Meet Paul B

We had the good fortune of connecting with Paul B and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Paul, we’d love to hear about how you approach risk and risk-taking.
Risk-taking is the first step to starting a business. You can’t launch a business without embracing some level of risk.

When I first began, I had no idea about inventory management or common business jargon. A freight forwarder once asked me, “How many SKUs are in your product line?” My response was, “What on earth is a SKU?” I didn’t know how to create barcodes, source the best fulfillment centers, ship products, or even calculate duties. Intellectual property? That was another area I had to figure out from scratch.

Without taking risks, you won’t advance to the next level. Staying in your comfort zone will keep you stagnant throughout your career.

I made a significant financial gamble because I wanted control over every aspect of the business.

We took many risks from the outset, like sourcing suppliers directly overseas and bypassing middlemen to work hand-in-hand with manufacturers. While other companies typically rely on agents to find suppliers, create prototypes, set up manufacturing, and handle logistics, we took the leap and did it ourselves.

One of the keys to our success is meeting deadlines. Motivation stems from setting and achieving deadlines—without them, tasks lose urgency. It’s crucial to establish realistic goals and deadlines that push you forward.

Personally, I don’t celebrate success the way others might. I believe that if I celebrate too much, I’ll get comfortable. Comfort leads to complacency, and complacency kills motivation. I prefer to stay driven, and always focused on the next goal.

Our brand’s success is built on three core principles: innovation, versatility, and durability. We believe every product should stand out from the competition. We’re not interested in ordering generic products from Alibaba or replicating what others have done. Our own research and development team fine-tunes each product before it hits the market.

Coming from an athletic background, I understand the wear and tear equipment endures. That’s why I partnered with a top-tier military-grade manufacturer that supplies durable gear to armies worldwide. Instead of designing products with a single purpose, I decided to combine multiple features into one product. For instance, instead of a customer needing three different items, we create innovative solutions that integrate everything into one bag or vest.

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
We make innovative, versatile fitness products and equipment, and quality is everything to us—it’s what really sets us apart. Each feature in our designs has a purpose. For example, the sandbag drag surface is foldable, so you can drag it without getting your shirt dirty. Then, you can roll it up and carry it as a rucksack. Every part of our products is there for a reason, and each product is either patented or patent-pending. Quality and purposeful innovation are what we’re all about.

I have the persistence and determination to continuously innovate, even though research and development can take a long time. It can be a frustrating process, but in the end, when you deliver and launch the product, it’s all worth it because it truly benefits the consumer.

Once our products are sold, and customers start posting videos and reviews, it’s a truly rewarding feeling. Was it easy? Not at all. Overcoming challenges has taught me the importance of reaching out to people who have been there, like mentors, and actively networking.

I’ve learned that in-person market research and surveys are crucial because what you do online is often different from real-life interactions. When people see and feel the quality of our products, it’s a game changer.

We create innovative, patented, or patent-pending fitness, outdoor, and lifestyle products that are versatile and affordable.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
If my best friend were visiting Toronto, I’d make sure they experienced the best of our nature spots and vegan-friendly dining options. We’d start with a meal at Fresh for some great plant-based food, followed by a relaxing walk through High Park. The next day, we’d head to Rouge National Urban Park to hike the Vista Trail, a quiet spot for a peaceful escape. I’d pack us a simple picnic to enjoy along the way, and we’d end the day with the stunning sunset views at Scarborough Bluffs. On the final day, we’d begin with breakfast at Mildred’s Temple Kitchen before taking a more secluded hike on the Don Valley Trail, with a quick lunch at The Riverdale Farm Café. To wrap up, we’d have dinner at Kōjin, where the vegan options and cozy atmosphere would make for the perfect end to a nature-filled visit.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I want to dedicate my story to my dad and the York Entrepreneurship Development Institute.

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