File Hills Qu'Appelle Developments sees good opportunity in down market

Thomas Benjoesays he knew he wanted to work in business since high school.

"I picked up a magazine when I was 17yearsold and said 'I want to be that guy,'" Benjoe said of his first desire to begin a career in business.

Now, years later and after a 2013 Future 40 win, Benjoe is the CEO and president of the File Hills Qu'Appelle Developments (FHQ).

Benjoe sat down with Sheila ColesforThe Morning Editionat the University of Regina on Thursday morning. He said FHQ Developments have been looking into business partnerships in various energy sectors.

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Energy opportunities

Benjoe said they are looking into both the renewable sectors such as solar, wind and hydro as well as non-renewables like mining, oil and gas.

"We want to make sure that we help become stewards of the land as well and control some of those interests in renewable energy," Benjoe said.

He says the downswing the economy experienced over the last few months presented an opportunity for business development.

"Any time the market is down, it's an opportunity to buy in," Benjoe said.

Forging strategic partnerships with companies who have shown they can be sustainable through the downswing in an economy is key, Benjoe said.

Philosophy of business

One of Benjoe's long-term goals is to create employment and rebuild the economies of communities FHQ Developments works with, he said.

He hopes to do that through ensuring the values of First Nations people are met through business partnerships.

During his schooling, Benjoefocused his education around First Nationsbusiness and economic development specifically First Nations businesses.

"[It's] something that separated me apart from a lot of my peers, to be able to have that background and to be able to understand business in a different sense," Benjoe said.

The key to incorporating First Nations values is listening, he said.

"Being able to listen to our own people, being able to listen to our elders. They share a lot with us and keeping them involved, that's very important," Benjoe said.

First Nations teachings are part of the guiding principles for FHQ, he added.

"That's what drives us to focus on specific opportunities that we continue to move forward."