1 00:00:05,040 --> 00:00:08,825 Welcome to Working Towards Our Purpose, a podcast that 2 00:00:08,825 --> 00:00:12,585 offers a different perspective on what a job can be. For everyone 3 00:00:12,585 --> 00:00:16,430 out there that's heard that voice in the back of their head asking for something 4 00:00:16,430 --> 00:00:20,050 more, it's time to listen to it. I'm your host, Gino, 5 00:00:20,190 --> 00:00:24,029 and join me as I interview people who have decided to work in their own 6 00:00:24,029 --> 00:00:27,535 purpose. Together, we will learn, become inspired, 7 00:00:27,755 --> 00:00:31,135 and hopefully find our own path towards working in our purpose. 8 00:00:34,100 --> 00:00:37,879 Joining me today is Chelsea Risling, the founder and owner of Meraki 9 00:00:37,940 --> 00:00:41,460 Supply Co, a retail boutique turned consulting company based in 10 00:00:41,460 --> 00:00:45,185 Calgary, Alberta, Canada. She spent the last 2 years here in New Haven 11 00:00:45,185 --> 00:00:48,625 working for Yale as director of operations for the women's hockey 12 00:00:48,625 --> 00:00:51,925 team. Chelsea, thank you so much for being here. How are you today? 13 00:00:52,710 --> 00:00:56,250 Thanks. I'm great. Yeah. It's a nice, beautiful, sunny day in New Haven. 14 00:00:56,550 --> 00:01:00,390 Yes. It is. So yeah. So, I guess the first question 15 00:01:00,390 --> 00:01:04,055 is, always, like, what was your kinda childhood like? And, 16 00:01:04,055 --> 00:01:07,495 like, you know, what did you do for schooling? Or, like, what was it like 17 00:01:07,495 --> 00:01:11,310 growing up in Canada? I mean, that's probably different than America. So 18 00:01:11,310 --> 00:01:15,070 kinda, yeah, just a little bit about your story. Yeah. I grew 19 00:01:15,070 --> 00:01:18,685 up in Saskatchewan, which is one province east of 20 00:01:18,685 --> 00:01:22,525 Alberta, and, yeah, I had a very normal childhood. I 21 00:01:22,525 --> 00:01:26,320 grew up with my dad and got to play lots of sports 22 00:01:26,320 --> 00:01:30,020 and have lots of friends and have just a really pretty normal 23 00:01:30,320 --> 00:01:34,080 upbringing. And in high school, I moved to boarding 24 00:01:34,080 --> 00:01:37,835 school, and it was like a Catholic boarding 25 00:01:37,835 --> 00:01:41,215 school. And it was awesome. I made a lot of friends there. 26 00:01:41,755 --> 00:01:45,420 I think that was probably one of the most foundational 27 00:01:46,040 --> 00:01:49,640 couple years of my life was moving away from home and 28 00:01:49,640 --> 00:01:52,540 start starting to figure out who I am as a person and 29 00:01:53,145 --> 00:01:56,825 establishing a lot of lifelong friendships. And after 30 00:01:56,825 --> 00:02:00,424 that, I moved to Calgary, to the University of Calgary, to 31 00:02:00,424 --> 00:02:03,070 pursue a degree in philosophy. 32 00:02:04,090 --> 00:02:07,850 Interesting. What, led you to, like, philosophy? Was that just 33 00:02:07,850 --> 00:02:11,545 something that, like, intrigued you? Or Yeah. 1000%. 34 00:02:11,845 --> 00:02:14,585 I know it's not the most practical 35 00:02:15,445 --> 00:02:18,950 university degree a person can take, but I I loved the 36 00:02:18,950 --> 00:02:22,730 conversation and, you know, diving in-depth 37 00:02:22,790 --> 00:02:26,525 into various topics. And and, yeah, I just 38 00:02:26,525 --> 00:02:30,125 found it really stimulating. So, yeah, that's kind of what I 39 00:02:30,125 --> 00:02:33,885 did for 4 to 5 years. After that, I did 40 00:02:33,885 --> 00:02:37,510 some traveling. I backpacked across Australia, which 41 00:02:37,510 --> 00:02:41,190 was really fun, and I had to make a decision, 42 00:02:41,990 --> 00:02:45,625 join the corporate world and pursue a law 43 00:02:45,625 --> 00:02:49,465 school or further education or open my 44 00:02:49,465 --> 00:02:53,310 own business. And I was presented with sort of a fork in the 45 00:02:53,310 --> 00:02:57,070 road, and I chose to take a huge risk and a 46 00:02:57,070 --> 00:03:00,845 huge leap and open up a store at age 24. 47 00:03:01,025 --> 00:03:04,825 And with knowing nothing about it, yeah, it actually 48 00:03:04,825 --> 00:03:08,400 all worked out for me, which is really cool. That is cool. And we'll 49 00:03:08,400 --> 00:03:11,640 definitely, like, get into that because I have a lot of questions about that. But 50 00:03:11,640 --> 00:03:15,120 I get think the first thing that comes to mind for me is, like, is 51 00:03:15,120 --> 00:03:18,945 is the view of, like, going to school and getting a 52 00:03:18,945 --> 00:03:22,565 job for, like, 40 years for the best, is that a similar view that, like, 53 00:03:22,865 --> 00:03:26,270 Canada also shares to the United States? Or is there, like, a difference, do you 54 00:03:26,270 --> 00:03:29,570 think, between, like, work culture and, like, life 55 00:03:29,950 --> 00:03:33,435 balance? I think Canada in that 56 00:03:33,435 --> 00:03:36,795 aspect is very influenced by American culture. The 57 00:03:36,795 --> 00:03:40,395 university aspect or going to school 58 00:03:40,395 --> 00:03:44,230 or choosing your career in a sense right out of high school, whatever that may 59 00:03:44,230 --> 00:03:47,769 be. There's, like, a lot of pressure to sorta 60 00:03:48,585 --> 00:03:52,105 have it figured out. And I think that's so silly to think that 61 00:03:52,105 --> 00:03:55,865 16, 17, 18 year old kids these days could have 62 00:03:55,865 --> 00:03:59,320 any idea what they wanna spend the rest of their life doing. And I 63 00:03:59,320 --> 00:04:02,920 think that's, like, a dangerous pressure to put 64 00:04:02,920 --> 00:04:06,455 people under. I wish more people would take time and 65 00:04:06,855 --> 00:04:10,375 travel or work or figure out who they are, you know, focus 66 00:04:10,375 --> 00:04:14,215 on making friends, community, or being somewhere that they 67 00:04:14,215 --> 00:04:17,329 actually enjoy. And yeah. 68 00:04:18,110 --> 00:04:21,789 Mhmm. Yeah. Totally. Definitely agree with that. So did 69 00:04:21,789 --> 00:04:25,505 that affect, like, what you went to college for? Because 70 00:04:25,505 --> 00:04:29,185 you you even said, like, maybe it's not a practical degree, but I 71 00:04:29,185 --> 00:04:32,669 remember, like, for me, when I picked a degree, like, that was kinda the only 72 00:04:32,669 --> 00:04:36,270 thing I was thinking about, like, where it would position me to after 73 00:04:36,270 --> 00:04:39,845 college. So what, like, made you pick the thing that you were interested 74 00:04:39,845 --> 00:04:42,825 in versus, like, maybe a quote, unquote more practical 75 00:04:43,285 --> 00:04:47,040 degree? Yeah. I think that's maybe what sparked 76 00:04:47,340 --> 00:04:51,100 my sort of outside the box life Mhmm. In not 77 00:04:51,100 --> 00:04:54,160 pursuing something that just led straight to 78 00:04:54,925 --> 00:04:58,525 a career job and choosing something that did pique my interest 79 00:04:58,525 --> 00:05:02,190 more than being practical. Yeah. 80 00:05:02,190 --> 00:05:05,630 That's really cool. So then you did some traveling after you 81 00:05:05,630 --> 00:05:09,410 graduated, and what spawned you to go to Australia? 