A message to the 2016 Founder Institute Montreal graduates

First, I would like to congratulate everyone on achieving the impossible; graduating from the Founder Institute in Montreal.

This day is about you and your achievement. Look to your left, look to your right — you guys (and gals) made it! And having been part of all previous cohorts in Montreal, I can tell you that every cohort has been better than the previous one.

That means there is a lot of pressure on you guys to succeed, but you’re ready. Sergio beat you up… good, but you got back up — that’s called resilience and that’s what you need as a founder.

Graduating from FI is a proof of the potential of your business, but much more than that, it’s the proof that you have everything you need to be a great CEO.

Unfortunately, FI is not the hardest thing, and I can vouch for that. I think that being a CEO is the loneliest job you can have. Many times, you will feel lonely and have doubts about you, about your business, about what you’re trying to achieve…

But what’s special about Montreal’s cohort is that you have each other, and you have Sergio. No where else in the world are the graduates as strong as in Montreal. Why? Well Sergio’s curriculum is a good part of it, but each and everyone of you adds to that special mix.

If I can give you one piece of advice, it’s to be very candid and open with your inner circle of trust. Everyone is there to help and push you. That’s why we’re the FI Mafia. What happens in the Mafia stays in the Mafia.

Focus on your company, don’t give up — everything is gonna be harder and longer (that’s what she said?). But seriously, I think everyone is there to help whenever you need it, so just reach out.

I’m super proud of each and everyone of you. Congrats FI 2016 graduates, and welcome in the Mafia… the #FIMafia.