Recapping The Past & Moving Forward
Finally, my first real post.
When I set this website up 3 years ago its original and sole purpose was to serve as my campaign website for the Halifax Regional Municipality (HRM) Election’s in 2008.Since that time my life has changed significantly so now this site is going to be a simple blog that will focus on Entrepreneurship, Politics and Business.
An Early Start
I was 23 years old straight out of university and working for the bank when I first decided to run. I had big ideas, huge goals, and large ambitions; probably inspired by all the progressive higher learning I was doing at Mount Allison University. Deep down I knew I had to run at a young age because that experience would help me in the long run in the future. I also wanted to give back to the community that helped raise me. Coming back from school I witnessed a city that was once very proud and united, divided and not confident. Something needed to be done, someone had to step up, so I did. Ex. (I wanted to talk about things like Re-investing in youth recreational programs, and development not about "cat bi-laws" and "decaying buildings.") It was never about my ego, just common sense.
So on September 7th, 2008 I announced I was going to run for District 12 Halifax Downtown. Over the following 6 weeks I worked full-time, knocked on thousands of doors and spoke with hundreds of people. I was 6”1, 235 fresh off the football field, no longer chasing CIS running backs, but instead now I was chasing after votes. I really believed in what our team was doing, and they believed in me too. It was a lot of fun and we learned about many peoples stories, that experience will be shared by us all for the rest of our lives.
Trying My Best
Although I lost the election I continued in my quest to do my part to positively contribute to the city. Therefore I took on significant responsibilities with open arms. I volunteered, coaching high school football. Served on the HRM School Advisory Council, working with education administers and policy analyst on best practices and strategies. I started a corporation in the financial service industry saving my clients thousands of dollars in interest charges. I worked on non-profit community engagement projects, and even started a technology joint venture that won the best “big idea” award for the entire province of Nova Scotia. With all my energy I networked and dove deep inside the depths of the political bureaucracy and private business sectors that run the Atlantic Canadian region.
I think looking back my ambitions where a little to large and threatening for some. Maybe that's what happens when you put up 500 signs in the downtown core, and the following spring your companies advertisements is on the radio. Even though I invested my heart, money, business, and time into the city. The cultural, political, and economic policy that was in place would allow me to go so far. I remember being told by a well respected business man after a meeting in my office "In 5 years, your going to be very dangerous ". Take that statement how you want and in three years I guess will find out, however the bottom line is my intentions where always good.
Moving Forward
Currently I have expanded my presence beyond Atlantic Canada in order to ensure my business can succeed. The fact is market realities, the political climate, and economic conditions left me without a choice but to grow beyond the east coast. I am now back home in Toronto, Ontario the place I was born. The experience of living, studying, and doing business in the Maritimes has defiantly prepared me for the new challenges I will face building in Central Canada. I now have renewed energy, focus, and determination to start building and growing again. I have lot of people to thank for believing in the best of me, no way I could still be going if it wasn't wasn't for your help, encouragement, trust and support. You all know who you are, thank you from the bottom of my heart.
Without continual growth and progress, such words as improvement, achievement, and success have no meaning. - Benjamin Franklin