When Lael Lund and Jason Rayner took over Outcrop Yukon Ltd. on their first wedding anniversary their primary goal was to ensure they maintained the success level of the previous owners.

But less than one year after taking over the Yukon office of Outcrop, the pair had expanded the company by one-third.

Now, two and a half years later, Lund and Rayner have been honoured with the Business Development Bank of Canada's Young Entrepreneur Award for the Yukon.

The award recognizes the achievements of Canadian businesspeople between the ages of 19 and 35.

The winners are chosen by a selection committee, based on a number of criteria that range from operating success and innovation to involvement in the economy, community work and export performance.

'It was a surprise,' Lund told the Star during a telephone interview from Calgary where the award ceremony is taking place tonight. 'We knew in taking over a company, we would have to prove ourselves. It's a great honour. We work really hard every day in the business.'

Outcrop Yukon Ltd. is a marketing and advertising agency that is part of the Outcrop Communications Group, one of the longest standing pan-territorial marketing companies, with offices in Whitehorse, Yellowknife and Iqaluit.

When the two got wind that the previous owners of Outcrop's Yukon office were looking for a career change, they thought there might be an opportunity for them, said Lund.

It became their first venture in the advertising and marketing sector, but both had previous entrepreneurial experience.

Rayner, 33 and originally from Prince Edward Island, previously owned a computer programming business. His first business was building custom computer systems, but his interest in problem solving eventually lead him to focus on the programming side of computers.

Lund came from more of a business and marketing background. The detail oriented 29-year-old Yukoner is a proclaimed stickler for organization and management.

Though it was Rayner who initially had interest in taking over Outcrop, the two came to believe their combined skills would best suit the business while also allowing them to work with a variety of industries.

Outcrop provides clients in government, corporate, small business and non-profit sectors with innovative advertising campaigns and publications as well as designing web sites and other new media projects.

'I find the work stimulating,' said Rayner. 'I try to cultivate a client base that will allow me to do cutting edge programming, particularly for the Web.'

Rayner added he is particularly proud of a recent site he developed for local tour operator, Nahanni River Adventures, that now with the new website has had five times more requests coming in.

'We've increased the visits to the client's online portal by more than 100 per cent,' he said.

Lund said for her it is hard to pick a favourite project or even one she is most proud of, because they are all different, with different clients and different expectations.

'The best scenario for us is having a client that gives us an opportunity to try something new,' she said. 'Our real passion comes with a challenge and when a client approaches us with a problem, we like that they give us creative licence to take that problem and run with it, to find an outstanding solution that's going to get them some attention.'

Running a small business, that has a core staff of six and occasionally utilizes the services of contractors, Lund said running Outcrop has meant long hours and a lot of hard work.

But, she added it is good to see their work is now out in the community and Outcrop has established a healthy client base.

'We're now more confident in what we're doing,' she said.

Between their proven work and the Young Entrepreneur Award, Lund said their reputation appears to be clearly established and moving into the future Outcrop hopes to continue to take on new clients.

'Jason and Lael are examples of the best of Canada's young entrepreneurs,' said Jean-Rene Halde, president and CEO of the Business Development Bank of Canada in a press release.

'The energy and commitment with which they run their business have resulted in success for themselves and generated opportunities for others. They have shown that creativity, passion and dedication make for a powerful combination and drive the Canadian economy.'

The Business Development Bank of Canada is a financial institution owned by the Government of Canada. It plays a leadership role in delivering financial, investment and consulting services to Canadian small businesses.