Simon Rouillier

Simon Rouillier
CMO, NVI

Location: Montreal, QC
Employees:56
Age: 28

Managing a College Pro Painters franchise gave Simon Rouillier a taste of the entrepreneurial life—and he liked it. But house painting wasn’t his passion; online marketing was. So, in 2005, he and fellow internet whiz Guillaume Bouchard launched a small web development shop and called it NVI. Since then, that venture has grown to become a search engine marketing firm with 55 employees and considerable clout in the Canadian marketplace; clients now include The Globe & Mail and Quebecor. NVI’s purpose is to help customers make the most of their online presence—no small feat, given the unprecedented speed with which the web world changes. Rouillier believes what sets his company apart is his staff’s ability to keep abreast of these developments; NVI regularly holds free learning events for Montreal students, for instance. “We are strong believers in sharing the information we acquire,” says Rouillier. And it is his conviction that this open approach will continue to differentiate NVI as it expands into new markets elsewhere in North America.

What is your best advice for young entrepreneurs?
Business opportunities that are too good to be true are sometimes opportunities that should not be pursued. Stick to opportunities that are in line with your game plan.

What has been the biggest surprise about being an entrepreneur?
The people surrounding you change the way they portray you once you get a successful business going. This can be both positive and negative. But it was most surprising to me to suddenly get this kind of recognition and attention.

What can governments, institutions and other businesses do to better support young entrepreneurs?
Many programs exist out there that have great value for young entrepreneurs; the problem is that most entrepreneurs never hear about these. Making a friendly website that explains which programs apply to which businesses could help young entrepreneurs save time and get proper support.