At 2025 Acadian Entrepreneurs’ Gala
ABRAM-VILLAGE – March 23, 2025 – The Acadian and Francophone Chamber of Commerce of PEI recognized and rewarded six Island francophone businesses and individuals with well-deserved awards during the 23rd edition of its Acadian Entrepreneurs’ Gala in Abram-Village on March 22.
Award winners were :
• 2025 Business of Excellence Award: Island Portable Buildings (Robert Poirier), St. Raphael;
• 2025 Distinguished Employee Award: Tammy Strongman (La Coopérative Le Chez-Nous), Wellington;
• 2025 Social Economy Business Award: Abram-Village Handcraft Co-operative, Village, Abram-Village;
• 2024 Annual IMPACT DD Recognition Award: Famous Peppers (David Mitchell), Montague and Charlottetown;
• 2024 Young Millionaires Dedication Award: Sweet Scents (Jaylynn Perry and Sarah Wagner), Evangeline region;
• 2024 Francophone Young Millionaires of the Year Award: M&L Company (Mark and Lutchina Nakhleh), Charlottetown.
High in color and ceremony, CCAFLIPE’s largest entrepreneurial recognition evening of the year attracted some 145 people, including families, employees and friends of the finalists and winners. Also in attendance were various sponsors, partners and entrepreneurial members of Acadian Chamber of Commerce and its parent organization, RDÉE Prince Edward Island. The evening also included the induction of four deserving people into the PEI Acadian and Francophone Business Hall of Fame.
“Tonight, we honor several businesses, entrepreneurs and businesspeople not only for their magnificent services and products, but also for their tireless dedication to their communities. They are all outstanding role models and examples to follow, especially for the younger generation who will follow in their footsteps,” said Chamber spokesperson Janine Arsenault in her welcoming remarks.
“We’d love to be able to present a trophy to all the finalists, since they’re all so deserving! But whether you leave tonight with a trophy or not, rest assured that we have the utmost respect for all that you accomplish economically and for all that you do as members of our Acadian and francophone Island community.”
PHOTO: From left, Janine Arsenault, spokesperson for the Acadian and Francophone Chamber of Commerce of PEI, congratulates the winners of the regular awards presented during the 2025 Acadian Entrepreneurs’ Gala on March 22. They are Tammy Strongman, resident care team leader at Le Chez-Nous Co-operative, winner of the 2025 Distinguished Employee Award; Yvette Arsenault, president of the Abram-Village Handcraft Co-op, winner of the 2025 Social Economy Business Award; David Mitchell, general manager of Famous Peppers Inc., winner of the 2024 Annual IMPACT DD Award of Recognition for PEI; and Robert Poirier, owner of Island Portable Buildings, winner of the 2025 Award of Excellence.
WINNER BIOGRAPHIES
2025 BUSINESS OF EXCELLENCE AWARD
Island Portable Buildings (Robert Poirier)
Founded by Robert Poirier in 1999, Island Portable Buildings is an innovative business specializing in the construction of portable sheds and storage units. Initially launched as a complement to his roofing business, Acadian Roofing, the business quickly evolved into a full-fledged enterprise, now producing over 100 portable buildings a year. With a team of 10 employees, four of whom are full-time, Island Portable Buildings stands out for its commitment to quality and its ability to meet the varied needs of its customers. It offers a wide range of shed styles, custom builds and a delivery service. Highly involved in its community, Island Portable Buildings has organized events like Shed Fest, supporting local causes like Camp Phoenix and Special Olympics PEI. It also built Summerside’s community fridge building free of charge. Other finalists in the category were Distinct Magic Events (Solange Aké) of Stratford and Pho-Arts Visual Images and Designs (Léona Arsenault) of Abram-Village.
PHOTO: Robert Poirier, owner of Island Portable Buildings, received his 2025 Business of Excellence trophy from the award’s official sponsor, Robert Arsenault of Urbainville Farms, and Acadian Chamber of Commerce spokesperson Janine Arsenault.
2025 DISTINGUISHED EMPLOYEE AWARD
Tammy Strongman, La Coopérative Le Chez-Nous Ltée
An employee of La Coopérative Le Chez-Nous for 11 years, Tammy Strongman began her employment as a resident care attendant and eventually became a team leader. Tammy is always ready to learn new skills and improve her abilities. At work, she is able to interact very well with residents. In addition to resident care, Tammy handles assessments, doctor’s appointments, resident medications, staff schedules and supervision of 14 staff members. Tammy is always available to help other employees with special projects, such as annual holiday celebrations, activities, student visits, welcoming interns, integrating immigrants into her team, visiting dignitaries and partners, and more. Tammy says her work is different every day, and that she feels like she’s part of a big family. Other finalists in the category were Andréa Deveau, executive director of the Conseil acadien de Rustico, and Nathalie Malo, human resources manager for the French Language School Board.
PHOTO: Tammy Strongman, center, resident care team leader at La Coopérative Le Chez-Nous, won the 2025 Distinguished Employee Award at the March 22 Acadian Entrepreneurs’ Gala. She received her trophy from Janine Arsenault, spokesperson for the Acadian Chamber of Commerce, and Stéphane Blanchard, general manager of RDÉE PEI, who represented the award’s official sponsor, Solution Succession.
