Inside Piano Piano, every detail tells a story. The same can be said for its founders. Before anyone places an order, Piano Piano has already made an impression. At the Colborne Street location in downtown Toronto, cheetah-print wallpaper stretches across the dining room. The bathrooms are drenched in bright orange. Downstairs, a vintage carousel surrounds the bar, giving the room the feeling of an old carnival reimagined for dinner service. Every corner feels intentional, playful and unmistakably Piano Piano. When Victor Barry and Nikki McKean walk into the room, they somehow feel like part of the design themselves. Nikki arrives in a leopard-print jumpsuit that could have been pulled from the wallpaper, while Victor's floral knit shirt mirrors the warmth and personality of the restaurant around him. Spend an afternoon with them and it becomes clear that none of it happened by accident. Piano Piano has grown from a single restaurant into seven locations across Ontario, but throughout our conversation, Victor and Nikki rarely talked about growth for the sake of growth. They talked about experiences. About consistency. About people. About creating spaces that guests genuinely want to return to. Photo: Piano Piano That philosophy shows up in the smallest decisions. Ask Victor how he'd improve a slow Monday night and he doesn't start talking about discounts. He talks about giving people a reason to come back. Half-price wines. A lasagna that's only available one night a week. Small rituals that become part of someone's routine. "We're trying to build something that's going to last 20, 30, 40, 50 years," Victor says. "Location is important, but people have to keep coming back." For Nikki, hospitality begins long before the food reaches the table. As parents of young children, they often think about what makes a restaurant feel welcoming for families. Sometimes that means creating an incredible experience in under an hour. Great hospitality isn't measured by how long someone stays. It's about understanding what they need in that moment and making them feel like they belong. Photo: Piano Piano That balance between practicality and experience seems to shape almost every decision they make together. Nowhere is that more obvious than with one of Piano Piano's most recognizable pieces. Standing proudly inside the restaurant is a vintage carousel horse sourced from a collector in Miami. Before it was installed, Victor immediately started calculating what it would cost. Two seats would disappear from the dining room. Thousands of dollars in potential revenue would disappear with them. Nikki saw something else. She saw a story. A conversation piece. A reason people would remember the restaurant long after they left. The horse stayed. It's a funny story, but it quietly captures how the two founders think. Victor naturally gravitates toward systems, operations and long-term sustainability. Nikki sees atmosphere, emotion and the feeling guests take home with them. Neither perspective wins. The business is stronger because both exist. As Piano Piano expanded, those perspectives became even more important. "The second restaurant shows you every flaw," Victor says. It's a lesson many founders eventually learn. What works when you're in one room every day doesn't automatically work across multiple locations. Culture has to be built intentionally. Consistency can't rely on memory. Leadership has to exist long before the founders arrive. Today, much of that thinking has become part of Piano Piano's operating system. Pasta is produced in one commissary kitchen to ensure every location serves the same product. Leaders are developed from within. Every new challenge becomes another opportunity to improve the playbook. Photo: Piano Piano "The systems that are in place right now took time," Nikki says. "Restaurant one to two is huge because it shows you all of the flaws. From there, you really start to systemize what's working, what's not working and where you need to change things." If Victor often talks about systems, Nikki keeps returning to people. When we ask what leadership skill she'll spend the rest of her career improving, her answer comes instantly. "Listening." "Am I just waiting to talk, or am I really listening? There's a huge difference." It's a simple answer, but one that seems to underpin everything they've built. Listening to guests. Listening to employees. Listening to what a neighbourhood needs before deciding what Piano Piano should become there. Victor approaches decision-making with a similar balance. "Data is important," he says. "But always remember that data is looking backwards. You use it as an educated guess, and then make your gut choice." Perhaps that's what makes Piano Piano feel different. Every room is imaginative, but nothing feels random. Every system is intentional, but nothing feels rigid. The business has grown without losing the personality that made people fall in love with it in the first place. By the end of our conversation, it was difficult to separate the founders from the restaurants they'd built. The warmth. The creativity. The attention to detail. The structure behind the scenes. Every one of those qualities reflects Victor and Nikki as much as it reflects Piano Piano. Seven restaurants may be the headline, but it isn't the story. The story is about two founders who continue to approach hospitality with equal parts discipline and imagination, creating places that people don't simply visit. They return.

