Stu Clark Centre Welcomes Special Fireside Discussion with Mike Fata & Margaux Miller

The Asper School of Business was an inspiring place to be on February 11th as the Manitoba business community and students gathered for a special Stu Clark Centre for Entrepreneurship event sponsored by The Associates of the Asper School of Business with Mike Fata and Margaux Miller. 

From the moment the discussion began, the room was drawn into Mike's story not just of business success, but of personal growth, leadership, and resilience. 

Best known as the co-founder of Manitoba Harvest, which he helped grow into a global leader in hemp foods, Fata shared the unfiltered realities of his entrepreneurial journey, including lessons learned while building, scaling and ultimately selling the company for $419 million.

Anchored by insights from his book GROW: 12 Unconventional Lessons in Becoming an Unstoppable Entrepreneur, this conversation offered students a rare, behind-the-scenes look into entrepreneurship and professional development. 
 

One of the most impactful moments of the afternoon came when Fata reflected on the difference between being an entrepreneur and being a CEO.

"I'm a born entrepreneur, but a made CEO," he shared.

While the instinct to create came naturally, becoming a strong leader required intentional learning, governance, strategic planning, budgeting, and surrounding himself with people who knew what he didn't. 

For Asper School students and members of the Manitoba business community, the message was clear: success is not defined by ideas alone, but by a commitment to growth. Fata encouraged aspiring entrepreneurs to define “what good looks like” early in their careers and to seek out mentors and advisors who have already achieved what they aspire to accomplish.
 

Building a personal brand that resonates

Another key theme of the afternoon was personal branding, something many students are navigating in real time. Mike defined it simply as "what people say about you when you're not in the room."

He challenged students to see platforms like LinkedIn as a "24/7 trade show," a place to consistently show up, tell their story, and build genuine connections without waiting for permission or the perfect moment.
 

By surrounding themselves with individuals building in different industries and disciplines, entrepreneurs can share knowledge, amplify one another’s impact and grow together rather than compete in isolation.

As the discussion concluded, Fata left the audience with three guiding principles:

• Be your best self: Prioritize your health and mindset so you are ready when opportunity arises.
• Do your best work: Approach everything with care, discipline and a commitment to excellence.
• Build your best community: Show up authentically, invest in relationships and contribute to those around you