82 00:05:09,630 --> 00:05:13,314 That's very far away. Yeah. I had some friends who were 83 00:05:13,314 --> 00:05:16,995 out there doing some traveling, and I was just about done 84 00:05:16,995 --> 00:05:20,169 my degree at the U of C. And, I decided 85 00:05:20,870 --> 00:05:24,470 I'm gonna book a one way flight out there, and we're gonna get a van 86 00:05:24,470 --> 00:05:28,125 and drive up the coast and camp with no return 87 00:05:28,125 --> 00:05:31,665 flight or anything. And that was really fun. I'm a bit of a spontaneous 88 00:05:31,965 --> 00:05:34,945 person, always up for adventure. And 89 00:05:35,630 --> 00:05:39,390 that was a really fun summer of my life to, get to 90 00:05:39,390 --> 00:05:43,230 experience that in in a bit of a different part of the world. Yeah. 91 00:05:43,230 --> 00:05:46,655 It was cool. I also had moved 92 00:05:46,715 --> 00:05:50,255 out east for a year of my university 93 00:05:51,275 --> 00:05:54,889 time to work for the University of New Hampshire's women's 94 00:05:54,889 --> 00:05:58,410 hockey team, and I did my courses online from my 95 00:05:58,410 --> 00:06:01,925 university. So that was kinda cool. I got a little taste of 96 00:06:02,225 --> 00:06:05,905 Eastern America, just north of Boston, and, yeah, that 97 00:06:05,905 --> 00:06:09,320 was a really, really fun time, too. I've never been afraid 98 00:06:09,320 --> 00:06:13,160 of making a move or changing cities or, you 99 00:06:13,160 --> 00:06:16,884 know, going into something a bit unknown. And and yeah. So I feel like that 100 00:06:16,884 --> 00:06:19,544 was rooted in me from a bit of a young age. 101 00:06:20,645 --> 00:06:24,460 Yeah. Definitely. So yeah. So then you came back 102 00:06:24,460 --> 00:06:28,300 from Australia and then you just decided that you wanted to open a business. What 103 00:06:28,300 --> 00:06:32,140 was that process like or decision making like? Did you think about 104 00:06:32,140 --> 00:06:35,485 it a lot or was it like something that kinda just came up and you 105 00:06:35,485 --> 00:06:38,865 took it? Yeah. I moved back, and 106 00:06:38,925 --> 00:06:41,824 I was studying for my LSATs 107 00:06:42,604 --> 00:06:46,240 and sort of planning on, I guess, this is the next step, like 108 00:06:46,240 --> 00:06:50,080 going continuing my education and and going into law 109 00:06:50,080 --> 00:06:53,875 school. And I had finished those, was happy with my scores, 110 00:06:53,935 --> 00:06:57,634 but felt a little bit of, you know, 111 00:06:58,210 --> 00:07:01,090 I don't know if this is the right decision for me. I think there's a 112 00:07:01,090 --> 00:07:04,930 part of me that doesn't quite fit into the corporate world, and 113 00:07:04,930 --> 00:07:08,545 that was the part of it that I worried about 114 00:07:08,545 --> 00:07:12,305 the most. You know, I'm a really passionate person. When I find 115 00:07:12,305 --> 00:07:15,845 something I love, I'm a 110% into it. 116 00:07:16,180 --> 00:07:20,020 But I'm also myself. I'm very myself, and I 117 00:07:20,020 --> 00:07:23,560 don't know that I could fit into conforming into the corporate 118 00:07:23,620 --> 00:07:27,375 world in the way that I would have probably needed to to be successful 119 00:07:27,435 --> 00:07:31,275 in that career. And, yeah, one thing led to 120 00:07:31,275 --> 00:07:35,010 another, and I think it's it's that little bug 121 00:07:35,010 --> 00:07:38,470 you get bit by or that little seed that gets planted in your brain 122 00:07:38,850 --> 00:07:41,895 that you know what? I've seen other people open businesses. 123 00:07:42,275 --> 00:07:46,034 I I feel like I could really do this and give it a shot. 124 00:07:46,034 --> 00:07:49,770 And that was sort of the moment when I changed course 125 00:07:49,770 --> 00:07:53,390 and pivoted from continuing education 126 00:07:53,530 --> 00:07:57,310 to taking a risk. Shortly after that, I found 127 00:07:57,675 --> 00:08:01,435 a space to lease. And from there, it was you 128 00:08:01,435 --> 00:08:05,195 know, looking back, I designed the space and and made 129 00:08:05,195 --> 00:08:07,420 it my own. And and, yeah. 130 00:08:08,940 --> 00:08:12,700 So did you have to sign, like, a certain amount a year lease? 131 00:08:12,700 --> 00:08:16,445 Because I know with commercial leasing, it's usually, like, not just 1 year. It's like 132 00:08:16,445 --> 00:08:19,885 a bigger commitment than that. Was it similar? And if so, 133 00:08:19,885 --> 00:08:23,340 like, was that, like, nerve wracking or scary to 134 00:08:23,500 --> 00:08:25,760 kinda commit to that big chunk of time? 135 00:08:27,100 --> 00:08:30,620 Yeah. It was a 5 year lease in a 136 00:08:30,620 --> 00:08:33,824 trendy little neighborhood in Calgary called Kensington. 137 00:08:35,004 --> 00:08:38,764 And, yeah, it was a huge risk, but I didn't view it as that 138 00:08:38,764 --> 00:08:42,299 for even one second. I was I had my mind 139 00:08:42,299 --> 00:08:45,980 set, and I figured I would make it work 140 00:08:45,980 --> 00:08:49,040 no matter what. I didn't really experience 141 00:08:49,339 --> 00:08:53,185 any fear going into it. I was just so excited 142 00:08:53,645 --> 00:08:57,085 to do something of my own. And that may 143 00:08:57,085 --> 00:09:00,860 be the little secret to the success or 144 00:09:00,860 --> 00:09:04,700 to it all kind of working out for me was a little 145 00:09:04,700 --> 00:09:08,300 bit of ignorance and being young and being 146 00:09:08,300 --> 00:09:11,145 naive and taking a big risk. 147 00:09:12,885 --> 00:09:16,325 Yeah. Yeah. I I guess, something that kinda comes 148 00:09:16,325 --> 00:09:19,950 up in the people that I interview, I was thinking specifically of an one 149 00:09:19,950 --> 00:09:23,490 episode I did, but like the way that people make decisions can be 150 00:09:23,550 --> 00:09:27,215 different, like depending on your personality and that sort of thing. I think some people 151 00:09:27,215 --> 00:09:30,895 make decisions with their head a lot and, like, very logical and that sort of 152 00:09:30,895 --> 00:09:34,495 thing, and then some people make decisions with, like, their heart or maybe 153 00:09:34,495 --> 00:09:38,180 more with passion. Is that something that, like, you notice when you make 154 00:09:38,180 --> 00:09:41,540 decisions? Because I guess I'm kinda, like, thinking about the decision you made to go 155 00:09:41,540 --> 00:09:45,275 to college and the decision to open a business. Sounds like you more so follow 156 00:09:45,275 --> 00:09:49,035 something that, like, you're interested in or that you're passionate about versus logic. Is 157 00:09:49,035 --> 00:09:52,500 that, I don't know, something you ever think about? Yeah. Yeah. I 158 00:09:52,500 --> 00:09:55,800 definitely think about that. And I think we're all a combination 159 00:09:56,019 --> 00:09:59,699 of all of those things depending on what it 160 00:09:59,699 --> 00:10:03,175 is. And, you know, age really does play a 161 00:10:03,175 --> 00:10:06,555 factor in that or responsibilities that come up in life, but 162 00:10:07,015 --> 00:10:10,750 I've never let logic stop me from doing something that 163 00:10:10,750 --> 00:10:13,810 I'm passionate about. I feel that trumps all. 164 00:10:14,589 --> 00:10:18,435 Yeah. I think it's something that I bring up because it's always something that 165 00:10:18,435 --> 00:10:21,995 I, like, I balance and play with because I think I also am a very 166 00:10:21,995 --> 00:10:25,695 passionate person when it comes to the things that, like, I enjoy, but I also 167 00:10:26,530 --> 00:10:29,970 am very logical. And like, I went to school for mechanical engineering. It's 168 00:10:29,970 --> 00:10:33,110 very, you know, follow the formula sort of thing. 