The Unpaved Road: Chronicles of a Founder

The road isn’t always smooth, but it’s always worth the journey

Welcome to

The Unpaved Road: Chronicles of a Founder

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.

Canada’s Startup Scene: Opportunities, Obstacles, and the Hustle in Between

Canada’s Startup Scene: Opportunities, Obstacles, and the Hustle in Between

Canada’s Startup Scene: Opportunities, Obstacles, and the Hustle in BetweenBy: Conor K Phillips
Published on: 22/01/2025

Building a startup is like trying to assemble IKEA furniture—without the instructions and with a few screws missing. In Canada, the startup ecosystem is buzzing with potential, but it also comes with its fair share of headaches. From government grants to tech hubs in cities like Toronto and Vancouver, Canada has plenty of tools in the toolbox. But, let’s face it, the journey for founders often feels like running a marathon while juggling flaming batons. In this post, I’ll unpack the good, the bad, and the downright frustrating about starting up in Canada. If you’re a founder—or just startup-curious—this one’s for you.

The Unpaved Road - Chronicles of a Founder
Tourism: The Economic Driver Hiding in Plain Sight

Tourism: The Economic Driver Hiding in Plain Sight

Tourism: The Economic Driver Hiding in Plain SightBy: Conor K Phillips
Published on: 15/01/2025

Tourism is a significant driver of economic growth, yet it remains one of the most underappreciated and undervalued industries in the global economy. Despite its ability to fuel local economies, create jobs, and drive investment, tourism is often seen as secondary—a “nice-to-have” rather than a core pillar of economic development. This lack of recognition has left the industry to operate largely on its own, without the structured support or strategic investment other sectors receive. The truth, however, is that tourism holds enormous potential to transform communities, fuel innovation, and sustain economies at local, national, and global levels.

The Unpaved Road - Chronicles of a Founder

"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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