Networking events often promise dozens, or even hundreds of new connections. But the reality is that most conversations last only a few minutes before everyone moves on. At Pier Five, we wanted to create something different. That's why we launched the Pull Up Dinner: an intimate networking dinner in Toronto designed to bring together founders, creatives, business owners and community builders around one table for meaningful conversations that don't happen at traditional networking events. On July 2, we hosted the first-ever Pull Up Dinner at TONO by Akira Back inside Toronto's W Hotel, bringing together a carefully curated group of entrepreneurs from a wide range of industries for an evening focused on community, conversation and connection. Why We Started Pull Up Dinner We've spent years building communities online through interviews, events and storytelling, but we've also learned that some of the most valuable relationships aren't built through social media, they're built over dinner. The Pull Up Dinner was created to slow networking down. Rather than trying to meet 50 people in one evening, our goal is to create a space where 12 people can genuinely get to know one another. No pitches. No panels. No name tags. Just thoughtful conversations over great food. A Curated Group of Toronto Founders, Creatives and Business Owners One of the principles behind Pull Up Dinner is diversity. Instead of inviting people from the same industry, we intentionally curate a table of people who bring different experiences and perspectives. Around the table were an art gallery owner, a gym owner, a creative agency founder, an art curator, an entertainment producer, an ice cream shop owner, a fashion brand founder, a CPG entrepreneur, a video producer, a community strategist, media founders and content creators. On paper, it's an unlikely mix. In practice, it created exactly the kind of conversations we were hoping for. Many of the guests had never met before. By the end of the evening, new friendships, collaborations and introductions were already beginning to take shape. The Non-Negotiable: Mandatory +1 Every invitation to the Pull Up Dinner includes one requirement: Bring someone who belongs at the table. Not just a guest—but someone who brings curiosity, generosity and a different perspective. That simple rule expands the network with every dinner and ensures each gathering introduces new people into the Pier Five community. Great Food Creates Better Conversations The inaugural dinner took guests through TONO by Akira Back's signature seafood-fusion menu, where guests shared a family-style experience designed to encourage conversation throughout the evening. The experience was complemented by wines from Great Estates Wines, creating a relaxed atmosphere that allowed conversations to unfold naturally over the course of the night. Building Toronto's Founder Community—One Dinner at a Time Toronto has no shortage of networking events. What it needs more of are opportunities for people to genuinely connect. Pull Up Dinner isn't about collecting LinkedIn connections or exchanging business cards. It's about creating the kind of conversations that lead to friendships, collaborations, partnerships and ideas that continue long after dinner ends. For us, community has never been about audience size. It's about bringing the right people together. Join a Future Pull Up Dinner We're already planning the next Pull Up Dinner in Toronto, with another carefully curated group of founders, creatives and operators gathering around one table. If you're interested in attending a future dinner, hosting one with us, or partnering with the series, we'd love to hear from you.

In April, Pier Five partnered with HP Canada, with support from Microsoft Canada, Qualcomm Snapdragon and CDW to bring together small business owners for a two-part experience exploring one key question: What does the future of your business look like with AI? What followed was a full-circle program combining education, application, and community - showcasing how Canadian entrepreneurs are beginning to integrate AI into how they build and grow. Part 1: From Curiosity to Clarity The program began with two intimate, hands-on workshop sessions, each bringing together 10 founders from a range of industries. The goal was to move beyond AI as a concept and into practical application. After kicking off the session with a bit of networking, HP Canada shared how their latest technology is enabling smarter, more efficient ways of working, with a focus on innovation and sustainability. The sessions were powered by HP’s AI-enabled devices built with Qualcomm Snapdragon technology, allowing founders to explore real-time workflows. The core of the experience was a guided workshop using Microsoft Copilot. Founders were led through structured prompts to: Analyze their business and positioning Identify market opportunities Break down competitors Clarify their differentiation Rebecca Prime, CEO, Beck's Broth: "Right now, SMBs have a real edge with AI, especially in driving efficiency across admin, sales, ops, and beyond. In my own work, I’m using it to build SOPs across the board and gradually develop a more structured, scalable business manual." Using these insights, each participant created an AI-generated “Difference Statement,” which was then transformed into a visual poster - a clear representation of how their business can evolve. Kin Ho, Business Manager, HP: "One of the biggest barriers for small business owners we heard throughout this campaign is knowing where to start when it comes to AI. HP is focused on making these tools more accessible and practical, so founders can explore them in the context of their own business. When AI feels approachable and relevant, that hesitation quickly turns into confidence and that’s when real adoption begins." What started as exploration quickly became clear and set the groundwork for Part 2. Part 2: A Showcase For the SMB Community Two weeks later, Pier Five hosted The Difference Maker: Gallery Night, an exhibition space featuring all 20 founders’ work as well as a panel discussion from Canadian entrepreneurs and experts. The workshop participants and experts were joined by over 70 entrepreneurs, creatives, and community members, creating a highly curated and energetic room. Kane Willmott, CEO, iQ Offices: "The event was a powerful reminder that the future is being built right now by a remarkably ambitious generation of entrepreneurs. It was inspiring to meet founders across such a wide range of industries, each bringing different products, ideas, and perspectives to the table at various stages of growth." The panel discussion was a highlight of the night, discussing topics around AI adoption and the future of small business, moderated by Pier Five Co-Founder, Julian Golden. Speakers included April Marshall, VP of Inside Sales at HP Canada, Rebecca Prime, Founder of Beck’s Broth and workshop participant, and Kane Willmott, CEO of IQ Offices The conversation grounded AI in real-world use, focusing on how founders are applying it today and where it’s heading next. April Marshall, VP of Inside Sales, HP Canada: "What we’re seeing at HP is a shift from AI as a concept to something small businesses are actively using to solve everyday challenges. The biggest unlock is starting with the problem - whether that’s saving time or improving decision-making - and applying the right tools in a practical way. The businesses that will stand out are the ones building a strong foundation now by investing in technology that supports how they work and grow." Building What’s Next, Together What made this program resonate was its format. By combining education, hands-on application, visual storytelling and community, Pier Five and HP Canada created a space where ideas were not just explored but activated and shared. The program highlighted how collaboration between technology partners and community platforms can create real impact for small business owners. As AI continues to evolve, it’s clear that entrepreneurs aren’t waiting, they’re actively shaping what comes next; and they’re doing it together. Learn more about HP's Next-Gen AI PCs, discover the world of One HP here and follow Pier Five on Instagram for updates on all of the latest events.

