A Journey of Resilience and Innovation

Written by Valiski Bernard

In the bustling landscape of entrepreneurship, where each venture is a unique narrative, the stories of Alex Kopacz and Matt Bellia stand out. Their journey from high school teammates to business partners is a compelling story of overcoming challenges, redefining identities, and embracing the unknown. Their intertwining paths form a powerful narrative of friendship, resilience, and entrepreneurial spirit.

Matt's academic journey began at Western University, where he graduated with an Operations degree specializing in Human Resources. His thirst for knowledge led him to pursue a Post-Graduate Diploma in Ethics, with a further specialization in Accounting and Finance. Armed with a solid educational foundation, Matt ventured into consulting, gaining over ten years of experience in various industries.

Meanwhile, Alex embarked on a parallel journey of academic and athletic pursuits. After graduating from Western University with Mechanical Engineering and Physics degrees, Alex's early career included work at Robarts Research, where he gained valuable experience in additive manufacturing in the medical field. However, his decision to try out for the Canadian Olympic Bobsleigh team set him on a path to greatness. From 2013 to 2018, Alex dedicated himself to his athletic career, culminating in an Olympic gold medal win.

Their paths converged when Matt and Alex pursued their entrepreneurial dreams together and founded Step Sciences. Step Sciences specializes in custom orthotics designed to improve mobility and prevent injuries. Their technology activates the muscles and nerves in your lower legs, helping you walk, run, and jump better whether you're an athlete or enjoy walking. Their partnership united Matt's financial literacy and operational expertise with Alex's passion for innovation and success. Together, they navigated the challenges of starting a business and leveraged their complementary skills to drive success.

In a recent interview, Alex shared insights into their entrepreneurial journey, highlighting their challenges, the rewarding moments they experienced, and their vision for the future. Let's delve into their inspiring story.

A Bond Forged in High School

Alex and Matt's journey began in their first year of high school. Bonding over classes and shared experiences on the football team, their friendship grew stronger with each passing year. However, their paths diverged after graduation, with Alex pursuing his dream of competing in the 2018 Winter Olympics and Matt delving into the professional world, exploring fields like accounting, recruiting, sales, and, eventually, hedge funds.

“During my Olympic years and just after, I would ask Matt for his feedback on things like contracts for startups I was asked to be a part of since I was very inexperienced with that side of things. I was a part of two start-ups, one in Esports and the other in Medical Devices, and I also had a short time in large-scale manufacturing. I came to the realisation that I wanted to control my own destiny and try to leverage more of my sports momentum. That's when I knew I needed a strong teammate who had the financial literacy I lacked, as well as a good foundation in company operational experience. After pitching my idea to him at his wedding, we were off to the races.”

Growing Pains

One of the biggest challenges they faced was financial constraints, which forced them to gauge the viability of their idea against the need to cover basic living expenses. The onset of the COVID-19 pandemic added another layer of complexity, pushing them to adapt their strategy and seek sales opportunities in new markets. Despite these challenges, their partnership and resilience enabled them to thrive.

“The largest challenge was money. Having to pay for everything puts you in a position that makes you gauge how fast you can try and make your idea into a proof of concept vs a lost cause and hurts your ability to pay for basic living expenses. The next most important challenge we faced, which is a wild generational one, is the great COVID-19 pandemic. We began our hustle for sales one month prior to the shutdowns in Canada. This pushed us to try and make sales in Alberta. Unfortunately, we both got Covid and even more so, it almost killed me. This put me offline with the business for months. Without Matt's commitment to me/ Us and taking up the extra slack, we wouldn't have thrived quite as much as we did. As far as my transition from Athlete to NARP ( a funny term we use for non-athletic-regular-person :) ), It was very difficult. I had to say goodbye to one of the highest points of my life and try to redefine who I was and could still be. There was depression and chronic injuries that left me in a really challenged state for a couple of years”. 

