SNACKING with Tessa

Tessa Thomas

Recruit-HQ - Founder & CEO

“To love your neighbour does not mean you are loved less, to celebrate your neighbour does not mean you are celebrated less, to help your neighbour does not mean you are helped less.”

What are the go-to snacks you like to eat?

I’m a real sucker for a good blue corn chip, but I actually like to eat them plain. I also love homemade granola with fresh fruit and yogurt.

Do you brush your teeth when you wake up or after eating breakfast?

I began intermittent fasting about 6 months ago, so I usually don’t eat until about 1pm, teeth brushing definitely happens before then, typically when I wake up or after my morning tea. 

Do you wet your toothbrush before or after you apply toothpaste?

Before, but I used to do both, come to think of it now I’m not sure why I switched to just doing it before, or even when that happened.

Who is your role model and why?

My mom for sure—former national two-sport athlete for Guyana and Olympic qualifying sprinter—she didn’t come to Canada with very much, but always worked hard, formed lasting relationships with the people she worked with, helped many along the way, put her kids first, and is currently enjoying being a grandma and hanging with my nephew in her retirement.

Who would you choose to play you in a movie about your life?

People often mistake my last name for Thompson instead of Thomas, so I think Tessa Thompson would be a great fit.

Favourite Restaurant in Toronto?

Big Crow (when I used to eat meat)
La Chingada (new fav for Mexican)
Terroni (for yummy pizza or pasta, or both!)

What does equality mean to you?

To me equality means having an understanding that any societal notions of superiority and inferiority have been completely constructed and are not real—science has proven that we are all one human race and at minimum, we should all treat each other with dignity and respect and realize that we are all in this together—to love your neighbour does not mean you are loved less, to celebrate your neighbour does not mean you are celebrated less, to help your neighbour does not mean you are helped less.

When It’s all said and done, the title to your autobiography is called_____?

“Don’t Be Heroic—Be Consistent”

2020 was  ___ 2021 will be ___?

Troubling, Fulfilling

Who made the best ‘Sunday Morning’ song A) k-os B) No Doubt or C) Maroon 5?

The Commodores – “Easy”  — easy like Sunday morning 

What’s the last item you purchased with cash?

Wow, it’s actually very hard to remember, but I think it was a tea at Starbucks, I’ve been pretty much cashless for a few years now.

What does retirement look like to you?

Retirement to me looks like summers in Toronto, winters in Antibes (France), lots of time with family and friends, angel investing, coaching youth sports, and always learning something new.

According to you, who is the best-dressed person in business?

I listen to so many podcasts that I have no idea what anyone wears, but I would say because she has both a clothing line and a venture fund, I’m going to go with Serena Williams.

What skill are you determined to master?

This will be a lifetime effort, but the skill of responding instead of reacting—I always aspire to be more mindful.  

What three films best describe your life?

The Sandlot
A League of Their Own
Love and Basketball

The most influential brand right now is?

Nike, they are dialled in and have been for a long time, every campaign resonates and feels right on point.

Do you believe there is a way to turn your passions in to work, and if so, how?

I think the key is to follow your interests, whatever it is that you can’t stop thinking about, or that you find fascinating and can’t stop learning more about, keep finding ways to engage with that topic/activity/practice and it will likely turn into what you do or what you’re known for one day.

Where is your happy place?

Wherever my family, friends, and great food come together.

What are the 3 Albums that soundtrack your life?

Various Artists – “Motown 40 Forever”
Ms. Lauryn Hill – “The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill”
The Killers – “Sam’s Town”

Essentially, Motown, hip hop, and rock. But I’m also actually really into soundtracks, I love Hans Zimmer, Alan Silvestri, James Horner, and John Williams.

What three words would you use to describe your past three months of your life?

Exciting (Recruit-HQ went live in August 2020)

Packed (we’re just getting started, lots of work to do!)

Unbelievable (A global pandemic, racial injustices still happening in 2020, the most bizarre and frustrating political climate in the US maybe ever, it really is unbelievable)

What Public Figure inspired your career path?

The three that come to mind and who may seem unrelated being in different fields, are Tim Ferriss, Beyoncé and Serena Williams—“The Four-Hour Work Week” did for me what it did for countless others, opened my eyes to the possibilities and opportunities that I was unaware of previously to design and build the life that I wanted for myself, if you’ve seen any of Beyoncé’s documentaries hard work will likely take on a new definition for you, it did for me, and Serena’s grit, determination and mastery continue to inspire me.

What’s your favourite book or author?

I tend to read a lot of non-fiction, I would say anything co-authored by John Wooden is pure gold—“Wooden on Leadership” is definitely a favourite. Jim Afremow’s “The Champion’s Mind” is also very good.

Name something you couldn’t go a day without. Why?

My people—my partner, my friends, my family—I couldn’t imagine a day where I didn’t connect with any of them in some way, life is people.

Dogs or Cats?

Dogs for sure! Cats are always up to something and they’re too fast!

What things in life are still a mystery to you?

Well, Donald Trump is still somehow currently President of the United States, so there’s that.