Brett Wilson talks about learning the hard way
Calgary entrepreneur honoured by Saskatchewan school for life’s work
The University of Saskatchewan awarded an honorary Doctor of Laws degree to W. Brett Wilson at the Edwards School of Business and College of Law convocation ceremony.
Wilson has roots in Saskatchewan, having completed a Bachelor of Science in civil engineering at the U of S. He then completed an MBA in entrepreneurship at the University of Calgary.
Wilson first tasted wealth after co- founding First-Energy Capital, a firm catering to the global energy sector. The philanthropist continues to pursue business endeavours and had a working stint on the Dragon’s Den television show.
Wilson founded the Wilson Centre for Entrepreneurial Excellence at the U of S and the Wilson Centre for Domestic Abuse Studies at the Calgary Counselling Centre.
Building relationships through charity is important to him, he said, adding strategic giving is an opportunity rather than an obligation and he gets great reward from doing so.
His life has been laden with health challenges, both physical and mental.
Wilson was diagnosed with prostate cancer for the second time last year. However, he said cancer is once again a closed chapter in his life.
He also tackled his workaholism in an addiction treatment centre.
“Sometimes I say having cancer the first time saved my life, because I was in a work- death spiral. I just had no sense of priorities, no proper balance in life,” he said.
Wilson said he was only focused on making another dollar before his diagnosis caused him to wake up and focus on himself.
He said he has since evolved emotionally, spiritually, mentally and physically, and suggested others return back to the basics of personal health and focus on happiness.
“A lot of times people are down and out because they’re chasing the elusive goal of wealth- based success,” he said.
Wilson stood before the crowd of fresh graduates and offered personal anecdotes and literary advice. The essence of life is about your choices and the mistakes you still have to make, he told them.
He referenced the second Harry Potter novel, paraphrasing Dumbledore’s words to Harry, saying people are not known by their abilities but by their choices, and it’s what they do with their abilities that matters.
He also quoted J. R. R. Tolkien’s Lord of the Rings, telling the crowd that “not all those who wander are lost.”
“There’s more to the line, but the concept of ‘ not all those who wander are lost,’ it really drives home the point. So many people in society talk about how important it is to be driven and focused, but it’s OK to wander,” he said in an interview, noting he read Lord of the Rings while attending the U of S.
He spoke of his daughter, who has travelled to more than 50 countries.
“She doesn’t have a set career, but if you want to measure her success by happiness, well, she’s one of the happiest people I know. That’s the essence of the story,” he said.
Wilson said one thing Saskatoon taught him was the value of a handshake, adding if more people respected handshakes we could dispose of paperwork and lawyers.
“I think it’s a prairie tradition to be able to say ‘ I agree,’ shake hands and you have a deal.”
A lot of times people are down and out because they’re chasing the elusive goal of wealth- based success.