Staff 3/9/2021 9:01:00 AM

Laurier Grads Soar: Jeremy Laidlaw

Laurier Grads Soar is a multi-part series that returns for it's fifth instalment for the 2020-21 academic year. The segment features former Wilfrid Laurier University athletes and student-leaders in the Athletics and Recreation Department, and the success they have enjoyed since leaving Laurier. Written by award-winning journalist David Grossman, different features will be released throughout the year that will emphasize the role Athletics and Recreation played in helping them achieve success.

Jeremy Laidlaw: Managing Director, Servant7

Jeremy Laidlaw has been known for making intelligent choices – in more ways than one.

Some would say it goes back to the days when, graduating from Waterford High School, he had his mind set on studying accounting and business with the intent of, one day, opening his own field of biz work.

Others just might point to his decision to pursue studies at Wilfrid Laurier University after the post-secondary institution offered up an academic scholarship. Laidlaw wasted no time accepting it.

Another astute and knowledgeable move came when, at the dawn of something called the World Wide Web, Laidlaw was given the challenge of accentuating the activities, events and competitive side of the complete Athletics and Recreation Department at Laurier on what was referred to as “the internet”.

A 19-year-old youngster, who grew up in the tobacco and farm area of Western Ontario, Laidlaw said he had an interest in software skills. That would soon take on a whole new meaning when he remembers being trusted, and supported, in creating something unique – a website.

In his first year of studies, Laidlaw was learning day by day.

For him, it was also an opportunity to develop, and enhance. practical software skills. Eventually, the step of becoming a “webmaster”. Laidlaw would become the father of a Laurier website that today deals with hundreds of thousands of followers.

“It was quite the challenge and I had a blast,” said Laidlaw, who found himself entrenched in books. “The creation of laurierathletics.com – and it was Ken Will, a Laurier alumnus and a huge supporter, who talked to Peter Baxter about starting up a website. “Someone had to do it – and I was chosen.”

Given a huge boost of confidence, a talented and composed Laidlaw went to work.

Dreams come true and are often priceless, but so are certain individuals like Laidlaw.

“It was an exciting project. Rebranding was going on and everything was in a state of change. It was really appealing, and I thought websites could be the thing of the future. It was the tipping point for me.

“I didn't have a clue about doing it. Zero skills and bought a few books and started learning quickly. I remember the time when I thought, wow, this is something that would be launched and become live to the world.”

It was more than putting something in motion for Laurier. It was the start of a career for a charismatic Laidlaw.

“I'm a nerd, not an athlete, but the Laurier Athletics community accepted me as if I was "one of them" (on the team bus, at the banquets, in the quad, etc.),” said Laidlaw. “That culture set me up well for understanding respect and inclusion.”

Laidlaw was not one who would score the winning touchdown, belt the late inning home run or get the crowd charged with a clinching goal. Acknowledgements, and being in the spotlight, were not things Laidlaw thrived on.

“I'm not one for that stuff,” he said, while working as a marketing and promotions assistant in Laurier's Athletics Department. “I was part of a team that received acknowledgement for getting the message out. Appreciation is great, but I was doing a job – a sports information job. That was my energy, while also working really hard on my academics.”

Some would say Laidlaw transformed from an average worker to one gift of innovative talent. He was able to visually present tantalizing stories and photos that would make people care and create deep emotional bonds.

Laidlaw would culminate his university days by making the academic honour roll, earning a Bachelor's degree in Business Administration. He also left Laurier with two additional achievements of recognition.

In 2001, it was the Bill Haggstrom Trophy, an award given to a male contributing most to athletics. The following year, Laidlaw was recognized with the Earle Shelley Unsung Hero award given to an individual for achieving success in ways that may not be measured by performances by an athlete on the field, in the rink or gym.

“Laurier played a huge part in my success and my time there was something that can't be replicated,” said Laidlaw, who actually started his own website development business called Robin Hood Technology, while in third year and recalls having some 50 jobs.

These days, Laidlaw calls Collingwood his home.

He owns a 50-acre farm with his wife, a veterinarian, and is the Managing Director of Servant7, his own software company, which starts multi-sided marketplaces that connect people in meaningful ways.

Three projects in motion, are Hashtaglocal.com (connects businesses, charities and citizens in local communities), TopWeddingStories (providing engaged couples with wedding vendors) and Puddding (bringing together businesses with marketing agencies).

In his spare time, Laidlaw is a strong advocate for volunteer work and is on the Board of a variety of charities. One builds schools for displaced people in Kenya. Another charity trains people in bible study and the third, teaches skills for life to marginalized people in urban areas.

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David Grossman is a multi award-winning communicator and storyteller with a distinguished career in Broadcasting, Journalism and Public Relations in Sport and Government Relations. In 2018, he was the recipient of Ontario University Athletics (OUA) Media Member of Distinction.

Jeremy Laidlaw: Managing Director, Servant7

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2018-19 Features

2019-20 Features

2020-21 Features