Some entrepreneurs are mission-driven, some are money-driven, and of course, some are both. Right now, I’m very much mission-driven. Purple Cow is on a mission to drive down the overall cost of internet for all Atlantic Canadians. Some people might say we’ve already done that—and I agree, we’ve made a big dent. But we’re not done yet. I hear people say, "If you call up to cancel with the big guys, they’ll match Purple Cow’s price." And to that, I say—we’re not done with our mission until the big guys update their websites to reflect their lowest prices—just like Purple Cow does. It shouldn’t take a phone call to get a fair price. When it comes down to it, we said no to selling for a couple of reasons. First, because our mission isn’t complete. Second, because we’re having too much fun. Let me explain.
I Love What I Do
I love what we’re doing. We’re making a real impact in the community—saving people thousands of dollars on their internet bills. And with the money we make, we ’re giving back. We sponsor charities, sports teams, and community events all over Nova Scotia. There’s a Robin Hood feel to it—taking on the big guys and fighting for better prices and service for Nova Scotians.
My First Business: Lessons Learned
Some of you might not know this, but I’ve sold a business before. My first business started in Arizona after I moved there to work for a door-to-door alarm company. I founded a residential sales and installation company called Sky High Energy, where we sold and installed solar panels to offset people’s electricity bills. It was new and exciting, and I hit the timing perfectly. I grew the business to several offices across the country. I was learning a ton, making mistakes, and getting lucky. It was so much fun—until it wasn’t. After five years, I realized I wasn’t having as much fun anymore. That feeling lingered, and after talking to my business partner, who felt the same way, we decided to sell the business. It took about a year, and when it was done, I was free to do whatever I wanted next.
The Cost of Freedom
But here’s the thing—that freedom wasn’t what I thought it would be. After the sale, I lost more than just my company—I lost my identity. Losing your identity after selling a business is quite common among entrepreneurs. It’s often referred to as the "entrepreneurial identity crisis." When you pour your heart, soul, and countless hours into building something, that business becomes a big part of who you are. Once it's gone, it can leave a void that's tough to fill. For the longest time, I was "the solar guy." That was me. And suddenly, I wasn’t that guy anymore. So, who was I? I’m the type of person that needs a goal. I always have to be working towards something in all aspects of my life—personal, professional, and family. Without that professional goal, I felt lost. It wasn’t until I moved back to Nova Scotia and saw how much everyone was paying for internet that I knew I had found my next mission: Purple Cow Internet.
The last time I met with the CRTC, I told them, "Nova Scotians have the lowest per capita GDP but the highest internet costs in Canada." I told them, "You’re going to know Purple Cow as the company that changes that—making Nova Scotia the place with the lowest internet costs in the country." That’s why we didn’t sell. We’re on a mission, and we’re having too much fun to go anywhere.
Bradley Farquhar
CEO - Purple Cow Internet