Penny Downer founded Hemisphere in 1985, one of a handful of women in the Canadian customs brokerage industry at the time.

 

Before becoming an entrepreneur, Penny worked as a rate clerk for a large international customs broker. After her second child was born, her employer was not able to promise that her position would be available after her maternity leave. So Penny took her roll-a-dex and decided to set up her own operation. She called everyone in that roll-a-dex that she’d built relationships with over the years, and invited them to join her at her new venture: Hemisphere. 

 

Despite the competing responsibilities of raising a family while starting a business, she made both work. Penny’s customer’s knew she was like a pitbull. She was tenacious, and she got things done–that’s just how she was. They partnered with Hemisphere because they knew with Penny, failure was not an option. Hemisphere was born out of her determination, perseverance, and passionate dedication to customer satisfaction. These values are what make Hemisphere a success to this day.

 

In the early nineties, Penny was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis. It was very difficult, but the family she raised, pulled together, and got her the care she needed to retire in comfort. In 2013, her son Charles took over as President and her daughter Lisa joined as Vice President. 

 

Today the Hemisphere team keeps Penny’s legacy alive through a growing network of partners and affiliates, including many customers from her roll-a-dex – and many more from across the world.