Farewell.

In the last leg of our four-hour Board Meeting on June 23, 2020, I played this video; in my mind the only decorate way of announcing one of the hardest decisions of my life. As I turned back towards our Board, so began the ‘ugly crying’ phase of saying farewell.

I have been building Co.Labs for almost 7 years of my life. Very few people know the true story of how Co.Labs was built, something I shall document in its thematic entirety one day. In short, it took 3.5 years to get the idea funded and 3.5 more years to build it to where it is today. I wouldn’t change a thing. It has been the greatest honour of my life to be a part of this journey with all of you; one that has transformed our community and economy for years to come.

I wanted to be a part of building Co.Labs for one reason, I wanted it for myself as much as I wanted it for our community. The idea of a place where the entire ethos was to support those who dare to envision a different future was something I coveted greatly. I wanted to meet people who were endeavouring on the same path as me so that it would perhaps not feel as crazy as those around me pontificated. Thus began a journey of a thousand miles to build what most at the time deemed unconscionable. Yes, I am being hyperbolic, but I have a penchant for the dramatic and if you sat in some of the conversations I did years ago you may feel similar. It was like warfare trying to convince certain people that a place like this was not only possible but essential to the future prosperity of our community. Few industries or opportunities are as accessible as technology for those with daring ideas. We need to support those individuals in order for them to see our community as a place where they can build their future.

Since the day we opened our doors I have since felt, at all times, a sense of belonging. Co.Labs is not just a series of programs or events, it is a place where individuals with a certain disposition and outlook on the world gather. A place where they can be challenged, supported, and encouraged by one another. This is the ‘royal jelly’ which has made Co.Labs so special. To be a part of something beyond yourself whilst simultaneously pursuing your vision for the future is a feeling like no other.

So why now, you may ask yourself, am I choosing to move on? In the famous words of Harvey Dent (Batman: The Dark Knight — 2008) “You either die a hero or live long enough to become the villain.” Co.Labs has become something that I had never thought possible, yet there is still much work to be done. The future of our community requires years of steady leadership and continued momentum to reach the next level of our combined potential. I have learned everything I can from this experience and must now hand it over to the future leaders of our community to forge onward.

Rome wasn’t built in a day and it took courage and fortitude from visionaries to make it a reality. This community we have built, it is special, and something to be both cherished and protected. I will never forget being asked by a VC from Toronto if “we have internet in Saskatchewan” just four years ago. Today, we stand tall having built companies and founders that rival the best in Canada. Importantly however, we did it in a way that maintained our integrity and kindness. This is our proprietary advantage, to care for and push one another to greatness, in unison.

Thus, this next phase of my life must be driven by my passion and curiosity, not by my desire to ‘prove myself’. That is the truth of it. I intend on getting to this point by making the hardest decision of all, willingly separating myself from the organization that has formed so much of my identity. This will allow me to make myself available to the ideas, problems, and opportunities the world has to offer; a ideation sabbatical, if you will. Everything has changed in the last five months and this ‘great pause’ is a moment that has granted me the opportunity to reflect on my past, present, and future. We must not waste this opportunity which has arisen from tragedy, life is too short.

Finally, the most important part of this Letter is to say thank you. The list of those who built Co.Labs is unfathomable. For without each founder, funder, developer, marketer, bureaucrat, and member of our community Co.Labs would be but a building. Buildings do not build communities, people do.

“If not us, who? If not now, when?” — Probably JFK

Sincerely,

Jordan Dutchak

Related posts:

It has only been one week since I joined the media team at República Havas in Miami, but I feel like I’m already part of a big family. You get this feeling as you step into the agency. The first…

2020 feels like a hurricane full of tornadoes. If you’re running a business right now, you have a lot to think about. This may not feel like the right moment to step back and consider the state of…

Then You are in the right place all your doubts will be solved Here… what is digital marketing, how does it work and What are the career opportunities in Digital Marketing. In Ancient time due to…