About Me

Hi, my name’s Eddie.

Eddie J DeJong

‘Something from Nothing’ is a consistent theme that I notice as I look back on my life.

I’m an entrepreneur and have been in small business for over 30 years. I’ve founded companies doing business with a few of the world’s biggest brands, with minimal resources or seed money.  I’ve worked with family businesses, startups, and some businesses that eventually failed.

I bought into a multi-million dollar company 2 months before COVID hit, and nearly went bankrupt.  My wife and I had hard conversations with bankruptcy trustees to try and mitigate our losses.  With a great team around us, we were able to turn the business around.

I’ve had to deal with cancerous team environments, established personalities and loads of shareholder drama.  I’ve picked up a lot of people’s pieces.  I learned the art of hard conversations, and holding people accountable while retaining dignity.

I’ve also accepted personal responsibility, ownership of the problem, and ‘Owning the Whole’.  I’ve dealt with unforgiveness, resentment and am far from a finished product.

I’ve created Something from Nothing as a blog to share my experiences of learning the art of small business and management.  About rebuilding departments from scratch, starting over many times, building systems and hiring excellent people.

I have had no fancy formal education but own 3 US Patents.  I’ve rebuilt 20 year old departments and 70 year old Land Rovers – both without training.

And I have stories.

On a Personal note:

  • I am a husband to my best friend for over 30 years
  • Dad and friend of 2 very interesting and amazing kids
  • I am THE favourite uncle of many
  • Musician, songwriter and poet
  • I am a humanitarian.  My wife and I helped invest in gardens a small African village that now feeds over 3000 people a year through our friends at ThriveForGood.org
  • I love to cook and craft amazing meals
  • I love to travel, hike, surf and stand-up paddle-board
  • I rebuild old Land Rovers – and currently am building a 1961 Land Rover Series 2a 88″
  • I build artistic furniture
  • I enjoy a fine cigar, scotch and craft beer
  • I am a shareholder of the Green Bay Packers Football Team

Feel free to contact me below.