GRIT - Ed.04 - Flipbook - Page 27
ASK A FOUNDER
We chatted with some of our alumni to learn about the innovations they’re most excited
about, reading for growth and the first business idea they had — lemonade stand anyone?
FIRST EVER BUSINESS IDEA
I wanted to open up a shoe store in an abandoned gas station
when I was 12. Seemed to me like it was something I could
manage at that young age!
FAVOURITE BOOK FOR GROWTH
"Setting the Table" by Danny Meyer. It talks about company
culture, hospitality and so much more.
FAVOURITE BOOK FOR GROWTH
The Alchemist & Range: Why Generalists Triumph in a Specialized World.
DREAM DINNER GUEST
Gary Vaynerchuk, I love his energy and positive outlook
on business and life.
DREAM DINNER GUEST
Dinner for 4? Chamath Palihapitiya, Barack Obama,
Kim Kardashian, and myself!
NEW INNOVATION YOU’RE EXCITED ABOUT
I'm excited about what AI can do for the restaurant industry.
FAVOURITE QUOTE
“Failure at some point in your life is inevitable, but giving up
is unforgivable.” I replace the traditional meaning of failure
with ‘learning experience’.
CHRISTOPHER WELLS
Co-founder & CEO, Piecemeal; Next AI - Montreal, 2020
NEW INNOVATION YOU’RE EXCITED ABOUT
The way in which we build meaningful virtual communities, something that we’ve been working towards
creating at FLIK since day one.
RAVINA ANAND
Co-founder & COO, FLIK; Next 36, 2019
DREAM DINNER GUEST
I would sit down with Richard Feynman because he is a source
of unfettered curiosity and genius that would allow the conversation to cover any topic imaginable.
NEW INNOVATION YOU’RE EXCITED ABOUT
Restaurant robotics are really coming into their own
right now. This new area of automation is going to
change the cost structure of the food business.
LUKE BUTTERWORTH
Co-founder, JustCook Kitchens; Next 36, 2019
26
GRIT
How are you taking
advantage of the
technology ecosystems
at your fingertips?
ey.com/ca/private
© 2021 Ernst & Young LLP. All Rights Reserved. ED None. 3680903
FIRST EVER BUSINESS IDEA
A heated windshield wiper that would cut through the
snow and ice without having to get out of the car. I was
about 7 at the time.