Exited Founder. Operating Partner. Builder of Systems & Community.
I build, scale, and transition consumer businesses, bridging the gap between macro-strategy and ground-level execution. I am an operator by trade who learned on the factory floor that a great brand isn't enough; it requires disciplined financial engines, optimized COGS, actionable SOPs, and empowered teams to drive sustainable value.
As a co-founder, I didn't just design the vision for Culcherd; I built the manufacturing facility, managed the complex P&L, and scaled the company to national distribution and a successful acquisition. Through that journey, I learned that the most brilliant strategies only succeed when supported by operational discipline and a team that believes in the mission.
My background spans the full spectrum of company building. I believe business is ultimately a vehicle for connection, and I thrive on building ecosystems where people actually gather. At The Haven, my focus was exactly that: transforming a physical hub into a sustainable, cash-positive business while pouring great coffee and fostering authentic community. Whether driving retail velocity for a consumer brand or anchoring a neighborhood space, I prioritize relationships rooted in trust and resonance.
Having recently completed the operational transition following the sale of The Haven, I am currently focusing on fewer, deeper bets. Whether stepping into a high-leverage fractional operating role or partnering with founders through pivotal transitions, my compass remains unchanged: I build resilient systems, solve hard problems, and work with great people.
Building & Executing
The Haven Cafe (2024-2026)
As an operating partner, I architected the operational systems and community engagement strategy for The Haven, establishing it as a high-traffic neighborhood staple in Toronto. My focus centered on bridging a meticulously curated retail experience with sustainable cash flow, turning a standard café into a primary "Third Place" leading up to its successful sale in early 2026.
Fostering the CPG Ecosystem: Beyond daily operations, I leveraged the space beyond daily operations as a physical hub for the CPG communities. It became a live testing ground and gathering point for founders, operators, and brands to connect outside the boardroom. We transformed everyday commerce into a venue for high-level human connection, hosting curated CPG showcases for emerging local founders alongside high-impact events like Games Night with Elan Lee.
Much of my work centered on creating the systems and rituals where regulars naturally became collaborators. While that chapter has closed, the belief that commerce should feel deeply human remains core to how I operate.
[Case Study: Connection, The Haven]
Culcherd & Above Food: From kitchen to acquisition (2015-2024)
I co-founded Culcherd, a plant-based dairy company, and grew it from a kitchen concept to a recognized national brand in retailers like Whole Foods, Sobeys, Fortinos, Healthy Planet, Pusateri's etc., culminating in an acquisition by Above Food (NASDAQ: ABVE).
The Lifecycle & Investment
As a founder, I led the company through its full lifecycle, from early product formulation and building a certified manufacturing facility to securing investment from Arlene Dickinson’s District Ventures and the BDC. This capital gave us the runway to expand production, hire key talent, and build the operational infrastructure needed to scale.
Our brand story resonated across the industry, securing features in Strategy Magazine, Food & Drink, Edible Toronto, Chatelaine, and Toronto Life.
General Manager: Strategy & Collaboration Post-acquisition, I served as Brand and General Manager at Above Food. I held full P&L ownership, leading budgeting, forecasting, and cross-functional planning.
Cross-Functional Leadership: I collaborated directly with food scientists, engineers, and production teams to bring new SKUs to market while improving unit economics.
Sales Velocity & Team Architecture: I managed the full commercial ecosystem, directing brokers, inside sales, merchandisers, and demo staff to drive sell-through. I implemented data-driven systems to track velocity and optimize trade spend, ensuring our field efforts translated to the P&L. This operational rigor underpinned our growth and supported the team’s success at Expo West (NEXTY Awards Finalist).
Operational Grit (Problem Solving)
This chapter taught me that strategy is useless if the machine stops working. Scaling a business requires navigating a complex web of stakeholders, from negotiating with ingredient suppliers to aligning exit incentives with investors. Because I built the facility and the spreadsheets from scratch, I can bridge the gap between the high-level needs of the boardroom and the ground-level reality of the production floor.
Iota Creative (2012-2018)
Before entering the consumer goods space, I spent seven years as a co-owner and executive producer at Iota Creative. This is where I learned how to manage tight budgets, complex logistics, and demanding clients end-to-end, delivering multi-format campaigns for global giants like Ford and Universal Music. I oversaw full production pipelines, crew management, and operational planning. This foundation shaped my core operational philosophy: structure enables growth, and strict discipline enables execution.
[Case Study: CPG Assets (photography), Ford GT, BC Aerial Cinematography]
Overall
In everything I do, I focus on:
🔹 Building - businesses, systems, communities, and teams that matter.
🔹 Execution - obsessing over the details, the cash flow, and the ground-level operations.
🔹 Integrity - doing what’s right, always.
🔹 Growth - constantly learning, evolving, listening, and supporting others through transitions.
🔹 Execution - obsessing over the details, the cash flow, and the ground-level operations.
🔹 Integrity - doing what’s right, always.
🔹 Growth - constantly learning, evolving, listening, and supporting others through transitions.
I’ve gone from building a national food brand from scratch to navigating high-level acquisitions and transforming local businesses into cash-positive ecosystems. If you are a founder navigating a complex business transition, an ownership group looking for an operational partner, or deploying capital in the consumer space, I’d love to connect.
Life, Philosophy & Inputs
I’ve stopped trying to find "work-life balance" and started looking for integration. In a world addicted to speed, I place a premium on clarity. I don't grind for the sake of grinding; I build systems that allow for presence.
Wellness & Resilience
I view a regulated nervous system as a competitive advantage. I practice voluntary discomfort, embracing the extremes of heat (weekly sauna sessions) and cold (Lake Ontario plunges) to build mental callous. It’s not just about fitness; it’s about training the mind to remain calm under pressure.
I view a regulated nervous system as a competitive advantage. I practice voluntary discomfort, embracing the extremes of heat (weekly sauna sessions) and cold (Lake Ontario plunges) to build mental callous. It’s not just about fitness; it’s about training the mind to remain calm under pressure.
Community (The Biology of Connection)
I believe we are the caretakers of each other's nervous systems. My circle is built on depth, not breadth. From weekly rituals with my 98-year-old best friend, Nelly, to hosting community gatherings, I prioritize relationships that are grounded in wisdom and genuine exchange.
I believe we are the caretakers of each other's nervous systems. My circle is built on depth, not breadth. From weekly rituals with my 98-year-old best friend, Nelly, to hosting community gatherings, I prioritize relationships that are grounded in wisdom and genuine exchange.
Movement & Presence
I cultivate stillness through motion. Whether I’m running at sunrise to catch the first light, taking strategy calls while walking the boardwalk, or exploring the rocks with my two cats, I use nature to calibrate. I aggressively protect these moments of silence. They are where the noise fades and the real work begins.
I cultivate stillness through motion. Whether I’m running at sunrise to catch the first light, taking strategy calls while walking the boardwalk, or exploring the rocks with my two cats, I use nature to calibrate. I aggressively protect these moments of silence. They are where the noise fades and the real work begins.
These projects reflect my anchors: the discipline of calm, the depth of connection, and the grounding force of nature.