Stacey Laviolette

Transcript

The best thing that's ever happened to me was being told no. I remember it like it was yesterday. I was 8 years old sitting next to my mom in the principal's office. The principal looks really scared. Well, scary to me. She leans forward and she says, "Stacey is struggling. She has a learning disability and the chances of her graduating high school are really slim." They keep talking and all I'm thinking is, are we done yet? Because all I want to do is go to the store and buy candy.

You see, every Friday I bring jawbreakers to school to sell to my friends. I didn't know it then, but that was my first business. At 8 years old, that learning label means nothing to me. But 8 years later it does. Because now I'm 16 and I'm holding a letter that will decide if university is even possible for me. It's my dream. I want to study psychology. My hands are shaking. I open it. One word stands out. No. I'm not going to university?

I want this so badly. So I decided to take a different path. College first. And then years later, I'm in university studying psychology. Exactly where that letter said I wouldn't be. And for a while, it feels like I made it. But I'm running as fast as I can, trying to keep up. And I hit a wall. Assignments pile up. I'm crying more than studying. Then someone asked me, "Is it worth it?" I could quit. No one would blame me. But, I don't.

Because I'm focused on one thing, getting that degree. So, instead of quitting, I adjust. I move at my own pace, even if it takes me longer. And I graduate. When I look back, I realize I wasn't behind. I was learning differently. I didn't need to follow the traditional path. I could create my own. And that path led me here. To a business I believe in so deeply called My Friend Toothie. I went from selling Jawbreakers to now helping kids take care of their teeth.

Ironic, I know. And I go for it. I apply to Dragon's Den, Canada's version of Shark Tank. And I get an audition. I pitch. I feel good. They say, "Don't call us. We'll call you." And then, no. So, I apply again. This is it. I pitch. Another, "Don't call us. We'll call you." And then, no. Third time, not even a reply. Most people would take that as a sign, but not me. I could feel it. I'm going to be on that show one day.

Fourth time? My phone rings. They want me on that show. Now, I'm standing on that iconic set, bright lights, five judges, and I'm sweating, like really sweating. My heart is beating. I pitch, and then one by one, no, no. But my favorite dragon hasn't answered yet. Then Arlene Dickinson leans forward and says, "Stacie, I'm going to work with you, because if you see it, I see it, too." Wow, she believes in me, and that is worth millions. My life has felt like a wall of no's, but every single time I broke through, because my vision was louder than every no.

And that wall in front of us, it's there to show us how powerful we are when we decide to break through. Thank you. Woo!

Transcript generated from the recording and lightly cleaned. Some names and wording may differ from the spoken speech.