Issue link: https://publications.tfs.ca/i/609675
ALUMNI IN THE SPOTLIGHT ANCIENS ÉLÈVES INSPIRANTS Some people make connections where others see none. They are the problem solvers, innovators and creators. Meet two TFS alumni who harnessed opportunity and experience, and linked seemingly unrelated aspects of their lives to become entrepreneurs. '05 CONSIDER THE HAPPENSTANCE that led Shaan Bhanji '03 to start his own business: he was a TFS high school arts student who fatefully saw a poster promoting engineering at the University of Waterloo. At the same time, he taught himself to code on his mother's early Mac. Then, while in fourth year at Waterloo, an aerospace project led to a love of flying. This was followed by a lengthy stint as the project coordinator and communications lead between Bombardier and Berkshire Hathaway's NetJets. That "long, natural progression" coalesced in 2014 into FlyEasy Corp., an advanced software platform for business aviation. Said Mr. Bhanji, "I knew I could solve certain problems. I built it and, whether it makes money or not, I've changed the world a little bit." Julia Ivonoffski '05 used the puzzle method to form her cross-cultural communications company, with each piece helping to create the whole. It started with an internship at Sunnybrook Hospital that saw her transcribing in English and French. As a student at McGill University, she pursued her own clients and ended up hiring other by Maryann Shemansky transcriptionists to meet demand. Post graduation, and knowing she wanted to start her own company, she sought roles in translation, human resources and marketing. "I thought about the skills I wanted to acquire, not climbing the corporate ladder," Ms. Ivonoffski said. Now managing her company, Sero Communications, full-time, she has representation in Toronto and Dubai, and can call on more than 100 communications freelancers worldwide, working in multiple languages, to fill the needs of her industry-leading clients. Want to become an entrepreneur? Read their advice at tfs.ca. JULIA IVONOFFSKI '05 has a bachelor's degree in political science and translation from McGill University. SHAAN BHANJI '03 holds bachelor degrees in mechanical engineering and evolutionary biology, and an MBA in entrepreneurship from the Richard Ivey School of Business. '03 32 TFS ENTRE NOUS 2015