169 00:10:33,810 --> 00:10:37,654 So it's something that, like, I constantly balance and I think the older I get, 170 00:10:37,654 --> 00:10:41,015 the more I lean off of the logic and more of like the, 171 00:10:41,015 --> 00:10:44,649 what intrigues me. And I think it has been 172 00:10:44,649 --> 00:10:48,329 helpful. So yeah, just interesting to, to get your 173 00:10:48,329 --> 00:10:52,089 perspective on that. So what, what was like the first step of like 174 00:10:52,089 --> 00:10:55,575 starting a store? Like, did you, did you find a 175 00:10:55,575 --> 00:10:58,855 space and then decide what you wanted the business to be? Or did you think 176 00:10:58,855 --> 00:11:01,355 about what the business was and then find the space? 177 00:11:02,500 --> 00:11:06,120 Yeah. I think those 2 went pretty hand in hand, finding the space 178 00:11:06,340 --> 00:11:10,100 and having the concept and the vision all kind of panning out at the 179 00:11:10,100 --> 00:11:13,205 same time. It's about a 6 month period of 180 00:11:13,585 --> 00:11:17,365 creativity and brainstorming and coming up with the concept 181 00:11:17,505 --> 00:11:21,260 and all the little details, but, yeah, I 182 00:11:21,260 --> 00:11:25,100 had an idea of wanting a little store that sold a lot of 183 00:11:25,100 --> 00:11:28,945 products that aren't represented in other stores, which is pretty typical of 184 00:11:28,945 --> 00:11:32,625 a boutique. I mean, a lot of these smaller brands maybe 185 00:11:32,625 --> 00:11:36,459 don't have a storefront to sell in, or maybe they're only at markets from time 186 00:11:36,459 --> 00:11:39,839 to time. So my idea was to make a space 187 00:11:40,459 --> 00:11:43,680 around local goods or local makers 188 00:11:45,125 --> 00:11:48,884 and sort of combine that with a bit of the outdoorsy culture that 189 00:11:48,884 --> 00:11:52,565 exists in Calgary and make a little store. So 190 00:11:52,815 --> 00:11:56,410 yeah. Interesting. So 191 00:11:56,550 --> 00:12:00,230 what was the, like, the first biggest challenge, I guess, as 192 00:12:00,230 --> 00:12:03,935 opening your own store? Like, so you're a boutique finding 193 00:12:03,935 --> 00:12:07,775 kinda other people's unique items. What was the process 194 00:12:07,775 --> 00:12:11,500 like to even find stuff to put in your store? Yeah. A lot 195 00:12:11,500 --> 00:12:15,180 of it was, at first, you you kinda make connections through social 196 00:12:15,180 --> 00:12:18,160 media. I think at that time in 2013, 197 00:12:19,020 --> 00:12:22,465 2014, Instagram was sort of starting to really become 198 00:12:23,085 --> 00:12:26,465 not just a social app, but a tool for businesses. 199 00:12:26,685 --> 00:12:29,105 And I was really lucky to experience 200 00:12:30,279 --> 00:12:34,040 the beginning phases of Instagram as a 201 00:12:34,040 --> 00:12:37,180 business tool, which was really cool, connecting with people 202 00:12:37,895 --> 00:12:40,795 in my city, but also people internationally, 203 00:12:41,335 --> 00:12:44,555 and really built a community around 204 00:12:45,449 --> 00:12:49,230 this little concept, this little lifestyle concept, if you will. 205 00:12:49,689 --> 00:12:53,230 And that was really fun. I think a lot of the Meraki community was 206 00:12:54,105 --> 00:12:57,725 outside of Calgary as well. I had a lot of people throughout the years 207 00:12:57,865 --> 00:13:01,704 who had followed us for years come through town and make 208 00:13:01,704 --> 00:13:05,440 us a pit stop, and, you know, we'd send product 209 00:13:05,440 --> 00:13:09,220 out to people, you know, in California or 210 00:13:09,600 --> 00:13:13,155 Colorado. And it was really cool to connect. And I think 211 00:13:13,155 --> 00:13:16,775 that is an aspect of the business that I didn't foresee and 212 00:13:18,195 --> 00:13:21,830 how Instagram really played a huge role in that too, in that 213 00:13:21,830 --> 00:13:25,590 connection, in that community building, even with other businesses, other 214 00:13:25,830 --> 00:13:29,210 whether it was other vendors or other stores similar to mine. 215 00:13:30,065 --> 00:13:33,745 Calgary itself has a really cool small business scene. And 216 00:13:33,745 --> 00:13:37,345 especially back then, it was really booming before sort of 217 00:13:37,345 --> 00:13:40,980 the the downfall of oil and gas and the pandemic and all 218 00:13:40,980 --> 00:13:44,820 those things. I think that was such a prime time to be a 219 00:13:44,820 --> 00:13:48,415 part of something really special and a lot of success in that 220 00:13:48,415 --> 00:13:51,775 city at that time too. It was a really booming 221 00:13:51,775 --> 00:13:55,560 period and a really cool time to start a business. And, you 222 00:13:55,560 --> 00:13:59,079 know, whatever your idea of success is, I felt it was 223 00:13:59,079 --> 00:14:02,920 coming through in a lot of different ways in community and 224 00:14:02,920 --> 00:14:06,605 connection and helping others and building something bigger than 225 00:14:06,605 --> 00:14:10,205 myself. Yeah. That that word community is something that, 226 00:14:10,205 --> 00:14:13,640 like, is important to me also. And 227 00:14:14,020 --> 00:14:17,540 something that I also didn't really expect when I first like, because I first started 228 00:14:17,540 --> 00:14:21,125 my business, it was like completely online. Didn't really have to talk to anybody, 229 00:14:21,185 --> 00:14:25,025 kinda just tried to find clients through Instagram and, you know, other ways 230 00:14:25,025 --> 00:14:28,730 like that. But I think once I started being involved 231 00:14:28,730 --> 00:14:32,570 in, like, even the New Haven local entrepreneur community and just other 232 00:14:32,570 --> 00:14:36,110 people who are doing similar things is when things changed a lot for me. 233 00:14:36,394 --> 00:14:40,154 So, yeah, it's interesting that that's something that, like, I both of 234 00:14:40,154 --> 00:14:43,535 us maybe didn't see coming, but became instrumental. And then 235 00:14:43,930 --> 00:14:46,829 even for me, certainly rewarding as far as, 236 00:14:47,850 --> 00:14:51,370 just connecting with other people and, like, figuring out my own mission 237 00:14:51,370 --> 00:14:55,085 more. Did did connecting with the community kinda 238 00:14:55,085 --> 00:14:58,925 change the way that your business even was or, like, 239 00:14:58,925 --> 00:15:02,399 you know, from the original idea? Yeah. 1000%. 240 00:15:04,380 --> 00:15:08,160 It was the whole purpose. It became the whole purpose 241 00:15:08,300 --> 00:15:11,675 of the business, whether it was, you know, 242 00:15:11,815 --> 00:15:15,495 making friendships and connections with people, helping 243 00:15:15,495 --> 00:15:19,095 other people with their small businesses, or even just the ability 244 00:15:19,095 --> 00:15:22,709 to have my own space where my friends knew where to 245 00:15:22,709 --> 00:15:26,470 find me every single day. It was really cool. I 246 00:15:26,470 --> 00:15:30,085 got to have my dog with me at work every day, And we 247 00:15:30,225 --> 00:15:34,065 became the little staple of the neighborhood and just went to 248 00:15:34,065 --> 00:15:37,880 the same coffee shop across the street every day and lived above 249 00:15:37,880 --> 00:15:41,320 my store, which was really cool. There was a really strong 250 00:15:41,320 --> 00:15:44,675 community aspect to having this 251 00:15:44,895 --> 00:15:48,435 shop that I didn't foresee. And 252 00:15:48,495 --> 00:15:52,199 that is what I ended up enjoying the most 253 00:15:52,199 --> 00:15:55,959 about it. That was by far the most important part about 254 00:15:55,959 --> 00:15:59,524 having this space was its 255 00:15:59,524 --> 00:16:03,144 potential to be anything I wanted it to be. We ended up hosting 256 00:16:03,524 --> 00:16:06,880 various events with other breweries 257 00:16:07,140 --> 00:16:10,940 or, you know, different companies in town or or, you 258 00:16:10,940 --> 00:16:14,460 know, musicians and and things like that. We did a lot of pop ups 259 00:16:14,460 --> 00:16:18,005 and even just had our own little parties and things and stuff. It was a 260 00:16:18,005 --> 00:16:21,785 really cool space that became multidimensional, and 261 00:16:22,259 --> 00:16:26,100 that was that was something I didn't foresee at all, but 262 00:16:26,100 --> 00:16:28,759 became sort of the pillar of Meraki. 