A couple of weeks ago, I was asked to host the Israeli Cancer Research Fund’s 2nd Annual ‘Revolving Tables’ at the Park Hyatt in Toronto. This is a unique fundraiser where some of Canada’s most driven and cutting-edge young professionals have the opportunity to enjoy a dinner course with some of Canada’s most high-powered CEOs and visionaries. The funds all go to cancer research and the energy of the night is nothing less than incredible. I was an attendee at the inaugural event last year and could not have been more impressed with the event. So, as you can imagine, when I was asked to be the host and emcee for this year, I was deeply hounoured. I wanted to share with you exactly what I said and the message that I wanted to share with the audience …all about why passion drives and influences everything around us and within us. Below is a copy of my speech (verbatim).
Happy Monday and Stay Notable,
Julian Brass
Founder and Publisher, Notable.ca
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Good Evening. I’m your host Julian Brass, Founder of Notable.ca. I’d like to welcome our attendees, mentors, and sponsors to ICRF’s 2nd Annual Revolving Tables.
I’d also like to give a big thank you to our CEO Sponsor, Fabricland.
Let me tell you a bit about who I am; explain what Notable.ca is.
When they asked me to host the event, I was honoured and couldn’t be more excited to be with you here tonight.
You know we’re all here tonight because we have one thing in common: we all like three-course meals and a room full of eligible single professionals doesn’t hurt either… joking. We are all here because we are passionate; passionate about our careers, passionate about our relationships, passionate about giving back, and passionate about our own personal growth. Otherwise, we wouldn’t be here right now. That goes for every one of us – participants, guests, staff, and especially the mentors.
There’s a feeling in this room – can you feel it? This is our time. It’s never been so certain that we, Canada’s YPs, are really the future. The sky’s the limit for all of us here. Life and success are within our reach. Tonight is our opportunity to let our passion breakdown all barriers, cut through the clutter, create, learn, and be inspired. It’s all about passion, my friends.
Passion is contagious and it is trailblazing. It’s passion that got Steve Jobs to reject the status quo of technology and find better solutions to benefit a global community.
Passion can move mountains, change the world, get us out of bed bright and early each morning and, many times, keep us working late.
We have a lot of entrepreneurs who started or are starting their own businesses here tonight. Some are successful and some will be successful as long as the person in the drivers’ seat uses passion and determination to fuel them.
It also applies to everyone here who works for a company. Arlene Dickinson from one of CBC’s best running programs, the Dragon’s Den, told me during our interview “successful employees are entrepreneurial within their organization.” It’s this dedication to overcoming challenging and sometimes confining corporate culture that leads to promotions, raises, and, most importantly, change… for the better.
For me, it was my passion to manifest an idea that made me leave a six-figure job in California where I lived 2 blocks from the beach and the GG bridge to start an online business that left me flat broke, eating canned tuna and Breton crackers as I struggled to make a dollar. Three and half years later, I’m proud to say that I am the founder of one of the leading websites for young professionals across Canada. In my humble opinion, Notable.ca is a force to be reckoned with in the online media industry with over one million monthly page views – I would have none of that if I didn’t have passion.
It a passion for life that pushes cancer patients to fight back with the will to survive and it’s 100% passion and dedication that pushes the doctors and scientists to dedicate each of their waking hours to finding a cure.
Friends, colleagues, and distinguished guests, I have one request for tonight: be passionate. About each handshake, each question, and each conversation you have. And if you think it works, be passionate tomorrow. And if that works, be passionate about every single waking hour of life from now on. That’s what it means to live with passion.
I’m Julian Brass, the Founder of Notable.ca; now put your hands together if you’re ready for an incredible event tonight!
Please welcome your Co-Chairs, Leah Carr and Kyle Lichtman.