Hear from five alumni who definitely won’t be giving up their day jobs.
Ever wished you could spend your workday cutting first tracks through powder on the ski slopes in Whistler? Hanging out with famous astronauts and Canadian sports legends? Or playing fetch with a bevy of energetic dogs?
While an Ivey education is excellent preparation for any job, some alumni have opted for unique careers that allow them to pursue their passions and make a living at the same time. These five Ivey grads are the kinds of people who often hear, “You have the best job ever.” And they can’t help but agree:
Ben Thomas, HBA ’96
Founder, VIP Mountain Holidays
Whistler, B.C.
When Ben Thomas graduated with an HBA from Ivey in 1996, he landed his first job with a Canadian bank, trading commodities in London, England. It was a fast-paced, exciting opportunity for a new grad, but after two years on the trading floor, Thomas decided to pursue another ambition he had long dreamed of fulfilling.
“I had always wanted to do a full season of skiing,” says Thomas, an Ottawa native with snow in his veins.
Thomas convinced a university friend, Matt Ball, to take a “gap” year in skiing mecca Courchevel, France, where they would work as ski guides and spend all their time on the slopes. The two had a blast, and cooked up the idea to offer a high-end, private concierge service to tourists in Whistler, B.C. – a way to extend the fun into a second season of skiing.
“I had no intention of staying here as long as I have. The plan was still to go back to school and do an MBA,” says Thomas. But their fledgling business, VIP Mountain Holidays, was a success and Thomas was hooked. He’s been living the ski lifestyle ever since.
“We provide hassle-free, full-service private concierge-style trips to Whistler,” he says. “I love my job because I get to live the lifestyle of a ski bum but keep the challenges and the intellectual stimulation of running my own business.”
The typical day starts early, facilitating getting the clients’ kids off to ski school at 8:30 a.m. Then they “chill out for coffee” and go skiing with the clients for the rest of the day. Thomas says he relishes the freedom his business affords him.
“When it’s really good skiing, we drop everything and just go skiing,” he says. “I’m sure I would have made more money on Bay Street, but I’m happy to be able to live in Whistler. It’s living the dream.”
Gail Kassie, MBA ’85
Co-Owner & CFO, Bow Wow Country Club
Schomberg, Ont.
“If you had told me 20 years ago I’d be doing this, I’d say, ‘That’s the most ridiculous thing I’ve ever heard,’” says Kassie of her canine-filled business. “But when I started working with these dogs, I just loved them all.”
Kassie is the co-owner and CFO of the Bow Wow Country Club, a luxury facility on a sprawling property in Schomberg, Ont. Kassie and her team host an average of 25 dogs a day – some come during workdays to exercise and socialize, while others board for a week or more.
“We return a tired, happy dog at the end of the day,” says Kassie. “And when people are going away on vacation, the dogs get pampered and supervised in all their daily activities.”
Running a doggie hotel wasn’t something Kassie expected to do after completing her Ivey MBA in 1985. She spent 21 years working in the banking industry, but after an unexpected stroke at age 45, she decided to switch gears.
Kassie started boarding dogs in her home, and her husband – a seafood entrepreneur – soon joined her in the new business. They expanded after finding the Schomberg property.
“What makes us different from other places is some of the dogs actually board in our home,” says Kassie. “So if I’m sitting on the sofa watching TV, they’re sitting with me cuddling.” Dogs who aren’t suited to spending their time in the home sleep in a comfortable, climate-controlled hotel steps away from the house.
Kassie says that though she wouldn’t have guessed this career path, she’s found her true calling.
“My brother, who’s a senior executive in the financial industry, said to me, ‘I’ve never seen you so passionate about anything in my life.’”
Norm Deska, HBA ’79
EVP, Intellectual Property, Ripley Entertainment Inc.
Orlando, Fla.
At Norm Deska’s workplace, you might find employees working on a book about the world’s oldest bodybuilder, the highest jump on a pogo stick, and the largest collection of teddy bears. Down the hall they might be designing a jellyfish habitat, or tracking down the world’s most expensive dress.
“It can’t get any stranger than this,” says Deska with a laugh.
He’s been working at Ripley Entertainment Inc. for 35 years, currently as Executive Vice-President of Intellectual Property. The company’s properties include some of the most exciting and unusual attractions in North America, like Ripley’s Believe It or Not Odditorium, Guinness World Records Attraction, Ripley’s Mirror Maze, and Ripley’s Haunted Adventure.
