About Me
The Entrepreneur
Founded Horizon Media Group
Creative Agency
merged in Dec, 2002
The web was young, but I saw its potential. After securing my employer’s first domain and launching a website, I was hooked. I jumped ship, with my former boss as my first client, to start Horizon Media Group. We dove into branding, design, and web development, setting the stage for my reputation as an industry disruptor. In 2002, I merged with another company, stepping into a new role as Business Development and Solutions Manager, steering my career into uncharted waters.
The Innovator
Co-founded Borealis
Co-working and Collaboration Space
closed in Dec, 2002
In Ottawa, I launched Borealis, the city’s first creative co-working space and tech incubator. It was a hub for 20 startups but sadly closed due to funding issues. This was a tough lesson but invaluable for my entrepreneurial saga.
The Artist
Founded The Other Side Studios
Production Studio
merged with Uniforge Jun, 2012
Driven by creativity, I started The Other Side Studios, a think tank for entertainment and digital media. We created unique experiences like Clickathon, City Hunters, and Tikiosk. That year, I also initiated digitalOttawa to knit together the local digital community, supported by the Ottawa Centre for Research and Innovation.
The Investor
Joined Codency as Director
Incubator for various start-ups
– Jan, 2007
I ventured to Montreal to join Codency, where I built a stellar team and guided startups like Pixilis and Gigasize, leaving a mark on their strategic development.
The Strategist
Founded digitalOttawa
Digital Agency
merged with Uniforge Jun, 2012
Back in Ottawa, I turned digitalOttawa into a full-service agency, pioneering digital strategies for Canadian government bodies, helping modernize their digital interactions.
The Tabletop Gamer
Founded Games for All
Game Lounge, Events & Online Store
closed Dec, 2014
Reviving my childhood love for board games, I launched Canada’s largest tabletop gaming event from a simple expo. Games for All became an online store, then a lounge, and we even crowdfunded our games, “FrankenDie” and “Top This!”.
The Partner
Merged The Other Side & digitalOttawa
to form Uniforge
Digital Agency
closed Nov, 2015
Uniforge was born from merging my two ventures, focusing on gamification to solve communication and marketing challenges for over 20 government departments and numerous organizations.
The Executive Leader
Joined Canadian Museum of History and Canadian War Museum
Career
– present
I stepped into the role of Digital Leader at these iconic national museums, where we’re pushing boundaries with technology to enrich visitor experiences through digital storytelling.
The Owner
Co-founded The Odd Spot
in an 1837 renovated hotel
Board Game Shop & Café
– present
In pursuit of a dream, we opened The Odd Spot in a quaint town, offering a curated shop, a cozy café, and a vast board game library for community enjoyment.
The Community Leader
Board Director Spencerville BIA
Board Director Spencerville Mill & Museum
– present
Embracing small-town life, I’m now deeply involved in community growth, contributing to local initiatives and witnessing the vibrant changes in Spencerville, Ontario.
The Advisor
Co-founded Airow
Digital Strategy & Coaching
– present
At Airow, we’re all about using AI to streamline operations and boost business growth. I’m hands-on with leadership coaching, ensuring businesses not only survive but thrive in the digital age.
Looking back
I’ve been an entrepreneur since I was practically in diapers, fueled by a passion for innovation and the thrill of building brands. From kick-starting creative agencies to pioneering Ottawa’s first digital co-working haven, my career has been a wild ride of firsts. I’ve thrown massive stock photography and scavenger hunt bashes, created top-notch gaming lounges, and dived into the wild world of crowdfunding, product design, manufacturing, and global distribution. With over 300 digital projects under my belt, I’m now on a mission to revolutionize the museum scene with digitally enhanced, immersive experiences that’ll knock your socks off.
What do I really care about today
- Work-Life Harmony: Yes, I’m a recovering workaholic, and finding the perfect work-life balance is like trying to juggle flaming chainsaws, but I’m committed. It’s all about juggling career highs with personal zen—health, hobbies, family, and a bit of spiritual growth. It’s the art of living well, both at work and at play.
- Minimalist Living: I’ve embraced minimalism like it’s the new black. It’s not just about having less stuff; it’s about clearing the clutter from life, thoughts, and relationships. By choosing simplicity, I focus on what genuinely enriches life, proving that less can indeed be more.
- Sustainable Impact: I live by the Six Rs—Rethink, Refuse, Reduce, Reuse, Repair, Recycle, Replace—striving to leave less of a footprint on our planet. I’m on a crusade against plastic, aiming for a world where consumption is as conscious as our morning coffee choices.
- Sustainable Home Sweet Home: My dream is to transform my living space into an eco-warrior’s paradise. I’m talking solar panels, air that’s cleaner than a whistle, and land use that respects Mother Earth. It’s all about creating a home that’s not just a house but a living testament to sustainability.
- Local Love: I’m all for supporting the backbone of our community—local businesses. By choosing local, I’m not just shopping; I’m investing in our neighborhood’s future. It’s about making our local economy as robust as a well-brewed cup of tea.
- Open Everything: I’m a big fan of the “open” philosophy—open data, open source, open hardware, you name it. Sharing is caring, after all. I proudly wear my socialist heart on my sleeve, believing in a world where knowledge and resources flow freely.
- Cultural Odyssey: My retirement plan? To travel the globe and soak in every culture like a sponge. Understanding the world through direct experience is my ultimate goal, turning every trip into a chapter of my life’s story.
This is me in a nutshell—or rather, a sustainably sourced, minimalist nutshell. Here’s to making the world a bit brighter, one innovation, one choice at a time.
