Richard Derham, 39, Founder and General Manager

"I founded TurnAround Couriers in July 2002 and opened the business on 1 October 2002.

I am a qualified lawyer in both England and France. I worked as a commercial lawyer in London and Paris for six years prior to going to INSEAD, France to study for my MBA in 1999.

In July 2000 I emigrated to Canada and worked for Monitor, a firm of management consultants.

I have spent three years so far during my life backpacking around the world. My other interests include soccer, skiing, scuba diving and darts."

Rees Harrison, 33, Dispatcher

Rees joined TurnAround Couriers as an experienced courier in December 2004 and became our full time dispatcher in December 2005:

"Hi, my name is Rees and I am proud to be a part of the TurnAround team. I hope I can help this company grow and I hope I can help hardworking young people on the road to becoming bike couriers. More importantly, I'd like to see our employees become much more than bike couriers.

As for me, I just want to stay out of trouble, stay young, live peacefully, take care of my wonderful cat and my wonderful Jacky, and see the world come together under the philosophies and ideals expressed by John Lennon and Bob Marley."

Shaneil Noel, 19, Office Manager

Shaneil joined us through Covenant House and has worked here since February 2007.

"Hi my name is Shaneil. I've moved around a lot and now call Toronto my home. I really like working at TurnAround Couriers. I get to talk to a lot of interesting people on the phone, our clients are great and we have the coolest fastest couriers. I'm really happy Richard gave me an opportunity to work in the office because I don't have a lot of experience but I'm learning a lot! As for me, I'm really quiet and simple. I hope to save money and become independent. Maybe one day I'll travel the world or go back to school, but for now I'm very happy I got my life back on the right track."

John Saunders, 23, Transit Courier

John joined us from Covenant House's Ticket To Life program in July 2005 as a bicycle courier. After a time in the office as our office manager, he is now the lead courier on his personal pet project: the use of the Toronto Transit Commission for deliveries, and deliveries as far north as Finch, in an area he has dubbed 'The North Core.'

"In the last biography I wrote, I mentioned riding the TTC to work everyday. Well, I don't mind it so much anymore. It's not often someone can start working for a company and eventually design his own job description. A lot of our bikers laughed at the idea of transit couriers - until they noticed how much simpler it was for me to get to Yonge and Eglinton, and beyond.

"It's also living proof that a company like TurnAround can not merely survive but flourish in an environment rich with courier firms - about 325 at last count. So, to the competition, I say this: our force is powerful, our conviction is legion. Each of us was a street kid at one point - we can survive. Can you?"

Michael Boucaud, 22, Courier

Mike joined us through the Evergreen and has worked here since January 2005.

"Michael Boucaud aka 'Captain Golds'. Mike has been a super happy courier for four months now. Nothing can take his smile away except Yonge and Eglinton in the winter snowstorms. Mike currently is saving tons of money for future plans to get his own super place. Captain Golds awayyyyyy!"

Njabulo Tshuma, 24, Courier

Njabulo joined us through the Youth Employment Services (YES) and has worked here since April 2006.

"One of the newest members of the team and I'm loving it. Having been in the work force for a few years now at 24, I had grown absolutely weary of the back-breaking directionless general labour jobs. In TurnAround Couriers I found a job that's hardly a job because it's so much fun - I mean, biking around all day - but nonetheless hard work. And one of the things that drew me to this company was the ideology behind it, one of offering a hand (not a hand-out) to misguided, abandoned underestimated or immature youth trying to break out.

"Not uniquely, I too have been on the streets, been dirt broke, and utterly despairing. I have had my own place for a while though, even when I found this job at TurnAround. Things haven't always been looking up, but they seem to be now. I have a job that I enjoy doing, a good woman and a good home. Praise the Lord, and I'm on my way to attaining my career. Thanks to Richard (I'm not saying that because he's my employer and he's going to give me a bonus if I "big him up", because technically he isn't) for the opportunity, the excellent vision and continuous helping hand."

Nigel Arneaud, 27, Courier

Nigel joined us through a personal referral from Sheldon Simon and has worked here since October 2006.

"My name is Nigel. I like biking a lot, as you can see. And I am a Real nice guy.

So peace and keep the calls coming."

Artem Monakh, 18, Courier

Artem joined us through Greystone Pre Employment Centre and has worked here since November 2006.

"Artem is a great guy to be around, athletic, funny, considerate and try to always make the best of the worst situation. The motto that Artem goes by is that the way you treat people is the way they are going to treat you and if they don't, you are the person that is going to leave happy and if that doesn't work then go vice versa and treat them the way they treat you, which will show them what it feels like and they will understand that being happy while doing something is better than expressing how you really feel about doing it. Therefore always be the way you want to be treated to people."

Josh Teneycke, 19, Courier

Josh joined us through Covenant House and has worked here since April 2007.

"I came to Toronto with the clothes on my back. And now, I have a bike, an apartment and a whole new wardrobe.

"But that's really beside the point. I don't know of any other job I could have taken that would have given me the skills, stamina and confidence that I do now.

"Thank you TurnAround."

Patrick Sullivan, 19, Transit Courier

Patrick joined us through Greystone Pre Employment Centre and has worked here since April 2007.

"Hi, my name is Patrick and I am very grateful that Turnaround has given me this opportunity to start my life fresh. I am 19 years old and aspire to be an electrician. Being a courier for Turnaround has and will open so many doors for me, not just financially, but in experience and meeting so many great people. 'I AM A PROUD TURNAROUND COURIER'."