Philip Winters and Peter Hwang

WHAT GOT YOU STARTED?

by Burke Campbell

Published in the Financial Post

February 18, 2008

Peter Hwang is Chief Executive Officer of EnWise Power Solutions (www.enwisepower.com), located in Toronto, Ontario. Along with co-founder Phil Winters, Chief Sustainability Officer, EnWise provides one-stop energy saving solutions, everything from home energy audit to appliance installation. Peter Hwang tells Burke Campbell what motivated him to become an entrepreneur.

A MAVERICK: “In college, I was competitive at football. I studied finance, then worked in the banking industry. When an HR consultant suggested I needed to find more expression for my independent, competitive nature, I realized it was the right advice.”

BECOMING AWARE: “So I started my own firm. I provided financing and leasing for companies that were expanding and needed to buy manufacturing equipment. I realized how concerned businesses had become with energy costs.”

THRESHOLD OF AN IDEA: “Saving energy can be a complicated task. You need consultants with the knowledge of equipment, technicians to install appliances, and others to help with finance. I felt all these groups could be integrated, especially for the homeowner.”

A COMMON PURPOSE: “Traditionally, the private sector has been at odds with environmentalists. I wanted to bring these two sides together. I actively sought out Phil Winters who has a background in politics and advocacy. Together, in October 2006, we founded EnWise Power Solutions. As partners, we are making a difference.”

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