263 00:16:30,545 --> 00:16:33,985 Yeah. I like that. And I think too, nowadays, 264 00:16:33,985 --> 00:16:37,680 it's it's cool to, like, have a multi use 265 00:16:37,680 --> 00:16:41,440 space, even like maybe from like a, you know, income aspect. It's 266 00:16:41,440 --> 00:16:45,220 like hard to make one specific thing work. I think it's cool that like 267 00:16:45,464 --> 00:16:49,305 businesses are, like, combining things and, like, having different like, the other day I 268 00:16:49,305 --> 00:16:53,065 saw this tattoo shop that's also gonna be, like, a coffee shop, which 269 00:16:53,065 --> 00:16:56,890 is so cool to me because, like, they're trying to invite people to, like, come 270 00:16:56,890 --> 00:17:00,410 hang out. And, like, obviously, there's gotta be some separation for, like, health 271 00:17:00,410 --> 00:17:04,045 concerns, but, just the idea of, like, people hanging out there and 272 00:17:04,045 --> 00:17:07,005 seeing what's going on and like something else is going on in the back. I 273 00:17:07,005 --> 00:17:10,765 think that that's like a really cool way to run a business because it's 274 00:17:10,765 --> 00:17:14,410 inviting the community. So it's cool that you, like, got to do 275 00:17:14,410 --> 00:17:18,250 that. So I really like that idea of, like, having a physical location be more 276 00:17:18,250 --> 00:17:22,075 of something than just selling something. But I guess that 277 00:17:22,075 --> 00:17:25,675 kinda like brings me to like, so what about like from the business end of 278 00:17:25,675 --> 00:17:29,275 running the business, like, you know, obviously you gotta pay for your rent and 279 00:17:29,275 --> 00:17:32,840 lights and, and all that stuff. Did selling products, 280 00:17:32,899 --> 00:17:36,360 like, initially, was that enough for you to 281 00:17:36,659 --> 00:17:39,860 to keep the lights on, or did you have to, like, start selling online? Like, 282 00:17:39,860 --> 00:17:43,615 what did that look like? Yeah. The store itself did 283 00:17:43,615 --> 00:17:47,395 did fairly well. I'd say my expectations in that aspect 284 00:17:47,455 --> 00:17:51,060 were exceeded. There was a big push for me to sell 285 00:17:51,060 --> 00:17:54,820 online and do ecommerce, or I guess not a push, but 286 00:17:54,820 --> 00:17:58,555 more pressure from people who maybe didn't live in the city and things like 287 00:17:58,555 --> 00:18:02,315 that. And I dabbled in that a bit, but I found something a 288 00:18:02,315 --> 00:18:05,660 bit impersonal about the online 289 00:18:06,520 --> 00:18:09,880 space of of selling a product. You know, that, at the end of the day, 290 00:18:09,880 --> 00:18:13,240 just, like, wasn't what I was trying to do 291 00:18:13,240 --> 00:18:17,044 initially. But ecommerce in that time frame, in those 6 292 00:18:17,044 --> 00:18:20,725 years, did become one of the main ways of 293 00:18:20,725 --> 00:18:24,320 consuming and shopping. So sort of pivoting to 294 00:18:24,320 --> 00:18:28,100 that in some degree, but a bit in a resistance 295 00:18:28,320 --> 00:18:31,600 sort of way. The point was to come down to the store, you know, and 296 00:18:31,600 --> 00:18:35,165 see the space. Upon opening, I 297 00:18:35,165 --> 00:18:39,005 didn't have a lot of start up money at all to open up, but I 298 00:18:39,005 --> 00:18:42,830 spent every last dime on making the space 299 00:18:42,890 --> 00:18:46,350 feel a certain way when people walked into it, where 300 00:18:46,970 --> 00:18:50,570 you almost feel a bit transported when you walk into the space. It 301 00:18:50,570 --> 00:18:54,325 was all Douglas fir, wood paneling, and big 302 00:18:54,325 --> 00:18:57,845 huge beams, and, you know, a really cozy space with 303 00:18:57,845 --> 00:19:01,429 with exposed brick and things like that and, you know, 304 00:19:01,429 --> 00:19:05,270 dim lighting. And I wanted people to feel like they were walking 305 00:19:05,270 --> 00:19:08,805 into a cozy space and a space that felt like 306 00:19:09,045 --> 00:19:12,565 quality, and that was then reflected in the products as well. 307 00:19:12,565 --> 00:19:16,165 But, you know, the product's almost being an afterthought to how the 308 00:19:16,165 --> 00:19:19,990 space initially felt. And I think anyone who's stepped foot 309 00:19:19,990 --> 00:19:23,830 in Meraki knows what I'm talking about, and I'm sure there'll be 310 00:19:23,830 --> 00:19:27,450 some people listening to this that that have been there. And, 311 00:19:28,335 --> 00:19:31,855 yeah, so I think ecommerce is something I was a bit 312 00:19:31,855 --> 00:19:35,455 hesitant to do because, you know, you just you it's it's 313 00:19:35,455 --> 00:19:38,909 impersonal. And at the end of the day, all of the brands that I 314 00:19:38,909 --> 00:19:42,750 sold in the store had their own ecommerce sites and their own and 315 00:19:42,750 --> 00:19:45,490 their own website. So that's an interesting 316 00:19:47,635 --> 00:19:51,155 reality of of being somebody who's a vendor for other 317 00:19:51,155 --> 00:19:54,915 people's products, which then led it to us making some one 318 00:19:54,915 --> 00:19:58,580 off drops of, you know, Meraki products and things, which was really fun, 319 00:19:59,200 --> 00:20:03,040 just to have that little creative touch and get to do 320 00:20:03,040 --> 00:20:05,865 some things like that that we wanted to to make. Yeah. 321 00:20:07,765 --> 00:20:11,205 Cool. Yeah. I I like that. I because I'm kinda the same way. Like, I'm 322 00:20:11,205 --> 00:20:14,730 at more of an in person sort of being. 323 00:20:15,049 --> 00:20:18,649 And, like, I really like the way that you describe, I 324 00:20:18,649 --> 00:20:22,385 guess, the aesthetic of the store and, like, how that was almost 325 00:20:22,385 --> 00:20:26,145 more important or a primary driver versus, 326 00:20:26,145 --> 00:20:28,500 like, the actual products. And I think I noticed 327 00:20:35,595 --> 00:20:38,795 if there was, like, pictures of products and stuff like that, but it's all just, 328 00:20:38,795 --> 00:20:42,555 like, an aesthetic of, like I don't know. You feel a 329 00:20:42,555 --> 00:20:46,230 certain way by looking at all the pictures that are, like, curated. Do you know 330 00:20:46,230 --> 00:20:49,590 what that is? Like, the the drive to, like, want to, like, curate this kind 331 00:20:49,590 --> 00:20:53,365 of aesthetic almost? Yeah. You know, I haven't thought 332 00:20:53,365 --> 00:20:56,805 too much about that. As you said, it's kinda been like that from the 333 00:20:56,805 --> 00:21:00,389 beginning, but I guess it's it's sort of storytelling 334 00:21:00,529 --> 00:21:04,309 in a sense or or something like that. It's visual storytelling, 335 00:21:04,529 --> 00:21:08,105 and it's I wanted to reflect, you 336 00:21:08,105 --> 00:21:11,865 know, quality and consistency in in our 337 00:21:11,865 --> 00:21:15,645 products. And I think that was the main platform for that. 338 00:21:15,785 --> 00:21:19,420 Funny thing is I had never had to spend a dime on 339 00:21:20,360 --> 00:21:23,960 advertising or marketing. You know, I just figured it out as I 340 00:21:23,960 --> 00:21:27,445 went, which was really fun. So the Instagram 341 00:21:27,445 --> 00:21:31,285 page kinda says it all, and the photos and all that. And, 342 00:21:31,285 --> 00:21:34,930 you know, reposting a lot of other people's photos from afar 343 00:21:34,930 --> 00:21:38,370 sort of became, you know, another aspect of of the 344 00:21:38,370 --> 00:21:41,910 visual side. Yeah. It definitely 345 00:21:42,210 --> 00:21:45,985 is, important part. I think if anything, because I'm just thinking 346 00:21:45,985 --> 00:21:49,585 like if I go to a coffee shop, I'm usually picking it 347 00:21:49,585 --> 00:21:53,290 based off of like the space and like how it feels in there versus 348 00:21:53,290 --> 00:21:56,730 like, if their coffee's good. Maybe everybody doesn't do that, 349 00:21:56,730 --> 00:22:00,515 but I feel like that's more important than if the 350 00:22:00,515 --> 00:22:03,235 coffee is good. Like, because if I'm gonna be sitting in there and working, like, 351 00:22:03,235 --> 00:22:06,855 I wanna be comfortable and, like, feel a certain way, feel productive. 