Chris Lee

WHAT GOT YOU STARTED?

by Burke Campbell

Published in the Financial Post
November 12 ,2007

Chris Lee owns and manages Crepe It Up!, a restaurant that specializes in crepes with a wide range of fillings, at locations in downtown Toronto . Chris Lee tells Burke Campbell what motivated him to become an entrepreneur. 

LEAP OF FAITH: “I worked in an office as a corporate salesman. I sat in a cubicle, in front of a computer screen. It was like going to jail everyday. One day, I was laid off. That supplied the motivation.”

THE FLASH: “While visiting Quebec City, I stopped at a creperie. Everything was in full view. You could see the cook making the crepes. All the ingredients used for filling were displayed. That moment, I decided I wanted to start my own place.”  

A PART OF ME: “My business is something I created. I’m responsible for keeping it going. It’s like having a child. It’s someone you have to nurture.”

KEEPS HIM GOING: “I work long hours and sometimes, I wonder what I’ve gotten myself into. But then people come in and really enjoy the food. It picks me right up.”

THAT LOVIN’ FEELING: “I make this crepe that’s filled with vanilla ice cream and chocolate hazelnut. One customer said it was, ‘Better than love, without the heartache!’ It makes me feel good to make people that happy!”

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