamed “Premier Appliance Centre” the store will be bringing in GE, GE Profi le, GE Monogram, Cafe, Bosch, Th ermador, LG and Samsung, in addition to the Maytag, Whirlpool, KitchenAid, Jenn-Air, Amana, Inglis, Roper and Estate lines. Premier also carries Saeco Coff ee Products and Air King Hoods. Th e family owned and operated business off ers its clients corporate services that are next to none! Be sure to drop by the store, located on the south side of Vaughan Mills Mall in the Villages of Vaughan Mills. •
905-532-0673 255 BASS PRO MILLS DR. UNIT #703, BLDG#7VAUGHAN
Top Choice April 2008 » Top Appliance Retailer : Premier Appliance Centre www.TopChoiceAwards.com76
Top Choice April 2008 » Top Appliance Retailer : Premier Appliance Centrewww.TopChoiceAwards.com 77
Venue: Atlantis @ Ontario Place Photographer: Sam Santos/JC Pimentel Photographyue: Atlantis @ Ontatario Placacee PhPhototogograraphpher: S Samam Santotos/JC Pimentel Photogra
Held annually, the Multicultural Top Choice Awards honours businesses and professionals of ethnic origin in the GTA. We would like to thank our Event Pre-senter, New Canadians Lumber, and all of the ethnic and main-stream media who attended. We can’t wait for next year and want everyone to visit WWW.ENTERVOTE.COM and cast their ballot for next year, voting opens on September 1st, 2008.
EVENT SPOTLIGHT : MUTICULTURAL TOP CHOICE AWARDS 2007Hilights from the 2nd Annual Muticultural Top Choice Awards Gala
Carlos Pires, Owner of BairradaKin-man Lee, CEO of Toronto Sun
Car
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aphym Santoos/JC Pimentel Photogra
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Edgar Gabriel, New Canadians Lumber
Samba Brasil Entertainment
Top Choice April 2008 » Top Event Review : Multicultural Top Choice Awards 2007www.TopChoiceAwards.com 79
Top Choice April 2008 » Top Newspaper : Toronto Sun www.TopChoiceAwards.com80
Top Choice April 2008 » Top Newspaper : Toronto Sunwww.TopChoiceAwards.com 81
905.822.9996www.erinmillslimo.com
Thank you!
Top Limousine Services
Erinmills Limousine is honoured to be named
the Top Choice for best limo company. We truly
appreciate your recognition of our services and
look forward to continuing to serve the Greater
Toronto Area with great vehicles and professional
drivers. Our mission has always been to provide
an extra special transportation experience for
each of our guests, no matter the frequency of
their visits. We thank our clients for voting for us
as the Top Choice for best limo company and are
proud to serve the community.
Top Choice April 2008 » Top Limousine Services : Erin Mills Limousine www.TopChoiceAwards.com84
305 Iroquois Ave. | Mississauga, On L5G 1M8Tel: (905) 278-7800 | Fax: (905) 278-7855
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TRICAN MASONRY IS ONCE AGAIN
THE PROUD RECIPIENT OF THE
TOP CHOICE AWARD FOR MASONRY
COMPANY OF THE YEAR. THANK
YOU TO OUR VALUED CLIENTS.
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Tia Emilia, this seat’s for you.An interview with 41 years of experience in “food from the heart.
Let us know a little about your business experience?
Before opening Torreense Restaurant in Toronto, I opened my own restaurant at the age of 19 years old in Portugal. Today I make sure that I go back, to Portugal to visit my roots and realize how much I have learned since then.
How long have you been serving the community?
I have had this location on Dundas [2066 Dundas St W] for over 9 years, serving mainly the Portuguese Community. However in the recent years “Torreense” has become a destination for people of all cultures who wish to experience honest Portuguese cuisine.
What are your most famous meals?
Our most famous entrées are “Carne Alentejana”, “Bife a Casa”, and last but not least our seafood platter.
Every 12th of November Tia Emila celebrates her existence, she is now 60 years old. When we asked her what the secret ingredient was at Torreense, she replied, with a tear rolling down her face, “LOVE is the best ingredient that I put into my cooking.”
What plans does she have for the future?
Passing the business to someone she loves or selling are options, BUT when her 41 years (and counting) of cooking are over, her mission will dedicated to the elderly. She wants to befriend those in need, helping them smile during the last days of their lives.
Tia(Aunt) Emilia is the head cook and owner of Torreense Restaurant on 2066 Dundas St W. We sat down with her to learn more about her devotion to her work.
Top Portuguese Restaurant in the GTA
Torreense Restaurant2066 Dundas St W • 416.534.7354
TA
Running a business is like training an athlete for competition. Like an athlete, you must train daily to ensure that your business can remain competitive. The demands are physical, mental and spiritual and it takes true leadership to make it all come together.
Top Choice has some secret exercises that we use daily and we’re going to share them with you, so get your business ready to “feel the burn”.
Like all forms of exercise, you won’t see results if you don’t believe in the process. Before practicing these tech-niques you must believe that they will work, which brings us back to the “Law of Attraction”. Th is law is as real as gravity; what goes up must come down... what you put into the universe must come back. If you think success-ful thoughts and surround yourself with successful peo-ple, you will build successful relationships and become a successful person. It’s a two-way street though; the same goes for your negative thoughts and actions, like it or not!
At Top Choice Awards we focus on positive en-ergy. That’s why we identify and recommend the top businesses and professionals; we’re mak-ing it easy for consumers to enjoy positive expe-riences for all of their product and service needs.
OUR TOP 3 EXERCISES:
EXERCISE # 1:MOTIVATE
Motivate yourself daily. You are the only one responsible for this action, so every morning (before you do anything else!) wake up and take 2 minutes of your time to go outside, take a deep breath and say “Today is going to be a great day!” Th e results? A great day, guaranteed!
WHY IT WORKS It is called “Th e Law of Attraction”, which states that our thoughts directly infl uence the universe and, from our own experience, it really works... try it! When you think about a great day you attract a great day.
EXERCISE # 2:BE GRATEFUL
Be grateful. Always give thanks for what you already have. Gratitude is one of the most powerful emotions you can off er; use it to bring good things into your life in absolute abundance. No matter who you are or where you’re from, gratitude can dissolve all negativity in your life... no matter what form it has taken!
WHY IT WORKS Focusing on what you have, rather than what you’re missing, results in a healthier mentality and reduced stress. Reduced stress equals in-creased productivity and the eff ects on your business will be noticed immediately.
EXERCISE # 3:ACHIEVE
Look for an award competition and win it! Without bias, awards really do work! No matter what award you have, use it to your advantage daily; create media and public aware-ness that you are one of the most sought-after and trusted entities in your fi eld of work. By promoting your award you will promote your business, with the added benefi t of a third party stating that you are the best rather than you saying it yourself.
WHY IT WORKS Awards are trusted because they are bestowed by a third party. Every-one can say that are they best, but awards prove it!
FFFEATUUURRREEEEE :FEATURE : ISSS YYYYOOOOUUUR BBUUUUUUSSSSSINEEEEEESSSSSS INNN SHHHAAAAAPPPEEEE??IS YOUR BUSINESS IN SHAPE?FEATURE : IS YOUR BUSINESS IN SHAPE?How do you plan to stay competitive? Try these business excercises on for size.
Contains excripts from books “Th e Law of Attraction” and “Th e Secret”
At 1 Stop Residential Solutions our one and only goal is customer satisfaction. With over 40 years of experience serving the residential market, our couteous staff
provides you with all the answers you need to determine what’s right for you.
1 Stop Residential Solutions can even help you build your ownCUSTOM dream home!
