Stephen Shannon | Business Management
“After completing my studies at IADT, I pursued a Master’s degree at the University of Warwick in England. Upon returning to Dublin, I applied for a Canadian postgraduate working visa. I relocated to Toronto where I spent three years working in finance before starting my own business, Matcha Ninja, a tea company.
Transitioning from finance, I juggled night shifts at bars in downtown Toronto while dedicating my days to building Matcha Ninja. It was a challenging two-year journey, but eventually, my sales reached a point where I could commit all my efforts to the business. As a result, Matcha Ninja flourished and became one of Canada’s largest matcha companies, with over 800 listings in grocery stores and cafes nationwide.
Reflecting on my time at IADT, I hold fond memories. I consider myself a late bloomer, and IADT played a crucial role in helping me find my path, particularly in my final year of the program. It was during this time that I discovered the value of focusing on specific goals and working hard to achieve them.
IADT instilled a great degree of self-confidence in me and taught me that hard work can lead to success. Looking back, I attribute this growth to the continuous support I received from the college, the lectures, and my fellow classmates. Building a successful business requires a strong belief in oneself, and IADT played an integral role in fostering that belief within me.”