November 5, 2025 – When Anthony von Mandl was 22, he stood in a tiny office, trying to build a company with no money, no connections, and very few people who believed he could succeed. After calling his father to say his business was over, he found himself considering a different idea: “What if he created something of his own, something no one could take away?” That moment of reframing, of choosing possibility over defeat, became the turning point in what would eventually grow into an international company. It was also one of the many candid stories he shared with 450 students during this year’s JABC Masterclass.
Students from Sentinel Secondary, Rockridge Secondary, and West Vancouver Secondary Schools gathered to learn directly from two leaders behind some of B.C.’s most recognizable brands: Anthony von Mandl, Founder of The Mark Anthony Group and Más+, and Stan Fuller, Co-Founder of Earls. Guided by moderator Hayley Woodin Hastings, Strategic Advisor to the Lieutenant Governor of B.C., the conversation offered a rare behind-the-scenes look at the early struggles, risks, decisions, and defining moments that shaped their careers.
Stan shared his own pivotal moment: being handed the keys to a Vancouver restaurant as a teenager and told he was now the general manager. With no shortcuts available, he spent months working 18-hour days, learning every detail of the business. That foundation taught him a lesson he emphasized to students: true confidence comes from putting in the work and understanding your craft from the ground up.
Both of these Business Laureates of British Columbia returned again and again to the theme of resilience. Anthony described moments of deep uncertainty, setbacks that could have ended his journey, yet each time, he chose to look for the “silver lining”. Stan echoed that mindset through stories of navigating rapid growth, competition, and the need to constantly evolve to meet customer expectations.
At the heart of this JABC Masterclass were a few simple but powerful messages that students carried with them as they left the theatre. Stan shared his guiding mantra: “Never give up, never give in.” Anthony followed with his own: “Have a dream and never let anyone take it away from you.” He also reminded students that their individuality is one of their greatest assets, saying, “No one else in the world has what you have, make the most of it.”
The energy in the room was brought by student emcees Kate Stewart and Max Wang from West Vancouver Secondary, who engaged the crowd during the prize segment where Earls gift cards were awarded. And as a generous takeaway, every student left with a bottle of Más+.
JABC Masterclass connects youth with leaders who speak honestly about their journeys, the risks, pivots, and lessons that shape them. These conversations give students not just information, but insight, encouragement, and the confidence to navigate what comes next.
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