James Treliving - Decisions

As Ive often said, the story of my life is really just a story of connections, each one bringing me to where I am today. So many people have been part of this story, I know I wont able to mention all of them in this book, let alone thank them individually. But when youre writing a book about a successful company that was built on good decisions, you have to thank folks like your first hockey coaches, so thank you: each of you shaped my early thinking about teamwork and decision making. I also feel a lot of gratitude for the people in my hometown, Virden, Manitoba, who gave me early guidance in life. But it all started with my parents, Ted and Mina Treliving. From them I learned to make real connections with people. They taught me everything I know about love, leadership and building partnerships. I owe them a lot, and I miss them. Love and thanks to my sisters, Joy and Pat, and their husbands, Guy and John, who have always been a great source of support and friendship. I want to extend a big thank you to Uncle Jack and Aunt Edna, who put me up at their place in Penticton all those years ago, making it possible for me to make a go of my very first venture. My daughter, Cheryl, my son, Brad, and his wife, Julie, have also been incredibly supportive and understanding all these years. Its tough having a dad always on the go. But my children have grown into the kind of adults Ive come to admire, in no small part due to their mother, Elaine. Love and thanks also to my granddaughters, Candace and Samantha, Ryann and Reese. And I am a hell of a lucky guy to have met and married my wife, Sandi. Shes helped me make some wise decisions in business and in life, and I consider her my biggest support, a key advisor, and my best friend. And her children, Katie and Dan, have been great companions on this ride.

A big thank you to all at HarperCollins Canadayouve all been incredible from the start in shaping the vision of this book and finding the right way for me to tell itfrom Brad Wilson, my tireless and intuitive editor, and Jim Gifford, who saw this before any of us, to the crack editorial team, including Noelle Zitzer, Neil Erickson, Greg Tabor and Kelly Hope. Im in the business of sales and marketing, and HarperCollins boasts the best team in the business, including Michael Guy-Haddock, Shelley Tangney, Cory Beatty, Charidy Johnston, Colleen Simpson and Rob Firing.

But my story is also the story of partnerships, starting with the amazing Agioritis brothersGus, George, Nino, Trifon and Perrywho opened the first Boston Pizza on August 12, 1964, in Edmonton. Many thanks to Don Spence, who took that first leap with me, and Ron Coyle, who handed us the reins. Big thanks to Bud and Ray Osborne, who provided me with the most interesting part-time gig; Mr. Dumpleton for that first loan; Duncan Meiklejohn from The Great Canadian River Race, for jogging my memory of that musical time in Penticton; and Bob Harris, my partner in Playmor Productionsboy, did we had fun. Much gratitude to Dave Gillespie and Bud Grant, without whom Boston Pizza would not be what it is or where its at today. And thank you to Clement Ng, who introduced us to Asia, and Rick Arndt, who brought Boston Pizza into the 21st century: youre both a big part of our success, here and abroad.

Boston Pizza boasts some of the best business leaders in the world, including Mark Pacinda, who heads up our Canadian operations, and Mike Best, our man in America. I thank Bill Hancox, who moved his family from Canada to Texas and as head of operations continues to blend our Canadian Boston Pizza experience with Bostons in the US. Big thank yous also to Mike Cordoba, Mark Powell and Jordan Holm, who were among the brains behind the Boston Pizza Royalties Income Fund.

Despite the success of Boston Pizza, this book is really a by-product of my stint as a Dragon on CBCs Dragons Den. For discovering me, I thank the inimitable CBC execs past and present: Tracie Tighe, Stuart Coxe, Julie Bristow, Jennifer Dettman and, of course, Kirsten Stewart. The shows senior producer, Lisa Gabriele, is a talented writer who not only put her stamp on a great TV show but has been utterly invaluable in helping me put this book together. A big thank you to her, and also to Rowan Anders, whos been my right-hand man for all of my Dragons Den enterprises. Gratitude also to my fellow Dragons past and present: Arlene Dickinson, Kevin OLeary, Robert Herjavec, Bruce Croxon, Brett Wilson, Jennifer Wood, Dave Chilton and the late great Laurence Lewinwe miss you, my friend. We share a lot more than a few partnerships in our Dragon enterprises, but this TV show, this experience, has been a hell of a ride.

Gratitude forever to my F-Troop mates of the RCMP, especially the unforgettable Barry Hughes. And thank you to Ted Ticknor, rest his soulhe was a good friend and great businessman. Finally, eternal thanks to George Melville, who has shared this journey and this story with me, and who helped me build my dream. I owe a big thank you also to his wife, Sylvia, who has been along for the ride with us. Each of you has contributed so much to this story, and you continue to help me write every beginning in my life. Thank you.