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Allen Tumbaga

Early Life: Driven by Entrepreneurial Spirit, Surrounded by Entrepreneurs

Propelled by an unwavering entrepreneurial passion, Allen has always boasted the determination to realize his dream of owning his own business. From his early years through adolescence, he approached business prospects with a remarkable zeal. During his formative years, he engaged in numerous school-led lemonade sales, and his journey into entrepreneurship took flight when he initiated his photography venture in 2017.

Allen’s close-knit circle also embodies an entrepreneurial spirit. His parents managed a cleaning business in the late 2000s, while his cousin successfully launched and operated a thriving coffee shop in the Philippines. These familial influences and personal experiences have further solidified Allen’s determination to carve his own legacy into the world of business.

College Life: Entrepreneurial Theory and Beyond

Alongside his photography career, Allen entered Seneca Polytechnic’s Small Business and Entrepreneurship program. This educational experience provided him with a platform to delve deeper into the operational dynamics of small and medium-sized businesses. Through this program, he gained essential insights into the foundational aspects of business management. Allen also engaged in hands-on learning in crafting business plans and employing case analysis methodology to address real-world challenges that businesses face.

Similarly, Allen actively surrounded himself with like-minded entrepreneurs during his high school days. He not only nurtured but also sustained strong relationships with the co-founders of Hypexchange, an online shoe consignment store, as well as with two local clothing brands: Soigné Toronto and Alliance Apparel. As a photographer, Allen established collaborations with various small businesses that shared a similar passion.

This immersive experience equipped him with the practical skills needed to navigate the complexities of entrepreneurship. His time at Seneca Polytechnic introduced him to several valuable entrepreneurial frameworks, including the Business Model Canvas. This framework serves as a qualitative tool that offers a comprehensive overview of an organization’s operational landscape, providing a high-level snapshot of its current state. Allen’s participation in Seneca Polytechnic’s program played a pivotal role in nurturing his holistic understanding of entrepreneurship and further solidified his capability to strategically approach business endeavors.

This interconnected spirit of entrepreneurship also extended to Allen’s advocacy for the growth and development of his peers. His strong bond with his barber, a co-founder of the thriving District Barbershop and Hair Studio, which serves clients in the Scarborough area, exemplifies this. Through this partnership, Allen showcases his dedication to supporting the entrepreneurial journeys of those around him.

Allen’s dedication to entrepreneurship was further demonstrated through his participation and representation of his high school in the DECA provincials competition in Entrepreneurship. During this event, he was presented with the challenge of applying his knowledge to recognize opportunities and take decisive action. He skillfully demonstrated his ability to recognize needs, pinpoint market gaps, employ market research strategies, identify potential sources of capital, and leverage essential management skills. All of these were achieved during his high school years, highlighting his impressive capabilities at such a young age. Presently, Allen actively lends his expertise to support and provide guidance to his parents in managing their real estate portfolio.

Over the course of his photography career, Allen has undertaken eighty-five projects encompassing wedding, event, and commercial photography. Throughout this journey, he held a profound fascination for understanding the diverse operations of various businesses in comparison to his own photography practice. Allen frequently sought inspiration from these enterprises, drawing insights to infuse into his own business strategies.

Photography Career: Capturing the Right Opportunities

Similar to countless others, Allen’s business also faced the adverse effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. However, he astutely perceived this challenge as an opportunity to transform his career trajectory. During this period, he observed a surge in new business openings in niche avenues. Allen then assembled a team, and embarked on a pivot toward his own niche, product photography. This strategic shift was undertaken to explore its viability as an avenue for his work. Guiding a compact team of six, Allen initiated his foray into these new directions. His inaugural project involved collaborating with a Toronto-based jewelry company, contributing to their marketing materials. This marked his entry into a realm of professional photography distinct from his previous ventures. In response to pandemic constraints, Allen adeptly explored alternative genres in this field. This adaptive approach led him to delve into real estate and professional photography, aligning his craft with the evolving landscape. As the economy gradually reopened, Allen seamlessly transitioned into a diverse range of events, maintaining his dynamic coverage.

Motivated by an insatiable curiosity and a fervent desire to delve even deeper into the realm of entrepreneurship while drawing parallels with his own experiences, Allen’s thirst for knowledge led him to embark on a continued academic journey. Presently, he is pursuing studies in entrepreneurial strategy at the Ted Rogers School of Management in Toronto, Canada. While taking a class on entrepreneurial sales techniques, he met his co-founders: Benjamin, Jingru, and Julien. This encounter marked the inception of a partnership that would soon result in the creation of Eighth Floor Advisors.

