Cashen Tighe, Boreal Tree Service
“YOUNG ENTREPRENEUR” AWARD
Exemplifying leadership and vision in the community through raw work ethic is his mantra. In 2018, at the age of 21, he bought a truck and employed his retired dad to start his business. By 2023, the company had grown into a million-dollar business with 8 employees and 8 trucks and chippers. He says, “Hard work, dedication, and simply being nice to people are the tools needed to be successful.”
“Create a career paying wage for someone that deserves it, and the rest will follow.” This is a quote he came up with when he first started, as he strongly believes a happy employee plays the biggest part in the success of a business. In his industry, his company has the highest wages in North America.
Closing down in Covid, he kept his employees on the payroll. He exemplifies leadership to his employees by action, constantly available to their wants and needs and always taking that into consideration. He takes initiatives to expand the business by putting money right back into it. In a very labour-intensive industry, new equipment makes things easier for employees and is a way of expanding. Recently, he created a sawmill division and sells wood slabs to repurpose hazard trees and give them a new life. He recycles material by delivering wood chips to homeowners, giving firewood to businesses in town for heat, and creating rough-cut lumber. This division also created new job opportunities where he now has crew leaders and future growth opportunities for staff, allowing him time to talk and network with new potential clients.
Every year, this organization makes a positive impact in Thunder Bay by donating to causes such as the Shelter House, Boys & Girls Club, Dew Drop Inn, Thunder Bay Humane Society, Thunder Bay North Stars, and Kings Hockey. “No matter how small you are, you can contribute, and we will support charities and organizations in Thunder Bay for as long as we are in business. We love Thunder Bay and the people in it!”
Cashen Tighe, you are an inspiration to young entrepreneurs and deserve the “Young Entrepreneur of the Year” title.
Sponsored by Ontario Power Generation (OPG)
