That was the message from Peter Fowler, keynote speaker at the 2010 Ivey Venture Forum, held on Global Ivey Day at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre. Fowler delivered a lively speech that included the key lessons he’d learned starting and building successful restaurant chains such as Jack Astor’s and Alice Fazooli’s, and the premier restaurants REDS and Far Niente.
The event opened with an introduction of the new Entrepreneurs’ Index by Stewart Thornhill of the Pierre L. Morrissette Institute for Entrepreneurship, and Dustin Fortnum of KPMG Enterprise, the sponsors of the Index. Based on the inaugural Index, Canadian entrepreneurs are bullish on the economy.
According to Fortnum, despite the fact entrepreneurship accounts for 45% of Canada’s GDP, we can’t be complacent. “Everyone in this room should be asking, what can we do to promote entrepreneurship in Canada”, Fortnum told the 170 attendees.
The audience was treated to a fast-paced day full of presentations from six exciting early-stage companies from sectors as diverse as cleantech, ICT, and life, who were looking for financing to kick-start their new businesses or grow their existing businesses. With lots of questions from the audience, it was evident there was significant interest in the presenting companies.
The panel discussion included great information for people looking to start new companies, with the panellists repeatedly returning to the themes of flexibility and passion. According to Rubsun Ho, partner at Cognition LLP, “If you are starting a company for the money, don’t bother!” And from Fowler again, “Be passionate. If you don’t feel it from your heart, don’t do it. . . Be willing to learn. Persevere. Have some faith. And have some fun along the way”
Great messages for the entrepreneur in all of us.
Thank you to everyone who attended, to our speakers, presenting companies, and our sponsors. And thank you to all the dedicated volunteers who worked so hard to make the Venture Forum a success.
