Meet our 2023 Winners
Entrepreneur of the Year
Karn Rai, Harman Gill, Raja Dhillon, Gagan Rana, & Nav Chahal (Slab Sharks)
Mississauga, ON
Slab Sharks is the product of a group of friends with a shared passion for sports cards and collectibles.
In 2022, after growing a presence on eBay, the group of five: Harman Gill, Raja Dhillon, Gagan Rana, Nav Chahal and Karn Rai decided to jump headlong into the business, pooling together $3000 to start sports card and trading card consigner Slab Sharks.
Laser-focused on customer service and trust, Slab Sharks grew to support over 500 unique consignors across North America. In their first year, they quickly broke seven figures in eBay sales, and have already more than doubled their gross sales in 2023. A staple at tradeshows and expos across Canada and the US, earlier this year they also opened their first office location in Mississauga, ON.
Micro-Multinational of the Year
Amy Ozueh (ACO Repairs & Sales Solutions)
Mississauga, ON
After years working in a business dedicated to repairing manufacturing components, Amy Ozueh saw an opportunity to not just repair, but sell parts directly to customers worldwide.
Leveraging that understanding of the industry, she founded ACO Repairs & Sales Solutions. She quickly turned to eBay as a sales channel, enabling her to sell new, used, and refurbished manufacturing components to customers around the globe.
Today, over 95% of ACO’s eBay sales are cross-border, with over 20% going to customers outside both Canada and the United States. Amy attributes much of the business’ success to her industry knowledge, often assisting buyers in finding the specific parts needed to meet their business’ needs.
Emerging Ecommerce Entrepreneur of the Year
Nicolas Panaritis (Partsterr)
Montreal, QC
Nicolas Panaritis’ automotive journey began in a family immersed in the auto parts business for over three decades. From a young age, Nicolas wore many hats in the family's auto parts store, from stocking shelves to making deliveries and serving as a counterman. This hands-on upbringing was the foundation for what pushed him towards founding Partsterr Auto Parts.
Recognizing the complexity of buying auto parts, whether in person or online, Nick saw the challenges that customers faced every day. Committed to elevating the customer experience, Nick used his auto parts expertise and expertise in data analytics to build detailed product listings. These listings empower customers, enabling them to make informed decisions when purchasing auto parts online. This dedication to customer-centric solutions has driven Partsterr's exceptional growth on eBay Motors, serving the needs of more than 7,000 satisfied eBay customers.
Sustainable Seller of the Year
Jimmy Lachance & Genevieve Gaudreault (JLS Distributions)
Saint-Hyacinthe, QC
Running a business repairing and selling used appliance for the past 15 years, husband-and-wife duo Jimmy and Genevieve soon saw an opportunity to help customers make repairs themselves, by selling working-order parts salvaged from used appliances.
Fuelled by the urge to help consumers reduce waste, Jimmy and Genevieve Lachance turned to eBay in 2017 to help them access customers across North America. In just six short years on eBay, they have sold over 12,000 appliances parts, helping thousands of customers save money while keeping their appliances out of landfills.
A true family business, Jimmy and Genevieve run JLS Distributions with the help of their teenage daughters, who are especially passionate about sustainability. Together, the Lachance family have grown a thriving local business while helping to support a more green, sustainable economy.
