East Coast Lifestyle founder to speak at NSCC, CBU events

The founder of East Coast Lifestyle will speak at a couple of entrepreneurship-themed events this week in Cape Breton.

Alex MacLean, who has been recognized by Marketing Magazine as one of the top 30under-30, began selling hoodies from his front porch and now supplies 80 retail locations across Canada.

“I am excited to come to Cape Breton. I know what it’s like to make the leap into entrepreneurship and I really hope to inspire more entrepreneurs in Nova Scotia,” MacLean said in a release.

The first event is being hosted by the Nova Scotia Community College and will take place Thursday from 4-8 p.m. at the New Dawn Centre for Social Innovation in Sydney.

Hosted by CBU alumni Justine Williamson and Greg Vardy, the creative minds behind the Magic Ranch’s Tracy and Martina, the event will showcase young entrepreneurs through panel discussions and will provide networking opportunities for attendees. The evening will conclude with a keynote address from MacLean.

“We are so thrilled to host this event and to have Alex on board as the keynote speaker,” said Fred Tilley, principal of the Marconi campus of the NSCC. “This is a great opportunity to inspire and motivate young people to consider entrepreneurship as a career choice here in Cape Breton.”

The event is free to youth between the ages of 20 and 35 who have an interest in entrepreneurship, but registration is required and can be completed online at www.ignitenscc.eventbrite.ca.

MacLean will also speak at Cape Breton University this week during its annual Entrepreneurship Day on Friday. The day is designed to inspire high school students to explore business creation.

“Having Alex MacLean here to speak with local high school students will show that success can be achieved early and knowledge gained at university can be put to use right away,” said George Karaphillis, dean of the Shannon School of Business.

The event will also include a gamified simulation exercise by GoVenture.