Kevin Vuong is a Canadian entrepreneur, Naval Reserve officer, and former Member of Parliament for Spadina-Fort York in Ontario, serving from 2021-2025. During his time on Parliament Hill, Vuong became an outspoken advocate against hate crimes, antisemitism, and foreign interference in Canadian affairs. He was appointed a NATO 2030 Young Leader by Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg, advising the body on its future trajectory. He is married with a daughter, and is looking forward to recalibrating his home life after four years of public service as an MP.
What is your typical day, and how do you make it productive?
I used to wake up early to try to do some fitness work, but a lot of that is in flux as the father of a beautiful little girl who sometimes has her own plans for how we’re going to spend our morning. That being said, I am able to have breakfast with my family and make sure we all feel connected and ready for the day. When I start out with that routine, I’m ready for whatever the day brings.
How do you bring ideas to life?
Like anything in my life, ideas only become real when I discuss them with Elizabeth, my wife. If I have a superpower, it’s having her by my side.
What’s one trend that excites you?
I think the trend of giving back to your community is growing, as people recognize that the responsibility for creating the kind of society we all want is not on anyone else but ourselves. We can’t wait for governments or nonprofits or charitable institutions to solve all of our problems, and, unfortunately, recent experience have shown us that they’re not up to the challenge. As community leaders and business leaders, we have to initiate the kinds of changes we see a need for. I’m encouraged by the spike in these sorts of initiatives from private citizens and caring business leaders.
What is one habit that helps you be productive?
Exercise. It’s simple, but without a fitness routine, my life would collapse, I think. I need that consistency to keep my mind sharp and my body feeling fresh.
What advice would you give your younger self?
When I was younger, I just wanted to make as much money as possible because of the security it would have provided me and my family. When you grow up in trying circumstances, that focus can be overwhelming. But as I gained more life experience, I learned that we don’t ‘live to work’, but we ‘work to live’ and striking the right balance can be just as important as financial security.
Tell us something you believe almost nobody agrees with you on?
That patriotism and holding your country accountable are not contradictory, and in fact, they go hand in hand. People think that when you constructively criticize institutions or demand better from them, it means you don’t love your country. But I believe real patriotism is rooted in a responsibility to improve, to protect, and to always push for better. If you love something, you don’t ignore its flaws. You work to fix them.
What is the one thing you repeatedly do and recommend everyone else do?
Start the day intentionally. For me, that’s fitness, family, and clarity. Whether it’s a workout or just sitting down for breakfast with Elizabeth and our daughter, starting with purpose helps me stay focused no matter what challenges come up.
When you feel overwhelmed or unfocused, what do you do?
I have pictures on my desk of my wife holding our daughter on the day she was born as well as from other milestones. That’s enough for me to refocus and remember why I’m doing what I’m doing.
What is one strategy that has helped you grow your business or advance in your career?
Service before self. Whether I’m wearing a suit or a uniform, I try my best to lead with service. That mindset has guided every major decision in my life — from joining the Naval Reserve to serving as a Member of Parliament. It builds trust, earns respect, and, most importantly, it keeps you anchored to something bigger than yourself.
What is one failure in your career, how did you overcome it, and what lessons did you take away from it?
Losing the trust of some in my community during my federal election campaign was deeply humbling. I learned that perception can carry as much weight as truth, and that earning trust back takes far more time and transparency than building it the first time. The truth does eventually come out, but it’s never as quick or complete as we want. The lesson? Integrity is non-negotiable. And when things go wrong, own it, learn, and do better.
What is one business idea you’re willing to give away to our readers?
A platform that helps donors align their giving with personal values and long-term goals, so it’s not just writing a cheque, but building a legacy. Planned giving is underused, and I believe more people would engage if it were simpler to match their life’s work with impact opportunities in real time.
What is one piece of software that helps you be productive? How do you use it?
OneNote. It’s where I organize everything — from policy notes to naval training schedules to family to-do lists. It helps me keep the different parts of my life synchronized and intentional.
What is the best $100 you recently spent? What and why?
My wife loves to go thrifting and we recently found a number of literally brand new, still in the plastic toys and books for my daughter! She gets things to help her development and I got to save money – that’s a win, win in my books!
Do you have a favorite book or podcast you’ve gotten a ton of value from and why?
The Hard Thing About Hard Things by Ben Horowitz. It’s one of the few leadership books that doesn’t sugarcoat the emotional and ethical weight of making hard calls. Especially in public service and military life, that honesty is invaluable.
What’s a movie or series you recently enjoyed and why?
The Diplomat on Netflix. It hits close to home, with depicting the tension of public duty, the geopolitical complexity, and trying to stay grounded in the middle of it all. It’s also well-written, which I appreciate.