352 00:22:07,155 --> 00:22:10,560 So I think that that's, I don't know, at least for me, something that, like, 353 00:22:10,560 --> 00:22:14,320 maybe a lot of people don't specifically talk about because it's probably 354 00:22:14,320 --> 00:22:18,105 hard to root that back to, like, sales, but I 355 00:22:18,105 --> 00:22:21,405 think it's important. So it's cool that that you kinda, like, went in that direction. 356 00:22:21,705 --> 00:22:25,460 So what did you said you had the store for 5 years. What did, 357 00:22:25,460 --> 00:22:28,820 like, the evolution look like from, like, 1st year to, 358 00:22:28,820 --> 00:22:32,580 like, you know, mid 2, 3 years in to, like, the end of 359 00:22:32,580 --> 00:22:36,205 it? Yeah. I'd say that it started off 360 00:22:36,205 --> 00:22:39,725 pretty small, you know, and not a lot of product. It 361 00:22:39,725 --> 00:22:43,480 was sort of getting people to buy into the concept 362 00:22:43,540 --> 00:22:47,380 and put their product in the store, and, you know, then we 363 00:22:47,380 --> 00:22:51,145 sell it, and then we both get a cut. So the consignment 364 00:22:51,365 --> 00:22:55,145 aspect was how I initially built up the ability 365 00:22:55,205 --> 00:22:58,825 to build an inventory and the ability to 366 00:22:59,050 --> 00:23:01,950 wholesale product from there, which then granted me the ability 367 00:23:02,970 --> 00:23:06,650 to have more products from different makers and, you know, 368 00:23:06,650 --> 00:23:10,235 some from further away and things like that. So it was a 369 00:23:10,235 --> 00:23:13,935 slow growth, but in a sustainable way. I think 370 00:23:14,155 --> 00:23:17,840 growth doesn't have to be so rapid and all at 371 00:23:17,840 --> 00:23:21,460 once. And I think I was happy with how 372 00:23:22,080 --> 00:23:25,860 the growth every year was noticeable. And 373 00:23:26,625 --> 00:23:30,005 how do I word it? I'd say the growth was 374 00:23:30,465 --> 00:23:34,145 noticeable, but not overwhelming. Mhmm. Because that's the other thing 375 00:23:34,145 --> 00:23:37,650 with with quick growth, sometimes things can really get out of 376 00:23:37,650 --> 00:23:41,350 control. So I'd say it started off pretty small, and 377 00:23:41,810 --> 00:23:45,605 by 20 17, 2018, really became 378 00:23:46,225 --> 00:23:49,925 more what I wanted it to be initially. And and it took some patience and 379 00:23:50,065 --> 00:23:53,460 and time and and hard work and a lot of sacrifice 380 00:23:53,919 --> 00:23:57,679 as a young person being there every day. But 381 00:23:57,679 --> 00:24:01,039 it was very worth it for so many reasons that I could have never 382 00:24:01,039 --> 00:24:04,725 expected. By the end of the 5 years, 383 00:24:04,725 --> 00:24:08,565 I decided to give my landlords a call and say, you know, 384 00:24:08,565 --> 00:24:11,705 I'm unsure if I wanna do another 5 or not. 385 00:24:12,230 --> 00:24:15,990 And how would you feel, you know, just 386 00:24:15,990 --> 00:24:19,830 extending my lease by 1 more year? And they were they were cool 387 00:24:19,830 --> 00:24:23,434 with that, you know, with the idea that after that 388 00:24:23,434 --> 00:24:27,195 one additional year, I would then decide if I'm gonna stay for another 5 389 00:24:27,195 --> 00:24:30,230 or not. And on December 31, 390 00:24:31,169 --> 00:24:35,010 2019, I decided that I need a break 391 00:24:35,010 --> 00:24:38,855 and that I had put, you know, 6 years pretty 392 00:24:38,855 --> 00:24:42,475 much working every day into this into this space. And 393 00:24:42,934 --> 00:24:46,075 I was happy with where it was, but I was ready for it to almost 394 00:24:46,420 --> 00:24:49,940 bloom into its its new thing, which I wanted a bigger 395 00:24:49,940 --> 00:24:53,785 space. I wanted, like you said earlier, more more 396 00:24:54,185 --> 00:24:58,025 multifaceted aspects of it, maybe a coffee bar, maybe an event 397 00:24:58,025 --> 00:25:01,705 space, seating for people to hang out and and make it more of a 398 00:25:01,705 --> 00:25:05,220 community concept. So closing the store was 399 00:25:05,760 --> 00:25:09,600 a hard decision, but also kind of an easy decision because in the back of 400 00:25:09,600 --> 00:25:13,365 my mind, I knew that or I thought I knew that it was going to 401 00:25:13,365 --> 00:25:17,044 come back kind of bigger and better and and more built around 402 00:25:17,044 --> 00:25:20,850 community. And, I mean, a few months later, we 403 00:25:20,850 --> 00:25:24,230 all know what happened in March of 2020 with the pandemic. 404 00:25:25,169 --> 00:25:28,610 And that sort of changed the fate of of what I was building at the 405 00:25:28,610 --> 00:25:32,215 time. You know, I didn't know how long the pandemic would last. 406 00:25:32,215 --> 00:25:35,815 I didn't know if it was gonna be a month or a year or longer, 407 00:25:35,815 --> 00:25:39,480 which it ended up being. So it ended up having to 408 00:25:39,480 --> 00:25:43,159 pivot into something to help other businesses stay 409 00:25:43,159 --> 00:25:46,835 alive at that time. Yeah. That's 410 00:25:47,134 --> 00:25:50,815 interesting timing. It's almost kinda perfect timing to close a 411 00:25:50,815 --> 00:25:54,270 physical location when everybody was kinda shut down. 412 00:25:54,410 --> 00:25:58,090 So how did you then kinda grow into that 413 00:25:58,090 --> 00:26:01,645 next role of helping other businesses? Was it something that, 414 00:26:01,645 --> 00:26:05,405 like, kinda just came to you? Like, people started asking you, how do 415 00:26:05,405 --> 00:26:09,165 you do these certain things? Or, was this something that you kinda went out 416 00:26:09,165 --> 00:26:12,840 and tried to do? I mean, it kind of 417 00:26:12,840 --> 00:26:16,620 came naturally. I think there was a couple struggling businesses in the neighborhood 418 00:26:16,679 --> 00:26:20,075 who didn't know where to begin with with sort of 419 00:26:20,075 --> 00:26:23,915 online marketing and and also ecommerce and things like that. 420 00:26:23,915 --> 00:26:27,659 So it's it really started out local and then sort of became 421 00:26:27,659 --> 00:26:31,340 a way to, you know, continue making a living, you know, 422 00:26:31,340 --> 00:26:34,940 switching to sort of helping others with their media and their marketing. 