The Oil Man

Age: 55
Company: Bluewave Energy L.P., Dartmouth, N.S.
Business: Petroleum Distribution
2008 EOY Category: Emerging Entrepreneur

The oil business, with all its volatility and often bad-guy image, seems like one industry any entrepreneur would think twice about joining. Especially one who genuinely likes people and values building professional and personal relationships. But Bill Sanford was born to sell oil. At age 24 he entered the industry as an assistant terminal manager at Imperial Oil’s Dartmouth, N.S., facility. Thirty-one years later, Sanford is running the largest independent petroleum-delivery company in the nation.

After five years with Emera Inc., where he developed that company’s fuel-distribution subsidiary, Sanford realized the industry was changing, and the major oil companies—including the one he was working for—would soon be focusing more on drilling and refining and less on customer service. So in 2005 he led his management team in a buy-out of Emera Fuels and created Bluewave Energy; the company soon expanded when it bought most of Shell Canada’s petroleum-delivery business.

Within two years Bluewave has grown from 100 to 350 employees, opened 55 branch offices across the country, and increased revenue from $100 million to $800 million. And Sanford isn’t finished selling his oil: He now envisions doubling the size of the company by 2010 and becoming one of the top two in North America.

Entrepreneurial Style

Defining moment: Completing the acquisition of Emera Fuels.
Biggest triumph: Becoming a significant player in our chosen industry.
Biggest mistake: Not acquiring ownership earlier.
Best thing about doing business here: Available human resources.
The toughest: The region’s business opportunity is relatively small.
Business mentor: Allan Bezanson of Osprey Capital in Toronto.
Developing an entrepreneurial culture: We need to build it into the education system.
Entrepreneurship should be taught: In Grade 9.
Progress is: A growing, motivated workforce that understands, believes in, and supports the corporate goals and culture.
How I’ve changed over the years: I’m now a better judge of real opportunity.
Regrets: I lost a business partner to a heart attack several years ago. He would have thrived on our success.

Personally Speaking

As a kid I wanted to be: A Mountie.
Personality type: Outgoing.
Best strength: A genuine liking of people.
Weakness: Detail planning.
First job: Paperboy.
I’m reading: The Race by Richard North Patterson.
Spare time: I spend as much time with my grown family as possible. I also play hockey and run.
My ride: GMC Acadia.
Most treasured possession: A large family photo.
Never leave home without: A hug from my wife.
In the movie of my life I’d be played by: A cowboy with a nice horse.
Words to live by: Don’t fuss the small stuff.

For more profiles on our other Entrepreneur's of the Year please following the links below

Click here for George Armoyan
Click here for Wadih Fares
Click here for Curtis Howe
Click here for Harvey Stewart
Click here for Greg Roberts
Click here for Irving Schwartz