Alex Vasilyev | Founder | Leader | Entrepreneur
As the founder of Active Vancouver and BizBridge, Alex operates where businesses, consumers and the city collide, creating platforms that spotlight people, activities and local businesses shaping Vancouver’s evolving identity.
His path to entrepreneurship was not linear. It was unpredictable and one that forced him to grow.
After nearly five years in the tech sector, a sudden layoff forced him to reevaluate his professional trajectory. A moment he described as grounding and mind-transforming.
Within a day after getting laid off, he willed himself to go out there, and by doing that, he secured his first partnership. This made him realize that it’s possible to generate income through what had previously been a modest side project. Active Vancouver, which later became a full‑time venture.
Today, Alex is known for his commitment to community and his ability to connect across industries, backgrounds, and personalities. Whether he’s meeting business owners, supporting local initiatives, or building new partnerships, he approaches every interaction with the same intention: to create something useful, sustainable, and rooted in the city he now calls home.
I sat down with Alex to pull out the insights that rarely make it into public conversations. His journey is unconventional, personal, and yet surprisingly relatable. Here’s how he thinks, what drives him, and what he’s learned along the way.
Let’s take a look.
What early experiences have shaped the way you are today?
“All of my experiences, positive and negative, shaped who I am, but the negative ones had the biggest impact. Anything that pushed me out of my comfort zone, anything sad or even traumatic, forced growth. Looking back, I’m grateful for all of it. Like Steve Jobs said, you can only connect the dots in hindsight. ”
“And there’s this popular belief that I subscribe to: if something is outside your comfort zone, that’s the right direction. When you feel too comfortable, maybe something needs to change. “
Whose success has shaped your own growth the most? Did you have a mentor? What did you learn from them?
“Mentor” is an overused term. I do have mentors, but most of them don’t know they’re my mentors. Everyone I meet teaches me something, sometimes through positive examples, sometimes through negative ones. I try to stay open and learn from everyone. Teachers and people, I’ve worked with have made a huge impact on my beliefs, career, and growth.
What’s the hardest part of your job?
“Boring, repetitive tasks. Routine work drains me. I rely on automation and AI to reduce that load so I can spend my time more efficiently. As an entrepreneur, time is the most precious asset. ”
What’s the most enjoyable part of your job?
“Meeting people, new people, familiar people, hearing their stories, learning about their successes, failures, and pain points. In‑person connection is the best part of what I do.”
When you feel overwhelmed or unfocused, what do you do to reset?
“I train my body and my brain. Swimming has become a consistent practice for me, and reading every day helps me reset mentally. It’s always a competition between Kindle and social media. Social media is powerful because it’s convenient. But reading and finishing books is more rewarding. “
What are three books that you recommend people read?
Principles by Ray Dalio
Diary of a CEO by Steven Bartlett
Les Misérables by Victor Hugo. It had a huge impact on me as a kid. Dark, but it shows what humans are capable of even at rock bottom.
What is a simple habit that helped you most, that people don’t see much?
“Reading. It sounds simple, but it’s been one of the biggest drivers of my growth. I’m very pro‑education. I have three diplomas and take online courses constantly. “
“And I want to remind my fellow Vancouverites that you have free access to LinkedIn Learning. If you’ve got a library card, you’ve got a full education at your fingertips, no cost, no excuses, just the willingness to use it.”
What is a decision in your career that scared you the most, but changed everything?
“Starting my first business, an independent English school. What’s hard about it was leaving the security of a regular paycheck and going out there to do things on my own; it was terrifying. I quit my day job and focused entirely on the school. I began in a tiny basement office with two students, and it eventually grew into a successful business with 20 staff and 200 students a week. It became the beginning of my entrepreneurial journey. “
Tell me about a failure that became a blessing
“Getting laid off from my tech company. At first, I felt betrayed. I’d been there almost five years and felt secure. But it grounded me. It reminded me that no one owes you anything. A company–employee relationship is just a partnership. Anyone can say goodbye at any time. It pushed me out of my comfort zone and gave me a lot to think about. “
What did you do next?