423 00:26:34,940 --> 00:26:38,475 And I think the biggest thing was trying to be something that I 424 00:26:38,475 --> 00:26:41,915 almost wish I had when I was starting my store because 425 00:26:41,915 --> 00:26:45,330 I didn't know how to do any of this stuff. I didn't know how to 426 00:26:45,330 --> 00:26:49,170 set up a POS system or build a website or take 427 00:26:49,170 --> 00:26:52,865 photos, and I had to learn all of those things 428 00:26:52,925 --> 00:26:56,685 on my own, you know, to save money and and things like that. 429 00:26:56,685 --> 00:27:00,420 And, yeah, sort of just kind of using 430 00:27:00,420 --> 00:27:03,640 all my skills that I built in those 6 years to, 431 00:27:04,180 --> 00:27:07,695 help other people stay alive during the pandemic and which turned 432 00:27:07,695 --> 00:27:11,395 into helping some other businesses open up throughout that time 433 00:27:12,095 --> 00:27:15,590 and help other some other businesses grow or open new 434 00:27:15,590 --> 00:27:19,110 departments where they needed to pivot into something a little bit different 435 00:27:19,110 --> 00:27:22,650 to stand through that, you know, really difficult 436 00:27:22,710 --> 00:27:26,425 time economically. And yeah, and so it was it was pretty 437 00:27:26,425 --> 00:27:30,105 rewarding in that sense, I would say. Yeah. I 438 00:27:30,105 --> 00:27:33,740 I also think it's kind of neat that you get to help somebody 439 00:27:33,740 --> 00:27:37,500 with, like you said, almost a younger version of yourself who you 440 00:27:37,500 --> 00:27:40,780 wish you kinda had this, and now you can help those people because you kinda 441 00:27:40,780 --> 00:27:43,825 know where they're at. So I think that's a really cool way to, like, you 442 00:27:43,825 --> 00:27:47,105 know, I guess, make a business off of the things that you already know how 443 00:27:47,105 --> 00:27:50,820 to do, which is I think maybe the most natural 444 00:27:50,880 --> 00:27:54,559 way to have a business or start a business. I think I 445 00:27:54,559 --> 00:27:58,340 think about that a lot and, like, trying to 446 00:27:59,265 --> 00:28:03,105 I'm noticing, like, as you're speaking, it kinda seems like that 447 00:28:03,105 --> 00:28:06,865 you kinda just seem to, like, follow what makes sense and, 448 00:28:06,865 --> 00:28:10,570 like, maybe not overthink, but I could totally be missing 449 00:28:10,570 --> 00:28:14,330 that. Like, how do you feel about overthinking? I feel personally that, like, I 450 00:28:14,330 --> 00:28:17,385 overthink a lot of things to the point where, like, I don't even do them. 451 00:28:18,645 --> 00:28:22,485 Right. So, like, how how do you combat that? Is 452 00:28:22,485 --> 00:28:25,770 that something that, like, is a challenge for you over overthinking things? 453 00:28:26,870 --> 00:28:30,470 Yeah. I think there are things in my life. And as 454 00:28:30,470 --> 00:28:34,245 I've gotten older, I I find that I'm overthinking things 455 00:28:34,245 --> 00:28:38,085 a lot more, because you go through stuff. You know? You go there's a reason 456 00:28:38,085 --> 00:28:41,850 we overthink, and that's a protection mechanism. And 457 00:28:41,850 --> 00:28:45,309 it's wanting to make the right decision with limited 458 00:28:45,370 --> 00:28:48,245 information. You know, overthinking 459 00:28:48,785 --> 00:28:52,465 is not always a bad thing, but it can hold a person 460 00:28:52,465 --> 00:28:56,145 back. And I find in the last few years of my 461 00:28:56,145 --> 00:28:59,650 life since since since I've closed down my shop. You know, I find 462 00:28:59,650 --> 00:29:03,270 myself overthinking, you know, some opportunities 463 00:29:04,605 --> 00:29:08,285 and trying to be that person who that I 464 00:29:08,285 --> 00:29:10,865 am deep down, who is a little more impulsive, 465 00:29:11,700 --> 00:29:15,320 who is open to adventure and opportunities 466 00:29:15,860 --> 00:29:19,435 and, you know, open to the unknown. I 467 00:29:19,435 --> 00:29:22,955 think when I think about what I want my life to look like when 468 00:29:22,955 --> 00:29:26,735 I'm old and unable to do these things, 469 00:29:26,875 --> 00:29:30,630 I want to look back and say that I said yes 470 00:29:30,630 --> 00:29:34,390 to things as often as I could within 471 00:29:34,390 --> 00:29:38,235 reason. But it's harder to do when you get older. You feel like you have 472 00:29:38,235 --> 00:29:41,934 to be more responsible. You know, there's social pressures or, 473 00:29:42,394 --> 00:29:46,235 you know, subconscious things, a place that you're supposed 474 00:29:46,235 --> 00:29:49,900 to be by the time you're in your thirties. And, you 475 00:29:49,900 --> 00:29:53,280 know, I I think I've sacrificed a lot of having a normal life 476 00:29:53,340 --> 00:29:56,935 or having a life where I'm able to up and move to 477 00:29:56,935 --> 00:30:00,695 Connecticut or, you know, go on a big road trip for 478 00:30:00,695 --> 00:30:04,430 half a year or maybe take a risk in 479 00:30:04,430 --> 00:30:08,110 helping someone open a business and be at this point in my life 480 00:30:08,110 --> 00:30:11,684 where I don't know what it's gonna look like, but I think that's how I 481 00:30:11,684 --> 00:30:15,385 want it to be. Mhmm. Yeah. I definitely 482 00:30:15,445 --> 00:30:19,044 resonate with that a lot. And for from 483 00:30:19,044 --> 00:30:22,850 coming from, like, a college path going into corporate, I think 484 00:30:22,850 --> 00:30:26,690 I felt as if that younger part of my life, I was 485 00:30:26,690 --> 00:30:30,415 very excited to like kind of do something and then almost held back 486 00:30:30,415 --> 00:30:33,775 by the job position that I had or, like, you know, the 40 hours you 487 00:30:33,775 --> 00:30:37,580 gotta be there. And I and I think about this 488 00:30:37,799 --> 00:30:40,700 the last few interviews is this kinda come up where it's like 489 00:30:41,159 --> 00:30:44,840 I think about how I was back then and, 490 00:30:44,919 --> 00:30:48,705 like the energy and, I don't know, desire that I had to do something, 491 00:30:48,845 --> 00:30:52,445 but it doesn't necessarily mean, like, you can't do that now. 492 00:30:52,445 --> 00:30:56,190 Like, you could, I don't know. Like, you're a different age and, you know, 493 00:30:56,190 --> 00:30:59,950 circumstances are different, but you could still, like, push yourself to do the 494 00:30:59,950 --> 00:31:03,644 things that you wanna do or kinda more try to weed out the 495 00:31:03,644 --> 00:31:07,245 social pressures and all the other external pressures and, really 496 00:31:07,245 --> 00:31:10,960 nothing is kinda holding you back except yourself. So 497 00:31:10,960 --> 00:31:13,919 almost kinda reframing it and looking at it in a different way and being like, 498 00:31:13,919 --> 00:31:17,220 oh, I could have that exploratory twenties, 499 00:31:17,815 --> 00:31:21,275 early twenties period now. Like, there's not really anything that 500 00:31:21,815 --> 00:31:25,655 is stopping me from doing that except me. Mhmm. So I think I'm 501 00:31:25,655 --> 00:31:29,480 trying to make more decisions now based off of just, like, enjoyment. Like, do I 502 00:31:29,480 --> 00:31:33,100 like doing this? Is this something that's giving me something in return? 