“I’ve had a lot of different jobs within the company and I’ve loved it,” says Deska. “I’m an analytical type of guy, but I like that here you can use the right and left sides of the brain.”
After graduating with his HBA in 1979, Deska went to work in accounting, but found it didn’t suit him. He joined Ripley’s as a controller and went on to VP roles in finance, operations, franchising, and publishing. As EVP of Intellectual Property, he’s in charge of third-party uses of the trademark, plus he runs the digital marketing side of the company.
Deska says he’s most proud of Ripley’s three aquariums in Toronto, Myrtle Beach, S.C., and Gatlinburg, Tenn. “They’re spectacular,” he notes.
He’s also proud of the series of kids’ books that they produce, like Ripley’s Believe It or Not – Shatter Your Senses! “Teachers and parents say, ‘I couldn’t get my son to read anything, and he just loves your book and devours it,’” says Deska. “It’s really rewarding for me to hear all these stories. We educate through fascination.”
Mark Chrusciak, EMBA ’14
Managing Director, Treeleavens Luxury Cornish Ice Cream
Cornwall, U.K.
Mark Chrusciak works with two of the world’s favourite consumables: ice cream and beer. “Both products bring joy,” he says, a master of understatement.
Chrusciak is Managing Director for Treleavens Luxury Cornish Ice Cream and Non-Executive Director for Harbour Brewing Company, both headquartered in Cornwall, U.K.
“We offer ice cream made the way it should be,” he says of Treleavens’ tasty product. “Natural flavours with a low air content.”
Running a luxury ice cream company and a craft brewery might seem like dream jobs, but Chrusciak’s path to his current positions wasn’t a straight one.
A U.K. native, Chrusciak did an engineering apprenticeship for the British government’s foreign office after secondary school, and then spent over a decade travelling the world, doing technical installation and maintenance for the British embassies and consulates in 65 countries. A three-year posting in Hong Kong spurred him to take his EMBA at Ivey in Hong Kong.
“I wanted to learn the language and get the skill set to manage things in a more senior setting,” he says.
After the birth of their first child, Chrusciak and his wife decided to move back to the U.K. A conversation with his wife’s stepfather, who owned a group of companies in and around Cornwall and Oxfordshire, convinced Chrusciak to join the family business.
With both the ice cream company and the brewery in growth mode, Chrusciak says he has ample opportunity to get indepth, hands-on experience in many different areas of the business. He’s even been able to draw on his previous experience building embassies by constructing a 10,000-square-foot warehouse for the rapidly expanding brewery.
Treleavens is planning to open a new distribution centre in the next six months as well, he says, so they can “bring great ice cream to the masses.”
Heather Maclean, HBA ’89
Founder & President, ProSpeakers.com
Toronto, Ont.
Few people get to work not one, but two dream jobs during the course of their career. Heather MacLean is one of those fortunate few.
Shortly after graduating with her HBA from Ivey in 1989, MacLean got a job working in sponsorships at Labatt Breweries of Canada and their subsidiary, Anheuser-Busch. In that role, she was lead strategist for major sponsorships with the NHL, NFL, Olympics, Toronto Blue Jays, and more.
“I was travelling the world, going to sporting events, and working in the beer business,” says MacLean. But when she found herself out of a job after a maternity leave, she decided to strike out on her own.
In 2008, MacLean purchased a speaker agency, rebranded it as ProSpeakers.com, and built it into one of the top speaker agencies in Canada. MacLean works with political leaders, CEOs, Olympians, and reality stars, connecting them with the world’s top brands as speakers and influencers.
A typical week can include meeting a client’s private plane prior to an event; discussing programs over breakfast with leading Canadian economists and business leaders; a conference call with Real Housewives of Toronto reality star Jana Webb; overseeing the set-up for a presentation at The Globe and Mail; and attending an evening networking event with Olympians, NHL players, and coaches.
“I always knew I wanted to inspire people and transform organizations,” says MacLean of her decision to pursue her dream job. It’s the freedom and unpredictability that she appreciates the most.
“Every day, I pick up the phone and something different is going on. Some days it’s challenging, but it’s always fun. Never a dull moment.”
Photos (Heather and Gail): Nation Wong
Photo (Ben): Mike Crane
Art Direction: Greg Salmela, Aegis
