Speaker

Dragon on CBC’s ‘Dragons’ Den’, Beer Baroness, Investor

“This award is so meaningful to me because it comes from my fellow South Asians. I feel deeply privileged to do what I love every day and to have the ability due to my success, to help others by investing in them and their businesses, mentoring, and the philanthropy. Thank you for this honor, I look forward to celebrating together.”

Manjit Minhas, of Minhas Breweries, is recognized as the reigning beer baroness of Canada. However, her ownership extends beyond beer as, along with her brother, co-owner Ravinder Minhas, she is responsible for over 160 varieties of beer and 90 spirits and wines sold in Canada in Ontario, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba and British Columbia, as well as in 43 states in the United States and 15 other countries in Europe, Asia and South America.

This ambitious and trailblazing native from Calgary, Alberta is recognized as being in the top 10 brewers in the world and her successes continually grows and thrives. If she looks familiar to you it’s because she is also a Dragon on the popular CBC series Dragon’s Den, where she critiques pitches from budding entrepreneurs to support their emerging businesses.

Minhas’s journey began at the age of 19 when she launched her own beer with her brother and business partner. Hard work and risk-taking was very much part of building her co-owned and operated brand which began with fundraising $10,000 CDN and a desire to motivate other young, ethnic entrepreneurs to pursue their own dreams, particularly women.

This determination to reduce barriers and demonstrate an example of a strong, independent and driven female entrepreneur has led her to achieve what most only dream of by the age of 38.

Early in her career she received the Young Achiever Award from the Indo-Canadian Chamber of Commerce and was named up-and-coming CEO by the National Post. In 2011, she was recognized by Ernst and Young as an Entrepreneur of The Year finalist and by Chatelaine magazine as the Top Entrepreneur Woman. More recently, she’s been recognized as one of the Top 100 Female Entrepreneurs in Canada, Canada’s Women Executive Network Top 100 Women Entrepreneurs and Calgary’s Top 40 Under 40.

This is no surprise as she has been a key driver in growing the business into a group of companies earning over $155 million CDN in annual revenue. Minhas is recognized as an expert in brand management, sales, and retail negotiations and many are eager to learn from her, making her an in-demand speaker at events throughout North America.

Minhas’s unprecedented success demolishes stereotypes, demands respect from her competitors and, as a result, she has helped to clear a path for female entrepreneurs of every age and race to pursue their entrepreneurial dreams and believe in attaining great success.

Manjit Minhas was recognized in the Sexy & Successful List 2009 and The ANOKHI List 2016.

PHOTO CREDIT

Courtesy of Manjit Minhas