Today’s Notable Young Entrepreneur is Dom Finelli, who’s current titles include Vice President at the recently launched Open Farm, VP of Business Development at Canada Pooch and Co-Owner/VP of Finance at Toronto hot spot Fidel Gastro…
Elevator Pitch: Describe your job in a nutshell.
I partner with the most talented, passionate and dedicated entrepreneurs. My role and responsibilities vary, but the goal is always the same: build a brand experience that resonates with the consumer and a business model conducive to sustainable, long-term success.
Currently, this includes Vice President at the recently launched Open Farm, VP of Business Development at Canada Pooch and Co-Owner/VP of Finance at Fidel Gastro.
Why did you start working at your company? What was the inspiration for this career route?
I graduated at a very uneasy economic time and was fortunate to land a rare “buy side” position at CPP Investment Board. I spent the next five years investing across North America on behalf of the pension fund. The learning experience was tremendous and provided a solid foundation of transferrable skills.
This brings us to 2012 and I was looking for a change. I wanted to utilize my skill set on cool projects surrounded by passionate people. I wanted to flex my creative muscles for the first time in my life…so I took the plunge. I left my comfortable office chair, in my corner cubicle with a view, to help my friends build a business in the very competitive Toronto food industry.
Fidel Gastro emerged on the scene and began to gain momentum: Food Truck (“Priscilla”) -> TV Show (“Rebel Without a Kitchen”) -> Restaurant (“Bar Lisa Marie”) -> Cookbook (“Street Food Diaries”). I could not be happier about what we have created and to see my business partners get the recognition they deserve. Just awesome.
So I sat there a year later, restless as usual, contemplating my next adventure. As fate would have it, an opportunity opened up at another Toronto start-up, but this time in the pet industry. I came on board as VP of Business Development at Canada Pooch and have been helping the brand grow internationally ever since.
My criteria of talent, passion and dedication were not only met but surpassed on all fronts with the founder. So when she and her business partners started discussing a new venture, there was no question in my mind that I wanted to be a part of it from day one. It was the start of something very special: Open Farm, the first ethically raised and sourced pet food. We are the first pet food to receive the Certified Humane designation, which is the gold standard in farm animal welfare. I could not be more proud and excited to be a driving force of positive change in this industry.
What is the best part of what you do on a day-to-day basis? The most challenging part?
Those two questions are one and the same. There is a myriad of tasks to prioritize and work through on a daily, weekly, monthly basis. Juggling the amount I do is not for the faint of heart, but that variety and constant action is was keeps me motivated. Also, being surrounded by dogs most of my day is pretty sweet as well!
What is one sign that you’ve seen over the years to suggest that your work/life balance is off?
I always strive to “work” on projects that don’t feel like “work,” which is very much the case now. However, there are periods of time when you get completely immersed in the business and the imbalance becomes very clear. A sign that this imbalance exists is when you walk into the same gym you have been going to for years and don’t recognize 90% of the people working there now. I know employee turnover is quite high at gyms, but clearly it’s been awhile if that’s the case!
Where do you see yourself in five years?
Campaigning to be the next Mayor of Toronto. No, seriously.
What is one major challenge that you’ve had to overcome in your career? How did you overcome it?
To learn that patience is not just a virtue, but a necessity. There is an immediate sense of gratification with respect to academia: study, write exam, get a good grade and feel good about it. In school, there was a fairly direct correlation between effort exerted (input) and reward attained (output). This relationship still holds true when you finish university; however, the exogenous factors at play are much greater. This is where patience becomes your greatest ally. Learning this has been immensely beneficial for me and helped me overcome many difficult situations.
What does success look like to you? Does Money = Happiness?
Success to me is being rich, but not in the way most define that term. Being rich to me is not about how much you have, but how much you can give. How much you can change someone’s life for the better. That is my true barometer of success.
What is the most memorable milestone in your career?
My first memorable milestone was receiving a promotion only nine months into my employment at CPP Investment Board. I was very proud to be the youngest associate ever, but more importantly it provided me with the first concrete evidence that I was able to succeed in a non-academic environment, i.e. real life. The second was leaving that exact same job for entrepreneurial pursuits; walking into my boss’ office was so exhilarating and scary at the same time. I look back on that moment often…makes me smile every time.
Do you have any advice for other young professionals?
Challenge yourself. If it doesn’t challenge you, it won’t change you. This mentality will foster continual education and development, which is absolutely necessary in today’s dynamic economic environment.
Where is your favourite place to wine/ dine in your city and why?
I will remain unbiased and not say it is Bar Lisa Marie, although our team there is constantly innovating and providing a badass experience! My non Fidel Gastro go-to is La Carnita. Not only do I respect and will always support our fellow street food pioneer, but they serve up great food anddrinks in a great atmosphere. Easy decision!
When you’re not working how do you love to spend your “Me” time?
With my dog, Dexter; he’s included in the “Me.” We probably spend about 90% of every day together – we both suffer from serious separation anxiety.
Where is your favourite place to travel? Why?
Anywhere, just get out there! Travel is the single most important thing in life because it provides perspective and a richness of experience that cannot be duplicated by reading a book or surfing the net. A few of my favourite places so far have been Dahab (Egypt), Koh Tao (Thailand), Bocas Del Toro (Panama) and Barcelona (Spain).
If you had to choose a theme song, what would it be?
Summertime by DJ Jazzy Jeff & The Fresh Prince.
If you weren’t doing what you’re doing, what would you be doing?
Honestly, your guess is as good as mine! My career path has been an eclectic mix of experiences and I would not have it any other way. I truly believe that opportunities present themselves at different points in your life and it is your obligation to capitalize on them. I feel like I have generally done that, so I can’t imagine it would ever have been much different.
Do you support any charities? If so, which one(s) and why is that important to you?
I am an easy target! I donate to CAMH, MADD, Because I am a Girl, Toronto Humane Society and Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation to name a few.
What to you is notable?
Passion. Without it you are just going through the motions and not reaching your full potential.
Blackberry, iPhone, Android, or Other?
iPhone.
#NOTABLE
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