Meet our 2024 Winners
Entrepreneur of the Year
Jessica Oman and Johann Furrer (Storage Warrior)
Vancouver, BC
With their $225 purchase of an abandoned storage unit in 2012, Vancouver-based husband-and-wife duo Jessica Oman and Johann Furrer found a new ‘side-hustle.’ In a few short years, their side-hustle grew into a full-time operation focused on reselling items found in storage lockers, at estate sales, and via junk removal services.
Today, using only the funds generated by that initial $225 investment, Jessica and Johann run an eBay business with over 7,000 listings – ranging from collectibles to media to fashion, and much more. In addition to running their business full-time, the two also host a podcast, offering tips to other aspiring ecommerce entrepreneurs. Meanwhile, the business also allows them to support their favourite charity, the Binners Project, which seeks to reduce stigma toward waste-pickers, while offering dedicated support staff and sorting space in Vancouver.
With over a decade of success finding hidden gems and distributing them worldwide, Jessica and Johann are the winners of our 20th annual Entrepreneur of the Year award.
Micro-Multinational of the Year
Angus Grant (Double Duncan Treasures)
Toronto, ON
Toronto-based Angus Grant started out in ecommerce after he found a large box of DVDs left on the curb near his apartment building. Realizing that these otherwise valuable items would end up in the landfill, he listed them online instead, starting with local platforms. This hobby enabled Angus to spend more time with his then five-year-old son.
In 2017, Angus signed up for an eBay account to turn his hobby into a business, recognizing the marketplace as a popular destination with global reach for the pre-loved toys, collectibles, and media he sourced locally. Angus discovered that many of the vintage toys he listed were of special interest to overseas buyers, and developed a focus on sourcing unique toys and games. To date, Angus has sold and shipped items to five continents, with some of his products appearing as props in popular television shows and films.
Double Duncan Treasures is now Angus’ full-time job, and continues to offer the flexibility Angus was seeking to spend time with his son, who now helps out with the ecommerce business.
A stay-at-home father running a retail business with buyers around the world, Angus Grant is our 2024 Micro-Multinational of the Year.
Emerging Ecommerce Entrepreneur of the Year
Yannick Plante, Pascal Boutin, Dominic Vaillancourt (PMCtire Canada)
Sherbrooke, QC
PMCtire began in 2008, when Yannick Plante and Pascal Boutin of Sherbrooke, Quebec, noticed a shortage of online retailers specializing in auto parts -- specifically wheels and tires. From the basement of Yannick’s home and with a $5,000 line of credit, their business was born.
While PMCtire initially focused on purchasing and distributing inventory through their website, within a few short years they expanded operations, opening up their own mechanic shop and managing two Quebec-based warehouses for their online orders.
Dominic joined the PMCtire team in 2015, taking on the role of Ecommerce Project Manager in 2020. After a difficult year in 2022 involving their first loss and layoffs, the team looked to eBay as a new channel to expand their sales. This quickly resulted in a record sales year for the company, enabling them to rehire many of the employees impacted by the previous layoff, and opening up new opportunities for growth.
A car parts and accessories business demonstrating resilience and creativity, PMCtire are our 2024 Emerging Ecommerce Entrepreneurs of the Year.
Smalltown Seller of the Year
Rodney Jamieson (TeamChevelle's Picks and One Hill Collectibles)
Lacombe, AB
Rod Jamieson started his eBay journey nearly two decades ago while working as a shop teacher and Vice Principal in the city of Lacombe, Alberta, located between Red Deer and Edmonton. With a lifelong interest and extensive knowledge of vehicles, Rod began buying up old cars and trucks and distributing their working parts online.
His parts business continued to serve a supplementary source of income for him until 2019, when he decided to open a second eBay store – this time specializing in his other passion, hockey trading cards and other collectibles. Rod’s eBay businesses are now his full-time job, and he sources inventory from local businesses and individuals to distribute to buyers around the world.
Constantly demonstrating adaptability, flexibility, and resolve, supporting his local community through school fundraising auctions, donating items to local sports teams, and leaning into new opportunities as they come up, Rod Jamieson is our 2024 Smalltown Seller of the Year.
