The Ignite Team
JODI DOWNEY
Firecircle Ignite Mentor
Jodi Downey
Meet Jodi Downey, your bilingual hospitality and entrepreneurship guru who turns business dreams into thriving realities! With over 23 years of experience spanning restaurants, hotels, attractions, and entertainment venues, Jodi brings a world of hands-on expertise to the Firecircle family.
Born and raised between Quebec and Ontario, Jodi's entrepreneurial journey began in high school with a window-cleaning business, setting the stage for a lifetime of business ventures. His motto? "Find ways to delight your customers and you will succeed" – a philosophy that has guided his impressive career from Club Med resorts to executive leadership roles across North America.
What makes Jodi's eyes light up? Supporting entrepreneurs who are ready to:
- Launch or scale hospitality ventures
- Develop food and beverage concepts
- Create memorable entertainment experiences
- Build multi-faceted tourism businesses
- Design efficient operational systems
- Transform challenges into opportunities
His superpower? Turning setbacks into comebacks! From founding a successful food truck business to growing a property management company from 8 to over 400 properties, Jodi knows firsthand the ups and downs of entrepreneurship. His experience includes everything from voice acting to oil and gas services, giving him a unique perspective on diverse business opportunities.
Whether you're dreaming of opening your first restaurant, seeking to scale your existing operation, or looking to diversify your tourism venture, Jodi's strategic guidance comes wrapped in real-world wisdom. Offering mentorship in both English and French, he brings not just expertise but also the invaluable lessons learned from both spectacular successes and enlightening failures.
When he's not mentoring entrepreneurs or consulting on business strategy, you'll find Jodi sharing his passion for hospitality and customer delight, proving that success in tourism is all about creating unforgettable experiences for your guests.
