Celebrity author and TV star gives advice to first-year students

Feb. 10, 2017

Former Dragons’ Den star and celebrity author of the Wealthy Barber series, David Chilton, gave a keynote address to conclude the first-year PepsiCo Pitch competition last weekend at the Lazaridis School of Business & Economics at Laurier.

A graduate of the Lazaridis School, Chilton told first-year business students the story of his involvement in the multi-million-dollar Looneyspoons cookbook and healthy living conglomerate with sisters Janet and Greta Podleski.

The tale ends with an investment by Chilton at the encouragement of his mother. “When your mom tells you to publish the book, you publish the book,” said Chilton as a lesson ‘they don’t teach you in business school’.

Another lesson Chilton says is not taught in business school is to “be nice”. “Treat people kindly and fairly. Authenticity resonates with people. Be likeable, be trustworthy,” he advised.

Chilton, a sponsor of the first-year undergraduate business competition, listened to all 12 finalist pitches and gave closing observations to the students: “Every year I come here and the pitches get better. This was an outstanding group. I am proud of you guys.”

For more information, read the story on the 2017 PepsiCo Pitch results.