Today’s Notable Young Entrepreneur is Matias Marquez, founder of Buyatab, a platform that allows consumers to purchase digital gift cards from a merchant’s website or Facebook page. We caught up with him to find out what inspires his work and what advice he would share with other young professionals…
WORK
1. Describe what you do in less than 140 characters. Go.
I am the founder and COO of Buyatab. I work with an amazing group of people to continue the evolution of how gift cards are sent and received.
2. What was the inspiration for your career route?
I went to university with the idea of having a career in finance but oddly, that idea shifted after struggling to purchase a gift card for a friend. I quickly realized that there was an opportunity to fill the gap between gift cards and the transition to a digital world.
I wouldn’t have had the courage to take that leap of faith if it wasn’t for my mom. She is a huge inspiration in my life and has always told me to do what I really want to do.
3. What is the most memorable milestone in your career so far?
I’ve been very lucky to have had many memorable milestones throughout my young carrier. One that definitely stands out is being named EY Entrepreneur Of The Year for the Pacific region, which was just announced. A close second is being recognized by BC Business as a top 30 under 30.
4. Where do you see yourself in 5 years, 10 years, 20 years?
We believe in a purely digital future for gift cards.
In the next five to 10 years, I still see myself being very involved in our vision. In 20 years, that’s a little tougher, hopefully working a little less and spending more time with my friends and family.
5. Do you have any advice for other young professionals?
Don’t be afraid to take risks. It’s always easier to choose the safer route but I can promise you that it will be a lot less fun if you do.
6. Do you support any charities? If so, which one(s) and why is it (or they) important to you?
We have an office full of dogs who fuel the spirit in our office. Every year, we participate in a Vancouver Tech event called TechPong, where we pong for a purpose. This year, we are choosing to donate the funds raised to a local charity, Paws for Hope.
We are also very excited to be a sponsor for a Ronald McDonald House Charities event in Toronto this year.
7. What is one major challenge that you’ve had to overcome in your career? How did you overcome it?
Learning to not chase every single opportunity. As a young entrepreneur, when you want your business to grow, it’s easy to get ahead of yourself. I was able to overcome this by surrounding myself with experienced individuals who are still involved to this very day.
8. What does the word notable mean to you?
To me, notable means impacting someone’s life in a positive way. At Buyatab, that’s a daily goal of ours.
PLAY
1. Where is your favourite place to wine/dine in your city and why?
In Vancouver, I would have to say Tacofino. In Toronto, I would have to say Spin on King Street – it’s definitely my jam.
2. What’s the most visited website on your Internet browser? The most played song on your phone?
My most visited website at the moment is probably Mac Rumors, I always need to fuel my Apple addiction. Most played song: anything Kanye West.
3. Who’s one person you think everyone should be following on social media?
Elon Musk, he has big aspirations and I think he is really trying to change the world. Also, The Rock, everyone should follow Dwyane.
4. What’s your favourite country to visit and why? And what’s the next one you plan on travelling to?
My favorite country to visit is Chile. My parents are from there so it’s always a very exciting, yet humbling, place for me to visit. The next country I would like to visit is Iceland.
5. What gives you the greatest FOMO?
Being away on the road and seeing my friends doing something fun. Snapchat and Instagram make sure to point it out to me every time!
6. What’s your guiltiest pleasure?
Dominos Pizza (pan-baked crust).
7. What’s something you wish you didn’t spend so much money on? What’s something you wish you spent more on?
I spend too much money on eating out, the time has come where I need to learn how to cook! I wish I spent more money during trips with friends, those times are always too few and far between.
8. And finally, what does success look like to you? Work, play, or otherwise…
Success to me is feeling good about what you have achieved and feeling excited about what you’re working on now.
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