Starting and building a business is much like exploring uncharted terrain—challenging, unpredictable, and often rewarding in ways you never expected. Through this blog series, I’ll share my experiences as the founder and CEO of Roamlii, navigating the twists and turns of running a startup in the dynamic worlds of tourism and technology.
Here, you’ll find reflections on entrepreneurship, lessons learned (sometimes the hard way), thoughts on the Canadian economy and its impact on small businesses, and a behind-the-scenes look at what it takes to build something from the ground up.
My hope is that these chronicles inspire, inform, and connect with anyone blazing their own trail—whether you’re building a business, championing a cause, or simply looking for insights on resilience and innovation.
The road isn’t always smooth, but it’s always worth the journey.
Let’s get started.
Conor K PhillipsIf you spend enough time in the startup world, you’ll hear the phrase "fail fast" at least a hundred times. And while failure isn’t inevitable, it is everywhere—especially in the micro-moments that shape how a business grows (or doesn't).
Conor K PhillipsIf you’ve ever seen a headline about a startup raising millions in funding, you might think fundraising is just about pitching the right investor, shaking hands on a deal, and popping champagne. Spoiler alert: it’s not. Not usually anyway.
Conor K PhillipsAsk any founder why they started their company, and you’ll hear a version of the same thing: I had a vision. A big, audacious, world-changing idea. But here’s the unsexy part no one talks about—having a vision is easy. Executing it? That’s where the real work happens. And along the way, you must maintain a belief in that idea and in yourself. It doesn't have to be a steady belief, you'll definitely bobble here and there, but it does have to be an anchor you consistently return to.
Conor K PhillipsIf startup life had a theme song, it would be that classic Rocky montage—minus the triumphant ending (at least for a while). Because let’s be real, running a startup isn’t a single fight—it’s a never-ending boxing match. Some days, you’re landing knockout punches. Other days, you’re just trying to stay on your feet while the universe swings haymakers at your head. But here’s the thing: the founders who win aren’t always the strongest, the smartest, or even the most well-funded. They’re the ones who know how to take the hits, pivot when needed, and keep swinging. So, how do you survive the ring? How do you keep fighting when the punches keep coming? Here’s what I’ve learned.
"Roamlii is headquartered in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, on Treaty 6 Territory, and the traditional homeland of the Cree, Saulteaux, Dene, Dakota, Lakota, Nakota, and Métis nations. We pay our respects to the First Nations and Métis ancestors of this great land, and reaffirm our relationship with one another."
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