Razor Suleman
Encyclopedia
Kaizer Suleman better known as Razor Suleman, is a Canadian entrepreneur, and the founder and CEO of I Love Rewards Inc
.
, Ontario
on May 20, 1974. His family migrated to Canada to escape further persecution in Uganda after the government of Idi Amin took power. Realizing his passion for entrepreneurship at a very young age, Razor started his first business when he was 15 years old. This entailed buying Upper Deck
sports cards in bulk from American
suppliers, then reselling them to Canadian dealers for profit. In the 2000 Canadian federal election, he was a candidate of the Canadian Alliance Party (which later merged with the Progressive Conservatives to form the Conservative Party) in the constituency of Scarborough—Rouge River
, but lost.
to obtain his undergraduate degree in Business Administration. It was in his first week at university (frosh week) that he was nicknamed “Razor” by his fellow frosh-group members.
Shortly after becoming appointed a Floor Representative for his residence, Razor was given the responsibility for sourcing the residents’ athletic apparel. This included branded pants, shirts, hoodies, etc. In doing this task successfully, Razor realized that he could extend his “clientele” and transform this concept into a profitable business. After a little on-campus marketing, he began selling branded athletic apparel to campus groups and clubs. On May 17, 1995, Razor officially incorporated his first registered business, Razor’s Edge.
Razor went on to graduate from university - completely debt free - in May 1998.
In August 1999, Razor’s Edge merged with another company and formed Snap Promotions. While working with a large corporate customer, Razor soon realized that branded promotional products were becoming a less effective solution for businesses to motivate their clients and customers. As a result, Snap Promotions shifted its business model from branded merchandise to points-based online rewards programs. To reflect this new direction, Razor created another company called I Love Rewards
in 2002. Predicting a decline in market demand for promotional products, Razor (and his employees) sold Snap Promotions in May 2005, and decided to focus their attention on I Love Rewards
.
, Razor has led the business to many successes as CEO. In 2008 I Love Rewards
was once againg named one of Canada's Top 100 Employers
by Maclean's, and Canada's 12th Fastest Growing Company by Profit Magazine.
October 2004 - Ernst and Young Entrepreneur of the Year (finalist)
November 2006 – Distinguished Ismaili
Small Business Award (winner)
October 2007 - BDC
's Young Entrepreneur of the Year for Ontario
, Wilfrid Laurier University
, on 3 different occasions.
September 26, 2006 – York University
February 1, 2008 – HRPAO Conference, Metro Toronto Convention Centre
January 22, 2009 – Queen's Entrepreneurs' Competition, Queen's University
I Love Rewards
Achievers Inc., formerly 'I Love Rewards is a Toronto-based company that builds and manages employee recognition and rewards programs for other organizations. In October 2008, I Love Rewards was named one of Greater Toronto's Top Employers by Mediacorp Canada Inc., which was announced by the...
.
Early years
Razor was born in TorontoToronto
Toronto is the provincial capital of Ontario and the largest city in Canada. It is located in Southern Ontario on the northwestern shore of Lake Ontario. A relatively modern city, Toronto's history dates back to the late-18th century, when its land was first purchased by the British monarchy from...
, Ontario
Ontario
Ontario is a province of Canada, located in east-central Canada. It is Canada's most populous province and second largest in total area. It is home to the nation's most populous city, Toronto, and the nation's capital, Ottawa....
on May 20, 1974. His family migrated to Canada to escape further persecution in Uganda after the government of Idi Amin took power. Realizing his passion for entrepreneurship at a very young age, Razor started his first business when he was 15 years old. This entailed buying Upper Deck
Upper deck
Upper deck may refer to :* The Upper Deck Company, an American trading card business* The upper deck is the highest level internal deck on a ship, i.e. just below the superstructure and open deck....
sports cards in bulk from American
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
suppliers, then reselling them to Canadian dealers for profit. In the 2000 Canadian federal election, he was a candidate of the Canadian Alliance Party (which later merged with the Progressive Conservatives to form the Conservative Party) in the constituency of Scarborough—Rouge River
Scarborough—Rouge River
Scarborough—Rouge River is a federal electoral district in Ontario, Canada, that has been represented in the Canadian House of Commons since 1988....
, but lost.
University Years / Razor's Edge
In September 1994, Razor began attending Wilfrid Laurier UniversityWilfrid Laurier University
Wilfrid Laurier University is a university located in Waterloo, Ontario, Canada. It also has campuses in Brantford, Ontario, Kitchener, Ontario and Toronto, Ontario and a future proposed campus in Milton, Ontario. It is named in honour of Sir Wilfrid Laurier, the seventh Prime Minister of Canada....
to obtain his undergraduate degree in Business Administration. It was in his first week at university (frosh week) that he was nicknamed “Razor” by his fellow frosh-group members.
