Get to Know Sarkis Barkanian
We’re excited to spotlight Sarkis Barkanian, Director of Vendor Relations at Canadian Solutions for Business.
A natural connector who sees opportunity where others see obstacles, Barkanian is skilled at building bridges, aligning interests, and earning trust. With a background that spans sales, branding, and marketing, his success has always been guided by a people-first philosophy that reflects the culture and values at the heart of CSB.
Before stepping into his current role, he managed enterprise accounts at Staples Promotional Products Canada, where he worked closely with clients to achieve ROI goals through strategic promotional merchandise. Much of his work focused on the automotive industry, where he collaborated with manufacturers and dealerships, including EV brands, to develop prototypes and curated collections.
He believes vendor relations are about more than managing suppliers. It is about identifying partners who bring innovation, integrity, and forward-thinking ideas to the table. His focus is on fostering collaboration and open communication to ensure CSB’s associates and partners have the tools and resources they need to succeed.
Reflecting on what drew him to CSB, Barkanian shared, “When I first met Larry and the CSB team, I felt as if I had known them forever. The professionalism, teamwork, and family-oriented culture made me excited to join — people helping people, or as Larry always says, Canadians helping Canadians doing business in Canada.’”
How do you define the purpose of your role at CSB?
First thing that comes to mind is Evolve and Adapt with Change. I see the purpose of my role more than just managing suppliers – rather, it’s about identifying vendor partners who bring innovation to the table.
The promotional products industry is constantly evolving, and I work to build trusted relationships with current and new vendor partners who are ahead of the curve in trends, sustainability, and up-to-date production methods. It’s about being proactive, responsive, and always looking for ways to improve the value we deliver.
What do you enjoy most about working in this industry?
I enjoy the energy and creativity that comes with this field. Every day brings new projects, new challenges, tight deadlines that keeps us pushing forward to be on top of our game. Having worked on both the vendor and distributor sides, I understand the challenges and what works best for both. Vendor relations allows me to be at the center of it all, aligning the right supplier with the right opportunity to bring ideas to life. I also appreciate catching up with colleagues in the industry, and I’m always thrilled meeting new people and explore the value they bring to the industry.
What keeps you motivated outside of work?
Spending time with family and friends keeps me going, and being present for my family constantly reminds me why I do what I do and helps me keep perspective. I’m also involved in some community volunteer work, which is a great way to give back. When I’m not on another new road trip with my family, and being a car guy, I build LEGO cars and enjoy watching Formula One racing, World Rally Championship, drifting, and off-road racing. For those who know me closely, believe it or not, lately I enjoy going on walks with our beloved dog, Hugo. Finally, one thing that keeps me motivated daily is helping someone out or making at least one person smile.
To learn more about Canadian Solutions for Business, visit www.canadianbus.com.