Rankin Inlet (Oct 25/06) - A Rankin Inlet woman has captured the 2006 Business Development Corporation Young Entrepreneur Award for Nunavut.

Tara Tootoo-Fotheringham, 31, was presented with the award during a black-tie event in Moncton, N.B., this past week.

Tara Tootoo-Fotheringham was named the 2006 recipient of the Business Development Corporation's Young Entrepreneur Award for Nunavut this past week. - photo courtesy of BDC

Tootoo-Fotheringham purchased the Sugar Rush Cafe on Sept. 16, 2005, and gave it a distinctive 1950s flavour.

The new ambience was accompanied by menu additions such as arctic char, caribou chile and cappuccino.

The operation also features Tara's Treasures, which offers Northern art and jewelry, wedding rings and other southern items.

She has also run a bread and breakfast out of her home since 1999.

Tootoo-Fotheringham says the 1950s motif is definitely a reflection of her personality.

To her, the era symbolizes the last true age of innocence in North America.

"The '50s were a time when young people were encouraged to have fun, but the fun was much cleaner than it is today," she says.

"A man would open the door for a woman and feel awesome if he got a kiss goodnight at the end of a date.

"Men were men and women were women, but they had respect for each other."

Tootoo-Fotheringham entered the awards ceremony in a beaded amauti it took her late grandmother, Jenny Tootoo, 10 months to make by hand.

Her grandmother may be why the entrepreneurial spirit runs in her blood.

"My grandmother was an original Inuit entrepreneur.

"She made little kamiks when the family first came off the land.

"She sold enough of those to buy a house."

Tootoo-Fotheringham says while the award means a lot to her, it's the result of a real team effort.

She accepted the award on behalf of that team, which includes her parents, husband, kids and staff.

"They all believe in me enough to give me the time and space I need to be creative.

"The award is a pat on the back for each and every member of our team."

Tootoo-Fotheringham and her husband, Bryan, enjoy running the cafe together.

She says they're on the right track, considering they didn't expect to see a profit for the first five years.

And, with a staff of 12, they've employed more people than they first thought.

"At this point, the money goes right back into our staff and equipment purchases.

"The freight charges have been tough and I didn't think we'd need a new garage and equipment so soon.

"I paid $100,000 in freight costs the first 10 months and I wasn't prepared for that."

She says training her staff and offering advice from time to time are important parts of the business.

She enjoys the role of mentor and helping people develop professionally.

"There's not a lot to do in Rankin at night, so it's great to be able to provide a positive experience and a bit of guidance to some of our youth.

"I was raised as an only child, so, maybe, I'm finally getting to use some of my big sister instincts."