From Olympic athlete to entrepreneur: A mapped out route for Bruny Surin!

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Together we are stronger.
Whether it’s by sharing his knowledge or his commitment, Bruny Surin is an outstanding role model of cooperation.

The athlete has been involved in the community for several years now – be it with youth, athletes or businessmen and women – and today hopes to inspire companies and job seekers alike as a way of helping others attain their goals.

Drawing inspiration from his own experience and career path, the Olympic runner and entrepreneur at the helm of Surin Group now travels all over Quebec hosting motivational conferences that emphasize the importance of never backing down in the face of adversity, setting goals and pursuing one’s dreams. Interview with the living embodiment of determination.

How did you make the switch between your career as an athlete and the world of entrepreneurship?

It’s a plan I’d already formulated or at least thought about 4 or 5 years before I retired. I’ve always taken a keen interest in the business world, but it really began happening at the end of my 1999 season when I clinched my best performance, namely 9.84 in the 100m. Technically, that was the moment when I said to myself that once I was retired I’d launch my own clothing brand. I could already visualise my surname, people wearing clothes with my name on them. Then, 2 years before my retirement, I put down in writing all my business plans and a few projects that interested me. Over time, I gradually added more and crossed off others, and I finally ended up asking myself which fields appealed to me the most.  It was then that I realized, immediately after I retired, that the switch had been virtually instantaneous. Everything I’m doing today had been planned out and, knock on wood, it’s all going really well!

Would you say that your route was mapped out in advance?

Yes, you could say so. Launching my own line of clothing came as no surprise. I do a bit of work in television, but that was also planned out because I attended ProMédia, a specialized radio and television school in Montreal. It’s something I’d wanted to do, especially for my conferences, and it has proved to be tremendously helpful. So yes, it was all very sudden, but I’d already mapped out my course. And today it’s working well.

You give conferences all over the province, at schools and companies and so forth. What’s the message you want to transmit to people?

I want to show them the importance of not putting up personal barriers and to always think positive and maintain a positive attitude. I want to prompt people to talk about their dreams, because the verbal has an impact on our behaviour too. Some people panic, others can be negative and don’t believe in their goals. We need to change all that.

What’s your source of motivation for doing all this?

I simply say to myself that I can change people’s perspective, the way they visualize their goals and life in general. If I can have a positive influence on just a few people, it would be amazing! I’ve been inspired by others myself, by my very first coach. “The me I see is the me I’ll be” is something I learned and at the time it really helped me grow as a person and it continues to do so today. For me, it’s a question of paying it forward. I can’t have acquired all this experience, I can’t possess all this knowledge and baggage, and then just keep it all to myself. I want others to benefit from it, that’s what I’m striving to do as much as possible.

You’ve had a career as an athlete and you’re at the head of a group that bears your name. You also host conferences at schools and businesses. With all these different projects, would you say you’re happy in your work life?

Oh! I’m completely happy! I’m happy and I try to maintain a balance. Obviously, sometimes my work gets to be a bit much. However, I believe a balanced life is work and the professional side of course, but more importantly it’s family. And there are spiritual aspects too. For me, all this forms a whole. I often transmit this message to businessmen and women. Because the trap that people sometimes fall into, especially those with big goals in life, is to become so focused on attaining them that they forget the rest. I’ve met men who have spoken openly about their personal experience and who’ve admitted that they are very successful in business, who have incredible revenues, but who aren’t happy. They’re never at home and don’t see much of their family. For me, success can’t be limited to just one aspect; it has to cover all areas of one’s life.

You spoke of a balanced lifestyle but what value do you cherish the most and ensure is part of your corporate culture?

My parents always said never cheat, be honest and help others. These are the three values I always bear in mind. In fact, this is the reason I set up my own foundation fifteen years ago. It is crucial to show integrity and be oneself in life. I don’t play a role. “What you see is what you get”, as the saying goes. I’m not going to act a part; I am how I am and that’s how I am with everybody. Honesty is very important to me.

You admit you’ve never been afraid to dream and that this is important to you, it’s what helps you progress. What’s the next dream on your list, the one you’d like to fulfil in the coming years?

From a business perspective, I’m about to launch a range of Surin shoes. We’re also expanding the clothing line. I’d like to dress the entire family.  At the moment I have clothes for men, women and teens, but not for 3 to 8 year olds. And that’s the age when children start becoming physically active. It’s another project of mine.

Have you been thinking about these projects for years? Or have they slowly developed over time as you gained more and more experience as an entrepreneur?

The idea for a shoe range came at the same time as the clothing line but I had to follow a series of specific steps. I said to myself, let’s start small and then gradually expand. I must admit that where I am today is where I saw myself from the very beginning. I’m aware that there’s still lots and lots of work to be done but I’m ready to take it on.

* Don’t miss the follow up to this post in the next few weeks as part of a collaboration between Bruny Surin and Jobillico!

By Arianne Caron