Saskatoon Land Development Mogul to Be Featured in Documentary Series
Posted on June 15, 2018 in News Release
NEWS RELEASE – FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Saskatoon, SK – After another successful year, the NSBA unveiled the star for the fourth installment of the business association’s Annual Popcorn and Entrepreneurship Series, presented by EY. The 4th annual event will see Ken Achs, President and CEO of Mid-West Group of Companies as the star of the NSBA-produced mini-documentary, to be premiered later this summer at Remai Arts Centre in Saskatoon.
“We’re really excited about this years’ addition to our current documentary series.” says Keith Moen, Executive Director of the NSBA. “Ken Achs is the epitome of a Saskatchewan entrepreneur, someone who’s humble, hard-working, and of course, driven.”
The short documentary, entitled Driven, largely features the success-story of automotive shop owner-turned-land developer Ken Achs. Someone whose business started in Saskatoon which now spreads across North America in cities such as Edmonton, Vancouver, Seattle, Southern California, and Phoenix.
“When I was starting out, if someone had asked me if I ever thought my business would be successful enough one day to perhaps inspire other people by making a documentary film out of it, I would’ve thought they were dreaming. I was so focused on working hard and doing the best job I could. Failure was not an option for me because from a practical standpoint I had to pay the bills. I suppose there was more underneath that made failure not an option, which I guess began with driving race cars, but I never had time to think about that, just like I never had time to think about if I had become successful. I suppose nothing has really changed, except that now I’m pretty sure I can pay bills.
I have always found a great sense of satisfaction that comes from a job well done. It’s reality that you need to make money to be able to stay in business but the sense of accomplishment for me has never really been measured by the money. There is just nothing that feels as good as knowing you can be proud of what you did. It’s a feeling that never gets old.
In just a few years, the NSBA has made such a huge success of “Popcorn and Entrepreneurship“. Colleen and I have attended every year in what I believe has become the most prestigious business honour in the province; something I felt before I ever dreamed this honour would happen for me. I have been moved by the stories of the incredible people profiled. To think that I came from where I did and will now be recognized as one of them is humbling. It was a surprise for me. In fact, I didn’t even know this was happening until it was well underway. The people close to me, knowing what I’m like, thought it was better that way, and they were probably right. It will be an unusual feeling to look up at the big screen at the event this year and know that this time the story is about me, but if it helps inspire someone who wonders if they have it in them to become successful, that will be the icing on the cake.”
The film’s screening will take place at a red-carpet premiere on August 29, 2018 at Remai Arts Centre, in Saskatoon. The movie was produced by Saskatoon-based Bamboo Shoots, with the NSBA serving as Executive Producer. In addition to the film premiere, the evening also features a lively pre-party, Red Carpet Walk, networking and short program including an interview with Ken Achs by CKOM’s Brent Loucks, who is the MC for the evening.
“We’ve got lots of surprises in store to make this year’s event even bigger and better” adds Moen. “That’s really saying something, given the reaction from most people last year, which was that we blew them away with every aspect of the evening. It’s going to be a great night.”
Last year’s event sold out and organizers are expecting demand to be even higher this time around. Tickets are currently on sale and can be purchased through the NSBA office, or online at www.nsbasask.com. Be sure to get your tickets soon, as this event has limited tickets available.
The 4th Annual Popcorn and Entrepreneurship Series video trailer Driven – The Ken Achs Story can be viewed here.
Enjoy!
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For more information:
The NSBA is a member-driven and focused business association in Saskatoon that serves, promotes and protects business throughout Saskatoon and beyond. The NSBA has recently rebranded to be known simply by its acronym – NSBA – to reflect its current membership which has grown considerably beyond Saskatoon’s north end. The NSBA has developed its mandate and reputation by being a relevant, topical and effective organization that interacts with all levels of government and industry on a variety of issues for the betterment of our local economy.
Keith Moen Lara Thompson
Executive Director Events Coordinator
NSBA NSBA
(306) 242-3060 (306) 242-2543