2025 SOCIAL ECONOMY BUSINESS AWARD
Abram-Village Handcraft Co-op
Founded in 1967 by Joséphine and Anne-Marie Arsenault of the Évangeline region, La Coopérative d’artisanat d’Abram-Village (Abram-Village Handcraft Co-op) is a one-of-a-kind institution on the Island. It provides an exceptional platform for local artisans to showcase and sell to visitors their beautiful creations, such as quilts, woodworking, embroidery, crochet, knitting, weaving and painting. Today, the Co-op boasts some 60 active members using both modern and traditional crafting methods. The boutique, open from May to September, is also the gathering place for the “Les Doigts magiques” group of artisans. The co-operative is run by a volunteer board of directors and two seasonal employees. Winner of several awards, including 2013 Co-op of the Year, it is proud to be the only boutique on the Island to offer exclusively handmade artisanal pieces.
PHOTO: At the presentation of the 2025 Social Economy Business Award to the Abram-Village Handcraft Co-op, from left are Janine Arsenault, spokesperson for the Acadian Chamber of Commerce; Robert Maddix, representing sponsor Clientis, who presented the certificate; vice-president Carmella Richard and president Yvette Arsenault of the handcraft co-op; and trophy presenters Gilles Arsenault, Minister of Environment, Energy and Climate Action, and Mathieu Foran, official representative of sponsor Innovation PEI.
2024 ANNUAL IMPACT DD RECOGNITION AWARD
Famous Peppers Inc. (David Mitchell)
Founded in 2003, Famous Peppers Inc. is a family business employing 60 people. Run by David Mitchell and Chris MacCormack, it operates several establishments: Famous Peppers Pizza in Montague and Charlottetown, Crafter’s Smokehouse in Montague and Khoaw Pon Authentic Thai in Stratford. During the tourist season, the business also runs Hooked at Bogside seafood restaurant in Montague and Twisted Tacos in Charlottetown. Pathfinder Foods, its catering and cafeteria service, serves several schools and government offices. The company places sustainability at the heart of its operations. It has replaced all its lighting with energy-efficient LED systems and integrated remotely programmed heating controls, thereby reducing energy consumption. It modernized a 3,500 sq. ft. warehouse, reducing internal product movements by 60%. Its school meal program uses compostable containers, eliminating 200,000 single-use plastic containers per year.
PHOTO: David Mitchell, general manager of Famous Peppers Inc., was named winner of the annual PEI IMPACT DD Recognition Award for 2024 during the 2025 Entrepreneurs’ Gala. He received his certificate from Sebastian Vargas, RDÉE PEI’s economic development manager, and his trophy from Florian Enjalbal, RDÉE PEI’s manager responsible for the IMPACT DD project, who sponsored the award.
2024 YOUNG MILLIONAIRES’ DEDICATION AWARD
Sweet Scents (Jaylynn Perry and Sarah Wagner)
Evangeline area residents Jaylynn Perry and Sarah Wagner founded Sweet Scents, a company specializing in candles with refreshing scents, some with Acadian colors. Their products, featuring 12 fragrances, were sold at various festivals, such as the Evangeline Area’s Acadian Festival, and venues, such as Wellington Co-op, during the summer of 2024. They generated a total of $400 in profits. Their favorite moments? The training offered by the Young Millionaires program, the feeling of independence in making entrepreneurial decisions and, above all, the irresistible scents in their kitchen during the manufacturing process, reflecting their creativity and passion for craftsmanship.
PHOTO: Business partners Sarah Wagner and Jaylynn Perry from the company Sweet Scents won medals for the 2024 Young Millionaires Dedication Award. They are pictured with medal presenters Stéphane Blanchard, left, general manager of RDÉE PEI, representing sponsor Front Gate Financial Group, and Denis Duchesne, host of the program Votre samedi, representing sponsor Radio-Canada Acadie.
2024 FRANCOPHONE YOUNG MILLIONAIRES OF THE YEAR AWARD
M & L Company (Mark Et Lutchina Nakhleh)
Mark and Lutchina Nakhleh, a passionate brother-and-sister duo from the Charlottetown area, run M&L Company, a highly creative artisanal business. They produce a wide variety of products, from bracelets to birdhouses, which their father helps build and which they paint with care. They have sold their creations several times at the Charlottetown Farmers’ Market, where their first customer also became their last customer at the end of the season. This is a true testament to customer satisfaction. With $1,000 in profits, Mark and Lutchina are saving money for their future college education, as well as sending some to their family in Syria.
PHOTO: Young sister-and-brother duo Lutchina and Mark Nakhleh of M&L Company have won the 2024 Francophone Young Millionaires of the Year Award. They received their trophies from Stéphane Blanchard, left, general manager of RDÉE Prince Edward Island, representing sponsor Front Gate Financial Group, and Denis Duchesne, host of the program Votre samedi, representing sponsor Radio-Canada Acadie.
FINALISTS
PHOTO: CBDC Central PEI was a Gold-level co-sponsor of the 2025 Distinguished Employee Award at the March 22 Acadian Entrepreneurs’ Gala. CBDC Economic Development Officer Erika Naruzawa (second from right) presented finalist certificates to, from left, Nathalie Malo of the French Language School Board (represented by board vice-president Stéphane Blanchard), Andréa Deveau of the Conseil acadien de Rustico and Tammy Strongman of La Coopérative Le Chez-Nous.
PHOTO: The Baie Acadienne Development Corporation, represented by its president Desmond Arsenault, right, was proud to co-sponsor the 2025 Business of Excellence Award at this year’s Gala. He had the privilege of presenting finalist certificates to, from left, Solange Aké of Distinct Magic Events, Robert Poirier of Island Portable Buildings and Léona Arsenault of Pho-Arts Visual Images and Designs.
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For more information, please contact:
Alecia Arsenault
Coordinator
2025 Acadian Entrepreneurs’ Gala
Acadian and Francophone Chamber of Commerce of PEI
alecia@rdeeipe.org
902-432-2026