Hello! I’m Fred Dawkins

I’m Fred Dawkins — a serial entrepreneur, author, and lifelong learner. Over the years, I’ve had the opportunity to build a range of successful ventures in retail, manufacturing, and land development. One of the most recognizable is The Olde Hide House, which became known for being “worth the drive to Acton.”
I graduated with a gold medal from the University of Toronto, earning both a BCom and an MA in Economics. My passion for entrepreneurship led me to write the Entrepreneurial Edge series — Everyday Entrepreneur, Family Entrepreneur, and Ageless Entrepreneur — published by Dundurn Press. I’m especially proud that Ageless Entrepreneur was endorsed by Tiff Macklem, the Governor of the Bank of Canada.

My commitment to innovation also brought me to the Rotman School of Management at U of T, where I became one of the founding partners of the original Creative Destruction Lab — a program designed to connect research, MBA talent, and venture capital. I’m thrilled that it’s now a model adopted by leading universities around the world.