What it takes: Alberta business leaders on success, ambition, and integrity

On Wednesday afternoon at Deane House in southeast Calgary, four of Alberta's most accomplished business leaders sat down to discuss what it actually takes to succeed — and what they wish they'd known along the way.

Jim Davidson, Avi Amir, Martha Billes, and Stanley Owerko were announced as this year's inductees into the Southern Alberta Business Hall of Fame, an honour recognizing exceptional Albertans whose achievements in business and philanthropy have shaped the province. Their formal induction ceremony will be held in October.

When asked what advice they'd offer aspiring entrepreneurs, each pointed to a different pillar of their success — but together, they painted a portrait of what enduring business achievement looks like.

**Integrity and consistency**

Jim Davidson co-founded FirstEnergy Capital Corp. in 1993 and grew it into one of Canada's leading energy-focused investment banks before retiring in 2018. Under his leadership, the firm earned recognition as one of Canada's 50 Best Managed Companies and received honours for workplace volunteerism.

For Davidson, two qualities mattered above all else: integrity and consistency. "Integrity goes a long way to solidifying and retaining clients and friends, and consistency would probably go along with that," he said. "The way that you engage with your clients should be consistent. If you could practice those two qualities, it'll take you a long way."

It's a philosophy rooted in the belief that long-term success depends on trust — and trust is built through reliability, not flash.

**Passion as fuel**

Avi Amir founded Homes by Avi in 1978, transforming it into one of Western Canada's most respected home builders and community developers. The company has built more than 25,000 homes and expanded into land development, multifamily construction, condominiums, and property management.

Amir's formula is simpler but no less demanding: do what you love, and do it well. "You have to do something that you like to do. That's the number one thing," he said. "And if you do what you like, then you will do it well. You have to believe in what you're doing, and you have to continue doing it."

For Amir, passion isn't optional — it's the engine that carries you through the inevitable setbacks and plateaus every business faces. Without it, he suggested, you're just going through the motions.

**Attitude and perseverance**

Martha Billes, daughter of Canadian Tire co-founder A.J. Billes, took a different path. She joined Canadian Tire's board in 1980 at a time when women were largely absent from corporate leadership. She later became the company's controlling shareholder and steered the retailer through decades of transformation.

Billes credits attitude and perseverance — two forces she sees as inseparable. "Perseverance comes from attitude, and they have to work together," she said.

For Billes, attitude shaped how she approached obstacles. Perseverance ensured she didn't walk away when the going got tough. Together, they allowed her to reshape one of Canada's largest retailers while building Canadian Tire Jumpstart Charities in 2005 to eliminate barriers to youth sport participation.

**A pattern emerges**

Listening to the four, a pattern emerges: the most enduring business success isn't driven by a single factor but by a constellation of values — integrity, passion, perseverance, consistency, and belief in what you're building.

None of them spoke about overnight success or shortcuts. None invoked market conditions or luck. Instead, each emphasized the human qualities that persist across industries and decades: showing up, doing the work well, believing in it, and treating people fairly.

It's advice that won't make headlines or go viral on social media. But in a city built on energy, real estate, and retail — three sectors these four have dominated — the message is clear: success is personal, and it's earned.

The Southern Alberta Business Hall of Fame, which began in 2004, honours business leaders whose contributions have shaped Alberta. This year's inductees will be formally celebrated at a gala in October.