Job listing for Pier Five's Brand Partnerships Manager role Brand Partnerships Manager (Full Time, Remote) Toronto, Canada | Full-Time | Hybrid/Flexible Base Salary: $65,000 CAD + Uncapped Commission On-Target Earnings: Approximately $110,000 CAD Ideal Start Date: November 2026 About Pier Five Pier Five is a community and media platform built for Canada’s entrepreneurs, small business owners, creatives and emerging founders. We create content, experiences and opportunities that help ambitious people build their businesses, develop their ideas and connect with others doing the same. Through our community, events, original content and brand partnerships, we work with leading companies to create meaningful ways for them to support and connect with the next generation of Canadian builders. As Pier Five enters its next stage of growth, we’re looking for a Brand Partnerships Manager to help build and grow our partnership business. The Role This is a full-cycle sales and partnerships role for someone who is excited about building relationships, developing creative ideas and generating new business. You’ll work directly with Pier Five’s founders to identify and connect with brands that want to reach and support entrepreneurs, small business owners and creatives. You’ll own your sales opportunities from end to end, from identifying prospects and opening conversations to developing partnership ideas, building proposals, negotiating and closing deals. You’ll also work collaboratively with Pier Five’s CEO and founding team on larger and more strategic opportunities, while building and managing a pipeline of your own. This isn’t a role where a list of leads will simply be handed to you. We’re looking for someone who is hungry, curious and proactive. Someone who enjoys finding the right people, starting conversations and figuring out how to turn an initial introduction into a meaningful partnership. You’ll also have the opportunity to help shape Pier Five’s sales function as we grow. A quick note on scope: This role is focused specifically on partnerships across the Pier Five community, media, content and programming business. It does not include sales for Pier Five Studios, the creative agency within Pier Five Inc. What You’ll Do Build new relationships Research and identify brands, agencies and decision-makers that align with Pier Five and our community. Develop and manage your own prospect pipeline across categories including financial services, technology, business software, creator tools, e-commerce, professional services, travel, hospitality, lifestyle and more. Create thoughtful, personalized outreach that gets conversations started. Attend industry events, Pier Five programming and other opportunities to build relationships in person. Develop and sell creative partnerships Lead discovery conversations with prospective partners to understand their goals, priorities and challenges. Work with the Pier Five team to develop partnership concepts across content, community programming, events, original series and other brand integrations. Build and present proposals that connect a brand’s objectives with opportunities that genuinely provide value to the Pier Five community. Negotiate partnership scope and pricing and move opportunities through to close. Own your pipeline Manage opportunities and relationships through our CRM. Maintain an active and accurate pipeline, including prospecting, follow-ups, proposals, forecasting and next steps. Consistently generate new conversations and opportunities while progressing existing deals toward close. Take ownership of your revenue targets and help Pier Five build a predictable, scalable partnership business. Grow partner relationships Remain a senior relationship owner after a partnership is sold, working alongside Pier Five’s production and creative teams to ensure partners have a great experience. Identify opportunities for renewals, expanded partnerships and longer-term relationships. Our goal is not simply to sell one-off campaigns. We want to build partnerships that grow over time. Who We’re Looking For You likely have 2–4 years of experience in business development, brand partnerships, sponsorships, media, experiential marketing, influencer or creator marketing, agency services, branded content or another relevant commercial role. You do not need to come from a traditional media company. More importantly, you: Are genuinely excited by sales, relationship building and creating new business Are comfortable prospecting and starting conversations from scratch Can communicate confidently with everyone from entrepreneurs and creatives to senior brand and agency marketers Are creative and can see partnership opportunities beyond simply selling existing inventory Are highly self-directed and comfortable working independently Are organized and able to manage multiple relationships and opportunities at once Have strong written, presentation and interpersonal skills Understand how to balance persistence with building genuine relationships Are interested in entrepreneurs, small businesses, creators and the people building the next generation of Canadian companies You’re Culturally Plugged In Pier Five sits at the intersection of business, creativity and culture, and we want someone who naturally