In addition to his exploration of entrepreneurial sales techniques, Allen’s academic journey also encompassed a comprehensive study of the various facets of entrepreneurship. This entailed delving into the theoretical underpinnings of entrepreneurship itself, which involved understanding the intricate thought processes and the art of implementing the mechanisms to initiate and sustain a groundbreaking enterprise. He also delved into the intricacies of identifying novel opportunities that align with the diverse facets of an entrepreneur’s portfolio.

Beyond his academic pursuits, Allen actively engages in various aspects of student life. He frequently participates in conferences focused on diverse business domains, including: marketing, entrepreneurship, and consulting. Impressively, he has attended over ten such conferences in the past year alone, showcasing his commitment to lifelong learning and networking. Throughout his university journey, Allen has also dedicated his time and expertise to two student groups: Toronto Metropolitan University Toastmasters and Women in Technology Management. He contributes his skills and experiences, enriching the student community. This engagement has provided Allen with a platform to further refine his sales and marketing proficiencies.

Further enriching his academic pursuit, Allen also engaged in courses centered around international business. Within this domain, he actively immersed himself in the complexities of entering foreign markets, honing his skills through the analyses of diverse cases. Allen’s academic endeavors at the Ted Rogers School of Management stand as a testament to his unrelenting commitment to cultivating his entrepreneurial prowess and to channeling his pursuits into actionable strategies for future success.

Furthermore, his active participation in these student groups has offered him valuable insights into the operational dynamics of non-profit organizations. These experiences have afforded Allen a unique vantage point to witness how such organizations operate while simultaneously contributing to the growth and enhancement of the local student community.

Julien Myhal

Nurturing Entrepreneurial Roots: Early Years in the Animal Services Industry

Julien's early life was rich in the vibrant world of entrepreneurship in the animal services industry. Born into a family of entrepreneurs, he was raised in an environment where creativity and deliberate effort were key parts of a successful life. His mother manages a successful at-home dog walking and boarding business, setting the stage for Julien's deep connection with animals and business from a young age.

Growing up, Julien's days were filled with the lively voices of furry companions and the camaraderie of loyal clients. From the time he could remember, he was already taking his first steps into the world of entrepreneurship by assisting his mother with various aspects of the business. Whether it was walking dogs around the neighborhood, ensuring their comfort during boarding stays, or receiving and dropping off dogs to clients, Julien quickly learned the ropes and embraced the responsibilities that came with the family venture.

As the eldest sibling in the household, Julien bore an extra layer of responsibility. With his mother often tending to the dogs and clients, he assumed a caretaker role for both his younger brother and the four-legged guests. This early experience of shouldering responsibility not only deepened his sense of accountability but also honed his organizational and interpersonal skills.

Julien's days were a blend of school, helping his mother, and managing the household affairs. He worked hard to balance his academic pursuits with his commitment to the business, often using his spare time to brainstorm ideas for expanding the family venture.

Through years of hands-on experience, Julien developed an acute understanding of canine behavior, health, and needs. He was not merely walking dogs; he was fostering relationships, building trust with clients, and creating an environment where both dogs and their owners felt valued.

Navigating the Virtual Marketplace:

Entrepreneurial Ventures within the Video Game Industry

Julien's interest in entrepreneurship continued in his teenage years with some personal pursuits. In the game Counter Strike: Global Offensive (CSGO), virtual items held real-world value, sometimes fetching thousands of dollars. Julien's interest in this game prompted him to delve into buying and selling these items for profit. The business was based around two fundamentals: Finding good deals on specific items by monitoring websites such as CSGOLounge.com and sending out numerous trade offers to increase the speed of item turnover. Remarkably, despite being just sixteen, he successfully generated approximately $10,000 in earnings over a span of a year and a half. This experience fueled Julien’s entrepreneurial spirit, inspiring him to seek out business prospects beyond the digital realm.

Although video games were a fun pastime, Julien’s true passions were in the realms of music and digital marketing. These two passions harmoniously converged when he embarked on the journey to sell his own instrumentals while leveraging platforms like YouTube and TikTok for digital marketing. Through creatively crafted short videos he showcased his new compositions, aiming for them to become viral sensations. This strategic approach led to rapid success, with his videos amassing hundreds of thousands of views within hours. Throughout this endeavor, Julien not only accumulated a substantial following across multiple TikTok accounts, but also experienced videos that garnered as much as 400,000 views. His musical creations caught the attention of the online community, with one instrumental track achieving a remarkable 2.3 million views in a video shared by another content creator. This venture not only allowed Julien to share his passion for music, but also highlighted his adeptness at marketing and captivating online audiences. Julien’s fusion of entrepreneurial strategy, digital marketing prowess, and creative acumen not only fueled his musical ambitions, but also shaped a strategic mindset ideal for contemporary businesses seeking innovative digital marketing solutions in the 21st century.