Business in Calgary Magazine
July 2009

You can’t win if you don’t play. A willingness to take risks when others think you’re crazy is a sign of a leader, albeit highly calculated.

Keeping it simple has given Roger Jewett the ability to stay on track when the competition gets distracted and unnecessarily complex. A year-and-a-half ago he left his post as CEO of Rare Method to join Cathy Proulx’s Twist Marketing and became a 50 per cent partner in January.

In the next five years, he plans on taking the company to become one of the top five marketing firms in Alberta with revenues exceeding $410 million and 100 employees. “We will be recognized as the go-to firm for destination marketing and employer marketing services,” he says.

After years in university and the chartered accounting program, Jewett’s passion for learning continues through his passion for reading and soaking up information. Building a great workplace requires knowledge and skill – it’s another passion of Jewett’s. “I always view 100 per cent of my employees as my peers and do my best to ask for, listen to and implement their ideas,” he says. OK, there’s always room for improvement, but attracting and retaining the best people is paramount to being a successful entrepreneur and leader.

He’s learned that your customers will do your marketing for you if you treat them right. Decisions cannot be delayed because they’re unpopular or difficult. Growing sales without making a profit is a short road to financial difficulty. These are all valuable lessons that young entrepreneurs should heed. Leaders have the faith, courage and energy to pursue their vision against difficult odds. “Everyone has the ability to be a leader and to make change happen,” says Jewett. “They just need to recognize the opportunities in front of them.”

Download a PDF of the entire article in Business in Calgary.