The Bones & Butterflies Escapades: Charting A Career On My Hank Moody-esque Path
This is not a boring resume, and not even a bit resentful. Pure entertainment.
This is an explanation of why exactly I think (but know) I can do this “B&B Apparel” thing. I’ve got the tools, and I am very familiar with the whole “Know Your Lane” concept (or the one I should be in). Funny irony: Currently in “Kipps Lane” but don’t run the stop signs, and always look both ways for cops, I mean other drivers.
It brings up the question – does anyone else experience this in their own unique way?
“Know Your Lane”
Cat Herding in Cancun with Breakaway Tours (2007-2011)
My grand entrance onto life’s “rep the team you play for” stage had me in Cancun, playing ringmaster in the world’s most unpredictable circus with Breakaway Tours. Here, amidst an ocean of spring breakers, I wasn’t just keeping the party alive; I was spinning chaos into legendary tales, proving life is indeed stranger (and more fun) than fiction. This whirlwind of controlled mayhem? My debut. It was clear I was in my element, twirling through chaos with the grace of a caffeinated ballerina who drank way too many Rockstar Energy drinks, setting the stage for the Bones & Butterflies saga—where every piece is a love letter to the lost art of being beautifully belligerent.
The Easy Somersby Sell at Carlsberg Canada (2013-2015)
Then, onto the calm seas of Carlsberg Canada, where Somersby Cider practically winked off the shelves into consumers’ hearts at the time. My job? To play matchmaker between this charismatic cider and its adoring public, but remind everyone – it’s a Carlsberg product, and the folks in Copenhagen, well they pretty much invented what “great beer” is. With a charm offensive that would make Hank Moody proud, I discovered it wasn’t about the hustle; it was about hosting the party (and Carlsberg picking up the tab), where every sip was a conversation starter. Perfectly suited? Without a doubt. This chapter was less about selling and more about celebrating the spark of connection, sowing the seeds for the compelling tales that now define Bones & Butterflies. I learned that you have to show up at least once a week to chat with your loyal customers, but also “premium” really means a lot more thought, quality and effort goes into something. Oh yes, also update all of your digital tools like CRM, and answer your friggin’ phone – because that’s part of your job too.
Raising the Roof with James Hardie (2017-2020)
With James Hardie, I donned my hard hat in the world of architectural elegance, where selling fiber cement was similar to convincing the masses that beauty could indeed be bulletproof. But, here’s to the hardworking tradesmen, the true rock stars whose daily grind lays the foundations of our dream homes. This gig was a shout out to the unsung heroes of hard work and high standards, mirroring the Bones & Butterflies ethos of building towards something, and crafting designs that endure not just in durability but in undisputed style. A match made in heaven? Absolutely. It was about celebrating the everlasting, learning how to recognize quality, with a touch of this quick conversation:
“Why are you on the jobsite in leather Vans and a golf shirt? We are working here dude.”
* often followed by *
“It’s a free Lunch & Learn today you said? Well, as long as I get a free saw blade to cut this siding too – do you know how hard this is to install in January here?”
THE STR8 GOODS:
Honestly, I did know how hard it was, but I still don’t know what the physical act of installing siding in -20 Celsius is like, every day. Out of pure respect gained from 3 years of night shift summers building roof trusses from 15 to 18 years old, (for 8 bucks an hour), I committed to figuring out how to avoid doing the hardest physical parts of work, but if I could just sell something, I’d always take care of the guys out there with the actual balls to do the heavy lifting.
I did take a shot at stonework and masonry in 2020 after the James Hardie job, but I literally lasted 2.5 days, but had to go to the hospital, because it absolutely ruined my back, forever.
The Philosophical Mismatch at Canada Life (2021-2023)
And then, a plot twist — my stint at Canada Life, a company I had returned to after a one year “cameo” in 2016. Picture this: I’m literally diving (or drowning) back into the depths of wealth management with my own unique client retention strategy, and a flexible work style that I now compare to Bikram Yoga. This was during COVID, on a team, but as a new guy learning remotely. Most of the time, I was focused and locked in learning as much as humanly possible, other times my enthusiasm was like that of a cat at bath time. While the gig was rich in wisdom, it hit me— truly a classic “It’s not you, it’s me” scenario. Canada Life, as a great company and a true market leader in security and financial foresight, was a chapter that, though enlightening, ultimately reminded me my spirit yearned for the scribbles outside the lines, or being empowered to define them permanently – not to temporarily analyze the numbers within them.
Stitching It All Together
From the high-octane highs of Breakaway Tours to the laid-back vibes of Carlsberg Canada, the solid foundations of James Hardie, and the introspective detour through Canada Life, my journey has been nothing short of a Hank Moody-inspired escapade. Bones & Butterflies is the product of this beautifully chaotic voyage—a testament to the power of embracing one’s unique path, with a wink, a nod, and a shoulder shrug, to the unexpected.
As Bones & Butterflies two-steps into the future, it does so with loose lingo, and tales spun from the threads of adventure, resilience, and a healthy overdose of irreverence. Here’s to the journey of discovering our true lanes, fueled by the belief that the greatest creations emerge from the whirlwind of life, served with a side of humor and a dash of good old Hank Moody charm.
FYI – The name of the show Hank Moody is from is Californication, which ironically rhymes with “Can’t Afford A Vacation”, but I really miss Santa Monica.