National Indigenous People’s Day Interview with Ian Tolliver
Ian Tolliver
Ian Tolliver of Tolliver International Incorporated & Founder of the Ontario Black Contractors Association (OBCA).
The following is an interview with Ian Tolliver on National Indigenous Peoples Day 2023:
BEKH: Introduce yourself! Tell us a little bit about yourself, and your background as an Indigenous Person who is also Black and how that has impacted your journey before we dive into question one!
Ian: I have over 21 years of diversified work experience in various capacities. I also have Metis Status and I am a descendant of the Mi’kmaq Indigenous People in Nova Scotia. In addition, I am also a descendant of the American Black slaves and the Jamaican Maroons. It has allowed me to see the Construction Industry with a different lens than what is currently in the marketplace.
BEKH: What inspired you to become an entrepreneur or get involved in entrepreneurship and starting Tolliver International Incorporated?
Ian: I was inspired from a dream that I had when I was 4 years old. I had a dream of a building with my last name Tolliver on it and it has guided me to this point.
BEKH: What are the unique challenges that you, as an Indigenous Black entrepreneur, face when it comes to starting and growing a business?
Ian: The unique challenges that I faced was there was no one that looked like me who owned their own Cost Consulting Company. There was no blueprint to follow.
BEKH: How important is mentorship to you, and how can aspiring Black Women entrepreneurs find and connect with mentors?
Ian: I think that mentorship is extremely important because it allows you to learn without have to experience it yourself. Aspiring Black (Women) entrepreneurs can connect with mentors on LinkedIn, Women Construction Associations Ontario Black Contractors Association
BEKH: You have started an association to help Indigenous and Black Entrepreneurs in your sector. Would you share more about your efforts on that front?
Ian: I felt that an additional association to help Indigenous and black Entrepreneurs was needed. The more representation in the construction industry the better. I felt that we needed a strong voice to empower the professionals from our communities.
BEKH: What has been the most rewarding moment of your journey as a founder?
Ian: The most rewarding moment of your journey as a founder was when I was able to inspire some students from my community to pursue the Construction Management and Estimating area of the construction Industry because they seen that it was possible for them.
BEKH: What are some of the barriers for entrepreneurs when it comes to accessing capital and how can we address those challenges?
Ian: Some barriers for entrepreneurs when it comes to accessing capital are in some cases it is difficult to obtain because they are just starting their businesses. We can address them by providing an easier path to grants and mentorship when they obtain the grants.
BEKH: What work is needed to create stronger entrepreneurial ecosystems for Indigenous entrepreneurs in your sector?
Ian: The work that is needed to create stronger entrepreneurial ecosystems for Indigenous entrepreneurs in the construction industry is that there are more constructive collaboration with the different Indigenous organizations in order to learn from each other.
BEKH: Can you tell us about another entrepreneur who inspires you and why?
Ian: Other entrepreneurs that inspire me are Don Peebles from The Peebles Corporation and Cheryl and Deryl McKissack from McKissack & McKissack because they are leaders in the Construction Industry who are making positive changes.
BEKH: How important is marketing and social media in providing opportunities and increasing visibility? How have you leveraged technology and digital tools to grow your business and reach new markets?
Ian: Marketing and social media are extremely important in providing opportunities and increasing visibility because they allow you to reach audiences all over the world. I leveraged technology because I want to construct buildings all over the world!
Thanks to Ian Tolliver for collaborating with the BEKH on National Indigenous Peoples Day
Stay connected with Ian here:
www.ontarioblackcontractorsassociation.com
https://www.linkedin.com/in/ian-tolliver-70a2b734/
https://www.linkedin.com/company/tolliver-international-incorporated/
https://www.linkedin.com/company/ontario-black-contractors-association/
@TolliverIan