My story
Passionate and experienced visual arts educator and entrepreneur with 20+ years spanning classical animation, digital media, illustration, and fine arts instruction. My career has taken me from the animation studios at Mercury Filmworks and IMAX Toronto to founding Imaginix — while teaching and mentoring the next generation of artists and designers. Bootstrapping a startup taught me to wear every hat, and my studio background keeps me grounded in craft. My path is non-linear by design, and I believe that's exactly what makes me effective.
Goals & objectives
After years of building Imaginix independently, I'm ready for a new chapter. I'm looking for a role where I can learn from a strong team, build a solid foundation, and grow — while bringing my hands-on experience in digital media, education, and product-building to the table. I want to be somewhere that values what I've already done and gives me room to do more.
Experience
Visual Arts Instructor
Online one-on-one visual arts and digital design instruction.
Creative Professional
Add your role and responsibilities at 1200 Pixels here.
Visual Arts Instructor
Delivered one-on-one and group lessons in drawing, painting, and digital illustration. Designed custom lesson plans from beginner through advanced portfolio preparation.
Production Worker
Multiple contract stints in electronics manufacturing and production.
Founder & CEO
Founded and bootstrapped a digital media and gaming startup. Led all product development, raised external investment, and managed operations from ideation through full production.
Art & Design Instructor
Taught figure drawing, life drawing, painting, and portfolio development. Developed curriculum for youth, adults, and art school applicants.
Team Member
Add your role and responsibilities at Jump+ here.
Production Worker
Electronics manufacturing and production.
Team Member
Add your role and responsibilities at Innovative Vision here.
Product Advisor
Advised customers on Microsoft hardware and software products. Delivered product demos and provided technical guidance in a retail environment.
Freelance Digital Artist
Provided freelance digital art and design services to clients via the Elance platform.
Digital Artist
Digital artist on Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix — large-format film production.
Labour / General Worker
Event setup and tent installation for large-scale rentals across the Toronto area.
Digital Ink & Paint Artist
Digital ink and paint for Rescue Heroes Season 3 and Class of the Titans Season 1.
Customer Service / Assistant Manager
Started on cash and progressed to Assistant Manager at the Queen St. location. Also worked at Head Office. Seven-year tenure in a specialty art supply retail environment.
Customer Service Representative
Video rental and customer service. Awarded Employee of the Month.
Crew Member
Worked across Kitchen, Front Counter, Lobby, Drive Thru, and Browner stations. Awarded Employee of the Month.
Achievements
🥇 1st Place — Seneca HELIX European Innovation Academy Pitch Competition
Won first place in the Seneca HELIX pitch competition, earning an all-expenses-paid trip to Portugal to compete in the European Innovation Academy — an intensive international startup program.
🥈 2nd Place — Seneca HELIX End of Semester Pitch Competition · 2026
Awarded second place and $1,500 at the Seneca HELIX end of semester pitch competition.
Early Investor — Tita Flora's Filipino Restaurant · 2002
Invested in a local Filipino restaurant, gaining early hands-on experience with small business investment and entrepreneurship.
Angel Investment Raised — Imaginix · 2018, 2019 & 2022
Successfully raised multiple rounds of funding from angel investors across three years, validating the product vision and sustaining development of a bootstrapped digital media and gaming startup.
Accepted — Amuka Esports Level Six Gaming Incubator · 2022
Imaginix was accepted into the Amuka Esports Level Six gaming incubator program, one of Canada's leading support programs for gaming and esports startups.
PS27 Leadership Week — Completed · November 2018
Accepted into and completed the full PS27 Leadership Week program.
Toronto Business Development Program — Completed · 2018
Completed the Toronto Business Development Program, strengthening skills in entrepreneurship, strategy, and business growth.
Professional Animation Credits — Mercury Filmworks & IMAX
Screen credits on Rescue Heroes Season 3, Class of the Titans Season 1 (Mercury Filmworks), and Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix (IMAX Toronto).
Career Timeline
1997 – 2000
First steps in customer service
McDonald's — learned the fundamentals of service and teamwork
2000s
Retail & entertainment service roles
Winners, Cineplex / Silver City, Future Shop, Rogers Video
Education
Max the Mutt · Seneca College
Classical animation, game art, interactive media design
Studio work
Mercury Filmworks · IMAX Toronto
Professional animation credits in broadcast and large-format film
2012 – 2023
Founded Imaginix
Digital media and gaming startup — bootstrapped, raised investment
2015 – 2020
Art & Design Instructor — Toronto Art School
Figure drawing, painting, portfolio development
2017 – Present
Seneca HELIX Startup Accelerator
Ongoing participation in innovation and entrepreneurship programs
2018 – Present
Online Instructor — Preply & ClassGap
Digital illustration and visual arts — one-on-one and group
What's next
New chapter — open to the right opportunity
Looking to learn, grow, and build something meaningful with a great team