About me

Born and raised in Maple Ridge, British Columbia, I embarked on a journey that took me from pizza delivery and roofing to running successful businesses, traveling the world, and immersing myself in new experiences. My path has been shaped by profound losses and unforgettable moments, molding me into who I am today. Now, as an entrepreneur, business owner, and community leader, I strive to inspire others to chase their dreams and make a lasting impact in their lives and communities.

Welcome to the wild adventure that has made me who I am today.

A Turning Point & The Drive to Build Something More

During high school, I worked part-time as a delivery driver at a local Panago Pizza franchise and spent my summers roofing. This early immersion in the workforce instilled a strong work ethic, eventually leading me to a material handler role at The Pacific Group of Companies in 2006. Although the days were long and the commute exhausting, the experience provided financial stability and growth opportunities.

In 2009, I lost my dad to a persistent lung infection. Thirteen months later, my mom passed away after a short battle with lung cancer. Just six months after that, I lost two close friends in a car accident. 2009 and 2010 were the hardest years of my life, but those devastating losses became a turning point. They forced me into deep introspection and the development of my core values. The unwavering support from my friends helped me navigate that period, and I will always be grateful to them.

Watching both of my parents pass away without fully realizing their dreams had a profound impact on me. My mom had worked at the same company for 30 years, only months away from retirement, when she passed. I watched her entire retirement savings get liquidated and taxed at the highest rate—she never got to enjoy a single day of retirement. My two friends, both under 25, had their lives cut short in an instant.

I couldn't bear the thought of following the same path. I needed to take action and build a life that offered both financial freedom and meaningful experiences.

My First Steps into Business & Real Estate

At the time, my dad had been living in my childhood home, "Stonehouse," which my mom still owned. Before he passed, I had just been approved for a mortgage to buy a condo in Maple Ridge. Instead, my mom offered me the opportunity to purchase our family home at a slightly discounted rate—knowing full well it needed nearly a complete rebuild. I took on the challenge.

I worked 10.5-hour days and spent my evenings and weekends renovating the house with my closest friends. It became a gathering place, just as it had been for my parents when I was a child. This experience ignited my passion for real estate. After my mom passed, I used my inheritance to buy another project house—a foreclosure across town. My friends and I spent the summer of 2011 renovating it. Once finished, I rented it out. These projects solidified my love for business and investment.

Despite having a solid career at The Pacific Group, I knew I needed more. I could see myself walking the same path my parents did—working hard but never truly living. I made a bold decision: I applied to universities far from home, listed my house for sale, and, in the summer of 2012, sold my property, quit my job, and moved to Vancouver Island for school. I was the first in my family to attend post-secondary education.

Building a Business & Achieving My Wildest Dreams

While in school, I returned to Panago Pizza, working part-time as a delivery driver. I quickly moved up the ranks—supervisor, then manager. This experience sparked my interest in becoming a franchisee. I spent the next two years saving cash, scouting locations across Canada, making offers, negotiating with banks, and convincing the franchise to take a chance on me.

Owning a business was my golden ticket to designing the life I wanted. I wanted the ability to live fully while also planning for my future. I needed a business that provided both.

In 2016, that dream became reality when I purchased a Panago Pizza franchise on Vancouver Island. It was a grind, but I could see its potential. Within a couple of years, we doubled the revenue and quadrupled the profits. In 2018, I co-founded another location 15 minutes away, which we later sold in 2022 to focus on new ventures.

By 2023 and 2024, I realized I had accomplished my wildest dreams. The vision I had years ago—traveling the world, living fully in the moment, while having businesses back home generating income—had come true. I had built a life where I could spend my time doing what I loved while knowing my businesses were thriving in the background. The grind, the sacrifices, and the years of work had paid off. But still, I was looking for more.

In the fall of 2024, I officially sold my Panago Pizza business, moving away from the Franchise model, marking the end of an era and the beginning of a new chapter.

Duncan Garage Café & Bakery

In the spring of 2024, my self and my partners purchased the Duncan Garage Café & Bakery, a historic and beloved organic café in the Cowichan Valley. Our mission is to provide high-quality, organic, and delicious food while fostering a strong sense of community.

Building on the success of Duncan Garage, I’m actively exploring ways to expand our impact—whether through farming partnerships, local non-profit orgnanization partnerships or other business ventures.

Community Involvement & Giving Back

Beyond business, I am passionate about giving back. Over the years, I’ve helped raise and donate hundreds of thousands of dollars to community causes, particularly youth mental health and nutrition initiatives.

I work closely with Nourish Cowichan, a non-profit providing healthy meals for kids in the Cowichan Valley school system and also Cowichan Valley Youth Services, an organization offering free mental health services and support to youth in our community.

I am the Board Chair and Loans Committee Chair of Community Futures Cowichan, an organization dedicated to supporting rural entrepreneurs and small businesses through financing, mentorship, and local economic development initiatives.

Between 2019 and 2022, I also served as a director, 1st VP, and Chair of the Business Advisory Committee for our local Chamber of Commerce, helping shape the region’s small business ecosystem.

A Passion for Film & Storytelling

Since 2022, I took a detour into film, working as a background actor on various productions over the years. It was a refreshing change from the business world and reignited my interest in storytelling and media. One day, I’d love to be a producer on a film or TV series.

As I look ahead, my focus is on building with intention—creating businesses that not only generate wealth but also uplift communities, support sustainability, and provide opportunities for others. I want to continue learning, pushing boundaries, and sharing the knowledge I’ve gained along the way. Success to me isn’t just about financial freedom; it’s about having the time and resources to give back, to mentor, to create, and to live fully. Whether through business, philanthropy, or storytelling, I’m committed to making an impact—one meaningful step at a time.

Thanks for being here.

Sincerely,
Matthew Huotari