Mike Fata’s entrepreneurship journey began with one simple decision: to get healthy.

Fata says it was a simple decision to make because he was 300 pounds and struggling to find the energy to work and to see his own future.

“In 1995, I had no idea how to lose weight the healthy way. I fell for the low-fat fad diet as my go-to solution. I set-off to get ‘healthy’ by cutting the fat and ramping up my exercise plan, but soon realized I’d gone too far. I lost too much weight, felt lethargic all the time and was overall…still unhealthy,” he says.

“A lot of experimentation later, I discovered that hemp hearts offered the right combination of essential fats to enhance my diet, allow me to build the strength and start feeling amazing every day. That’s how I ended up co-founding Manitoba Harvest Hemp Foods in 1998, and began my journey to dedicate over 25 years of my life studying and practicing natural health.”

Fata is one of the guest speakers at the upcoming Business Transitions Forum in Winnipeg on October 12.

“I’ve learned that just because we grow up poor, doesn’t mean we can’t build extraordinary wealth. Just because we are not formally schooled, doesn’t mean we can’t become fully educated. Just because we are unhealthy, doesn’t mean we can’t build vibrant health,” says Fata.

“If I can do it, anyone can do it. Now after multiple nine-figure business exits, I coach, mentor, and advise entrepreneurs, helping them discover their authentic business passions, build world class companies and live their best life every day.”

He says making something out of nothing is not magic, it’s hard work.

Fata says his message to people is simple: Anything is possible.

“It all comes from focused, personal and professional growth,” he says. “I wasn’t dealt any special hand, didn’t come from a successful or wealthy background and quite the opposite when you read my story of my own health journey and challenges. I know that’s possible for everybody. It takes a tremendous amount of hard work but it starts really with a focus on personal growth.

“The common story that you hear of successful business people is they let their health go. Even the headlines of successful business people they didn’t focus on their health and on their death bed their main regret was they didn’t take better care of themselves. They didn’t spend that loving time with their friends and family or exercise as much as they could or prioritize sleep. I feel very grateful that I hit rock bottom when I was 18, weighing 300 pounds.

“I was double fortunate to get into the business of health. So my personal lifestyle and my business became aligned. I’m a big believer of that. For success, if you can organize your personal passion with a business idea either if you’re an entrepreneur or you’re working for somebody, you’re just going to live a much healthier and happier life when you’re aligned.”

Fata says if you don’t have energy in life that’s one thing. But if you don’t have it as an entrepreneur your business is going to suffer and struggle and maybe even collapse.

Co-founding Manitoba Harvest Hemp Foods in 1998, and serving as Chairman of the Board and CEO until 2016, he helped guide the strategic sale of the company to Tilray for $419 million in 2019. Since then, Fata  has celebrated and supported other business ventures as an entrepreneur, investor, advisor and mentor.

He is an author, speaker, and has won numerous awards. Currently Chief Executive Officer of Fata & Associates, he is also host of Founder to Mentor podcast, Lifetime Member (Past Chairman) of the Canadian Health Food Association (CHFA), Lifetime Member (Past Chairman) of Young Presidents’ Organization (YPO Manitoba) and investor/advisor to a portfolio of world class companies.

Fata’s awards include;

• Young Entrepreneur of the Year (2004)
• Socially Responsible Business Award (2006)
• The Lorax Award (2006)
• Top 40 under 40 (2008)
• Company of the Year (2010)
• CHFA Organic Achievement Award (2010)
• Spirit of Winnipeg Award (2014)
• Nutrition Business Journal Education Award (2014)
• CME Emerging Business Award (2014)
• EY Entrepreneur of the Year (2014)
• MFPA Presidents Award (2016)
• OTA Organic Rising Star Award (2016)
• Top 100 Health Influencers (2017)
• John Holtmann Leadership Award (2021)

In February 2022, as Chairman of the Board he completed his third nine figure exit deal with the acquisition of Sol Cuisine by Plant Plus Foods for $125 million cash.

His best selling book Grow: 12 Unconventional Lessons for Becoming an Unstoppable Entrepreneur released in March 2023.

“To be able to sell a business you have to build a business of value,” he says. “It’s always about focusing on, growing and making a great business. I believe you should make a great business and then you’re going to have the opportunity to sell one day.”