Pt 2

If you read Part 1, you may want some positive news to balance things out... A rollercoaster ride is certainly shout-out-loud fun, but it can also make you feel sick, dizzy, stressed and fearful. Welcome to being a StartUp Founder.
I certainly generated some of the best career-related memories during my startup journey. It's important to relish, record, and share them!

The best of times:

'You can camp out in my facility for months if you wish, if you can do what you say, it will be incredibly valuable!' - Beta Client upon hearing about our Yield Prediction Solution

'We don't even do things the way we used to, we have been relying on your solution for weeks now!' - Beta Client who was sending our data directly to a billion-dollar company that pre-sold all produce from their 170+ acres of greenhouse production.

'Sure I'll help you furnish the new office, drive around in a U-Haul, and get it ready for the new team' - A team member who spent days finding, collecting, and assembling all the used office furniture in our first proper office location.

'Would you be interested in giving a TED Talk about your startup journey?' - TED Talk organizer

'OK we're in - congratulations!' - Desjardins - Real Ventures - FLUXUNIT / ams-OSRAM Ventures - BDC - FounderFuel - and all our Angel Investors.

'We'll introduce you to our client base and get this moving - come see us in the Netherlands' - Saint-Gobain Cultilene Bonny Heeren - Global Distributors

'I still remember your DemoDay presentation' - Industry Professional 2 years after demo day.

'Don't worry, we'll lock up -go home!' - The first time our office was full of new staff, and I wasn't the last one leaving.

'You're all here because you're entrepreneurs. You likely always will be. You will have to do the impossible' - Sylvain Carle welcoming the new FounderFuel accelerator cohort, and the first time anyone called me an entrepreneur

'Could we come by the office and interview you?' - The Globe and Mail, Canada's national newspaper - who allowed Floyd our office dog in the photo!

'Japan just signed!' - Japan's largest greenhouse operator joins our client list

'So you're joking right?' - Upon being seated within a Montreal family office, we didn't quite prepare as well as we should, by not knowing whose money was behind the fund. Turned out to be the Bronfman's via Claridge Inc.!! Coming from the UK - I had never heard of the Bronfmans.... oops! :)

'Would you come to Japan and speak at our event?' - Japan's first AgTech conference, who kindly paid for our flights and accommodation, rude to say no... right?

'Happy to accept, I'm looking at flights - see you soon' - Our awesome Product Director who moved 4800 KM (3000 miles) to join our team.

Lastly, and by no means least:

'I'm really proud of you' - various friends & family.

Due to my history, having arrived in Montreal knowing no one, with $500 and a backpack to my name - this meant everything.