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May 10, 2002
Like money in the tank
Dr. Fish has already earned a profit for Nuri Fisher.
KYLE BERGER REPORTER
Nuri Fisher may have a little bit more in the tank these days.
The fish tank that is. Fisher recently received $10,000 for winning
The Victoria Entrepreneurs' Challenge using the business plan for
his custom aquarium company, Dr. Fish.
More than 40 teams comprised of students from Royal Roads University,
the University of Victoria and Island high schools presented business
plans for previously established businesses or potential companies
to a panel of judges.
On April 16, at Royal Roads' Hately Castle, the three finalists
presented their business plans at the awards gala. Prizes were then
awarded for $10,000, $2,500 and $1,000, for first, second and third
place, respectively; $500 went to the top high school team.
Fisher, who is studying entrepreneurial management at Royal Roads,
said winning the competition has given him the confidence to do
just about anything he wants in the entrepreneurial world.
"The money will come and go but I really proved to myself that
I can pull any venture off now," he said from Victoria. "I
think this has really built up credibility for myself, being only
21 years old, because I beat out people who were in their mid-30s
and 40s who are in MBA programs."
The business plan for Dr. Fish offered installation and servicing
for custom-made aquariums in both commercial and residential markets.
Fisher's plan suggested that, "Having an aquarium in one's
office will serve as a source of relief from the daily pressures
of work, while providing an esthetically pleasing, beautiful back
drop, as our clients conduct their business.
"Dr. Fish Custom Aquariums is going to specialize in the highest
quality 'show' aquariums for the corporate world and for those individuals
who want a one-of-a-kind aquarium in their residence."
Fisher told the Bulletin that Dr. Fish is not a new concept.
He first became interested in aquariums at the age of 14 when the
Louis Brier Home and Hospital, where his grandfather was a resident,
had a large aquarium donated to them. They were looking for someone
to look after the upkeep of the aquarium and Fisher took the job.
That's where he got his nickname Dr. Fish.
Fisher has since worked on Dr. Fish on a part-time basis and isn't
sure whether he will work on it full-time when he's finished with
Royal Roads or if he will return to school to get his MBA first.
"The judges said that I had a rock-solid business plan that
covered all the angles. So it's hard not to jump right into Dr.
Fish right now," he said. "Every day I'm changing my mind."
The Entrepreneurs' Challenge was created to encourage high school
and post-secondary students to act on their ambitions and take a
lead in Victoria's business world. The project hopes to serve as
a bridge between the city's business community and the students
in the community.
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