Sarah Kaplan, president, Rainbow Foods

June 26, 2018

Editor's Note

Each year, OBJ and the Ottawa Chamber of Commerce choose 40 of the region’s top young entrepreneurs and business executives and recognize them for their professional achievements, expertise and community service.

In these profiles, OBJ highlights some of this year’s recipients – their impressive accomplishments, what drives them and how they like to spend their downtime away from the business world.

See the full list of recipient profiles here and be sure to check out OBJ’s coverage of the 2018 gala here.

Birthplace: Kingston

Company: Natural health products retailer

Education: Graduate certificate, advanced law enforcement and investigations, Durham College School of Justice and Emergency Services (2011)

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Charitable involvement: Health First Network

Biggest biz achievement: Best Ottawa Business Award for Best Performance Sustainability

Biggest obstacle: Taking over the ownership and operation of a 35-year-old business.

Biggest influence: My husband and partner, Mischa. He is confident, hard-working and consistently strives to be a better partner, husband and father.

Biggest lesson learned: Not everyone adapts well to change. There are very few opportunities in life to learn how to be a good change manager. Most of the knowledge I’ve gained in this area has been a trial by fire.

First job: Delivering the local newspaper

Advice I’d give the younger me: Slow down and work hard.

What’s left to do: Continue growing my knowledge (of parenting, business and life) and inspire and teach our girls kindness, courage, resilience and honesty.

Favourite pastimes: Spending time with my three girls and husband and travelling

I’m currently reading: Kids’ books – a lot of them.

Favourite movie: The Killing (TV)

Favourite song: Helpless by Neil Young

Favourite local pro sports team: Ottawa Senators

Favourite local summer event: Canada Day

Preferred social media platforms: Twitter, Facebook, Linkedin, Instagram

Twitter handle: @sarahkaplan15