Navigating the Challenges of Entrepreneurship

Running your own business comes with many challenges that can test even the most resilient entrepreneurs. According to Alex, the most challenging aspect of entrepreneurship is the constant stream of new challenges that arise daily or weekly. From product troubleshooting to customer service and logistics, entrepreneurs often find themselves juggling multiple tasks, with much of the responsibility falling on their shoulders alone.

However, Alex also highlights a lesser-known challenge of entrepreneurship – loneliness. Entrepreneurship can be a solitary journey, especially if your typical circle lacks experience in the entrepreneurial world. Alex emphasizes the importance of having a support system and people you can relate to, as keeping everything inside can damage the hope needed to push on.

Reflecting on a setback in his athletic career, Alex recalls a critical injury he suffered the season before the Olympic year.

“One of the most challenging times during my Olympic career was when I had a critical injury the season before the Olympic year. It put me in a position where I might not have been able to compete ever again. There was pressure to have surgery and to see certain medical professionals. There was also the isolation from the team. Being injured and away was as if you were dead to everyone. It was nothing short of a miracle how I was able to come back from the injury, manage the pain, push through the mental lows, and not only make the team for the 2017/18 season but set world records and win the overall two-man title, let alone a gold medal.”

Embracing Change and Redefining Success

For Alex, the transition from athlete to entrepreneur was profound, marked by moments of doubt and self-discovery. However, it was also a journey of resilience, as he found new ways to define success and channel his competitive spirit into building a thriving business.

“I define success for myself by tracking progress. As long as I am building, completing, and doing something that gives value, then I see myself as successful. This can be a double-edged sword at times, but it does push me to keep learning. I look forward to helping redefine the future of how we, as Canadians, integrate with the orthotic industry by making technology that improves accessibility and reusability. There is always room for improvement, and this space still has stones left unturned.”

Rewarding Moments

For Alex, the most rewarding moments were when he was applauded for his entrepreneurial mindset, reaffirming his belief in his abilities as an entrepreneur. These moments catalyzed his entrepreneurial journey, reinforcing his passion and determination. Alex and Matt also strive to reduce waste and improve sustainability in their business practices. They provide pro bono work to particular cases, demonstrating their commitment to giving back to the community and making a positive impact beyond their business.

Prioritising Self-Care and Mental Health

Alex finds solace in nature hikes and a steady training regimen. He recognizes the importance of balance and strives to find moments of peace amidst the chaos of entrepreneurship.

“I unfortunately do this very poorly, haha, but there are days when I try to sleep more or go on long nature hikes. Being isolated in nature helps me decompress quite a lot. However, keeping a steady training regimen helps me feel the most balanced.”

Advice For Aspiring Entrepreneurs

“This is a physical game. Your personal health - both mental and physical - will be tested. You need to have the stamina and physical fortitude for the amount of multitasking you will put yourself through. Be open to allowing yourself to be coached, but use your instincts on whether or not you're getting coaching from the right source. Accept that you will be burned by people you never expected, but don't let it jade you from trusting others; I think the key to long-term success in entrepreneurship is Hope. To those looking to leave a career, it's the scariest and most liberating thing you'll ever do. Freedom in our world comes from being able to be completely self-reliant, and this showcases that skill.”

A Little Extra About Alex

“Although I'm an athlete, I am an artist at heart. Music and dance have always been a part of my life, and I am better off for having these outlets. I enjoy new challenges, especially physical ones. I coach high-performance athletes when I can. I am also proud to have become a more established public speaker and translate my Olympic experience into useful elements for the everyday person.”

Final Thoughts

Alex and Matt's journey is not just a story of entrepreneurship; it speaks to the power of resilience, passion, and friendship. Their story inspires aspiring entrepreneurs, highlighting the importance of perseverance, adaptability, and a shared vision. As they continue redefining the orthotic industry in Canada, their journey reminds us that success is not just about achieving goals but about the journey of growth and self-discovery.

So, to all the dreamers and doers out there, take a leap of faith and pursue your dreams. Embrace the challenges, cherish the rewarding moments, and remember that success is not just about the destination but the journey you take to get there. Alex and Matt's story proves that anything is possible with determination, resilience, and a little hope.