He’s the man, the myth, the legend, the guy with great hair, who totally doesn’t pay me to say all of this, Joe Collins! Joe is Co-Chief of Buffoonery and half of the duo that heads the helm of the Avalon ship. Joe is with clients from their first initial consult and all the way through to managing their monthly services. While Joe’s there to support our clients, he’s also always eager to guide all of us Avalonians and be our biggest cheerleader.
Take it away El’Capitano.
Tell us a bit about your work and school background
I completed a Bachelor of Commerce at UVic straight out of high school, but I didn’t really know what I wanted to do until I was 30. I bounced around office jobs before getting serious about a career. I desperately wanted to start a business but didn’t know where to start. The path became clear when I thought I should work with people who had businesses by being their accountant and learn more about it. I didn’t know accounting would become my business, but it’s a dream come true really.
Why did you create Avalon?
I saw this disconnect between what I wanted to do as an accountant and what accounting firms actually did. I saw technology as a way to bridge that gap, but no one was doing it really well yet. Taking advantage of that seemed like a good opportunity to take the plunge and build something.
Plus, if I was going through the trouble, I thought it would be pretty cool to build a business that I would actually want to work for.
Other than fun times with spreadsheets and numbers, what activities do you enjoy in your spare time?
I feel like I should say that I love spending time with my wife (Carrie) and kids (Lucy, 7 and Tim, 4), fortunately, it’s also true. They make me laugh (and yell a bit) every day. I also have a thing with the letter B - bike, bbq, beers, bourbon, and squash (where I am a B-level player).
What would your friends say is the strangest thing about you?
I am social, but I avoid crowds like the plague. They make me really grumpy.
If you could time travel and attend any concert, what year would you travel to and who would you go see?
Okay, I know this is going to sound lame, but I would go back to a Dave Matthews Band concert at the Gorge in 2001 and relive it. Just as the show was about to start, a huge bomber plane flew low over the crowd and electrified everything. There was some magic going on that night!
What movie or tv show have you seen more than any other?
I have probably seen The Big Lebowski 100 times, but I also watched Flight of the Navigator on repeat when I was a kid.
What movie or TV villain did you (or maybe still do) want to be?
I don’t know if he’s a true villain, but “Q” from Star Trek: TNG always sparked my interest because he could travel anywhere in the universe.
Also, his villainy was based on curiosity and ignorance, rather than malice which is probably where my villainy would ever stem from.
If you were a Disney princess, which would you be and why?
This is a great question because I have a 7-year-old girl and princesses are a big part of my life. I would have to say Princess Ana from Frozen because she’s brave, loyal, curious, and caring.
And, she just wants everyone to enjoy themselves which is a great trait.
What are your Top 3 beers?
This might not be the right way to answer this, but I feel like context goes a long way in beer enjoyment. Here are three beer moments that stand out for me.
- 1. Duvel at 6 Acres in Vancouver circa 2017 - it was cold and rainy outside, warm inside, and my friend was late meeting me, and I just enjoyed this beer so much.
- 2. Dageraad Amber - I had their beer for the first time at a friend’s house when they first popped up and I thought “these guys are the real deal.” I love all their beer and go out of my way to get it.
- 3. Cooper’s Pale at the Forest Lodge Hotel in Sydney, Australia. It’s an amazing beer, and the company at the pub made it taste even better. The Steak Diane from the bistro was a great compliment too.
LIGHTNING ROUND
You’ve made your way into Hogwarts (late admission I guess), what house are you in?
I’m pretty sure I am Ravenclaw based on the latest internet surveys. I hear they are competitive, which, being the youngest of three boys, I am very much.
For no reason at all, don’t ask why, but in a heist, what role are you playing in the crew?
This is such a stressful question. I can barely handle the thought of breaking the law. I like the idea of being the Mastermind though. I always root for those guys in the movies.
Who’s office is worse to work in, Bill Lumbergh or Darth Vader?
It’s hard to compare because it’s really two versions of hell. In the end, though, I think blowing up planets under threat of a Sith strangling is probably worse than being condescended to.
Favourite gif?
It’s all in the context, but when you get the perfect gif at that moment, it’s
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