Today’s Notable Young Entrepreneur is Mark-Oliver Hassoun, whose company could be the difference between you being the sole owner of your identity or having it in the possession of complete strangers. He’s also got some wise words for other young professionals; find out in today’s profile…
Elevator Pitch: Describe your business in a nutshell.
Strenua Solutions provides Identity Theft Solutions. Identity Block, our end user division, is the world-leading platform for information and affordable solutions to RFID theft. Our institutional and B2B divisions create branded protection for our corporate clientele that have found Identity Block to be the best way to promote their brand while protecting their network. Our customer is anyone with a piece of ID or a bank account.
Why did you start your business, what was the inspiration?
Unfortunately technology serves profit over progress. I was a victim of identity theft in 2002, someone had contracted a solid amount of debt in my name and this resulted in a two-year ordeal. This incident was the catalyst that launched Identity Block. We believe there is a proper way of introducing new technology and are proud to have communicated the “how to” instructions to the public the way the developers of RFID/NFC technology should have. Our personal information is the cornerstone of our identity in today’s world. Every day, everywhere, there are people and organizations trying to collect this data with the intention of studying your consumption habits or, even worst, defrauding you. We allow citizens to take back control of their personal and financial information with a certified, convenient and affordable solution.
What is the best part of what you do on a day-to-day basis? The most challenging part?
The “Thank yous.” We have been heavily featured in Canadian media since the beginning of 2013 and our message has been heard. I can’t count the number of grateful customers commending us for bringing awareness to the issue of identity theft. This is my greatest source of satisfaction since our biggest challenge back in 2010 was finding a way to communicate our message: providing a solution to a flaw in technology that most people didn’t even know they carried on them.
The most challenging part? Our end user solution, which was launched this February, has garnered so much attention that we were capable of launching point of sale initiatives on top of our e-commerce channels much more rapidly than expected. We have partnered up with a division of Quebecor for our Quebec-wide distribution. As we finalize national distribution and expand in to the US and other worldwide markets, our challenge is to properly manage the company’s growth, creating quality strategic alliances worldwide with local partners capable of properly representing the Identity Block brand.
Where do you see your business going in five years?
As forward thinkers, we have an accurate roadmap to imminent methods of identification and transaction, which will transmit our personal data in the future. Following the success of Identity Block, Strenua will continue to provide solutions as they become necessary. That data chip you’ll be installing behind your ear…Identity Block’s got you covered!
What does success look like to you?
Success isn’t always apparent to the eyes and it also manifests itself in different forms depending on culture. Having spent four years of my life in Shanghai, PRC, I could give you several answers. I believe success is a creative frame of mind in which the focus is on preparation and careful planning. A creative mind at work focused less on the end result and more on mapping out the road ahead; that’s what success looks like to me.
What is the most memorable milestone in your career?
I consider that a career encompasses more than just professional activities and is a compilation of progress through life.
Sports career: Gold medallist at the Pan Am Games for Canada in Men’s Sabre 1999. We made history beating the American and Cuban national teams back to back; I was just 19 years old.
Strenua Solutions: Total strangers walking up to me on the streets of Montreal telling me, “Hey, aren’t you that guy that showed everyone credit cards aren’t safe?” Getting an Identity Block order from the office of the Prime Minister of Canada was a high point too.
Do you have any advice for other young professionals?
Time is the only thing you can’t get more of: whatever you, do don’t waste it! There are people sucking your energy and slowing you down? Get rid of them. Be ruthless with takers, surround yourself with givers. After all, real satisfaction comes from giving. In life, in love, in business: be satisfied!
Do you support any charities? If so, which one(s) and why is that important to you?
We support causes rather than charities. Children are the world’s greatest treasure and sport is their greatest development tool. KLF media has provided the St-Justine Children’s Hospital with toys and games over the years. KLF Media is also a contributor to the fight against both breast and prostate cancer. Strenua Solutions continues these initiatives in partnership with the KLF media family.
What is Notable to you?
A higher standard of living, taking ownership of your actions, being true to yourself and honest with others. As much as I operate half a decade in the future in my mind, I have a profound appreciation for traditions and regret the demise of certain processes. Impress yourself, not others; now that’s Notable to me.
Blackberry, iPhone, Android, or Other?
Samsung SIII, but I miss the amazing Nokia phones that I used to have in Asia.
How do you keep active, energetic, and vibrant?
I’ve been blessed/cursed with a fast metabolism and an obsessive mind for things well done. I need to find ways to slow down rather than stay active! I regularly escape to my island in the middle of the St-Lawrence seaway to feel the sun on my skin and bounce my thoughts off of the waves. The incessant current is a constant reminder that no matter what is going on in my life or in the world, some things never change.