The Gamble of Career Change
“Ah, if only I could do it all over…”
The thought has already crossed all our minds. Choosing a vocation has been (or still is) a very delicate matter. For some, the path seems to have been mapped out in advance. For others, the journey looks more like a child’s crayon line, with a few overflows and detours. For many, stability and a routine rooted in daily life are a goal to be reached, especially early in a career. This comforting security can spare us the mental burden of uncertainty. On the other hand, it can also create an odd feeling of standing still, and there’s no simple answer to this paradox.
Changing career is a leap into the unknown that requires resilience and a strong ability to adapt. Yet, that’s exactly the bet that Patrick Blondeau made in 2014 at the age of 42. Ten years after this bold decision, Patrick now holds the position of director of the Infrastructure department and is Can-Explore’s longest-serving employee, perfectly illustrating how the courage to make a radical change can lead to exceptional success.
An Unconventional Journey
Before joining Can-Explore, young Patrick held various positions in very different fields. Early in his career, he worked in warehouse management and later, in restaurant management. Already demonstrating a remarkable sense of leadership, he found himself with over a hundred employees under his responsibility, before returning to school to further his education.
Always hungry for challenges and new objectives, he then trained as a water supply system analyst. “I’d been working in the restaurant business since 2002 and wanted to try something different. The title of water network analyst really intrigued me. The more I looked into it, the more I wanted to go for it.” He would work in the field as a technician until his fateful meeting with Louis Légaré-Lapointe and Olivier Lefebvre, co-founders of Can-Explore, in the summer of 2014.
Patrick Blondeau is celebrating his tenth year with the Can-Explore team this year.
“Patrick had the first official job interview of Can-Explore, in Oli’s parents’ basement,” says Louis, the company’s president. “We had only been in business for 4-5 months, and we needed a field technician with enough courage to take the plunge with a startup. Patrick immediately saw the potential of our idea.”
Patrick was quickly drawn in by the motivation of these two young visionaries fresh out of university. Like him, Louis and Olivier thrived on challenges and innovation. With their fledgling project, Patrick saw a rare opportunity to reinvent himself and contribute to the growth of a promising company. For the young entrepreneurs, Patrick brought the field experience they lacked. He ultimately took the leap in early 2015, leaving a stable career behind to embark on a risky yet promising adventure.
Patrick as a field technician during his first week at Can-Explore.
Patrick, director of the Infrastructure department at Can-Explore.
From Field Technician to Director: A Remarkable Rise
Patrick began his first day at Can-Explore as a field technician. With the sheer amount of work involved in the company’s early days, he often worked over 60-hour weeks:“Those were big weeks; nothing had been done yet! We had to do everything for the first time, improving our methods as we went along. It was really rewarding to be part of the development of the guys’ idea, and to see how fast things were moving”, says Patrick.
During this first year, Patrick had a single truck for his inspections. Investing himself fully in the project which was growing by leaps and bounds, he quickly took on increasingly important roles within the company, becoming project manager and then team coordinator in just 2 years.
Patrick is now director of the department he has been developing himself since day one, along with the founders of Can-Explore. Today, he oversees five project managers, two foremen, and a team of about 30 field technicians. He now has over eight sewer inspection trucks, five cleaning trucks, and five cross-connection search units at his disposal.
“In his first week, we sent Pat far north in the middle of January at -40°C,” Louis adds with a grin. “It probably wasn’t the best welcome gift, but we quickly realized that Patrick was going to be more than just a field technician. He understood our vision and the work to be done.”
The Importance of Trust and Communication
Modest by nature, Patrick attributes his success to his strong professional relationships, built on communication and transparency.
“Louis and Oli have trusted me since day one, and the feeling was mutual. I believed in their project, and we quickly developed a great relationship based on honesty. They were transparent with me, and I was with them,” he explains.
In his view, this openness and clear communication are the foundations of his progress within Can-Explore. According to his colleagues, it’s rather his work ethic, combined with his skills and contagious energy that made the difference.
“Patrick has built one of Can-Explore’s largest departments from almost nothing. It’s really a pleasure to see that he wants to continue with us, even though he’s been putting up with us for 10 years already,” jokes Olivier Lefebvre, cofounder of Can-Explore.
Patrick is also known for his passion for hockey! Above, an impromptu game at the entrance of Can-Explore’s garage during a barbecue organized by the social club.
Toward a Promising Future
Looking to the future, Patrick has no plans to slow down. Seeing many opportunities in the industry, he aims to continue developing the Infrastructure Department at Can-Explore, a project whose success is largely down to him. He remains committed to improving practices in the sector and stays true to his passion for innovation and progress. For Patrick, staying young at heart and constantly challenging himself is the key to continuing to evolve.
“My goal for the next few years is to make the team as autonomous as possible so I can shift more toward business development. I think there’re many municipalities left on their own that could really use a helping hand. Technology and inspection methods have changed significantly, and so have the laws. Companies like Can-Explore can really help by accompanying them.”
From left to right: Thomas, Krystof, Patrick, Olivier, Alexandre, and Laurent-Olivier posing in front of the Can-Explore booth at a conference.
A Model of Success
Patrick Blondeau is living proof that it’s never too late for anything if you have the courage to take risks and seize opportunities. His rigour and commitment to personal development make him a role model for the Can-Explore team, who thank him for his remarkable work over the past 10 years, without which the company would not be where it is today.
Patrick (center) wearing the dean’s crown at the Can-Explore Summit, an annual event that brings the whole team together.
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