Wes Hall, a prominent Canadian entrepreneur and star of CBC’s Dragons’ Den, has transformed his remarkable journey from modest origins to a leading figure in the business world.
What did you find most challenging in your first season?
The challenging part was literally that we argue with each other and we disagree with each other. I was not used to that. I was a polite Canadian. I would wait for somebody to finish their pitch and then ask them questions. But then I realized that the rest of the dragons weren’t waiting for somebody to finish. They were just jumping in. And I’m like, that’s so rude, but that’s not the show. So I had to change that very, very quickly if I wanted to get my questions answered.
What did you think you could bring to the show?
I’ve always been a fan of the show. As an entrepreneur, you have to be a fan of the show, right? So I was a fan of the show, and I’m like, “Man, it would be nice to be a dragon on Dragons’ Den.” I remember talking to my staff about that, and we would laugh, and they would be like, ya, whatever.
Who’s the toughest dragon?
Vincenzo, when he was there, was the loudest dragon. Manjit is the toughest in terms of beating people up. And, you know, Arlene is the person who’s been there, done that and really seen everything. She’s been on the show forever. And if you try to pull something and try to make her look like a fool or not tell the truth to Arlene, she will take you apart.
How did your experiences coming from Jamaica to Canada shape your approach?
It allowed me to take nothing at all for granted. When you grow up in poverty, everything else is gravy, including having your next meal. So you don’t take anything for granted. But also, when I started my business, I had no money. Nobody would loan me any money, even though I thought the business was a great idea, you know. So when I sit with entrepreneurs, especially on the show, I understand what it’s like to not have that network, that connection.
What has been the most memorable pitch?
Taltis Foods was my favourite pitch on Dragons’ Den. He came from Africa. His family bet on him to send him to Italy to take his masters in food sciences. And this guy, didn’t speak Italian, never been to Italy before, and he learned Italian fluently, and he took his masters. And he decided that he was going to move to Canada, but he wasn’t going to move to Montreal, where he speaks French. He wants to move to English-speaking Canada because he didn’t know English. He set up a business because he went to the stores and couldn’t find food from Africa.
What key figure or moment helped put you on the path to success?
I met a lot of people along the way that saw something in me that I didn’t see myself. I’m talking about when I was 21 or 22 years old. The first guy who did that for me was the general counsel, the top lawyer at CanWest Global, which, at the time, was the biggest broadcaster in Canada. It was like the NBC of Canada, and this person decided that he’s going to hire me to be his right hand guy. I’m like, me? I’m not capable. I’m not qualified to do that. But he said, I know you can do the job. I know you can do it, and I’m going to help you. That completely changed my perspective.
What was your first job?
I delivered the Toronto Star.
What’s the worst piece of career advice you’ve ever received?
You’ll never get that opportunity so don’t even try.
What Torontonian would you most like to hang out with?
Drake. I want him to just shake my hand.
What is your idea of perfect happiness?
Hanging out with my family at my country house, that’s it, especially my wife and me just sitting on the porch and looking out. That’s my happy place.
Which person do you most admire?
Well, my grandmother. She’s not alive, but I would give anything to spend just a few minutes with her and just sit there, not even saying anything, not even talking, just sit there with her. She was my hero.
