For decades I've admired Bruce: his integrity, his personality, his intuition and his drive. He helped build Lavalife before most of us trusted the internet, became one of Canada's best-known Dragons on Dragons' Den, and co-founded Round13 Capital. Few people have had a front-row seat to nearly four decades of disruption. Fewer still are this honest about what it takes.
This isn't an interview. It's a masterclass woven into a podcast. Hard-won lessons from someone who will tell you that anyone who claims to bat a thousand isn't telling the truth.
We will also learn about 13th Round: Fight for Life, which has brought 700 kids into the boxing ring for discipline, belonging and self-esteem and then my Tony Takeaway: My lesson in life for all who dream and do.
Episode 2 of Small Business Matters, honouring our Small Business heroes, and presented by RBC.
CHAPTERS 00:00 Three kinds of people: who makes things happen 02:57 Curiosity at 65, and what never changes about success 05:21 Lessons from his father: grade eight, $50 and humility 06:50 Dragons' Den: the fame, the brand and why he left 08:43 Lavalife: building trust before anyone trusted the internet 10:19 Why founders fool themselves, and the feedback loop 11:32 Passion vs. introspection: what Bruce looks for first 12:38 The pitch every investor dreams of 14:06 Billion-dollar valuations, AI and getting back to basics 15:39 The 51/49 rule, and Bruce's Achilles heel 19:18 Taking the emotion out of investing 20:25 Why Canada is the best place to build a business 22:52 Celebrating entrepreneurs like hockey players 24:01 13th Round Fight for Life 25:35 The letter Bruce hopes to receive 26:33 Tony's three takeaways 28:15 Stand for something before you try to stand out
If this episode moves you, share it with one person who's building something. A business, a brand or a career.
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