My Achievements

Starting a Business at 20 Years of Age

I started my business at the age of 20. Both of my parents were self-employed, and I followed in their footsteps without knowing any better. I was raised with the mindset of running a business to generate income. Looking back on those days, I realized I had nothing to lose and everything to gain. I had no fear.

By the time I turned 24, I began working for the Calgary Catholic School Board, known for its strict reputation in Calgary. The school board had clear expectations and didn’t compromise. This experience prepared me to handle any customer’s demands and taught me the importance of providing strong customer support and service.

Learning how to meet project expectations and gain trust from clients became one of the most valuable lessons I encountered early on in my career with client partners.

Emotions eau de parfum by Danijel Anton

I designed, manufactured, and distributed Emotions perfume, a product that was inspired by my then-girlfriend and now wife, Rosina. I named it Emotions, by Danijel Anton, as a tribute to my late brother, Anton Slisko.

I embarked on this project before the internet had become widespread. I vividly recall flying to Toronto to visit a corporate library, which served as a comprehensive directory for companies across various industries. It was during this time that I established relationships with suppliers from New York to Montreal, forging partnerships with these vendor partners.

One of the most memorable moments was at a trade show in New York, where I had the opportunity to meet the second-generation owner of L’Oreal Cosmetics. This project was truly exciting and remains a source of immense pride for me.

Built one of the largest coating contracting companies in Alberta

Building a company that earned more than enough to take care of myself and my family over 25 years has been a remarkable journey.

“United Supreme Group” was the name of my painting and coating services company, which became a trusted and well-known entity among the Owner, Engineer, Architect, and Contractor community. I recently made the decision to sell the business to staff partners who will continue its legacy for another 20 years, I have no doubt!

Developed and implemented the UDS ERP system

Enterprise resource planning (ERP) is a software system that assists organizations in automating and managing core business processes for optimal performance. As my business began to scale, I reached a point where I couldn’t oversee the organization and its details alone. That’s when I decided to partner up with an amazing developer and create UDS, which stands for “United Decorating System.”

Implementing this system became another crucial step in scaling my business by 100x. UDS allowed us to oversee our financial engine, handle estimates and proposals, manage critical documentation and project information, and provide accountability in our management processes.

Developed internal training courses — “100 Strong”

In order to train our partners, staff, and subcontractors in new skills, we developed courses between 2013 and 2019. These courses were designed to expand our capabilities in different types of coatings and services. These years marked a significant period of income growth for us, as we focused on up-selling and maximizing project opportunities with our clients. We started with a 101 course and evaluated participants, advancing those with natural talent for further training in specific service areas.

During this time, we had the entire company staff go through the 101 courses, including management, estimators, and accounting staff. This initiative helped everyone understand the services we provided, which became a key development for our income and scaling model.

Being a part of the largest and most iconic projects in our community

I have a vivid memory of standing in the atrium of Calgary’s Chinook Centre Mall, newly renovated in the late 1990s. As a young small business owner, I looked up at a towering 50–60-foot-high wall and bulkheads, wondering how to even begin pricing such a massive project.

Fast forward to today, and I have gained a wealth of knowledge about estimating. Our company was hired to provide services for some of the largest and most iconic projects in Alberta. From towering skyscrapers in western Canada to expansions at Calgary’s airport, from the construction of Calgary’s new central library to the historical renovation of old city hall, and even major community infrastructure projects — we were involved in them all. There isn’t a place in our community where I can’t proudly say, “I painted that,” to my children.

Opened & operated a retail / wholesale paint store

We opened and operated a Pratt & Lambert dealership for over 10 years. Corey Hocker, a veteran in the coating world, played a crucial role in establishing our retail and wholesale store. Working alongside Corey and his colleagues, I gained extensive knowledge about coating products, tinting products, and the logistics of manufacturing and distributing coatings.

This experience provided us with enhanced control and efficiency in servicing our customers for our contract business. Thanks to Corey’s guidance, we were able to deliver faster and flawless service to our valued customers.

Manufacturing our own architectural paint products

Manufactured Crown Legacy: after the support of Pratt and Lambert dried up due to the company’s decision not to continue supporting the brand, I formed a partnership with Vista Paints in Southern California. Together, we worked to develop and distribute Crown Paint Legacy in Calgary.

Crown Paint & Coating Manufacturer Facility

I built a manufacturing plant to continue our Crown Paint project. We purchased, designed, and constructed a 25,000 sq. ft. manufacturing facility. Our focus was on formulating and producing CAT43, a type 3 sealer for Alberta transportation.

Unfortunately, due to the challenges posed by Covid and the global state of affairs, my efforts came to an end. I couldn’t secure the necessary support from the chemical manufacturing community. Despite the circumstances, it remains a significant achievement, showcasing the dedication and effort invested in the project.

Apple Cleaning Supplies Expansion

I bought out my parents from one of our family businesses, Apple Cleaning Supplies. We expanded into a new building that we owned and undertook the task of restructuring the business with new roles.

Afterwards, I made the decision to sell the majority shares to my brother, who had been the operator of the business for over 20 years.

Cerco Marketing — “think big. be creative. take action”

Founded Cerco, a marketing agency specializing in Creative Design and the creation of original content across various platforms and channels. Includes campaign management, branding services, custom website design and development, video series, documentaries, news programs, blogs, social media posts, and environmental design.

Equipped with our own production house and a skilled team comprised of designers, content writers, creators, producers, and technical staff, we are dedicated to delivering high-quality media content to meet your marketing and communication requirements.

Sysco Technologies — “Empowering Digital Transformation”

Co-Founder of Sysco Technologies. With over 10 years of experience in IT consulting, I have built a career focused on delivering responsive, client-centered IT support and innovative technology solutions for small and medium-sized businesses.

In 2010, I recognized the need for digital transformation to scale and grow the organizations I was leading. This realization led me to invest in the infrastructure necessary to adopt a digital-first approach, driving operational efficiency and sustainable growth.

Publisher of BRAND Magazine

A platform dedicated to advancing conversations around Marketing, Sales and Business Operations. For much of my life, I felt uncomfortable being visible — I started small, writing short stories and blogging about my experiences. This publication is the culmination of that journey, serving as a platform for myself and my colleagues to express the ideas that move us.

Publisher of Family Psychology Magazine

A platform dedicated to advancing conversations around mental health, family well-being, and organizational wellness — connecting some of the most seasoned professionals in psychology, healthcare, education, and corporate HR, and building a trusted channel for thought leadership, advocacy, and meaningful dialogue.

Cerco Store — “Your Brand. Our Merch.”

Custom branded apparel and promotional merchandise in Calgary — embroidery, logo printing and an online design editor, handling an organization’s custom merch from concept to delivery.