In Episode 12 of Gent’s Talk, we sat down with the King of Bay Street! Wes Hall, the first black “dragon” on CBC’s Dragons’ Den, was able to share some of his abundant wisdom and advice with us. Looking downright fetching in his custom-made French pink suit and matching cotton candy kicks, it’s hard to imagine someone of such poise and stature can come from such humbling beginnings. We touched on his journey to success and how having elephant skin is needed to make it on Bay Street.
No stranger to wearing a suit, Wes explained how ‘dressing the part’ played a pivotal role in his early successes. Even when he started working in the mailroom on Bay Street, Wes wore a suit. He discovered early on that Bay Street folk (along with many others) would act/talk/move differently when he wore a suit, and how he capitalized on that.
Wes Hall, The Philanthropist
Bay Street is not known for its diversification in the boardroom, to say the least. Unfortunately, Wes has had to witness this firsthand his entire career. Representation matters, and being unable to see your people in high-profile positions can deter many from believing such jobs are attainable. Known for his philanthropy, Wes has dedicated much of his focus to changing this. He also spoke on the BlackNorth Initiative, which he founded in 2020, which has committed to ending anti-Black systemic racism.
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“Our responsibility is to change people’s lives and change things, not to go fend for yourself”
Wes Hall on giving back to the community
See Also: Gent’s Talk: Ep 11 – A Sit-Down w/ Diogo Snow
We were excited to talk to Wes Hall about his book, which will be released on October 4, 2022. ‘No Bootstraps When You’re Barefoot’ is a memoir that documents his life. From the struggles of life in Jamaica in a plantation house to becoming one of Canada’s most influential businesspeople, Wes is an inspiration to many. Wes prides himself on his valiant attempts to help pave the way for generations behind him.
About Gent’s Talk
Gent’s Talk is available for streaming on Youtube and Spotify! Episode 11 of Gent’s Talk is presented by Bulova Canada and is filmed at StartWell Studios in Toronto. We genuinely appreciate you continuing to support us throughout this journey!
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