Small business, big impact: learnings from three UBC Sauder alumni on entrepreneurship and responsible business
In celebration of Small Business Month, UBC Sauder School of Business is shining a spotlight on alumni who are making a big impact through their entrepreneurial ventures.
From tackling industry challenges like climate change and water waste to transparency in food systems, Simran Panatch, Fernando Liu and Anthony Wingham are not only building innovative and successful businesses but also giving back to their communities.
As members of UBC Sauder’s Alumni Business Directory, Ch’nook Alumni Business Directory and Founders Pledge, they have shared the stories behind their ventures, lessons learned during their time at UBC Sauder that helped shape their paths and valuable advice for aspiring entrepreneurs.
Simran Panatch
Managing Director, Athiana Acres
What inspired you to start Athiana Acres and what was the challenge that you wanted to solve?
“I’ve always been passionate about food, and some of my fondest memories growing up were of family dinners. This led me to pursue a degree in Food Nutrition and Health at UBC. While completing my MBAN at UBC Sauder, I started working on the concept for Athiana Acres. I loved the intersection of business and the Food and Beverage industry, and the idea of building a business that meaningfully contributed to the world as well as my local community was always a goal. I wanted to address the lack of transparency in the food system and create a way for people to engage with agriculture in a modern, accessible way. Our focus is regenerative, Certified Organic farming practices—ensuring we leave the land better than we found it. Through our farm market, guided tours, community workshops and events, we offer people a chance to connect with where their food comes from.”
What lessons did you take away from your time at UBC Sauder that helped shape your business?
“During the MBAN program, I learned an immense amount about leadership, marketing and how to leverage data in my business – all of which have been integral in these first few years of launching Athiana Acres. Courses in marketing and customer analytics helped me pinpoint our target audience and understand different customer segments. I learned how to present data in ways that are easily digestible, a skill I’ve applied to the farm’s operations. Looking ahead, I’m excited to integrate more agri-tech at Athiana Acres, using analytics to guide decisions on everything from crop planning to sales channels. My time at UBC Sauder taught me the skills to explore new ideas, experiment with business models, and challenge conventional thinking.”
What’s the best part about owning your business, and what advice would you give to aspiring entrepreneurs?
“The freedom to experiment and take risks is the best part. Every day is different, and I enjoy wearing many hats—from sales and marketing to strategy and operations. It’s daunting at times, but the ability to pivot and try new ideas keeps things exciting. My advice to aspiring entrepreneurs is to share your ideas and not try to solve everything on your own. I’ve learned that talking to others and getting their feedback can open up unexpected opportunities. Innovation comes from being open to new ideas and pushing beyond conventional solutions, so don’t be afraid to think creatively and lean on your network for support.”
Fernando Liu
Founder and CEO, ATSC Solartech
What inspired you to start ATSC Solartech and what was the challenge you wanted to address?
“I was born in Argentina, moved to Vancouver at 14, and graduated from UBC Sauder with a BCom in 2004. After a career in private equity and venture capitalism, I founded ATSC Solartech to address a critical problem in the solar energy sector—the shortage of high-quality crucibles used in solar wafer production. At the time, solar wafer companies were experiencing production halts due to the lack of reliable crucibles, which also wasted energy and resources. Another challenge was the reliance on China as the sole supplier of these crucibles. ATSC Solartech aims to provide a more local, efficient solution for emerging solar markets in countries like Vietnam, India, and the USA.”
What lessons did you take away from your time at UBC Sauder that helped shape your business?
“Sauder's managerial accounting, finance, and business law courses provided the foundation I needed to launch and scale businesses. The technology-related classes, in particular, gave me the confidence to explore the solar sector and identify opportunities for innovation. My time at UBC Sauder emphasized the importance of understanding both the financial and technical aspects of any business, and that balance has been critical in shaping ATSC Solartech’s business model.”
What’s the best part about owning your business, and what advice would you give to aspiring entrepreneurs?
“The best part is seeing your ideas come to life—solving daily challenges with your team, celebrating small wins like landing big orders, or improving product quality. Watching a company grow from a simple idea to an organization with hundreds of employees is incredibly rewarding. My advice is simple: if you’ve thought deeply about your venture, take the leap. You can’t succeed by just thinking; you need to put your ideas into practice, make mistakes, learn from them, and keep improving. Innovation comes from solving tough problems and thinking creatively, even when others find it too challenging.”
Anthony Wingham
Co-founder of Nuez Acres and Founder of Metis Print
What inspired you to start Nuez Acres and Metis Print? Was there a specific challenge you wanted to address?
"As a proud member of the Métis Nation, I’ve always been an entrepreneur at heart. Nuez Acres, Canada’s only pecan oil producer, was born out of a desire to create something unique and sustainable. Our products are produced water-free in Langley, addressing a huge environmental issue—water waste. With 5 billion gallons of water wasted in industries, and many Indigenous communities still lacking access to clean water, I wanted to help combat the problem. That same passion for sustainability led me to start Métis Print, an apparel brand that celebrates my heritage. We use print-on-demand to reduce waste, ensuring that every garment is made for the person, not the landfill. Both ventures reflect my commitment to sustainability and giving back to the community, and now I also speak to Indigenous youth, sharing my story and encouraging them to build their own opportunities.”
What lessons did you take away from your time at UBC Sauder that helped shape your business?
“During the pandemic, I took UBC Sauder’s courses while starting Nuez Acres. The real-world lessons—breaking down costs, operations, logistics, and understanding sales channels—were crucial in refining our business plan. The program taught us how to properly run a business and gave us the confidence to scale. We grew exponentially, expanding into 260 Walmart locations and partnering with a U.S. distributor. The foundation we built through the courses--especially the digital marketing and financial planning aspects, helped us grow sustainably and reach new markets.”
What’s the best part about owning your business, and what advice would you give to aspiring entrepreneurs?
“The best part is the flexibility—it allows me to spend time with my family and give back to the community. Speaking to young Indigenous entrepreneurs, sharing my journey, and providing advice has been more rewarding than I anticipated. My advice? Get good at handling failure. It’s easy when things are going well, but the real challenge is picking yourself up after hearing ‘no.’ Stay focused on your own path and keep moving forward. Innovation means pushing boundaries and not accepting ‘no’ as an answer. Surround yourself with a supportive community and don’t be afraid to ask for help—there are resources out there for small business owners, especially in BC.”