“The very next day, I went out and made my first sale for Active Vancouver. Active Vancouver existed as a side project, but I never thought of it as a business. I told myself, “If I make one sale this month, I’ll pursue this.” I made my first deal on day one. It felt like the universe saying, “Go do this.” And partnerships started coming. In business, it’s called proof of concept. ”
What has failure taught you that success never could?
“That failure is not the opposite of success; it’s part of it. It’s never “win or fail,” it’s “win or learn.” Failure forces reflection, humility, and action. “
What is a belief about success that most people get wrong?
“That money makes you happy. It doesn’t. If you want more money, forget about money. Focus on being useful and helping people. Money follows usefulness. “
Community and Connections
How did you build community and find your creative home base in Vancouver?
“Marpole in Southwest Vancouver has been my creative home for over seven years. Its diversity, growth, and constant flow of newcomers shaped my sense of belonging. I found my people by talking to others and volunteering, especially at Marpole Oakridge Family Place, where I first helped with their website and marketing before joining the board. That experience opened real doors and built real relationships.“
“Langara College also played a major role in my growth as a leader and creator; graduating from there grounded me, and this reflection even reminded me to reconnect as an alumnus and explore how I can give back.”
Advice and Lessons
What is the best advice you’ve ever received?
“I was close to my grandfather when I was growing up, and I think the most useful and not necessarily the best advice came from him. He said, “Eat good food and stay healthy.” To this day, I still follow those words, being active and healthy is a big part of my identity. “
What’s some advice you would give your younger self?
“Be honest with yourself, do not smoke and don’t chase comfort. Step out of your comfort zone sooner. Everything meaningful happens there and maybe invest in Bitcoin! “
Do you think little Alex, the young version of you, would be proud of the man you’ve become?
“Absolutely. Honestly, I never imagined I’d become who I am today. I couldn’t have predicted any of this. It’s more than I ever dreamed of. “
“Little Alex would be proud that I took risks, built something from scratch, kept learning, and chose growth over comfort. That includes all the meaningful connections I’ve made along the way and the relationships I’ve built throughout my journey. Yes, definitely, he is proud of me. “
What do you hope your work adds to Vancouver’s creative and social culture?
The mission behind Active Vancouver is simple: Active, Healthy, and Connected.
“Vancouver has a reputation for being a “no‑fun city,” and I want to change that. We have so many talented people and so many cool things to do, but we need to get out more. “
“Go to performances, explore museums, and try new activities. There’s so much here that we’re not taking advantage of, maybe because of what COVID has done to us, maybe because of the weather, maybe because of cultural isolation. But if we get more active, we’ll discover how much this city really offers.“
Connection, that’s the heart of Active Vancouver. It’s about bringing people together, not keeping them online. I’ve said before: this platform isn’t meant to keep people scrolling; it’s meant to get them offline and into the city.
As Vancouver continues to evolve, the city will rely on people who can bridge gaps between neighbourhoods, between newcomers and long‑timers, between ideas and execution. Alex has positioned himself squarely in that space.
His work is not loud or self‑promotional; it’s steady, intentional, and rooted in the belief that meaningful change begins with showing up, listening, and building something useful. In a city full of ambition, Alex stands out not because he chases success, but because he chases contribution.
From a basement classroom to a growing media platform, from a layoff to a first sale made the very next morning, his path reflects resilience, perseverance and belief that feels familiar and yet rare.
One thing I liked about Alex’s story is that he didn’t frame his story as a triumph over adversity, but as a series of difficult choices he had to make, to learn, to adapt, and to keep moving even when the next step isn’t obvious.
Alex’s story isn’t one of sudden breakthroughs or overnight success. It’s a story of discomfort, discipline, and small steps that compound over time. The goal isn’t to avoid difficulty, but to grow through it. He is still building, learning, and still searching for the right people. But he’s moving in the right direction, the one just outside his comfort zone.
Check out Active Vancouver for the City’s most interesting activities.
Connect with Alex and avail his expertise.
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