NHL’s Mike Matheson on how hockey players & small business owners share a winning mentality
The NHL and Canadian small businesses… Not exactly a duo that you’d think has a lot in common, right? But it turns out blades and biz aren’t so different.
For one, they’re both built different.
Success comes in all shapes and sizes. But whether you want to succeed on the ice or run a small business in Canada, you need to treat every day like it’s game day.
The NHL, NHLPA, and Intuit QuickBooks are teaming up to shine a spotlight on the unconventional paths Canadian small businesses take to success.
We caught up with Montreal Canadiens defencemen and alternate captain Mike Matheson to talk about how Montreal’s small businesses have helped shape his career and the surprising parallels between entrepreneurs and athletes.
Growing up in Montreal
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Mike Matheson grew up in Pointe-Claire, Quebec, and has seen the hustle firsthand — his dad owns a small business in Montreal. “I have a lot of respect for what goes into running a business,” Matheson tells Daily Hive.
Before breaking into the NHL, Matheson and his teammates have shopped at and supported the small businesses around them. From early morning coffee runs to the tailors who ensure their game-day suits are on point, small businesses are part of NHL Players’ day-to-day routines and experiences, just like us.
Matheson himself has very fond memories of the small businesses he frequented as a kid in Pointe Claire and the West Island — many of which are still his go-tos today, like Victor Rose, a cozy espresso bar that’s owned by some family friends of his, and Dizz’s Bagels in Pointe-Claire Village, because “Who doesn’t love a Montreal bagel?!”
Another childhood favourite is Wild Willy’s Ice Cream. “It’s a summer staple and a place we’d frequent after school, or swim meets, etc.,” Matheson says. “I will always remember it as the go-to spot for a treat during the summer with family and friends. Just last week, I took my kids there, and it was fun to show them a little piece of my childhood. A nostalgic family staple.”
According to the Intuit QuickBooks Small Business Index, over 1 million people in Quebec work at a small business. And, for Matheson, each one is a little bit unique. “French culture is very prominent and important in Quebec, and we have a lot of pride for that,” he says. “It shows in the way Quebec small businesses function. It attracts a lot of people and makes the small businesses that surround us here so special.”
What it means to be built different
Success in both sports and business demands dedication, focus, and constant self-improvement. As Matheson points out, you’re never really off the clock — every decision off the ice impacts his performance on it.
“It’s important to think about the other elements that go into me performing at my best — eating well, sleeping well, resting, doing something special to work through a recovery, or even making the conscious effort to come home early from a gathering at night to ensure I’m in a good state of mind for the next time on the ice.”
That level of dedication isn’t just for athletes — it’s something entrepreneurs understand all too well. When you’re built different, there’s always a next move or upcoming game day to prepare for.
“Being a business owner, you’re constantly thinking about your business. That feels very similar to being an athlete.”
The power of small business
Small businesses are the heart of our communities, and just like NHL Players rely on them, so do we, in ways we might not even realize!
No matter the time of year, take a moment to appreciate the impact your local favourites have on your daily life and consider how they help shape your own story.
Want to learn more about the game-changing power of small business? Head over to quickbooks.ca to discover tools that can help you on your path to success.
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