Milad Sahafzadeh: Today’s Notable Young Entrepreneur

Today’s Notable Young Entrepreneur is serial business-starter Milad Sahafzadeh, who manages some of Canada’s top creative talent. We caught up with him to find out what inspires his career, where he loves to wine and dine in Montreal, and what advice he would share with other young professionals…

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WORK

1. Describe what you do in less than 140 characters. Go.
Co-founder and president of DULCEDO, IMAGEMOTION and TRESSE. A pro pianist and a creative leader to what I believe to be the city’s coolest collective.

2. What was the inspiration for your career route?
To be connected, and to stay connected. And from there, to develop a resourceful environment inspiring even further connections; a place that encourages creativity and others to make this world a better place.

3. What is the most memorable milestone in your career so far?
DULCEDO’s fifth anniversary event in 2013. We hosted more than 1200 guests; the support and appreciation we received that evening was overwhelming. To have them share in our happiness and progress was beautiful.

4. Where do you see yourself in 5 years, 10 years, 20 years?
In five years: As we continue to expand our DULCEDO operations in the U.S., my aim is to make Miami my second home. Expansion plans are forcefully underway – Miami heat awaits!

In 10 years: I foresee leading a network of companies in a few major cities in collaboration with strong partners in the fields of creativity and technology. Of course, DULCEDO is always a work in progress and I want to establish it more as a recognized brand name – a group of things – that will add to its existing reputation as a management firm active within the fashion, sport and entertainment sectors.

In 20 years: I’ll be in my 40s and hopefully a proud father. And I would certainly love to enjoy life slightly more by getting involved with my other passion, music, and all the possibilities that come with this.

5. Do you have any advice for other young professionals?
Surround yourself with successful people in various industries from the get go. Having different contacts you can trust and look up to is the best thing you can hope for in tough times. Making right decisions is not difficult, but making the wrong ones is much easier.

6. Do you support any charities? If so, which one(s) and why is it (or they) important to you?
Currently we are working on an initiative to support the Breast Cancer Foundation via our operations at TRESSE, which you can follow through #PinkHairDoCare. We’re encouraging women to buy and wear a pink hair clip-on in support of the foundation.

I believe in helping each other out. We can all help someone in one way or another, and it’s important to do so. We’re not all given the same opportunities to thrive and be who we really are, to reach our full potential. One person can make a world of difference in someone’s life.

A few close friends and I are already planning to develop an NGO that will  help kids; perhaps be able to help out some of the less fortunate in other countries; provide them with musical instruments and give them the chance to play music on a real acoustic piano, for instance. That would be priceless.

7. What does the word notable mean to you?
Something or someone that makes you smile. You never quite forget those.

PLAY

1. Where is your favourite place to wine/ dine in your city and why?
This is one tough question for a foodie like myself. I can’t play favourites, especially as I believe Montreal offers some of the top culinary experiences.

But if I had to pick, I’d say Da Emma in Old Montreal. She makes the best Fettucini Alla Fungi & Polpette.

2. What’s the most visited website on your Internet browser?
To be honest, DULCEDO.CA. Behance.net comes in second.

3. Who’s one person you think everyone should be following on social media?
Funny enough, DogsOfInstagram… maybe because I’m a mad dog lover.

4. What’s your favourite cocktail?
Zen Buddha created by Brendan Baxter.

5. What gives you the greatest FOMO?
Someone uncorking a super vintage bottle of red wine… that’s a tease.

6. What would be your last meal? And don’t hold back…
Koobideh with Safron Rice. It’s a Persian thing! Highly recommend it.

7. What’s your guiltiest pleasure?
Francis Coppola’s Godfather soundtrack playing in the background, a Romeo y Julieta in one hand and a glass of Brunello by my side, while overlooking the ocean at sunset.

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