next gen board profile: chris robertson

This series is designed to introduce you to our current, future, and even some past board members. 
We have new members joining the board soon, and wanted you to have an opportunity to get to know them, as well as the folks who are currently serving.

Meet Chris Robertson, and find out why he was inspired to join NextGen.
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Similar to many young Capers, I left the island for work and to explore new opportunities. I wasn’t forced to leave to find work, I was employed in our family’s insurance brokerage. Leaving a family business was a tough decision to make. I decided that I wanted to try something different and escape the tangles that can find their way into family business. Off I went to the big city of Halifax. I guess looking back at it, I could be accused of chasing a girl. At the time my girlfriend (now wife) Susan was enrolled in the pharmacy program at Dal. Halifax would be home base for 10 years. We had a lot of fun in Halifax and made a lot of good decisions. The best decision resulted in us getting married. We were loving life. Next came our son and our priorities began to change.   

After a health scare with my mom, my wife and I realized home was calling. There was no pressure to come home, it was something we both wanted but never really discussed. We wanted to be closer to our parents now and be there for them when they really needed us. We also wanted our son Luke (2 at the time we moved) to see his Grandparents more often than holidays.

We were fortunate in that Susan’s employer created a position for her on the island. We were left to figure out what I would do for work. Continuing in a sales gig based from the island was not something I wanted to do. Time on the road had grown old and I don’t like being away from family for too long. This seemed like a great time to open a business. 

The decision to move back to be there for our parents had us thinking…..how will others support their parents as they age? After all, we had more close friends living out West than we did in Cape Breton. We realized an opportunity and decided to open Home Instead Senior Care Cape Breton. 

We have been back in the Cape for 5 years. We added to the island’s population by welcoming our little girl (Anna) into the family.  We have faced additional family health challenges and were happy we were in Cape Breton to help. Anna and Luke have a great relationship with Nana, Papa, Granddad and Nannie. Home Instead Senior Care continues to grow month over month. A lot has transpired over the past 5 years and we wouldn’t change a thing. 

We have a lot of work to do to keep more young people in Cape Breton. It is important to me that we be here to encourage youth and support the decisions they make. Whether someone decides to leave to gain experience or stay in Cape Breton to work, we need to support their growth.  The business community in Cape Breton is very supportive of young entrepreneurs. Youth should be given the opportunity to meet and network with these supporting individuals. 

I am excited to be a part of NextGen because I want to support and encourage others to try new ventures and take risks. I also want to highlight the importance of volunteering in the community and supporting programming aimed at children. Successful children’s programs like Hockey, Soccer, and Basketball will ensure that young families have options to keep their kids busy. 

I believe that youth are our future and being a part of NextGen will allow me to foster a supportive environment where youth can thrive in all aspects of life and community.
 

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