André O'Bonsawin, 35, is a graphic designer and partner/account manager with Sofa Communications Inc. He is a Rotarian, a volunteer with the Youth Justice Committee, and a minor baseball coach. He is married and has two children.

Q: What is your greatest accomplishment?
A: One of my accomplishments would have to be the formation of Sofa Communications. When I asked this question to my wife and friends, they told me that they don't know of too many people who would quit a good-paying job to start up a business. Today, Sofa Communications Inc. is a successful advertising agency.

Q: Who is your most valued mentor?
A: My mom. At the age of 12, my widowed mother told my brothers and I we would have to start working to have the extra stuff she couldn't afford. I started working at car washes, then moved on to selling shoes to help pay for college. This life lesson has made me the man I am today.

Q: What do you love most about North Bay
      and area ?
A: North Bay is a community where it is easy to operate a business, raise a family, and enjoy outdoor amenities. North Bay is a place where you can get up in the morning and say, "I have a business meeting at 11, one at 2 and another at 3:30," then you call up your buddy to go fishing at 5:30.

Q: What else would you like to accomplish?
A: I would like to start up another business...Working in marketing and meeting interesting business people, I realize that there are so many opportunities out there if I am willing to take the chance. again.