Meet The Mentors

I grew up in the small community of Denman Island and later moved to Mill Bay, where I attended Brentwood College for my final years of high school. After graduating, I pursued a degree in Economics at the University of Victoria, where I was first introduced to Scholars Edge.

I had always been interested in business, but like many students, I didn’t know where to start. Over the next four summers, with the support of my District Manager and Scholars Edge, I learned how to scale my painting business in Victoria. In 2022, I was given the opportunity to become a District Manager—a chance I eagerly embraced to share my knowledge and experience with other students, just as I had been mentored in prior years.

Since then, I have coached over 50 student operators, helping them develop the skills needed to become successful entrepreneurs. Time and time again, I have seen how this program empowers students to reach their full potential and open doors to a variety of career paths. My goal is to identify the most ambitious individuals and equip them with the tools to surpass their peers and achieve success.

I grew up in the small town of Chetwynd in northern BC, where I developed a strong work ethic and a love for competition through hockey, which I played throughout my adolescence. My passion for leadership and entrepreneurship led me to run my own Scholars Edge franchise in Cowichan Valley in 2017-2018. That experience gave me firsthand insight into the challenges and rewards of running a business as a young entrepreneur. During that time period, I also attained my Bachelors of Commerce degree from the University of Victoria.

Since then, I’ve dedicated my career to helping students across BC and Alberta achieve their business goals. As a District Manager, I had the privilege of mentoring and supporting over 50 franchisees, guiding them through the same challenges I once faced. Now, as Vice President, I continue to focus on leadership development, business growth, and creating opportunities for the next generation of entrepreneurs.

Outside of work, I’m passionate about staying active and embracing new challenges. Whether it’s skiing in the winter, weightlifting in the gym, or playing guitar in my downtime, I enjoy pushing myself both physically and creatively. My experiences—both personal and professional—have shaped my belief in the value of hard work, resilience, and continuous learning, and I’m committed to passing those lessons on to the young business leaders I work with every day.

My name is Curren Ward, and I am entering my 4th year with Scholars Edge as the district manager for Calgary and Southern Alberta! I am born and raised in SE Calgary, and I recently graduated with a Bachelor of Commerce Degree from the University of Victoria which is how I first discovered Scholars Edge. Prior to district managing, I operated my Scholars Edge business in SE Calgary for three years. Throughout that time, I was fortunate enough to run some of the most successful businesses in the company, producing $710,000 worth of painting work and employing over 20 people. My experience as an operator has thoroughly changed my life and I am thrilled to now have the opportunity to use the knowledge I’ve gained to help the next generation of students to transform their own lives. I truly believe there is no better way that I could be spending my time at this point in my life. The experience of mentoring such an incredible group of students pushes my own personal growth each day and the satisfaction I get from seeing our operators succeed is one of the most rewarding experiences of my life.

Hello, my name is Jack Boan, and I am the District Manager for Vancouver Island. I am entering my 3rd year with Scholar’s Edge, having previously operated my own painting business in the Comox Valley for 2 successful seasons before joining the management team.

Beyond work, I have a strong passion for sports, particularly soccer and Taekwondo. I’ve been involved in Taekwondo for over a decade, earning my 2nd Dan black belt and teaching classes. I also have a passion for music and have studied piano professionally for 10 years, completing my RCM certifications.

My desire to succeed, my discipline, and ability to communicate are factors that have helped me during my years with this company as well as my career as a Bachelor of Commerce student at the University of Victoria, where I am in my 3rd year of studying.

Scholars Edge has given me the opportunity to develop my leadership, business, and mentorship skills, and I am excited to be guiding this year’s group of student entrepreneurs. Running a business is no small feat, but with the right support, work ethic, and mindset, success is inevitable. I look forward to helping my team maximize their potential and make the most of this incredible experience!

*coming soon*

I grew up in Airdrie, where I spent my entire high school journey before attending the University of Calgary for firefighting. When I first heard about Scholars Edge, I was just wrapping up one of my courses, unsure of what I wanted to tackle next. I had always wanted to pursue entrepreneurship but never knew how to get started.

During my first year with Scholars Edge, I gained valuable lessons in leadership, business, and the freedom of working for myself, something I had always dreamed of. This experience helped me discover a new sense of direction and the person I wanted to become, giving me the confidence to take control of my future.

Now, four years later, I am proud to be a Regional Manager, mentoring students while continuing to apply the valuable skills I learned at Scholars Edge to grow my own professional painting business. Time and time again, I have seen how this program transforms students into confident entrepreneurs, equipping them with the tools they need to succeed. My goal is to continue sharing my knowledge, empowering others to take on new challenges, and helping them build a future they are proud of just as Scholars Edge did for me.