My Story
Building brands and experiences since 1994.
1994 – The Spark
First Steps into Digital
Registered my employer’s first domain name and launched my first website. Quit my job and founded my first company, Horizon Media Group, focused on branding and web design.
2000 – Startup Spirit
Co-founded Borealis
Launched Ottawa’s first creative co-working space and startup incubator for 20+ high-tech startups. It was ahead of its time — and a valuable lesson in resilience.
2002 – Merging for Growth
Leadership in Digital Solutions
Merged Horizon Media Group with another firm and became Business Development & Solutions Manager, expanding my reach into broader digital strategy.
2004 – Ideas in Motion
Founded The Other Side Studios
Built a creative think tank producing entertainment and interactive digital experiences. Projects included Clickathon, City Hunters, and Tikiosk. Also launched digitalOttawa to connect the local digital media community.
2006 – Montreal Momentum
Director at Codency
Joined a Montreal-based holding company, led recruitment of a world-class team, and supported the launch of startups like Pixilis, Diamancy, Gigasize, and Needen.
2008 – Board Game Renaissance
Game Summit & Toy & Game Expo
Revived my passion for board games by launching Canada’s largest tabletop gaming expo. Later opened Games for All (giant game rentals) and a retail lounge in Westboro.
2009 – A Voice for the Public Sector
Launched digitalOttawa as a Digital Agency
Transitioned digitalOttawa from a grassroots initiative into a full-service digital communications agency focused on public sector innovation. Helped departments embrace social media, mobile, and digital engagement with purpose-built solutions.
2011 – Game Publishing Pioneer
Kickstarter Success
Published FrankenDie and Top This!, becoming one of the first Canadians to successfully crowdfund and launch locally designed board games.
2012 – Strategic Merge
Launch of UniForge
Merged The Other Side Studios and digitalOttawa into UniForge, a gamified digital consulting agency that served over 20 federal departments and 100+ clients.
2015 – Museums & Meaning
Joined the Canadian Museum of History
Took on a new challenge as Digital Leader for the Canadian Museum of History, Children’s Museum, and War Museum, designing immersive storytelling experiences and interactive digital installations.
2021 – Breathing Life Into History
Restoration of The Victoria Hotel & Launch of The Odd Spot
Purchased the historic Victoria Hotel (built in 1837) in Spencerville, Ontario. After extensive renovations, opened The Odd Spot — a cozy café, creative shop, and gathering place for locals and visitors. A new chapter in community-building and heritage revitalization.
2024 – Focus Shift & Personal Reboot
Turning 50 gave me the space to pause, reflect, and reset. I relaunched my independent consulting practice with fresh perspective, choosing a slower, more intentional pace of work. I’m prioritizing sustainable living, conscious entrepreneurship, and creative freedom, while rebalancing how I live, lead, and create. This chapter is about building a life — and a legacy — that’s purpose-driven, fulfilling, and aligned with what truly matters.
Today – Still Creating
What’s Next?
From supporting local artists to designing new products, and mentoring startups — I continue to explore, create, and collaborate. Always evolving. Always up for the next adventure.
What I Really Care About Today
As we grow older (and maybe a little wiser), our view of life often shifts in unexpected ways. For me, the past few years have sparked a deep transformation—a series of conscious realizations that have reshaped my goals, priorities, and core beliefs. Here are the values I now strive to live by:
Living Simply & Intentionally
I embrace a minimalist approach to life—choosing simplicity over excess, intention over impulse. For me, minimalism isn’t just about decluttering; it’s a commitment to less noise, less stress, fewer distractions, and more meaning. It’s about focusing on what truly matters, and letting go of the rest.
Living Responsibly
I’m committed to sustainability—not just recycling, but rethinking everything. I follow the six Rs: Rethink, Refuse, Reduce, Reuse/Repair, Recycle, and Replace. I try to stay mindful of the entire life cycle of what I consume—from how it’s made to where it ends up.
Reclaiming Balance
This one’s been tough—I’ve spent most of my life as a proud workaholic. But I’m learning to recalibrate. I now make space for family, rest, joy, health, and spiritual growth. It’s not about working less—it’s about living more fully.
Strengthening Communities
Whenever I can, I choose local. Supporting small, independent businesses helps keep our communities vibrant, connected, and resilient.
Championing Openness
I’m a strong supporter of all things open: open data, open source, open hardware, open content, open access. To me, sharing knowledge and tools openly builds a more equitable, creative, and collaborative world.
Embracing the World
I believe the best way to understand others is to live among them. That’s why my retirement plan is simple: travel the world, meet people, and learn from as many cultures as I can. There’s no better education than immersion.