pays attention to that world. You follow what brands are doing. You notice interesting campaigns, partnerships, events and experiences. You understand creators and social media. You’re curious about emerging companies, entrepreneurs and the people shaping culture. You can walk into an event where you don’t know anyone and start conversations, but you can also walk into a meeting with a major financial institution or technology company and confidently represent Pier Five. You know how to be casual when the environment calls for it and polished when it matters. Why Join Pier Five This is an opportunity to join Pier Five at an important stage of our growth. We’ve built a strong foundation, an engaged community and relationships with leading brands. Now we’re building the commercial engine that will help take Pier Five into its next chapter. You’ll work directly with the founders, have significant ownership over your work and have the opportunity to help shape how Pier Five approaches partnerships and sales. As the company grows, we want this role to grow with it, whether that means becoming a senior individual contributor, taking ownership of major strategic accounts or eventually helping build and lead a larger partnerships team. We offer a flexible working environment with significant independence. While we work remotely, this role is based in the Toronto area and will involve regular in-person meetings, events and community programming. Compensation Base salary: $65,000 CAD On-target earnings: Approximately $110,000 CAD This role includes an uncapped commission structure designed to meaningfully reward strong performance. There is no ceiling on earnings for someone who substantially exceeds their sales targets. Full details of the commission plan will be discussed during the interview process. What Success Looks Like In your first few months, you’ll learn Pier Five’s community, products, partners and sales approach while building your prospect universe and developing new relationships. Over time, you’ll independently manage your partnership sales opportunities from prospecting through close, consistently generate new brand conversations, maintain a healthy pipeline and develop partnerships that create real value for both our partners and the Pier Five community. You’ll work closely with Pier Five’s founders on strategic opportunities while increasingly taking ownership of your own relationships, accounts and revenue. Most importantly, you’ll help us build a partnerships business that can become a major part of Pier Five’s future. Apply If you’re excited about sales, partnerships, entrepreneurship and culture, and you want the opportunity to help build something at an early stage, we’d love to hear from you. Send us your resume to community@pier-five.com with the subject line Brand Partnerships Manager Application - [Your Name] along with a short introduction telling us about yourself, why Pier Five interests you and why you think you’d be a great fit for the role.

Change the future of small business owners and entrepreneurs! We're looking for talented people who want to help make an impact with the most passionate builders on the planet! Available Opportunities Brand Partnerships Manager (Remote) Have any questions? Send us an email to community@pier-five.com !

Turning passions into careers. Pier Five is Canada's leading community-first media and experiential platform for creative entrepreneurs and small business owners. We're changing the entrepreneurship journey. For decades, starting a business meant long, lonely days and sacrificing work-life-balance for a long-term vision. We believe that, with the right tools, being a founder can create the life that everyone craves from day one. We're building the spaces online and IRL for both new founders and thriving business owners to connect, learn from one another and get back to building the things they love. What We Do Best CUSTOM CONTENT Whether it's with local businesses or seasoned experts, we create engaging content for social and web to spotlight and educate our community of creative entrepreneurs and small business owners. B2B content has become our passion. Learn More COMMUNITY EXPERIENCES Between the Pier Five Athletics Club, founder workshops or community dinners, we've hosted over 50 events that leave our community feeling smarter, inspired and more connected. We've never hosted in a boardroom and we don't plan on it. Learn More FUNDING PROGRAMS Through our own initiatives and with the help of partners, we've provided over $250,000 CAD in non-dilutive funding and mentorship support to Canadian SMBs. It starts with capital and ends with experienced guidance. Learn More Partner with a trusted platform serving Canada's top brands in business and culture. Our Blog Catch up with our latest conversations and events. The Business of Belonging Jul 14 The Pull Up Dinner: A New Kind of Networking Event for Founders and Creatives Jul 6 The Difference Maker: How Canadian Small Business Owners Turned AI Into Action May 14 Explore All Posts PIER FIVE STUDIOS Pier Five Studios is the creative agency arm of Pier Five, providing content and event production for both our community and leading global brands looking to activate in Canada. Visit the Pier Five Studios website here .