About Me

TL;DR: I’m a designer-turned-business leader who founded and scaled a digital agency from scratch in 2009. Over 15 years, I built a highly successful, people-focused web and mobile app development firm, focused on accountability, execution, and data-driven strategies. After a seven-figure acquisition and exit, I now help entrepreneurs like you do the same – build profitable, sustainable businesses, and lead less stressful, more fulfilling lives.

My Background

I’m the child of two teachers – so, of course, I went and got my Education degree. Primarily because that’s what happens when you try to make life decisions at 17. Anyways, in my third year at University, I realized I actually didn’t want to be a teacher, but finished up regardless. After that I ended up working as an Instructional Design Coordinator at a small OH&S training business in Edmonton, which is when I started working directly with graphic designers and developers.

Working with people carrying those skills reignited the design fire that had been smouldering within me ever since I was a kid in junior high drawing Starter logos and Chicago Bulls logos all over my binders. I quit that OH&S training job – right before that place went up in flames, so good timing I guess – and went back to school to get a design diploma.

Then I figured I could just start a design firm, because I was too dumb to think of all the reasons it wouldn’t work. So I did that in 2009 with my business partner Andy.

Growing a Business from $0 to $4M

I ran that design agency – it transformed into Alberta’s leading digital product design & development firm – called Paper Leaf for 15 years until I exited post-acquisition. It was hard. We started out in 2009 as a two-person graphic design shop that made $40k in revenue in our first full year. I did it all back then – from production graphic design to sales to web development and everything in-between. Over the years, I moved out of the production design role, then out of the day-to-day project work after the initial consultation. My last role prior to exit was focused primarily on leadership, operations and sales within the company.

In that time, as well, Paper Leaf grew – in many ways. We grew out of the house we started in, to a tiny office in the Garneau neighbourhood in Edmonton, to an office downtown, to our third office in 2018, to fully remote again during COVID (and we stayed that way). We grew from two people up to 32 at the time of my exit. We grew from $40k in annual revenues to $4M. Our processes grew from a straight-up dumpster fire to systems capable of delivering highly complex, expensive, and risk-laden projects. We won multiple awards from various organizations – and we went from basic graphic design projects to tackling six-figure enterprise-grade web applications and mobile apps. We almost got acquired; I backed out on closing day and left millions on the table when the terms changed. Then, as mentioned, we actually did get acquired. So, I’ve navigated a failed acquisition, a successful acquisition, and an exit as well.

And all these parts of running a business I’ve learned about? It’s my time to give back. As a business advisor and coach, I help entrepreneurs solve the same challenges I’ve faced – from dialing in operations, to scaling, to managing finances and building a long-term strategy. Whether through consulting services, one-on-one coaching, the in-depth posts on this site, or conference & event speaking engagements, my goal is to help you build a more profitable, less stressful business – and life.