Age: 39
Birthplace: Montreal
Company: Manufacturer’s sales agency representing more than 50 manufacturers of commercial and residential lighting, lighting controls and shading solutions.
OBJ360 (Sponsored)
How the uOttawa faculty of engineering instills an ‘entrepreneurial mindset’ in students
A decade ago, Terrafixing chief operating officer Vida Gabriel was a chemistry-loving student in high school with little to no interest in business or entrepreneurship. “I didn’t like the sales
How the uOttawa faculty of engineering instills an ‘entrepreneurial mindset’ in students
A decade ago, Terrafixing chief operating officer Vida Gabriel was a chemistry-loving student in high school with little to no interest in business or entrepreneurship. “I didn’t like the sales
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
