A Love Letter to Toronto
I loved growing up in Toronto. It’s one of the most diverse places on earth. You feel all four seasons, the sports teams are beloved, and the skyline sits right on the edge of being world class.
This week, as the Toronto Blue Jays battle the LA Dodgers for a World Series title, it feels symbolic. LA is world class. Toronto is right there.
I’ve lived in Sweden, Costa Rica, Mexico City, and New York, yet Toronto seems to offer something uniquely different. Maybe it’s the 20 languages you hear walking down Queen St, the familiar melodies of Drake & The Weeknd floating through the Michelin star restaurants, or the insatiable traffic on the DVP-this city truly has it all. Over the last few years, the city has been having its moment.
No matter where you go in the world, someone has something fond to say about this city.
The following is a brief synopsis on what Toronto can teach us about leadership & the world
⌛ Reading time: 5 minutes, 20 seconds
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1. Diversity Is Strength
Toronto’s greatest power is its diversity. I personally grew up with every single type of person, multiple different languages and saw people from all walks of life, with a myriad of skillsets. Every block carries a different rhythm, flavour, and function.
From global artists like Drake, The Weeknd, Justin Bieber, Rush & Barenaked Ladies, to the immigrant-owned restaurants that line its neighbourhoods, the city is a living mosaic. It’s proof that unity doesn’t come from sameness. It comes from difference, which breeds competition, which in turn… breeds evolution.
Polaris Perspective:
The best organizations, like the best cities, aren’t homogenous. They thrive on a diversity of thought, skill, and perspective. Championship cultures are built by people who see the world differently and still choose to move in the same direction.
Take a look at your team dynamics. Are there different skillsets, experiences and ways of thinking? This is crucial to thriving in the rapidly changing environment we find ourselves in.
Credit: karimkanji.com
2. Creativity & Leading from the Front
Toronto is a city that leads. You can see it in the longevity and wellness movements reshaping cities worldwide, and many of those ideas were born here.
Brands like Othership, Impact Kitchen, and Trove have become symbols of what’s possible when creativity meets purpose. From cold plunges and connective saunas to farm-to-table eating and red light therapy, these brands prove that world class innovation can come from anywhere.
And now, they’re expanding, bringing their spirit, energy & tribal knowledge to places like New York City.
Polaris Perspective:
Mindset is everything. You don’t need to be from a global hub to start a movement. When you build with intention and community, you can create tribes that evolve into civilizations. Toronto did & is doing it…so can you.
Credit: Hilton.com
3. Resilience & the Will to Win
If you’ve been a Toronto sports fan, you know what it means to suffer and to believe anyway. For years, the Maple Leafs and the Blue Jays were the punchline. “World’s most losing-est franchises” or something silly like that. But then came the breakthroughs.
Toronto FC winning their championship.
The Raptors lifting the trophy.
And now, the Blue Jays back in the World Series for the first time in 32 years.
Playing in Canada has never been easy. The jokes, the border challenges with free agents, the skepticism… the taxes! It all forces a different kind of grit.
Polaris Perspective:
Resilience is a process. It’s built in public, under pressure, when the odds are stacked against you. Toronto embodies that. It reminds us that the struggle isn’t the opposite of success. It’s the path to it. Embrace the pressure. Battle through. Because on the other side, something gorgeous waits #WANTITALL.
A Final Note
Toronto has always been a city that teaches. Through its diversity, its creativity, and its resilience.
It’s a model of how local energy can go global. How a city that once sat on the edge of greatness can step fully into it.
This is a love letter to Toronto, the place that built me, inspired me, and continues to show what’s possible when unity, creativity, and resilience collide.
-SKV
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🧘 Events
November 6th in NYC
This event is brought to you by Prohibition Partners and will see over 200 industry leaders, investors, and policy-makers gather at The Wythe Hotel in Williamsburg to focus on driving investment and accelerating retail growth in the New York market.
Business of Cannabis: New York consistently brings together the most influential businesses, financial institutions, and politicians from across the sector for a packed one-day program — providing best-in-class networking opportunities with key industry figures, sought-after insights and a trusted knowledge hub for the New York cannabis industry.
Where Leadership Meets Longevity. Where Competition Meets Connection.
An exclusive experience for leaders who understand that play sharpens performance — in business and in life.
On November 5, Polaris Elite brings together 50 hand-selected leaders from across industries for an afternoon that blends movement, mindset, and meaningful relationships at Padel Haus Williamsburg.
This isn’t another networking event — it’s a curated collision of ideas, ambition, and energy designed for people who lead with intention.
What you’ll walk away with:
🤝 Three new authentic relationships that compound in value over time.
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🌐 Access to a private community built to be your resource as you grow, navigate, and build.
The Experience:
2 Courts for competitive play.
2 Courts for learning with guided instruction.
Live DJ, crafted beverages, light bites, and the right kind of energy — grounded, inspiring, and electric.
As always, this event would not be possible without key Partners bringing this to life.
Everyone will receive a complimentary guest pass for Othership Williamsburg, sample delicious Getcha (natural caffeinated day time longevity drink) browse the Droopy Sand Collection (World Class Golf Gear) and learn more about Parker's offerings (corporate credit cards for e-comm businesses)
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Polaris Partner Spotlight: TAGX
At Polaris Partners, we look for brands that embody performance, innovation, and purpose. TAGX is built on all three.
Born at the intersection of design and discipline, TAGX creates athleisure wear engineered with precision and developed to perform. Every piece is crafted for people who live in motion — the founders, athletes, and creators who push boundaries daily.
Their commitment runs deeper than style. From Ultrasilk™ fabrics to a relentless focus on fit and feel, TAGX reflects a mindset we share: that detail powers performance. In a world where comfort often comes at the cost of capability, TAGX proves you can have both.
This partnership isn’t just about apparel — it’s about aligning with a philosophy. Made to perform. Designed with precision!
