" If you believe in something, it will come across by the way you speak about it. "

I wanted to ask what are the top challenges you face as an entrepreneur?

There are many leaps of faith when it comes to entrepreneurship. You are spending time envisioning things, writing things on paper that you hope will lead to bigger and better things. Yet you don't really know the future outcome of it.

We are always trying something new. This year we offered service to more than 20 different destinations across the country. We have also launched two new programs, one called ActiveDays and another called NatureLink. We wish for newcomers to engage in more activities outdoors. So, we envision Parkbus offering different options for different demographics, with the outdoors surving as the common ground for us all.

We also brought a full bus of Syrian refugees two winters ago to Arrowhead Provincial Park. We provided a free trip for them with the help of some funding and the contribution of volunteers and settlement agencies we were working with. That project was also an experiment, leading to extremely positive feedback and personal testimonials from parents and kids who have never been outside the city. For most people on board it was also their very first winter outdoor experience, playing in the snow and making new friends.

So how do you succeed to deliver a good pitch?

If you believe in something, I think it will come across by the way you speak about it. But you do need to have a certain ability to present and speak about a topic with confidence. I think that the bottom line is that if the idea is solid and has enough supporting materials and examples to show why it can grow, other people and organizations will recognize that and want to be a part of it.

I also wanted to ask why you opened Black Rock Coffee?

One of my closest friends, Matt, has built Basecamp Climbing – Toronto’s most central rock climbing gym. We knew there was an additional space to be leased out and wanted to use the opportunity to create a community hub for both climbers and the local community to enjoy.

What are the rewards of opening Black Rock Coffee?

I’d say that the main reward comes from seeing the community use and enjoy our space. Hearing positive feedback on the quality of our coffee along with return customers who come back because they love the atmosphere we created are definitely the top rewards.

What is your legacy? What do you want people to remember you by?

I’d like people to remember Parkbus as the starting point of their outdoor exploration. I think it would be amazing if people discovered the beauty of the outdoors through our service and then spread the same passion among their own community and friends.