Sue Adams, Bevendale Enterprises, The Grocery Store & Delish Café and Catering, The Pemberton Valley Supermarket

For many British Columbians, owning one small business would fulfill a life-long dream. Sue Adams has fulfilled that dream six times over and she is still going strong.

Residents and visitors to the Lower Mainland may be familiar with at least one of the businesses Sue has owned or co-owned and operated since the early 1970s: from the Pyrogy House which she managed in New Westminster, to the Amorous Oyster and Contented Sole restaurants, and Culinary Capers Catering in Vancouver. 

The most recent chapter in the life of Sue and her husband/business partner Bob began when they moved to Whistler in 1988 where they purchased The Grocery Store and started Delish Café & Catering. Sales doubled every year for the first three years and in 1998, they opened The Pemberton Valley Supermarket as well. The couple has earned a number of Diamond and Platinum Awards for Business Excellence from the Canadian Federation of Independent Groceries.

Sue has devoted significant time throughout her career to mentoring and inspiring others in the development of their own small businesses. "When I see young women struggle early in their careers, it often seems to relate to a lack of confidence," she says. "A turning point for me was when I realized the power of networking and what can be accomplished when you become actively involved in an organization." 

In 1999, she started Women of Whistler (WOW) which has an active group of approximately 150 women who attend events throughout the year. She feels she has benefited greatly from her many board appointments and affiliations, particularly the nine years she spent as a Director and Vice Chair and now Chair of the North Shore Credit Union, and six years as Chair of the Vancouver Playhouse and International Wine Festival.  

The 2007 Business in Vancouver Woman of Influence Award was the most recent recognition of Sue's strong leadership skills and passion for whatever she is doing.   "Whether I am operating a restaurant or a business organization, I want it to be the best, most wholesome entity it can be," she says. "True satisfaction for me comes from lifelong learning - helping others learn and growing myself at the same time."

"Career satisfaction is more about personal growth than tangible success."

"A turning point for me was when I realized the power of networking."

Current Community and Volunteer Involvement:

• Founder and Past Chair, Women of Whistler Business Network
• Director and currently Board Chair, North Shore Credit Union
• Immediate Past Chair and Board member Vancouver Playhouse International Wine Festival,
• Member Board of Governors Playhouse Theatre, Currently Vice
• Member BC Round Table for Small Business
• Chair Whistler Healthcare Foundation Fundraising Committee (Indulge)
• MYMP Board member since January 2007, currently Board Chair
• Corporate sponsor of Whistler Arts Council, Whistler Theatre Project, Whistler Centre Business and Arts and many community events.

Recipient 2001 Whistler Chamber of Commerce Business Person of the Year

Recipient Business in Vancouver Influential Women in Business 2007

Recipient WAC Business and the Arts Award 2009

Recipient of Canadian Federation Independent Grocers Life Member Designation 2009