Chris Ricard
Serial Entrepreneur, Always Marketing Strategy First!
From website and database design to hosting and publishing a magazine, I've started, operated, and sold a number of ventures.
About
My most recent venture was an escape room business called SmartyPantz. We had locations in Gastown, Edmonton, and Calgary, and were the first business of this type to open in Vancouver. There is a long story behind the idea, and I am always happy to share both the successes and challenges my partner and I experienced.
It was a rollercoaster ride. Gastown was successful right out of the gate after taking longer and costing more to open than anticipated. Our goal was rapid growth, and we worried that opening additional Metro Vancouver locations might cannibalize Gastown, so we expanded into Alberta. In hindsight, we should have stayed local. The business made it through the first waves of the pandemic, but the third round was too much.
Expertise
I have taught marketing at Douglas College since 2018 and thoroughly enjoy sharing experience with the next generation while learning a few things from them too. Connecting students with local businesses through service-learning opportunities is especially fulfilling because both parties gain from the experience.
My earlier work includes running a website hosting and design company for more than a decade—before platforms such as WordPress existed—selling custom training and development services, and working directly with startups through Self-Employment Programs. That work focused on building sales and marketing plans, then coaching founders through their first year in business.
Learn more about Sharp End Marketing, explore our services, or read the latest ideas on our blog.
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