Many people would think that naming a winery Laughing Stock Vineyards would be suicide in a competitive wine industry. However, since launching the winery in 2003, Cynthia Enns and her husband, David, wake up everyday with the motivation of not living up to the name. This calculated risk has succeeded as the winery is well established and their early success has been in part thanks to the business acumen of Cynthia’s solid background in marketing and finance.

 

Prior to moving to Penticton, Cynthia worked in advertising for a Toronto ad agency and then as a marketing and research consultant in the investment industry in Vancouver for a decade.  Laughing Stock Vineyards, founded in 2003, is the second business she and her husband have started together. Recent accolades include being a Finalist in the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year 2011 (Cynthia was the only woman on the podium that day out of 35 entrepreneurs), and Laughing Stock was recognized as one of Canada’s Fastest Growing Companies on the PROFIT 200 ranking in 2012 and PROFIT 500 ranking in 2013; and was recognized as an Emerging Growth Company on the PROFIT HOT 50.

 

Cynthia holds a BA from the University of Toronto and an MBA from the Heriot-Watt University, Edinburgh, Scotland. Not sure if having all the letters after her name is as important anymore as having a green thumb in the vineyard these days.

 

Cynthia contributes to various industry associations including the External Community Advisory Council for UBC-Okanagan and BC Sustainable Wine-Growing Committee.