503 00:31:34,280 --> 00:31:37,845 You know, not just financially, but, like, am I learning something? Is it 504 00:31:37,845 --> 00:31:41,684 fun? Am I building relationships? Like, that's kinda how I try to move more so 505 00:31:41,684 --> 00:31:45,419 now, I think. So what you were saying was resonating with me 506 00:31:45,419 --> 00:31:49,179 as far as, like, that feeling. But yeah. So as I guess you think about, 507 00:31:49,179 --> 00:31:52,875 like, what it is that you wanna do next. You you 508 00:31:52,875 --> 00:31:56,635 did say that you had some sort of reservations maybe, but, like, what what do 509 00:31:56,635 --> 00:32:00,235 you think that you would wanna do next? Do you wanna open up another location 510 00:32:00,235 --> 00:32:03,870 back in Canada? Yeah. You know, this question comes 511 00:32:03,870 --> 00:32:07,390 up a lot, and I think I've spent maybe the last couple 512 00:32:07,390 --> 00:32:11,055 years unconsciously avoiding that reality 513 00:32:11,195 --> 00:32:14,955 of the next thing. Right? And, you know, which has led me 514 00:32:14,955 --> 00:32:18,235 to some pretty cool places and some really neat opportunities. But at the end of 515 00:32:18,235 --> 00:32:21,950 the day, figuring out what the next thing is for me is is a bit 516 00:32:21,950 --> 00:32:25,730 daunting. My plan is to move back to Canada 517 00:32:26,110 --> 00:32:29,855 in the next month or 2 and figure it 518 00:32:29,855 --> 00:32:33,294 out from there. I know that it's a bit open ended of an 519 00:32:33,294 --> 00:32:37,040 answer, but that's kinda where I'm at right now. And I 520 00:32:37,040 --> 00:32:40,800 need to remember to not be fearing the 521 00:32:40,800 --> 00:32:44,480 future in a time like this, but actually be excited for the 522 00:32:44,480 --> 00:32:47,855 opportunities that could come. And, you 523 00:32:47,855 --> 00:32:51,695 know, I think that's kinda the main question people ask me a 524 00:32:51,695 --> 00:32:54,654 lot is, oh, well, what's next? And where are you gonna live next? And what 525 00:32:54,654 --> 00:32:58,190 are you gonna do next? And I I don't know. I don't know. And 526 00:32:58,190 --> 00:33:01,950 I kind of like it that way by design. You know? It's it's sort of 527 00:33:01,950 --> 00:33:05,445 like that on purpose. I want to do 528 00:33:05,445 --> 00:33:08,885 something that I'm passionate about, but I don't think it's gonna be a 529 00:33:08,885 --> 00:33:12,630 retail location again. You know? A lot of reasons for that. 530 00:33:12,710 --> 00:33:16,070 Some practical and some more emotional. You know, the 531 00:33:16,070 --> 00:33:19,830 economy's changed. How businesses operate has 532 00:33:19,830 --> 00:33:23,495 changed. You know? Look at Amazon in the last 10 years 533 00:33:23,955 --> 00:33:27,795 from 2014 when I opened my store to now. Most people just 534 00:33:27,795 --> 00:33:30,980 wanna shop online, and it's really hard to compete with that. 535 00:33:31,460 --> 00:33:35,240 But also building something that isn't 536 00:33:36,260 --> 00:33:40,020 unknown, like, you know, building something practical too, building something that can 537 00:33:40,020 --> 00:33:43,665 help purpose, building something that I can see myself doing for a 538 00:33:43,665 --> 00:33:47,185 while. And I'm not sure what that is. I've, you know, I've 539 00:33:47,185 --> 00:33:50,970 helped restaurants and people in that world start up, and and 540 00:33:50,970 --> 00:33:54,350 part of me is really interested in that from a passion perspective. 541 00:33:55,050 --> 00:33:58,505 You know, but my skill sets lie in, you know, maybe 542 00:33:58,565 --> 00:34:02,105 more marketing and business vision and things like that. So 543 00:34:02,725 --> 00:34:06,565 I don't know what the future holds, and I think that's really exciting. And 544 00:34:06,565 --> 00:34:10,239 I need to, you know, remember that. And talking with people like you really helps 545 00:34:10,239 --> 00:34:14,079 me to remember that, oh, yeah. This is this is 546 00:34:14,079 --> 00:34:17,685 exciting, and this is okay. One thing you had touched on earlier 547 00:34:17,985 --> 00:34:21,665 with with sort of this topic, it's okay to be in your 548 00:34:21,665 --> 00:34:25,390 thirties and and do things that maybe you might have wanted to do in 549 00:34:25,390 --> 00:34:28,990 your twenties. And I'm seeing a bit of a trend with people our 550 00:34:28,990 --> 00:34:32,735 age. You know, I'm 33, and, you know, a lot of my 551 00:34:32,735 --> 00:34:36,435 peers who have done the corporate thing or one job 552 00:34:36,495 --> 00:34:39,555 for the last, you know, 10, 15 years, 553 00:34:40,175 --> 00:34:43,370 they're they're almost getting this itch to, 554 00:34:43,990 --> 00:34:47,270 you know, oh, I wish I would I could start something of my own up 555 00:34:47,270 --> 00:34:50,410 or try this or you know, and 556 00:34:50,935 --> 00:34:54,455 the comfort of their their 557 00:34:54,455 --> 00:34:58,155 corporate position and and, you know, financially or maybe responsibilities, 558 00:34:58,615 --> 00:35:02,420 like, you know, a family or a mortgage, holds them back 559 00:35:02,420 --> 00:35:05,960 from doing something that they could be really passionate about. And 560 00:35:06,825 --> 00:35:10,505 I am really happy that I took the route I did and sort of 561 00:35:10,505 --> 00:35:14,285 scratch that itch at an early age. And I'm not looking back, 562 00:35:14,910 --> 00:35:18,510 you know, wishing I could do something that maybe I 563 00:35:18,510 --> 00:35:22,110 can't do now. You know? My life doesn't look like what a lot of those 564 00:35:22,110 --> 00:35:25,905 people's lives look like, and that's okay. I do 565 00:35:25,905 --> 00:35:28,965 hope that people our age can feel 566 00:35:29,345 --> 00:35:32,980 comfortable and confident enough to not think 567 00:35:32,980 --> 00:35:36,340 it's too late to try something new and and try something 568 00:35:36,340 --> 00:35:39,865 exciting. Mhmm. Yeah. I 569 00:35:40,005 --> 00:35:43,525 100% agree with that, and that's kind of a part of the 570 00:35:43,525 --> 00:35:47,365 reason that this podcast exists. Because I think when I finally broke out 571 00:35:47,365 --> 00:35:51,070 of that corporate model, I 572 00:35:51,070 --> 00:35:54,670 met so many cool people of all different ages doing so many different cool things. 573 00:35:54,670 --> 00:35:58,395 And I'm like, woah. There's a whole other world out here of, like, people 574 00:35:58,395 --> 00:36:02,235 figuring it out and getting by and being fine and doing the things 575 00:36:02,235 --> 00:36:05,455 that they care about and, like, helping people that they care about. And, 576 00:36:06,250 --> 00:36:10,089 that's certainly, like, one of the first reasons why this podcast exists because 577 00:36:10,089 --> 00:36:13,845 I just wanted to, like, ask them about their stories and, like, highlight them 578 00:36:13,845 --> 00:36:17,525 and be an example for other purpose. Because I think if I'm thinking about a 579 00:36:17,525 --> 00:36:21,310 younger version of myself, that's what I wanted to hear. I wanted to hear, like, 580 00:36:21,390 --> 00:36:25,230 somebody doing something different and, like, being okay and taking a 581 00:36:25,230 --> 00:36:28,805 risk, making a jump and, like, figuring it out. Because, yeah, it's 582 00:36:28,805 --> 00:36:32,244 you'll always figure it out in the end. Like it it'll come 583 00:36:32,244 --> 00:36:35,785 together in ways that you couldn't imagine, but 584 00:36:35,960 --> 00:36:39,799 I think taking the jump is like the hardest thing. So yeah, I, 585 00:36:39,799 --> 00:36:43,375 I really like what you just said. And it, it 586 00:36:43,375 --> 00:36:47,215 is super exciting, to, to go into something and be like, I don't know what 587 00:36:47,215 --> 00:36:50,515 I'm gonna do, but I'm gonna follow my heart and 588 00:36:50,830 --> 00:36:53,310 it'll lead me to what I'm supposed to be doing next. And I think that 589 00:36:53,310 --> 00:36:56,750 that's in and of itself super empowering and a cool way to look at it 590 