User:EmBremner14/sandbox/Paul Desbaillets

Overview
Paul is a Canadian entrepreneur. His Burgundy Lion Group owns several establishments in his hometown of Montreal, including Pub Burgundy Lion, Brit & Chips, Pub Bishop & Bagg, and Wolf & Workman. Paul is also the founder of GOAL Initiatives, a national CRA charity making a difference through cultural development, wellness, and youth sports programming. In 2019, Paul created the 1st Half Podcast, dedicated to all aspects of the beautiful game. Paul interviews guests ranging from Chefs, Musicians, Artists, Athletes, Fanatics, Influencers and anyone else he can find willing to talk to him about the Football Ecosystem.

Early Life
Paul Desbaillets was born in Montreal, Quebec, Canada on November 16th, 1976. Paul’s immediate family includes his Mother Dorit Fried, his Father Charles Desbaillets and younger brother David Desbaillets. Both of his Grandfathers are deceased. His Granny on his Father’s side is deceased, however his maternal Grandmother is still alive and is over 100 years old. Paul’s early education began at Brown Junior Public School, then Roslyn Elementary School, then Westmount High School and Dawson College for Cegep. Paul’s formal education ended with a Bachelor in Fine Arts. As a Fine Arts Concordia graduate Paul blends his creativity and entrepreneurial spirit into several businesses in Montreal.

Early Career
Paul Desbaillets has worked for F1 around Europe, represented a furniture design start-up furniture, worked on two different occasions for the Intercontinental Hotel Montreal, and spent many years working in bars and restaurants. Paul spent a few years working for the Di Salvio group in several of their high profile establishments. He then joined another team in opening, managing, serving, running and even acting as janitor Montreal staple, Roy Bar. After working for various other establishments, in 2004, Paul created a retail brand and boutique called Three Monkeys. He started the company with an elementary school friend and another fashion retailer. The goal of Three Monkeys was to work with emerging designers and create original garments. Three Monkeys also collaborated with brands like Marc Jacobs, Insight and WESC. They were also known for their line of exclusive LOCAL SERIES t-shirts that have been replicated by other brands since. Paul later co-founded Pitchfest, which launched in 2013. Pitchfest is an event for Football fans, which includes films, art, music and culture, presented in an atmosphere of football camaraderie where like-minded folks can share their love of the game and surround themselves with the art it inspires. Paul’s more recent endeavours include co-founding the Burgundy Lion Group, founding GOAL Initiatives, and finally, the 1st Half Podcast.

Burgundy Lion Group
Paul is the founder of the Burgundy Lion Group, a collective of establishments in Montreal which he owns, including Pub Burgundy Lion, Brit & Chips, Pub Bishop & Bagg, Royal British Hospitality Catering, and Wolf & Workman. Pub Burgundy Lion was founded based on the mission of providing Montrealers with high quality service and food in a more casual, comfortable pub environment. Since then Paul and his team have expanded that model to form the Burgundy Lion Group. Pub Burgundy Lion opened in 2008. It is a modern English pub with traditional English cuisine mixed with a more laid back, quintessentially Montreal feel. The Burgundy Lion serves English Breakfast, contemporary upscale British pub cuisine, classic high tea on Sundays, and Quebec’s largest whisky collection. In 2010 Burgundy Lion Group expanded for the first time, opening the first Quebec inspired Fish n’ Chips shop. Brit & Chips captures aspects of the traditional chippy, and adds some local Montreal flavour and style. Brit & Chips is MSC certified, serving fish that is fully sustainable. In 2014, Burgundy Lion Group opened a pub in the Mile-End, Pub Bishop & Bagg. The Pub offers seasonal, pub style cuisine as well as a imported beer, whisky, gin, and spirits. In 2016 the group opened Royal British Hospitality Catering (RBHC), which aims to provide the British experience to weddings, corporate events and all sorts of private parties. The Burgundy Lion Group is integrated within the community through charity work, fundraisers, and collaborations with local artists.

