Today’s Notable Young Professional is Damon Conrad, whose position as the head of a prominent event and entertainment company in the GTA affords him a career where the lines between his job and personal life get sometimes get blurred – and that’s not a bad thing at all…
Elevator Pitch: Describe your job in a nutshell.
I oversee a prominent event and entertainment company in the GTA that focuses on sports, corporate and charitable clients.
Why did you start working at your company? What was the inspiration for this career route?
I always had the desire to become an entrepreneur. I realized that my drive and enthusiasm would be best invested in something that was my own. My inspiration comes from my mom. Being a single mother, she showed me that quitting is not an option and that work ethic and perseverance are the fundamental keys to success.
What is the best part of what you do on a day-to-day basis? The most challenging part?
The best part of my day is making life less boring for others. Bringing innovative and exciting ideas to clients is a great feeling. The most challenging part of my job is time management; there never seems to be enough hours in the day.
What is one sign that you’ve seen over the years to suggest that your work/life balance is off?
My job can be glamorous at times working with celebrities, athletes and VIPs, so sometimes the lines between my job and my personal life get blurred. I often forget to take time for myself. This past December I took my first personal vacation in eight years.
Where do you see yourself in five years?
Doing what I love and being successful at it.
What is one major challenge that you’ve had to overcome in your career? How did you overcome it?
Like any entrepreneurial start up, my major challenge was dealing with mistakes made early on. I overcame this by accepting my mistakes, learning from them, and surrounding myself with experienced mentors.
What does success look like to you? Does Money = Happiness?
Success to me is waking up every morning and being excited to go to work. Loving your job and what you’ve accomplished at the end of each day is success. Money is the icing on the cake.
What is the most memorable milestone in your career?
The day I was able to buy out my two original partners and own my company outright.
Do you have any advice for other young professionals?
Never sacrifice integrity – you either have it or you don’t.
Where is your favourite place to wine/ dine in your city and why?
I get out to a ton of restaurants in the city but my favourite place is still my mother’s house. Why? Come on, it’s your mother’s cooking.
When you’re not working how do you love to spend your “Me” time?
With family and at sporting events.
Where is your favourite place to travel? Why?
I don’t really travel. Can I say the Air Canada Centre?
If you had to choose a theme song, what would it be?
AC/DC – For Those About To Rock.
If you weren’t doing what you’re doing, what would you be doing?
Professional athlete.
Do you support any charities? If so, which one(s) and why is that important to you?
I currently work and collaborate with 12 national and regional charities. Charities are a fundamental personal and work pillar of mine.
What to you is notable?
Achieving great success while remaining humble and grounded.
Blackberry, iPhone, Android, or Other?
iPhone. I can’t live without mine.
#LYNL | (Live Your Notable Life)
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