Andrew Nixon, BComm '14, MA '19,

Andrew Nixon,

BComm '14, MA '19, 

PhD Candidate & Arrell Scholar 

What is your favourite memory from U of G?

I’ve had the pleasure of completing two degrees at U of G and am now on my third round – it’s been hard to leave when our business school and city have only kept improving! My undergrad was spent as a varsity athlete and my Masters program was full of exploring academic opportunities but what has stuck with me is the Gryphon family I gained – I made lifelong friends and we will forever be able to reconnect over the memories we made as Gryphons.

What is your GOLD Moment since you've graduated from U of G?

As I was wrapping up my Masters program, I was also building a startup with my business partner while going through the Hub Incubator program at the Wood Centre. We launched Zerocery, an online zero-waste grocery retail and delivery company in July 2019, and it was a success from day one. It was a thrilling experience to take a company from a concept to a real operation with paying customers. I wouldn’t recommend starting a PhD program while scaling a startup during a global pandemic though!

What advice would you give our 2021 graduates who are entering our Alumni Family (tonight/June 24)?

Even though you’re leaving campus now, I’ve found that my career has only benefitted from continuing to invest in the relationships I made during my time at U of G. The professors, staff, coaches, and friends you’ve met during your time on campus are invaluable. They all care about your future success, and you will be amazed at the opportunities that can come from continuing to show up in their life.