Today’s Notable Young Entrepreneurs are Echo Vergil and Devin DeSousa, owners of Montreal breakfast hot spot Fabergé and the brand new Marché des Éclusiers, a hybrid market located in the Old Port…
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Elevator Pitch: Describe your job in a nutshell.
It’s hard to describe something that evolves all the time. An entrepreneur doesn’t have a job description per se. You are what your business needs you to be, and that changes every day.
We build a community, we grow our family; we create opportunities by working well with like-minded individuals. We listen, watch, develop solutions, and decide what the next best move is for our businesses and our team.
Why did you start working at your company? What was the inspiration for this career route?
I see it as serendipitous. Life pulls you a million ways and sometimes you need to just listen and go with the flow. We both have experience in the industry and did not feel the status quo was good enough. We wanted to provide high value and nutritious options but remain accessible to everyone. We both grew up in modest households and I think food and food culture were always something that we knew about but didn’t understand fully. After experiences both good and bad, we want to provide reasonably priced, wholesome food paired with diligent service in a friendly environment.
Devin is the creative mind behind Fabergé and I am the logistics, accounting and operations. We both have different styles; bon cop/bad cop. We complete each other in our abilities and we use each other’s strengths to do together what we would not be able to achieve alone. We inspire each other and adapt to our respective path.
What is the best part of what you do on a day-to-day basis? The most challenging part?
The best part of what we do is see the changes and improvements take effect. In order to stay competitive we must continue to move and shake. The most challenging part is staying on top of everything. We are in a very unforgiving industry and it’s one of my favourite things about it because it keeps you on your toes. If you make a mistake, some people will understand but most won’t and it could mean that you’re losing more than you bargained for. We are ultimately accountable.
What is the one sign that you’ve seen over the years to suggest that your work/life balance is off?
I think that it has always been clear that our work/life balance is off. It is deep seeded in our personalities and the way we do things. We are always on the move and we live life to the fullest, but we also miss out on a lot of the fun that life has to offer because we are so busy building something that we can be proud of.
Where do you see yourselves in five years?
We see ourselves exactly where we are now: surrounded by amazing people, collaborating and working on new projects in Montréal.
What is one major challenge that you’ve had to overcome in your career? How did you overcome it?
That is actually the easiest question to answer: being a couple and also being business partners. I wouldn’t necessarily say that we have “overcome” it because it is a living, breathing identity, but we work as hard we would expect the other to, we give each other breaks when we need them, and we have the utmost respect for each other. We have to work at it all the time and we need to be aware of the impact that our actions have on each other and our relationship. We do our best. We sometimes have to shrug, smile, and reset.
What does success look like to you?
Being surrounded by smiling faces, chatter, and laughter.
What is the most memorable milestone in your career?
Getting Marché des Éclusiers up and running! We never imagined putting together something of this size and calibre. It’s been a roller coaster with lots of ups and downs; there is still a whole lot of work to do to bring it to our vision, but we are really proud of it so far.
Do you have any advice for other young professionals?
Don’t let anyone tell you what you can or can’t do. Just be you and keep climbing. Listen, but filter “advice” accordingly. Oh, and actions speak louder than words.
What is your favourite place to wine/dine in your city and why?
We haven’t had much time for that lately, but there are so many places in Montreal that we usually try to support new businesses and in turn try new places. With our limited time we usually end up at Omnivore or Pho Tay Ho.
When you’re not working how do you love to spend your “me” time?
We love working out but also need some down time. We usually end up doing yoga, spinning, or a full body workout. If we’re in need of some down time, we love relaxing at Bota Bota’s spa on the water. Best neighbour ever.
Where is your favorite place to travel? Why?
We don’t have a specific place. I don’t love going anywhere more than once because I’d rather discover something new. If I have to choose two of our favourites I would have to say New Orleans and Santa Teresa, Costa Rica.
If you had to chose a theme song what would it be?
“Feeling Good” by the timeless Nina Simone.
If you weren’t doing what you’re doing, what would you be doing?
Relaxing beachside with mojitos in hand!
What to you is notable?
Integrity. It is one thing to say you will do something and it is another to follow through on your concept, stay true to your word, and get it done. You may be pulled in a lot of directions, there may be competing interests, but you have to be able to take a step back and stay true to your beliefs and hold yourself and your vision to your highest standards.
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