Co-owners – Cree Convenience & Peace Hills Pure Water

Derek Bruno is a “big picture kind of guy” and Cody Bruno focuses on the details. Together the brothers have combined their talents to run two successful businesses on the Samson Cree Nation Reserve in Hobbema, Alberta.

The Brunos saw opportunity in their community. Samson was lacking quality customer service and clean drinking water. With well-developed business plans, the duo opened the Cree Convenience store and Peace Hills Pure Water in 2001.

When they first opened the store, there were occasions when Derek would sleep underneath the office desk, with Cody on top of the desk, “curled up like a cat.” They dined on Kraft Dinner to save money. Their sacrifices paid off. Three months after opening, Cree Convenience met the profit projections of the third year, enabling them to start Peace Hills Pure Water.

Most of Peace Hills’ revenue comes from the five gallon water bottles, but it also sells 600 ml water bottles, water coolers, softeners, water purifying products and filters. In their first year at Cree Convenience, they achieved $1.2 million in sales. With steady growth and continued success, the Brunos won the Syncrude Aboriginal Youth Entrepreneur Award of Distinction in 2006.

They find that humour gets them through the rough patches. One day while they were working through some problems, their father gave them some advice from the Bible. “No offense to this, but I couldn’t see a direct correlation from the Holy Bible to the concepts of employment insurance and modern accounting practices. Before he left, I jokingly developed the Holy Trinity of business which consisted of hard work, opportunity and luck,” recalls Cody. “I credit much of our success to the dynamic partnership of Derek and myself,” says Cody.

They trust each other, and always take something positive out of their mistakes. “Forward motion is important in business.” Besides running their businesses, the brothers lead busy lives. Twenty-eight year old Derek is the youngest ever chairman of the board of the Samson Cree Nation Holding Company. He’s also a trustee on the Samson Education Trust Fund and a councillor of the Samson Cree Nation. Derek is adamant about his motivation: “What means the most to me is the community of Samson. This is what makes my life purposeful.” He believes a lot of a community’s social problems can be solved by developing the economics of a community. “A job helps with integrity… it will reach beyond just putting money in their pockets.”

Since Derek has become more involved in community politics, Cody, 24, has taken over the daily responsibilities of running both companies. As well, both are pursuing an education. Derek, who already has a First Nations management diploma and a Bachelor of Commerce degree, is in the process of receiving an MBA with a major in community studies through distance learning. Cody is completing his fourth year of his Bachelor of Commerce degree on a part time basis, driving to Edmonton three times a week during the academic year. “It is a challenge to attend school and maintain my businesses at the same time.

Being organized and planning ahead are vital to making the entire system work,” explains Cody. Their business experience has led them into public speaking. Derek spoke at the Aboriginal business summit about small businesses interacting with big businesses. Cody has spoken to students on topics ranging from business to self-awareness. “Once you’re involved in your community,” says Derek, “it’s a positive cycle.”