Seneca College RED 2020 - 26

A call changed it all
Mike Reynolds achieved mo(o)re with professor's guidance

Tech that was
considered
for 2025 is
happening now.

PHOTO: IAN PATTERSON

MIKE REYNOLDS ENDED UP AT SENECA because of a phone call
and a conversation.
The Vice-President of Stores for Moores Clothing
for Men admits that Seneca was on his list, but he was
leaning more toward a university. He'd already enrolled
and was beginning to select courses when he received
a followup phone call about his Seneca application.
No other institution had reached out like that, and
it impressed him. And he also got a strong recommendation from a Seneca graduate he knew who told him
about the business-focused marketing curriculum.
Mr. Reynolds was sold, and to Newnham Campus he
came. Being from a family of entrepreneurs (his father,
uncles and close family friends all had businesses), he
wanted an institution that was " practical and proven. "
He got that and more.
" I didn't account for how much real-world experience
professors had, " Mr. Reynolds says. " We related to
them as teachers and mentors. There were many afterclass mentoring discussions. "
As a student, Mr. Reynolds thought he might want
to work for an ad agency. He recalls one professor, a

former advertising executive, challenging him about it;
he wasn't sure if Mr. Reynolds would like the agency
work environment. The professor arranged a visit to an
ad firm for him - there was even a temporary position
available. During the visit, Mr. Reynolds immediately
realized it wasn't for him. His professor was right
because he listened to his student.
" He read into me and could see what I really wanted, "
he says.
Mr. Reynolds' career has included marketing,
operations and senior management positions with some
of Canada's biggest brands, including Costco, Tip Top
Tailors and Laura.
At Moores, he's held various progressive positions
during the last 22 years (not to mention accumulating
an extensive wardrobe - what's a guy to do when
exposed to new collections every year?).
Recently, COVID-19 has brought challenges to the
menswear industry but has also been a catalyst for
innovation and new technology.
" Tech that was considered for 2025 is happening
now, " Mr. Reynolds says. " For example, we have a
new app that can perform touchless measurements for
tux and suit fittings. It's in 20 stores, and we expect it
to be in most stores by the fall. "
When he is not overseeing Moores stores nationally,
Mr. Reynolds is a leadership and communications
coach with AllStrive, a company he co-founded in 2013.
Like the mentors he found at Seneca, Mr. Reynolds is
passionate about helping up-and-coming leaders reach
their potential.
" I want to equip people with self-leadership skills
to accomplish their goals and make the best use of
their gifts. "

RED

2020

Seneca College RED 2020

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Seneca College RED 2020