GOAL Initiatives
Paul is the founder of GOAL Initiatives, a national CRA charity making a difference through cultural development, wellness, and youth sports programming. The initiative promotes wellness by doing and above all else, thinking globally and acting locally. GOAL includes a variety of Initiatives. GOAL MTL is a Canadian footy culture festival and tournament. GOAL is a footy fundraiser showcasing the synergy between football and the art world, music, culture and our communities. Each year, GOAL assembles merchants, employees, residents, children, families, volunteers, stars and athletes with the goal to unite at one common juncture to raise funds for underfunded and underprivileged organizations. Over the years, GOAL has supported several charities, including Movember movement, Right To Play, KANPE, Montreal Community Cares, Share the Warmth, Tyndale St George’s, Global Citizen and many more. The GOAL is to rally together restaurateurs and community leaders to support and fundraise for those in need. GOAL Wellness is a site where sports, culture & lifestyle bring like-minded individuals together in a healthy atmosphere with zero alcohol on site. GOAL Wellness provides a platform for conversations about health, wellness, addictions, mental health and the rising popularity of the sober-curious movement. GOAL Corporate Futsal is an annual corporate football affair. It first started in 2018 and consisted of 8 corporate teams and 30 sponsors. GOAL ARTS and GOAL MUSIC showcases football as a cultural movement. GOAL ARTS collaborates with world renowned creative minds to showcase the synergy between football and the art world. GOAL MUSIC showcases the synergy between football and the music world. GOAL TALKS is a speaker panel that takes place during the GOAL MTL tournament. GOAL Talks searches to provide a platform for conversations about health, wellness, equality, addictions, the sober-curious movement, and community inclusiveness within a safe space for all to learn and enjoy.

The 1st Half
In 2019, Paul launched The 1st Half Podcast, which allows him to share his love for football and its surrounding culture with his guests and podcast listeners. The 1st Half Podcast takes a North American spin and approach on current news, culture, art, music & anything else that connects to the Football ecosystem. Each week Paul hosts guests ranging from Chefs, Musicians, Artists, Athletes, Fanatics, Influencers and anyone else he can find willing to talk to him about the Football Ecosystem. Some past guests include: Evan Bush – MLS Player, Sam Roberts – Musician, Amy Walsh – Female Canadian National Team Player, Olivier Barrette – TV Host, Pat Bernier – MLS Coach & Former Player, Eli Mengem – Producer of COPA90, Jonas – Musician, Jeremie Falissard – Celebrity Chef, Marc, Grondin – Actor, James Mullinger – Comedian, Antonio Park – Celebrity Chef, Ethan Zohn –, TV Personality & Philanthropist, Bruce Hill – President of Just For Laughs, Joseph Fordam, Founder NPLH Mag, Andy Rose – MLS Player, Senator Tony Loffreda – Senator, Danny Smiles – Celebrity Chef, Bacary Sagna – Former Premier League & MLS Player.

Personal Life
Paul married Dahlia Mills on May 13th, 2010 in Las Vegas Nevada. The couple have two children. They currently live in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. Paul is a football fanatic. He loves everything about the beautiful game. He played as a child but only recreationally in the summers as a pastime and at summer camps. He truly fell in love with the beautiful game later in life in late 1999 early 2000. The rest is history. He is a Chelseas FC Supporter and equally supports his two National teams : The Tree Lions (England) & Canada's National Side.

Awards & Honours
Paul is the recipient of the Governor General’s Diamond Jubilee Award. During the Jubilee year of 2012, he was nominated by his Member of Parliament to receive this commemorative medal created to honor significant contributions and achievements by Canadians, within their community. He was awarded Montreal Community Cares Award in May 2013 for the MCC Small to Medium Business Award. Finally, he was honoured as Alumni of the year in 2017 by the University of Concordia.