Interview with Bobby Genovese: Why He Considers Giving Back a Responsibility

Bobby Genovese is an entrepreneur and business executive who
holds by the principal that success in business means connecting enthusiastic
people with winning opportunities.  To
the executive, success also means giving back to one’s community.  As a result, over the years, Bobby Genovese
has been an active supporter of a number of organizations, perhaps most
prominently Toronto’s Hospital for Sick Children.

Although you are known as a business executive
and entrepreneur, you place great importance on giving back to the community.
Can you tell us why charitable involvement is a key part of your life?

Bobby Genovese: I think giving to others is a responsibility
and a privilege, especially to those organizations that serve children.  Toronto’s Hospital for Sick Children leads
the list of organizations that stole my heart many years ago. It’s Canada’s
largest and most sophisticated centre for pediatric cancer research, treatment
and care, and through supporting this organization, we’re in turn able to help
provide critical resources and support for their pediatric cancer initiatives,
from research and treatment to practical advancements like chemotherapy
backpacks that free young patients from confining hospital stays.

You have been involved with the annual Car and
Boat Rally for Kids with Cancer since it began in 2007. Tell us why these
events are so special to you.

Bobby Genovese: The Boat Rally for Kids with Cancer has
raised more than $20 million over the years for Toronto’s Hospital for Sick
Children. It has turned into the event of the summer in Muskoka, Ontario. Not
only does this demonstrate how successful we can be in coming together for a
common cause — it shows how necessary it is for each of us to be involved.
I’ve been honored to chair these rallies and join forces with an amazing team
of people behind this effort.

BG Parks was established to help conserve the
environment and protect important parcels of land by partnering with several
state parks in Florida. In 2015, you secured a partnership with Florida’s
Department of Environmental Protection to oversee recreation and hospitality
concessions at three of south Florida’s most popular parks. Can you give us
more details of this initiative?

Bobby Genovese: We were thrilled and honored to be a major
force in bringing to life and making accessible these incredibly beautiful
parks for a whole new generation of visitors to enjoy. Not only are we
privileged to help preserve and cultivate these extraordinary natural resources
but we are especially honored to play a role in restoring the popularity of
these south Florida treasures. In addition, the partnership gives us the
ability to touch more than 4 million people. Now it’s our responsibility to
give them activities to do and create special events. We can also connect
people to some of our other complementary businesses to promote the entire BG
experience.

As an executive with more than two decades of
business leadership experience, do you have any tips for budding entrepreneurs
and business leaders?

Bobby Genovese: I believe that if you are passionate about
what you do, success will follow. There is a big difference between working
hard and working smart. What I encourage even with my own children is to look
at the big picture. I always tell people who come to me for advice that you’ve
got to love what you do because then it is not work.

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