As a serial entrepreneur and the progenitor of some ground-breaking start-up companies, Adam Watson continues to experience extensive and broad successes in the business community and beyond.  

At twenty-one years old, as President of the students’ union and while studying in the highly-coveted Management and Political Science (BBA.Hon) program at the University of Toronto, Adam co-founded a contracting firm that went on to be one of the largest in the Greater Toronto Area.  With nearly four hundred employees and tens-of-millions of dollars in annual revenues, Adam successfully exited that company after thirteen years at its helm.  During this tenure, Adam also invested in several start-up technology companies in Field Service Management, the gig-economy, advertising, and commercial lending, to name a few.  Through his public speaking efforts, Adam is very candid today with thousands of executives, students, and volunteers about his successes (and failures!) in various start-up ventures. 

In 2009, Adam and his wife (Yien) founded and eventually sold an industry-leading retail floral and event management boutique firm – catering almost exclusively to some of Toronto’s largest corporate clientele.  In 2015, Adam invested in a manufacturing operation overseas and spent time scaling an operation that was eventually sold in 2022, at a ten-times multiple.  

In 2012, the Toronto Board of Trade recognized Adam’s successes with the presentation of the prestigious Business Growth Award.  In 2015, Adam and Yien were recognized with an Arbour Award from the University of Toronto for their philanthropic and volunteer efforts over the years.

Adam’s expertise in starting, funding, scaling, and exiting companies of all stripes has lent incredible credence to his involvement in a number of influential organizations.  Adam has served as a Governor to the University of Toronto and has spent time travelling the country speaking passionately to students about entrepreneurship and leadership.  

The cornerstone to Adam’s numerous accomplishments has been his ability to collaborate effectively with employees, management, boards, and stakeholders at all levels.  Among his successes, Adam lead a technology company in its launch of a first-of-its-kind-in-Canada digital platform that connects commercial mortgage brokers with commercial lenders.  

Philanthropically, Adam founded the ‘Adam and Yien Watson Awards of Achievement’ for students in financial need.  Adam’s passion continues to be in working with like-minded entrepreneurs to help them scale and excel their operations.  

In addition to being husband to Yien, perhaps most rewarding is Adam’s role as father to both Alistair and Charlotte in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, wherein his family calls home.  When not working with amazing companies, Adam spends his free time with his family between Toronto and Vancouver – in the summer golfing at Scarboro Golf and Country Club or skiing the winters in Whistler, BC.