Roger Hardy
Roger’s entrepreneurial journey began with a single phone line, a 14k modem and a credit card, building an online company and selling it to San Francisco based More.com in 1999 at the height of the dot com boom all before the age of 30. An original disruptor, he and his sister next launched Coastal.com, owners of Clearly.ca. Under Roger’s leadership, the company became the world's leading digital eyewear retailer, going public on NASDAQ in 2009 before being acquired by Essilor in 2014 for $450M cash. Among Roger’s proudest achievements are creating Canada’s most successful vertically integrated e-commerce company and completing Canada's largest eCommerce exit at the time. Investors were pleased with their over 1000% return on capital.
At Hardy Capital, he leverages his entrepreneurial knowledge and the experience of having been CEO of several fast-growing companies over the past 30 years that have generated significant value helping achieve market-leading positions. Roger seeks investments in real estate and high-growth categories that use innovative technologies to transform consumer spaces. His current portfolio features more than $100 million in prime real estate assets as well as in companies like Sonder, KITS Eyewear, Flexday, Mogo, and the rapidly-growing eyewear brand Prive Revaux where he sat on the board [Recently SOLD for 5.4 X Revenues to Safilo @~$110M USD]. Roger is also actively involved in B.C.’s world-class wine industry, as an owner of Liquidity Wines. [Recently SOLD after receiving an unsolicited bid from the owners of White Claw].
When Roger Hardy isn’t busy helping bright young companies and minds succeed at Hardy Capital, he loves spending time with his wife, son and three daughters. Together, they run the Hardy Family Foundation, a charity aimed at empowering communities in Canada and around the globe. Roger also established the Hardy Endowment Fund at Bishop’s University which provides tuition support for students in need and have provided over $250,000 to the University over the last decade.
Proud to call Vancouver his home and is deeply invested in the growth of BC’s business and technology sectors.
"Roger is a Builder" says Chip Wilson, creator of the athleisure trend and founder of Lululemon Athletica. Wilson and Hardy did regular hikes on the Grouse Grind over the time Hardy was growing Coastal . "He has the ability to see where the world is shifting, four, five, six years out. Like most entrepreneurs, he's doing something that no one else can believe in because they can't see the future. He can see the future - and he's building something now for then."
"We were excited to sell our company to the Hardy Capital team for approximately $70 million and to partner with them to grow the business. Since the acquisition Hardy's team did what they said they would do, adding value in Finance, Marketing and Operations allowing our company to grow and complete an IPO. Today the company is worth more than $300 million valuation less than 24 months later. We would recommend them if you are looking for a private equity group that will add value with integrity." Arshil Abdulla, CEO LD Vision.
B.C.'s Living Legends
Roger was recognized as one of B.C.'s most influential business leaders and featured as one of 13 Living Legends who have made a profound impact on B.C.'s communities, industries and economy. We're inspired everyday by Roger's innovative spirit, commitment to give back to his community, and his desire to develop future purpose-driven leaders.
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