HEXO Corp - Adam Miron
HEXO Corp
hexocorp.com
Instagram // Facebook // Twitter
120 Chemin de la Rive, Gatineau, QC J8M 1V2
Interview: Michael Irwin + Nikki Gillingham, Blue Whale Communications
Photography: Marianne Rothbauer, Rothbauer Studio
Growing up, did you always know you wanted to be an entrepreneur?
From a very early age yes. My dad always encouraged me to make a few bucks however I could. I remember when I was ten I had started a little business to fix up bicycles in the spring. My dad printed a 100 4"x4" flyers for me (we had designed in on a computer at home the night before). I was so nervous that morning that no one would show up. I made $100 that first day, something I've never forgotten.
HexoCorp started less than 6 years ago. Describe what it looked like in 2013 vs. now?
2013: 175 sq/ft basement office with nothing but a $30k line of credit, hope, courage, and determination.
2019: Valued at $2 Billion, 50 new employees a week, and even more hope, courage, and determination than ever.
You have experienced a tremendous amount of growth in a short period of time. What's something you are still learning about as you move forward and charter new territory?
I'm still trying to figure out how founders can spend meaningful time with employees at all their locations when they have more than 8.
Your industry is still very new and constantly changing, which I would imagine keeps you engaged at all times. When you get a bit of spare time what do you find yourself doing?
Playing lego or travelling with my three daughters but if they are asleep then I'm most likely listening to music.
Do you have a favourite spot for coffee?
Yes, but it’s probably not an answer you've heard before - Fauna on Bank St. I don't drink alcohol so I usually ask the bartender to make her/his choice of a virgin cocktail. Two weeks ago I asked for an alcohol-free cocktail with caffeine and they served me this cold coffee with lemon concoction that was amazing. Lemon juice in coffee! If you haven't heard about this, try it.
Are there any Ottawa entrepreneurs or businesses that helped you get your start in business?
Yes! Pubwells, Bridegead (@Preston), and Pho Bo Ga La 2 (the purple one). We would have starved to death and had nowhere to meet anyone if it wasn't for those places.
Music is a big part of your life. What Canadian artist are you listening to right now?
Has the journey of HexoCorp had a personal impact or inspiration that drives how you serve the end user of your products?
Yes, in a big way. Unfortunately, my father was diagnosed with terminal cancer about two years after we started this company. As fate would have it, he was our first customer. While he passed away in 2016, I saw first hand what a huge difference medical cannabis can have on someone's quality of life. Watching my dad, in his final months and weeks, consume our products inspired me to make better, easy to use & easy to understand products - something I feel I've instilled into our innovation lab. I also tell our staff to always treat each customer like they were my dad.
Family is a recurring theme as you started this business with your brother-in-law. Does that strengthen the vision you have for the future of HexoCorp?
100%. He is the brains though, he is the guy with the plan - it's always been that way, I help build the team and execute.
If you could give one piece of advice to entrepreneurs who are just starting out, what would it be?
Dig in. Starting a business is awesome. It's exciting and fun. But it isn't fun when you are a year or two in, broke, stressed, and having a hard time seeing the other side. If you start a business thinking it's going to be super fun the whole time, you are probably setting yourself for a major let down.
