Title: President, Chief Executive Officer

Company: Roosters Diner

Location: Bruce Mines, Ont.

Mrs. Struik has four bestseller slots on Amazon.com for the book that she contributed to, titled ‘Women Who Mean Business.’ She became completely involved with Roosters Diner as president and chief executive officer after the sudden death of her husband, who had also been her business partner for more than 25 years. She is separated from her peers because she tries to think of entrepreneurship at the front end; she enjoys helping people reach their full potential. She wants a sustainable business, not just a nice office. In five years, Mrs. Struik hopes to have the company built up to many more units, and she wants to have a restaurant in Bruce Mines.

When Mrs. Struik met her husband, John, he was the area franchisee for Dixie Lee Food Systems. They were very successful and opened many outlets throughout Northern Ontario. In January 2006, corporate ownership changed, and in June 2006, she and John became entangled in a legal battle with the new corporate owner. In May 2008, John became suddenly ill and was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer; he passed in June 2008. She had always been involved in the business, but more in a supporting role. After John’s sudden death, she honored his previous agreement with Dixie Lee. She finished the legal battle in September 2011, and started her own business in the hospitality industry, with the objectives in which she and her late husband believed so strongly.