Serial entrepreneur Bobby Genovese now living in the Bahamas founded his first company at the age of 25 and hasn’t looked back since, establishing several successful enterprises over the past four decades.
With a strong belief that if you are passionate about what you do, success will follow, Bobby Genovese has a nose for fresh talent and innovative business ideas.
He is also dedicated to giving back, supporting non-profit organizations that focus on helping children, including Toronto’s Hospital for Sick Children.
We sat down with Bobby Genovese to discuss what motivates him in his career, as well as why he is committed to continuing to support charitable causes.
You have been an entrepreneur and business leader in both Canada and the United States for many years and have worked in a variety of enterprises. Based on your experience, how have you managed to cultivate success in so many different fields?
Bobby Genovese: For me, the most important thing is to truly love what you do. If you’re passionate about your business, no matter what it is, then it will never feel like work. Building a new company takes a lot of hard work and there are plenty of obstacles along the way. Having passion for what you’re doing makes it a lot easier to overcome the challenges you will inevitably have to face.
How have things changed for you since the days when you were a young entrepreneur? How would you do things differently today?
Bobby Genovese: At this stage of my life, I don’t want to run a business anymore. I’ve done all the heavy lifting. My role now is to take my business experience and become a mentor for other entrepreneurs. Many young entrepreneurs can’t see the forest for the trees, and I faced similar challenges when I was younger. I was so focused on growing my projects that I forgot to look at the big picture. You’ve got to look forward and ask yourself: how do I achieve my long-term goals?
BG Parks was established to help conserve the environment and protect important parcels of land by partnering with several state parks in Florida. This is a unique initiative for you, can you describe your involvement?
Bobby Genovese: I’m a big supporter of ecotourism and I believe in choosing to travel in a way that shows respect for nature and does not contribute to environmental degradation. To support ecotourism, I’ve partnered with the Department of Environmental Protection as well as the Florida State Parks with a mission to protect the land and waterscapes of several Florida state parks. As well as protecting the environment, we get to reach out to the park’s visitors, numbering several million each year, through special events and other activities.
You have spoken passionately about your support of non-profit organizations dedicated to helping children, such as Toronto’s Hospital for Sick Children. How did you get involved with the hospital and what does that support look like today?
Bobby Genovese: Toronto’s Hospital for Sick Children stole my heart many years ago. It’s Canada’s largest and most sophisticated centre for pediatric cancer research, treatment and care. Through our support, we’ve been able to provide vital resources for pediatric cancer programs at Sick Kids. Our annual car and boat rallies have raised more than $16 million since we began in 2007. The rallies are designed to make an impact, raise critical funds and enrich the lives of children who have been touched by cancer. These events demonstrate how successful we can be if we all come together for a common cause. Giving back is a great way to stay humble.