#57: W. Brett Wilson - Handshake Deals, Entrepreneurship & Advice to a Younger Self

The following is a conversation with W. Brett Wilson. 

W. Brett Wilson is an investment banker, businessman, investor, philanthropist and was a season 3, 4 & 5 panelist on the CBC Television show -  Dragons' Den.

Brett graduated with a degree in Civil Engineering from the University of Calgary and began his career as an engineer in the energy industry before earning his MBA (Entrepreneurship), also from the U of C. 

Eventually transitioning to investment banking, he co-founded an investment banking advisory firm, Wilson Mackie & Co., in 1991, and in 1993, co-founded FirstEnergy Capital Corp with Rick Grafton, Jim Davidson and N. Murray Edwards. 

Since then, he has had a variety of business interests including ownership in the Nashville Predators of the National Hockey League.

In addition, his many philanthropic endeavors include some of the following: 

-Climbed Mount Kilimanjaro to support Alzheimer's research 
-Made annual trips to Mexico in order to build homes for the poor
-Hosted events to support prostate cancer, David Foster Foundation, Right to Play, Little Warriors, Boomer's Legacy, 777 Run for Sight, Dare to Care and the Veterans' Food Bank
-Funded research into the issue of domestic abuse and has funded the Wilson Centre for Domestic Abuse Studies at the Calgary Counselling Centre
-Travelled to Afghanistan to visit front-line Canadian troops and has hosted events to support military members and their families
(and a lot more) 

This episode was truly great as we talked about the value of a handshake deal, entrepreneurship, the importance of balancing priorities, what makes a good business, Covid-19, advice to a younger self and a lot more.

Also, if you get a chance to leave a review of the Rose Bros Podcast in the Apple Directory it would be much appreciated.

Enjoy!