Age: 39
Birthplace: Montreal
Company: Manufacturer’s sales agency representing more than 50 manufacturers of commercial and residential lighting, lighting controls and shading solutions.
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Education: Diploma in arts, literature and communication, John Abbott College (1997)
Charitable involvement: Junior Achievers
Biggest biz achievement: Becoming an equal partner at FLUX Lighting in 2013. My two business partners and I have incredible synergy, and our team is outstanding.
Biggest biz obstacle: I don’t see myself as having had any real obstacles. There have been things that didn’t go my way all the time, but I’ve always just pushed forward and made decisions that I knew would help me get to where I needed to.
Biggest influence: My parents. My father owned his own interior landscaping company and used to tell me often, “If you love what you do, you’ll never work a day in your life.” He was right. My mother in her early 30s became one of few female sales managers at a huge telecommunications company; she has always been a huge inspiration to me.
Biggest lesson learned: Patience has always been something that I’ve been lucky enough to have when it comes to business. Success does not happen overnight; it’s a slow burn and it’s full of learning curves.
First job: Bank teller
Advice I’d give the younger me: Stop overthinking things.
What’s left to do: Personally, I would like to travel and spend more time with my children. Professionally, I’d like to work less in order to achieve that goal.
Favourite pastime: Golfing badly.
I’m currently reading: Don’t You Cry by Mary Kubica
Favourite movie: Braveheart
Favourite song: Juicy by The Notorious B.I.G.
Favourite local pro sports team: Ottawa Senators
Favourite local summer event: Ottawa Bluesfest
Preferred social media platforms: Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, Pinterest, Instagram
Twitter handle: @marak613
