About Me
The Entrepreneur
Founded Horizon Media Group
Creative Agency
merged with other Agency Dec, 2004
My journey as an instigator and troublemaker in the industry began in 1994 when I discovered the incredible opportunities of the web. I registered my employer’s first domain, designed and launched my first website, and I was hooked. I quit my job and my employer became my first client. I established my first company, Horizon Media Group, with branding, design and web in focus.
The Innovator
Co-founded Borealis
Co-working and Collaboration Space
closed in Dec, 2002
In early 2000, with the wave of new startups, I co-founded Ottawa’s first creative co-working space, Borealis, a high tech startup incubator which provided fully serviced and equipped studio space for 20 startups. Unfortunately, during the second year in operation and lack of funding we were forced to close our doors. It became an important learning experience in my entrepreneurial journey. During the turmoil of the shutdown of Borealis, I decided to merge Horizon Media Group with another company in 2002 and join their leadership team as Business Development and Solutions Manager.
The Artist
Founded The Other Side Studios
Production Studio
merged with Uniforge Jun, 2012
In 2004, my excitement for the production of new ideas brewed into establishing a new creative think-tank, The Other Side Studios, a production studio for entertainment services and products ranging from social networking events to innovative and interactive digital media products. Productions included: Clickathon, a series of stock photography events; City Hunters, an urban photography scavenger hunts; Tikiosk, an online ticketing platform for events. That year, I also led the creation of digitalOttawa — an initiative supported by the Ottawa Centre for Research and Innovation (now InvestOttawa) to connect Ottawa’s digital media community with each other by hosting monthly events and an online community portal.
The Investor
Joined Codency as Director
Incubator for various start-ups
– Jan, 2007
In 2006, I branched out to Montreal to join Codency, a holding company, as a Director. By the end of my assignment, I had recruited a world class team, managed and advised in the creation of a number of projects and new startups (Pixilis, Diamancy, Gigasize and Needen).
The Strategist
Founded digitalOttawa
Digital Agency
merged with Uniforge Jun, 2012
Soon after, I returned to Ottawa and transitioned the digitalOttawa initiative into a full consulting agency, armed with seasoned associates, we ventured to pioneer the Government of Canada in Social Media and Mobile initiatives working closely with the Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC), Canadian Security Intelligence Service (CSIS), Global Affairs Canada, Canadian Air Transport Security Authority (CATSA), Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC), the Canadian Armed Forces and many others.
The Tabletop Gamer
Founded Games for All
Game Lounge, Events & Online Store
closed Dec, 2014
As a kid, board games were always a thing we enjoyed together. As life went on, I didn’t think of them much till about 2004 when I noticed an upcoming new trend and their big return. It was something fun to do with friends and family. In 2008 while sitting down with a friend, we were committed to re-introducing it as a viable social activity for all, be it for casual, educational, or even competitive. It was then we ventured to create and host the first Game Summit and Toy & Game Expo to then to become the largest annual tabletop gaming events and expo in Canada; In 2011, I launched, Games for All, an online store and giant game rental service; and in 2014, upgraded to a full tabletop gaming retail store and lounge in Westboro; We also pioneered as the first Canadians to publish two board games, from local game designers, through two successful Kickstarter campaigns in 2011 (FrankenDie) and in 2012 (Top This!).
The Partner
Merged The Other Side & digitalOttawa
to form Uniforge
Digital Agency
closed Nov, 2015
In 2012, The Other Side Studios and digitalOttawa merged and continued to spearhead thriving new initiatives under the new brand, UniForge, by helping to adapt and solve digital media, communications and marketing challenges through playful gamification solutions and campaigns. Clients included 20+ Government of Canada departments and agencies; and 100+ private and other public sector organizations.
The Executive Leader
Joined Canadian Museum of History and Canadian War Museum
Career
– present
In April 2015, I accepted to take on a new challenge as a Digital Leader at the Canadian Museum of History, Canadian Children’s Museum and Canadian War Museum. The museum world is entering a very exciting time as digital technologies provide a huge potential to enhance storytelling and visitor experiences in a vast number of ways. My team is tasked to innovate, design, develop, deploy and support both museum’s overall digital experience online and in-museum with audio, video and interactive installations.
The Advisor
Founded Studio Marquis
Start-up Strategy & Coaching
– present
Today, I help other entrepreneurs bring their idea to reality through my consulting business Studio Marquis. I continue to create and support new projects and businesses.
The Owner
Co-founded The Odd Spot
in an 1837 renovated hotel
Board Game Shop & Café
– present
We decided to move ahead with our dream of moving to a small town and establishing a unique shop of a variety of curated products for entertaining along with a cozy café offering coffees, specialty drinks and a menu of shareable food to a small town. Our customers can also stay & play to enjoy our library of 500+ popular board games.
The Community Leader
Board Director Spencerville BIA
Board Director Spencerville Mill & Museum
– present
Moving to Spencerville Ontario, a small town off the 416 near the 401, was a dream to settle in as I near retirement. Participating in the community to help it grow and flourish is something I’ve always wanted to engage in at this stage of my life. I am proud to be involved and see actual growth changes to the community.
Looking back
Ever since I can remember I’ve been an entrepreneur. I strive to pioneer, innovate, build brands and big events. Building, growing and running creative agencies; founding one of Ottawa’s first digital creative co-working space; hosting and running major stock photography and scavenger events; unleashing tabletop gaming premium venues and events; experimenting with crowdfunding, designing, manufacturing and global distribution of products; managing and successfully delivering over 300 digital projects; and now innovating in the museum space with digitally enhanced experiences.
What do I really care about today
- Work-life balance: This is a hard one for me, being a workaholic. But I’m working hard in getting this right by proper prioritizing between “work” (career and ambition) and “lifestyle” (health, pleasure, leisure, family and spiritual development/meditation).
- Minimalism lifestyle: A minimalism lifestyle defines the practice of simple, frugal living. I strive to make personal choices and beliefs about consumerism, the pace of life, and the value of having less – less money, less “stuff”, less distractions, less stress. Minimalism states that anything above or beyond necessity is wasteful, distracting, and creates disharmony in one’s self, relationships, and society.
- Make a sustainable impact: Six Rs of sustainability – reinvent/rethink, refuse, reduce, reuse/repair, recycle, replace/rebuy. Limit the amount of packaged goods. Being conscious of the whole of the supply chain of products we consume: from basic function, to marketing, and then through to end of life and rebirth + rethink the use of plastic.
- Building a sustainable home: Looking to build a fully sustainable home for a more healthy, efficient, and sustainable living. Taking on the following principles: Optimizing use of the sun, improving indoor air quality, using the land responsibly, creating high-performance and moisture-resistant, and wisely using the Earth’s natural resources.
- Supporting local businesses: I make an effort to buy locally produced goods and services over those produced farther away. Help local businesses thrive and grow. Let’s support our local businesses!
- Supporting “open” movements: I support sharing ideologies, all “open” movements such as open data, open source, open hardware, open content and open access. I’m a socialist at heart.
- Experiencing new cultures: The best way to experience and understand other cultures is to actually live among them. I plan on traveling the world and learn about different cultures! This is my ultimate retirement plan.
Latest Photos