00:36:56,750 --> 00:37:00,565 for sure. Yeah. Yeah. I feel really fortunate to be in 591 00:37:00,565 --> 00:37:04,404 the position I am in. I feel like my phase in life 592 00:37:04,404 --> 00:37:08,140 right now is very much a follow my heart kind 593 00:37:08,140 --> 00:37:11,599 of phase. You know? I'm feeling ready to move back. 594 00:37:11,820 --> 00:37:14,960 I'm feeling really excited for the future, 595 00:37:15,180 --> 00:37:18,925 and I've got a lot of really awesome people in life too that 596 00:37:18,925 --> 00:37:22,065 are really supportive. I always inspired 597 00:37:22,365 --> 00:37:26,019 by, you know, my friends and my peers and, you know, other 598 00:37:26,019 --> 00:37:29,480 business owners and people like you who, you 599 00:37:29,700 --> 00:37:33,220 know, make me remember that, you know, it's gonna be 600 00:37:33,220 --> 00:37:35,095 okay. And, you know, the support 601 00:37:42,535 --> 00:37:46,380 that's that's success in and of itself is, like, you know, who do 602 00:37:46,380 --> 00:37:50,220 you have in your life helping you become whoever it is that 603 00:37:50,220 --> 00:37:53,805 you wanna be? Mhmm. Yes. I, again, 604 00:37:53,805 --> 00:37:57,565 totally agree. And that's definitely something that, like, you 605 00:37:57,565 --> 00:38:01,170 can't quantify, but it's so important and just helps you get through 606 00:38:01,170 --> 00:38:04,130 because I think a big part of it too is, like, it's not just this 607 00:38:04,130 --> 00:38:07,650 steady kind of doing the same thing every day, getting the same paycheck every 608 00:38:07,650 --> 00:38:11,025 week. There's ups and downs, and I think you need people and 609 00:38:11,025 --> 00:38:14,005 community to help you through those times. And 610 00:38:14,385 --> 00:38:18,145 in getting together with other people who are doing similar things, 611 00:38:18,145 --> 00:38:21,730 like minded people, you are then inspiring each other and, 612 00:38:21,730 --> 00:38:25,349 like, growing together as a whole, which is, I think, is, like, the coolest thing. 613 00:38:25,569 --> 00:38:29,015 So, yeah, it makes me think about, like, physical 614 00:38:29,015 --> 00:38:32,375 location places where, like, people can come together and do that. And I 615 00:38:32,375 --> 00:38:36,170 think maybe one day I'll have some sort of place where people can do that 616 00:38:36,250 --> 00:38:40,010 because I really like the idea of people in person, like communicating and 617 00:38:40,010 --> 00:38:43,690 working off of each other's energies and inspiring each other. But 618 00:38:43,690 --> 00:38:47,435 yeah, we'll see down the road. That's a very cool idea. I I 619 00:38:47,435 --> 00:38:50,655 love that idea, and I think that we need more of that in the world, 620 00:38:50,715 --> 00:38:54,430 you know, to feel connected and to feel inspired and, you 621 00:38:54,430 --> 00:38:57,329 know, to build off of each other's energy and passion. 622 00:38:57,950 --> 00:39:01,790 Mhmm. Totally. So we are kinda getting to the end of 623 00:39:01,790 --> 00:39:05,605 our time, but I do have to ask you the same question I ask 624 00:39:05,605 --> 00:39:09,285 everybody in that is, what does purpose mean to you? For 625 00:39:09,285 --> 00:39:12,960 me, it's, you know, kind of an important word and it's, you know, in this 626 00:39:12,960 --> 00:39:16,640 podcast. So wanna get your perspective on what purpose means. What 627 00:39:16,640 --> 00:39:20,475 does purpose mean to me? Yeah. That's a that's a tough one. 628 00:39:20,475 --> 00:39:23,995 That's ever changing. That is, I 629 00:39:23,995 --> 00:39:27,690 think, a big a big part of purpose for 630 00:39:27,690 --> 00:39:31,210 me is just authenticity and and being true to who I 631 00:39:31,210 --> 00:39:34,865 am and whatever whatever season of my life that 632 00:39:34,865 --> 00:39:38,545 that is. You know? Honoring that, you know, it's always 633 00:39:38,545 --> 00:39:42,279 going to be changing, and that's okay. We're we're meant to change, and we're meant 634 00:39:42,279 --> 00:39:45,900 to grow, and there's ebbs and flows to life. And 635 00:39:46,359 --> 00:39:50,155 it's easy to say right now, but, of course, it's difficult when you're experiencing 636 00:39:50,295 --> 00:39:53,835 that. But, you know, my purpose is to be me. 637 00:39:53,895 --> 00:39:56,795 Be authentic to me. Be kind. 638 00:39:57,510 --> 00:40:01,050 Be you know, help others, inspire 639 00:40:01,110 --> 00:40:04,550 others, but but just always remain true to who I 640 00:40:04,550 --> 00:40:08,285 am. And, you know, know when it's time to say goodbye 641 00:40:08,285 --> 00:40:12,125 or time to say no. And know when it's time to jump in, you 642 00:40:12,125 --> 00:40:15,105 know, feet burst into something exciting. And, 643 00:40:17,150 --> 00:40:20,750 you know, I'm I'm proud to have done the things that I've done, and I'm 644 00:40:20,750 --> 00:40:24,315 excited for what the future holds. But, yeah, I'd say purpose is really 645 00:40:24,315 --> 00:40:26,815 rooted in authenticity at the end of the day. 646 00:40:27,995 --> 00:40:31,670 Yeah. I love that. And I'm also finding that 647 00:40:31,670 --> 00:40:35,510 myself, that that's also a really important piece of it. And 648 00:40:35,510 --> 00:40:39,190 I tend, I have words like it seems every year, like different 649 00:40:39,190 --> 00:40:42,964 words that seem important, and authenticity is one of them 650 00:40:42,964 --> 00:40:46,645 for this year for me. Because I think that that's how you can inspire people 651 00:40:46,645 --> 00:40:50,210 the most is by being your most true 652 00:40:50,210 --> 00:40:53,970 self, and then it inspires other people to do the same. So, yeah, I 653 00:40:53,970 --> 00:40:57,655 I really like that answer. Yeah. Yeah. I I love that. That is 654 00:40:57,655 --> 00:41:01,415 so true. It's truly what inspires others too is just 655 00:41:01,415 --> 00:41:05,255 being you, which is the craziest life hack ever. Just be 656 00:41:05,255 --> 00:41:09,099 yourself. I know. Sounds so easy, but 657 00:41:09,099 --> 00:41:12,880 it's it's Yeah. Not very difficult sometimes, 658 00:41:12,940 --> 00:41:16,405 but, but yeah, thank you so much for sharing all of your 659 00:41:16,405 --> 00:41:20,085 wisdom and your experiences with us. And I definitely wish you the 660 00:41:20,085 --> 00:41:23,820 best In the future, we'll have to have you back on when you get to 661 00:41:23,980 --> 00:41:27,580 back to Canada and and figure out your new thing, and see and see how 662 00:41:27,580 --> 00:41:31,295 far you've gotten. Thanks, Gino. Appreciate it. This has been super fun and, 663 00:41:31,535 --> 00:41:34,495 you know, something a little out of my comfort zone, but I'm super glad I 664 00:41:34,495 --> 00:41:38,190 did it. So thank you for giving me that opportunity, and thanks for being 665 00:41:38,190 --> 00:41:41,950 someone that inspires me. Oh, thank you so much. Thank you for being someone that 666 00:41:41,950 --> 00:41:45,490 inspires me. Awesome. Well, have a good day, Gino. See you. 667 00:41:46,365 --> 00:41:50,045 Thank you for listening to Working Towards Our Purpose. If you liked today's 668 00:41:50,045 --> 00:41:53,484 episode and are interested in more, you can sign up for my Substack 669 00:41:53,484 --> 00:41:57,040 newsletter with the link in the show notes where I share thoughts, 670 00:41:57,040 --> 00:42:00,800 tips, and ideas that I'm learning along my journey to help inspire 671 00:42:00,800 --> 00:42:04,500 you. The show was produced by Pleasant Podcast at pleasant podcast 672 00:42:06,545 --> 00:42:07,045 dotcom.