So You Want to Start a Start-up?

Q: There are so many people who stay in a dead end job for the wrong reasons. How did you find the courage to branch off on your own?
For me, it was simple mathematics; Chance; No Chance. If I stayed in a job (in my experience every job eventually) in which I was unhappy there was No chance I would be happy. If I went off on my own, there was also a chance I could be unhappy, but more importantly, there was a Chance I would be happy. If there was only a chance in hell I'd be happy on my own, I decided to take it. I'll take a Chance in hell over No chance any day.

Q: What do you love about working for yourself?
That I can be creative, and come up with innovative solutions that I know will get implemented.

Q: Business gadgets/products you swear by?
Great question! Three things: one Homebox by Sinden Home keeps my personal information organized in a way my filing cabinet never did (it's a system), two - Pen Again. I cringe every time I use a regular pen now. Amazing innovation! (I bought mine in the US), and three the Scotch Scrapbook cutter. It's a handle that slips under a page, and allows its blade to cut only the page I want to cut out. It's brilliant for saving articles or inspirational ideas.

Q: Best local restaurant to entertain clients?
I really like Prato on St. Lawrence St, right beside Schwartz's. They serve Italian food and gourmet pizza that tastes homemade. An authentic coal-fire brick oven gives Prato a warm ambience perfect for my business dinners.

Q. How has being self-employed affected your personal and dating life?
Ha! Ha! Let's just say I didn't get into this to meet women Being a start-up has taken a lot of my time, and a lot of my money, both of which detract from me being in a relationship or dating. I look at it like I'm planting seeds that are growing to support dates, relationships, and my future family.

Q: What was the most difficult aspect of launching a new company alone and how did you deal with it?
You said it with the word alone. While being alone is by far the most challenging, for obvious reasons emotional and financial; it is also the most rewarding. I get to do what I want to do, the way I want to do it, and attract great, talented people to me who share the vision and direction I have for Tidy Tab. I have met and work with some really great people, and am very grateful for that.

Q: What are some of the best resources for entrepreneurs in your area?
OMETZ and SAJE are entrepreneurial organizations in Montreal I've worked with that have both given me valuable advice, guidance and have helped with funding.

Q: Many people are afraid to start their own business, what words of advice would you give to inspire them do so?
The advice that worked for me, and I still follow every time something gets overwhelming or daunting is: Look where I want to go. I know it sounds really simple, and it is. It's also really powerful. It's like trying to drive between the lines when I'm looking at the sidewalk- it doesn't work very well. So, I focus on looking where I want to go, without even considering where I don't want to go, because it doesn't apply. Look down the road, stay on the road. What sidewalk?