Frank O'Dea | Entrepreneur

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Frank O’Dea

Innovative Entrepreneur | Humanitarian

Frank O’Dea’s story of triumph over adversity in business and in his personal life inspires audiences around the world. Against all odds, O’Dea went from being a homeless panhandler to a successful entrepreneur and a founder of The Second Cup chain of coffee stores. From there, he went on further to launch a number of other innovative and successful businesses and international not-for-profit organizations. O’Dea’s powerful message inspires audiences to hope for a better future and learn from his example.

As a young man, O’Dea was a homeless person who lived on the streets. At the age of 23, he began fighting back and overcoming the barriers that had been closed to him. Within a few years, he co-founded The Second Cup, and later went on to co-found Proshred Security and Samaritan Air Ambulance Services.

In the not-for-profit arena, O’Dea was also successful as the co-founder of Street Kids International, an organization developed to help homeless children in third world countries, and the Landmine Foundation, an organization that raises funds for the dismantling of minefields around the world. Together with the United Nations and world figures such as Colin Powell and Sir Paul McCartney, he led an international fundraising event, “Night of A Thousand Dinners,” that was taken up in 29 countries around the world.

Among his many honours, O’Dea is an Officer of the Order of Canada and holds honorary degrees from two universities. He is also the author of two books: his memoir, When All You Have is Hope, and Do The Next Right Thing.

In addition to currently leading two social enterprises, Frank is Chair of “My Idea of Canada”. In celebration of Canada’s 150 Anniversary, “My Idea of Canada” is a multi-million dollar national initiative by the Governor General and the Order of Canada to get young people energized and involved in the future of Canada.

Topics
Speaking

The Power of Hope Vision Action

This is O’Dea’s signature message, in a speech that is constantly evolving as he takes on new projects that inspire his audiences everywhere.

With hope — all things become possible.

Frank demonstrates this power by using his own story as a real-life experience of hope, courage, change and persistence. You will see from his biography that much has been accomplished. The story becomes remarkable when you add the real life story to that bio. In real life, Frank was in the bowery– panhandling for nickels and dimes not so many years ago. Drawing on examples from both his personal and business experiences including his latest visionary projects, captivates and engages his audiences.

This is truly a motivational story. Audiences from all walks of life identify with this very real story of achievement, and Frank’s warm style convinces his audiences that he is speaking directly to them, personally.

Creating a Game-Changer: Blue Ocean Strategy

This is a speech for CEOs and senior management of organizations in highly constrained industries where margins are under huge pressures. Creating a game-changer is all about new thinking and new applications in established industries. Henry Ford did not invent the automobile, Samsung did not invent the cell phone and Second Cup did not invent coffee. What they all had in common is that they created new applications for existing products and services and completely changed the game in their industries, dramatically outpacing their peers.

O’Dea, who has created game-changers in several industries, shares with his audience how any organization can outpace its peers, using excellent examples from his own businesses and from others, such as Casella Wines and Bosch Chemicals. This is a business strategy that was dubbed Blue Ocean Strategy and was first documented in a book by the same name by two professors at INSEAD University. O’Dea leaves his audiences with the blueprint on how they can find a “Blue Ocean” for their own organizations.

Speaking

When All You Have is Hope

Launch of Second Cup

Hope, Vision, and Action

Inside the Boardroom: Frank O'Dea

Do The Next Right Thing

Frank O’Dea is no stranger to overcoming crisis. He was a victim of abuse as a teenager and at twenty-four, a homeless alcoholic. But he was able to turn his life around and become a successful businessman while creating a family. Now he’s sharing the lessons he’s learned, from his business ventures and his personal life, offering guidelines that people can follow to help them through crises, where often the emotional impact makes taking even the smallest step difficult, when a big leap is often needed. A crisis is a sharp curve in the road, not a dead end.

When All You Have is Hope

Born in Montreal to an upper-middle class family, Frank O’Dea’s life took a downturn when he was sexually assaulted by a priest. He began drinking at an early age and was soon destitute, living in degradation on the streets of Toronto. By way of a sympathetic employer, the Salvation Army, and a self-help group, O’Dea quit drinking and started a small business that developed into the Second Cup coffee chain. Over the years, his philanthropic activities extended to AIDS fundraising, child literacy in the Third World, and landmine removal. His message is simple: HOPE, VISION, ACTION.

The event was everything we could have wished. Frank shared with our business community, which is still recovering from the devastating flood, how he was able to turn his remarkable personal and business adversities into thriving successes. He delivered an emotional and practical speech that touched these business people and their spouses on many levels. In the evaluations, which were excellent, we learned that a number people came because they knew someone who heard Frank speak.

Town of High River

The conference was great, we had excellent reviews and most importantly clients were happy and had a great time. Frank’s presentation went very smoothly, he was absolutely great! This is not just my personal opinion, many attendees approached our group once his presentation was over to congratulate us on the speaker choice, they were very touched by his story.

Remedy Drug Store Co. Inc.

I have been anxious to tell you that we’ve received nothing but very positive feedback. I watched the audience regularly and Frank held everyone’s full attention from beginning to end. He masterfully wove FSGV throughout his speech and empowered everyone in the room to make a difference right there and then. Honestly, I couldn’t have asked for anything more. It was perfect. The financial results show it. Preliminary numbers: more than doubled what we raised last year (not including a donation that was given in advance), tripled the number of people who came on board as monthly donors. The event was a huge success and my Board of Directors, our CEO, our volunteers and my team are very happy. With that, I can be happy too.

BC Family Services

Our company spent a good deal of time looking at speakers for our annual conference as we wanted to ensure that our guests would be [exposed] to someone who was in line with our core beliefs and values and could convey the message we wanted to get across. We found Frank to be an engaging speaker, who was able to tailor his message to be relevant to his audience. As a result, we felt that our group was very connected to him as a speaker and we were able to look at Frank’s experiences and draw relevant and realistic similarities and lessons.

Throughout the planning process, everyone at Frank’s office was very helpful and Frank even took the time to visit some of our locations and referenced this in his speech. We were pleased with the attention to detail we were given and appreciated the pre-event meetings. It genuinely was a pleasure to work with Frank and his team!

Toppers Pizza

You could have heard a pin drop when Frank was speaking, he had the audience spellbound with his emotional and inspirational message.

Queensway Carleton Hospital

(His) message hit home and certainly got our folks out of the comfort zone.

Canadian Mortgage and Housing Corporation

Frank O’Dea’s life story on the importance of hope in our lives directly paralleled the vision of the charity. Immediately upon his arrival, and throughout the entire evening, he mingled with our guests and openly engaged in conversation with all, while taking part in the evening festivities. His genuine interest in our guests and the charity made for a very special, inspiring night that our guests are still talking about and one that will be remembered.

The Charity of Hope Brantford

Frank O’Dea’s presentation [Creating a Game-Changer] was by far the highlight of our Symposium. You could have heard a pin drop while he was talking. The audience was captivated and inspired by Frank’s message of hope and ingenuity. As well, Frank was very generous with his time, staying after his presentation and taking the time to shake hands and talk to everyone who approached him.

Air Cargo Symposium

On the way to the luncheon, one of my coworkers made the comment that events like these typically leave people feeling entirely inadequate with what little they have personally accomplished. Driving back to the office after hearing from you, we agreed that it was quite the opposite. Your approach of highlighting the potential of every day interaction as an opportunity to change the world was so refreshing and I truly left inspired.

Canadian Western Bank, Vice President

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Frank O’Dea

Innovative Entrepreneur | Humanitarian

Topics

Speaking

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