Shortly after becoming appointed a Floor Representative for his residence, Razor was given the responsibility for sourcing the residents’ athletic apparel. This included branded pants, shirts, hoodies, etc. In doing this task successfully, Razor realized that he could extend his “clientele” and transform this concept into a profitable business. After a little on-campus marketing, he began selling branded athletic apparel to campus groups and clubs. On May 17, 1995, Razor officially incorporated his first registered business, Razor’s Edge.
Razor went on to graduate from university - completely debt free - in May 1998.
Snap Promotions
After Razor graduated, Razor’s Edge continued to do business and traded its student-based clientele for small businesses and large corporations. Razor’s Edge was now responsible for creating branded promotional products for its clients’ employees.In August 1999, Razor’s Edge merged with another company and formed Snap Promotions. While working with a large corporate customer, Razor soon realized that branded promotional products were becoming a less effective solution for businesses to motivate their clients and customers. As a result, Snap Promotions shifted its business model from branded merchandise to points-based online rewards programs. To reflect this new direction, Razor created another company called I Love Rewards
I Love Rewards
Achievers Inc., formerly 'I Love Rewards is a Toronto-based company that builds and manages employee recognition and rewards programs for other organizations. In October 2008, I Love Rewards was named one of Greater Toronto's Top Employers by Mediacorp Canada Inc., which was announced by the...
in 2002. Predicting a decline in market demand for promotional products, Razor (and his employees) sold Snap Promotions in May 2005, and decided to focus their attention on I Love Rewards
I Love Rewards
Achievers Inc., formerly 'I Love Rewards is a Toronto-based company that builds and manages employee recognition and rewards programs for other organizations. In October 2008, I Love Rewards was named one of Greater Toronto's Top Employers by Mediacorp Canada Inc., which was announced by the...
.
I Love Rewards
Since incorporating I Love RewardsI Love Rewards
Achievers Inc., formerly 'I Love Rewards is a Toronto-based company that builds and manages employee recognition and rewards programs for other organizations. In October 2008, I Love Rewards was named one of Greater Toronto's Top Employers by Mediacorp Canada Inc., which was announced by the...
, Razor has led the business to many successes as CEO. In 2008 I Love Rewards
I Love Rewards
Achievers Inc., formerly 'I Love Rewards is a Toronto-based company that builds and manages employee recognition and rewards programs for other organizations. In October 2008, I Love Rewards was named one of Greater Toronto's Top Employers by Mediacorp Canada Inc., which was announced by the...
was once againg named one of Canada's Top 100 Employers
Canada's Top 100 Employers
Canada's Top 100 Employers is an annual competition that recognizes the best places in Canada to work. First held in 1999, the project aims to single out the employers that lead their industries in offering exceptional working conditions and progressive human resources policies. Winners are...
by Maclean's, and Canada's 12th Fastest Growing Company by Profit Magazine.
Awards
September 2003 – Marketing Magazine’s Top 30 Marketers under 30 (finalist)October 2004 - Ernst and Young Entrepreneur of the Year (finalist)
November 2006 – Distinguished Ismaili
Ismaili
' is a branch of Shia Islam. It is the second largest branch of Shia Islam, after the Twelvers...
Small Business Award (winner)
October 2007 - BDC
Business Development Bank of Canada
The Business Development Bank of Canada is a crown corporation financial institution wholly owned by the Government of Canada. BDC plays a leadership role in delivering financial and consulting services to Canadian small business, with a particular focus on technology and exporting.BDC's debt...
's Young Entrepreneur of the Year for Ontario
Past
In the past, Razor has spoken at universities, trade shows, and other events, spreading his message of entrepreneurship. He has spoken at his alma materAlma mater
Alma mater , pronounced ), was used in ancient Rome as a title for various mother goddesses, especially Ceres or Cybele, and in Christianity for the Virgin Mary.-General term:...
, Wilfrid Laurier University
Wilfrid Laurier University
Wilfrid Laurier University is a university located in Waterloo, Ontario, Canada. It also has campuses in Brantford, Ontario, Kitchener, Ontario and Toronto, Ontario and a future proposed campus in Milton, Ontario. It is named in honour of Sir Wilfrid Laurier, the seventh Prime Minister of Canada....
, on 3 different occasions.
September 26, 2006 – York University
York University
York University is a public research university in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. It is Canada's third-largest university, Ontario's second-largest graduate school, and Canada's leading interdisciplinary university....
February 1, 2008 – HRPAO Conference, Metro Toronto Convention Centre
Metro Toronto Convention Centre
Metro Toronto Convention Centre , located in Downtown Toronto, Ontario at 255 Front Street West, has of space. The convention centre was completed in October 1984 and is home to the 1330-seat John Bassett Theatre...
January 22, 2009 – Queen's Entrepreneurs' Competition, Queen's University
Queen's University
Queen's University, , is a public research university located in Kingston, Ontario, Canada. Founded on 16 October 1841, the university pre-dates the founding of Canada by 26 years. Queen's holds more more than of land throughout Ontario as well as Herstmonceux Castle in East Sussex, England...