One afternoon earlier in the month, the publisher of Women’s Post burst into my cubbyhole at the office, cornered me at my desk and proceeded to describe a woman I absolutely had to get to know. There are many people I need to get to know, according to Sarah Thomson. “So, what’s special about this person?” I responded. Still hyped, Sarah told me to look up Brenda Bot and then get back to her. “I think you’ll like her story.”
It turns out that I do like her story. Brenda Bot made a huge lifestyle change, and gained a whole new business along the way, not to mention one very cool motorbike.
Brenda Bot is president of Salad Creations Canada. She and her daughter Jenna dined in a Salad Creations franchise in Florida while on holiday and liked the concept so much, Brenda initiated contract discussions to develop Salad Creations in Ontario. To overcome supply chain issues and regulatory obstacles, Brenda ended up acquiring the development rights for Salad Creations nationally, in December 2008, and now has a country-wide entity on her hands. By this past spring, her flagship location on Yonge Street in Toronto was up and running and Brenda is now working full-steam ahead on establishing franchises in cities across the nation. Three more are set to open before the end of 2009 – a second location in downtown Toronto at 150 King Street West, one in Erin Mills, and the other in Bramalea.
Brenda grew up in Sudbury. As with many entrepreneurs, her parents were business people and she worked alongside them from an early age. She is the owner of a property management company named after her grandmother Madeleine; she’s also a part owner of a construction company which was incorporated in 1992. She is still actively involved with both operations. Given her success with construction and with restoring and leasing properties, why sell salads?
Brenda tells me that her interest in healthier dining options came about roughly two years ago. She had lost 140 pounds and the fresh alternative to fast food, combined with the obvious nutritional value that Salad Creations offered appealed to her. After acquiring the rights to Salad Creations, she developed a domestic supply chain and then began to rebrand the business’ image to better reflect the Canadian marketplace.
With the successful rebranding and official launch of Salad Creations in Toronto, Salad Creations Canada received two national awards through the Canadian Franchise Association this May. At Brenda’s Yonge Street location, salads are built in a manner similar to a sandwich being created at a sub shop. “If people are provided a healthy dining choice, they will take it,” says Brenda.
“When I was losing weight, I never aimed for a set goal, choosing to lose weight until I reached a point where I could maintain my healthy lifestyle,” Brenda explains. “I think women are too caught up in body image… people get stuck in a place where they cannot move when they become overweight. I think people want to lose excess weight but cannot do so without educating themselves about healthier choices.”
I asked Brenda how she was able to make her lifestyle choices work over the long run. She said: “I started with one simple, healthier change. Then I added walking regularly for exercise, followed by the addition of more healthy choices. I chose healthier options in eating, without depriving myself of food, and added a variety of simple exercises to my weekly routine.” Perseverance in undertaking tasks and meeting her goals has been key to ensuring Brenda Bot’s success personally and in business. “Set your goals, have a passion for all you do, and shoot for the impossible,” Brenda advises me. “I go on instinct and I believe nothing is impossible if you set your mind to it.”
And the additional benefits of leading a healthier life? “Losing the weight has unleashed a whole new side of me,” enthuses Brenda. “I have a Suzuki C50T; it weighs 547 pounds and it has 800 ccs. I have a pink Suzuki motorcycle jacket that says ‘Ya, it is mine.’ I have a pink helmet, too!” Brenda got her motorcycle license two years ago, and loves it. Cool bike, cool story.
Magazine Story: Our Client Brenda Bot, President Of Salad Creations Canada was Named Woman of The Week by Women’s Post Magazine
Woman of the Week, December 7, 2009: Brenda Bot
by Aleksandra Hernandez
“She’s been training for this job since she was four,” says the proud mother of Brenda Bot, while watching her daughter and crew work. Bot is the Master Developer and President of Salad Creations Canada and she was busy getting the new location ready for it’s VIP opening event.
Bot walked up the red carpet with her hair in a fabulous up-do, dressed in a chain detailed halter top and billowy pants– a complete contrast to the bright new Salad Creations location. Decorated using vibrant greens and yellows – with a tomato wearing sunglasses motif, Salad Creations offered up a fun and sophisticated environment for guests looking for healthier food alternatives.
A recent convert to a healthier lifestyle, Bot has adapted a whole new way of thinking. “I had been overweight for years and one day I decided enough was enough,” says Bot. She turned to a healthier lifestyle and this meant more salad and greens in her diet.
The idea to open Salad Creations in Canada was born during a trip to Florida, where Bot’s 24-year-old daughter, Jenna, first saw the restaurant in action. Jenna enthusiastically described the concept to her mother.
“When dining out, everywhere I went had limited healthy options to choose from. How refreshing it was that at Salad Creations, I could make up my own salad and still stay on my plan of losing weight,” says Bot. “I lost about 140 pounds and haven’t looked back since.”
Bot saw a business opportunity and revamped the US concept to cater to what she believes is a more health conscious demographic in Canada.
“It’s sweeter in the US. Americans like fountain drinks. Canadians prefer juice, Perrier, water, but we also carry some pop,” says Bot. “Food costs are also higher in Canada, especially our cheese and poultry. The smaller portions of cheese reflect a more health conscious Canadian demographic.”
I took a moment to look around, to get a good feel for the restaurant, and it quickly became apparent that the fresh, fast, high-energy concept offers a perfect alternative to the standard fast food restaurants available in Canada.
“I would love to bring Salad Creations to Sudbury, my home town. And when I do, they’ll be some changes. I want the restaurant to be more of a sit-down place, better suited to the slower pace of a small town,” admits Bot.
“A lot of children are obese. I want them to come in here and teach them about healthier eating choices. I want to educate kids on healthy eating habits,” says a determined Ms. Bot, as she handed me a cookie lollipop of a happy tomato wearing sunglasses.
In fact, everything about Salad Creations spells healthy and fun, including last years’ Reindeer salads named after all the reindeer and Santa Claus. “Children don’t know they are eating a salad!” remarks Bot who by this point had warmed up plenty of giggles.
The focus since then has been to offer a Salad Creations experience to guests. “Music, free Internet, daily newspapers, daily magazines,” says Bot. “I want to offer our guests a place where they can have some quiet time – some time to themselves,”
Bot may not be on the heavy side anymore, but her 547-pound Suzuki C50T motorcycle sure is. “That’s how I do stress. I like to do simple things like ride up North, to the woods. I have a pink helmet and pink jacket – I’m definitely not one of those tough biker chicks.”
