YEDaily: Ivy Ackerman

Ivy Ackerman has combined two fantastic aspects of the young professional lifestyle – travel and dining – to offer well-traveled, culturally savvy food lovers a travelling supper club for the curious class. Find out how her company, Butter and Egg Road, provides memorable culinary and cultural experiences for its members…

Elevator Pitch: Describe your business in a nutshell.
Butter and Egg Road is a private travelling supper club for the curious class. Building an international community of well-traveled, culturally savvy food lovers, Butter and Egg Road is bringing travellers and locals together in intimate dining and cultural experiences on the road and in the cities we love, inviting members to be a local anywhere.

Why did you start your business, what was the inspiration?
A solo trip to Paris. I was sitting at the bar at a Michelin-starred restaurant and happened to meet two amazing couples on either side of me. By the end of the night, we had banded together to create a boisterous, serendipitous dinner party, including the restaurant chef, manager and host. I felt as if it was a regular night back in my hometown of Toronto with my friends and wanted to find a way to re-create this same feeling over and over again – wherever I travel.

What is the best part of what you do on a day-to-day basis? The most challenging part?
Best part would be meeting like-minded food/travel enthusiasts. As much as Butter and Egg Road is about incredible food and travel, it is the amazing members around the table that contribute most to its magic.

Sadly, I still haven’t mastered the art of packing light! 

Where do you see your business going in 5 years?
In 5 years, I see Butter and Egg Road operating programs in every metropolitan city in North America – and beginning to enter the European market. Hello, Paris! 

What does success look like to you?
Success is doing the things you love and making a difference while doing it.

What is the most memorable milestone in your career?
Probably having the courage to leave the corporate world and follow my dream of becoming an entrepreneur

Do you have any advice for other young professionals?
Take risks and be adaptable. Your brilliant idea today might look very different tomorrow. In fact, tomorrow’s idea might be even better. Opportunities are presented daily and it is up to you to remain open and brave enough to follow any lead.

Do you support any charities? If so, which one(s) and why is that important to you?
As a self-proclaimed global arts patron, I have dedicated most of my life to studying, practicing and working in the arts. Most of my volunteer work and support remains focused in the cultural sector, including the Toronto Symphony Orchestra, the Metropolitan Museum of Art and the Chicago Art Institute. For me, I get satisfaction by contributing (in small part) to creating beauty.

What is Notable to you?
Confidence and the conviction to follow your passion 

Blackberry, iPhone, Android, or Other?
iPhone

How do you keep active, energetic, and vibrant?
– I stay active with weekly TRX/Gravity classes and exploring neighbourhoods on foot.
– I stay energized by keeping well nourished.
– I stay vibrant with late night karaoke sessions and an insatiable appetite to discover all that is new, unique and fabulous.