Tweet

Brett Wilson Articles

The Capitalist With A Heart: The Early Years Of Brett Wilson - Click To Read Article
When Brett Wilson was in university, he persuaded a local dancer to re-enact Lady Godiva’s infamous horseback ride across campus as a stunt. Campus feminists were none too pleased, but they would be proud of Wilson today. The self-described “capitalist with a heart” has made a name for himself not only as the “nice” Dragon on CBC’s Dragon’s Den, but also as a savvy businessman, and a generous and innovative philanthropist who divides his time among his many passions in life.

The Small Town Boy Makes It Big: Wilson Finds His Own Brand of Success - Click To Read Article
Realizing that engineering was not really what he wanted to be doing, Wilson went back to school, this time to pursue his MBA at the University of Calgary. He graduated in 1985 and began to work as an investment banker with McLeod Young Weir (now ScotiaMcLeod). There, he was told to "sit down and shut up" in order to learn from those who had come before him.

Lesson #1: “Entrepreneurs have to be willing to stay the course” - Click To Read Article
“It was hard not to enjoy the success we were having, doing a deal a day,” says Wilson of the early days with FirstEnergy. “It was enthralling to be at the office. I got as caught up in my career as any investment banker could be.”

Lesson #2: “I watch and learn. And I’m still watching and learning.” - Click To Read Article
Armed with both a Bachelor of Engineering and an MBA, Wilson has taken his fair share of educational courses, but the one he found the most valuable was one called “Consumer and Buyer Behaviour”. “It helped me understand things like product differentiation,” says Wilson, “how to make marketing memorable; advertising; the impact of brand logo and positioning, and post-purchase dissonance.”

Lesson #3: “Think outside the job market” - Click To Read Article
As a student at the University of Saskatchewan, Wilson took a life-changing outdoor survival skills training course in western Canada. It was as far removed from the insides of his business school classrooms as he could get, but today Wilson considers it nonetheless just as important for his business success.

Lesson #4: “My hope is to the see the benefits of my labour spread out in the community” - Click To Read Article
Perhaps it is the fact that his mother was a social worker who opened Wilson’s childhood house to anyone that needed it. Or, perhaps it is the fact that he survived an advanced case of prostate cancer in his early 40s. Whatever the reason, Wilson has committed much of his adult life to giving away much of the money he has worked so hard to make to a wide range of charities.

Lesson #5: “Hard times are an opportunity for growth” - Click To Read Article
If there is one lesson that Wilson has carried with him since he was a young boy it is this: every opportunity, whether missed or taken, represents another lesson to be learned.

The Dragon Makes Nice: How Wilson Made His Money – And Then Gave It Away - Click To Read Article
In 1997, before Wilson had become something of a household name thanks to his appearance on CBC’s Dragon’s Den, he had already been ranked one of Canada’s Top 40 Under 40. Now in his 50’s, Wilson could surely sweep the title for this decade as well. How did this small town Prairie boy make it in the world of big business – and with a big heart to match?

Brett Wilson Quotes - Click To Read Article
Brett Wilson Quotes





Share this article with your friends. Fund someone's dream.

Leave a comment below or share on the left and you'll help support entrepreneurs in Africa through our partnership with Kiva. Over $50,000 raised and counting - Please keep sharing! Learn more.

Tweet

Newsletter

Get advice & tips from famous business
owners, new articles by entrepreneur
experts, my latest website updates, &
special sneak peaks at what's to come!

Name:
Email:

Popular Articles

Good News Travels Fast

Do You Pretend To Listen To People?

3 Key Factors For Raising Capital

Suggestions

Email us your ideas on how to make our
website more valuable! Thank you Sharon
from Toronto Salsa Lessons / Classes for
your suggestions to make the newsletter
look like the website and profile younger
entrepreneurs like Jennifer Lopez.