In terms of optics, I think people take you more seriously if you're based in the US. The fintech scene in Montreal wasn't as lively and none of our clients were based there.

I'm always hosting clients here, which helps form deeper connections. I chose to live in an affluent area to meet potential business connections. It's like I'm at a country club or conference every day.

I'm happier living in Miami, which makes me more efficient. I live near the beach, where I can swim and walk my dog. In Montreal, during the winter, the snow and cold made even simple things difficult.

I haven't been back to Canada since I moved, but I plan to visit this summer. My goal is to bring my family to the US with me.

I'm so focused on my work that I don't pay attention to political drama. Fortunately, Trump's tariffs don't affect us, but looking back, I think we moved at a good time.

The US ecosystem is bigger and more competitive

The US fintech ecosystem is bigger and more entrepreneurial than Canada's. Banks here want to innovate because it's a dog-eat-dog competition. Meanwhile, in Canada, there are five big banks that seem comfortable with their market share. Banks in the US are more excited to talk to us.

I felt Zūm Rails was very well known in Canada, but in the US, I feel like a small fish. I like being the underdog.

Making it in the US means you've really made it. But the competition does make it harder to succeed. You need to find a specific niche, which has been a learning curve for me.

We're planning a big hiring push in the US, but our brand isn't big enough yet to attract the talent we need. We have a great Canadian team, but the US is more competitive.

We wouldn't be able to hit unicorn status if we stayed in Canada

It's easier to get noticed in Canada if you build something amazing. If you're from Canada and know the gaps in the market, you have a huge leg up.

If you're trying to build a smaller business , Canada's the best place to do it. They have government grants and some capital gains exemptions to benefit small businesses. But if you're trying to build a billion-dollar or 10-billion-dollar business, Canada's probably not the best place.

I want Zūm Rails to be a unicorn. I feel like there's a clearer path now that we're in the US, but we'd have zero chance of doing that if we didn't move. In my experience, investors really care about US growth because they know the Canadian market can be limiting.

Our Canadian business is great, but there's a ceiling to it.

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