10 Things You Didn’t Know About… Kiaro CEO Daniel Petrov

Like, his (really) regimented morning routine

Kiaro—opening its 3,000-square-foot flagship cannabis store at Kingsway and Knight Street in Vancouver August 1—is not Daniel Petrov’s first marijuana venture. In 2011 he co-founded Delta-based Vodis Innovative Pharmaceuticals. Three years later he became executive vice-president of Aurora Cannabis, headquartered in Edmonton and one of Canada’s largest licensed medical marijuana producers.

The potpreneur launched Kiaro, which targets the recreational adult-use market and has two more stores, in Saskatoon and La Ronge, Saskatchewan, in January 2018. The company plans to open several fully compliant retail outlets across Canada. 

But Petrov has broader interests than puttering about the pot world.

Where did you go on your last vacation?

On my last vacation I traveled to Ibiza, Spain. I had just finished a work trip to Kazakhstan and decided to take advantage of a stopover in Europe on my way home. Ibiza was a last-minute booking, which is usually how my vacation planning ends up, given my busy work routine.

I stayed at 7 Pines Resort on the northwest of the island overlooking Es Vedrà, which is rumoured to be the last visible part of Atlantis. Unfortunately I didn’t get to experience the party scene Ibiza is known for, but I did get a clear visual on what being a senior without tan lines would be like.

What’s your most memorable podcast, film or book?

The Power of Now: A Guide to Spiritual Enlightenment by Eckhart Tolle.

What is your morning routine?

Regimented.

Wake up 6-6:15 a.m.

“Waking up this morning, I smile. Twenty-four brand new hours are before me. I vow to live fully in each moment and to look at all beings with eyes of compassion.” —Thich Nhat Hanh

Meditation 6:15-6:30 a.m.

Ninety percent of the time I use the 1 Giant Mind app by Jonni Pollard, an internationally recognized meditation and wisdom teacher.

Breakfast 6:30-7 a.m.

My breakfast is a derivative of the daily breakfast prepared by the monastics of Plum Village Buddhist monastery, during my 2018 visit. It consists of plain oatmeal with raisins, bananas and puffed quinoa. One fresh avocado. One small Greek yogurt. Still water (spiked with Bulletproof Brain Octane MCT Oil), organic orange juice and Bragg berry-flavoured apple cider vinegar.

Get ready 7-7:45 a.m.

1. Lather, rinse, dry. 2. SPF face, Kevin Murphy hair and a spray of Oud. 3. Jeans, polo and Toms. 4. I’m out the door.

Favourite restaurant/bar?

1927 Lobby Lounge, at the Rosewood Hotel Georgia. Good for most occasions. A quiet morning Bel Café coffee, a business meeting, an after-work cocktail, a weekend go-between, you name it. More importantly, it’s steps from my place and the staff are amazing.

Hobby?

Tech, streamlining and personal growth. I dedicate a fair amount of my free time to finding ways to streamline my life, without trading off luxuries. On the flip side, I use the extra space for personal growth and consciousness, supported by a combination of cognitive and somatic felt-sense work.

What‘s your favourite spot in B.C.?

It’s hard to pick just one, given the number of amazing places in B.C. When I take the time to fully enjoy it, Metro Vancouver is still my No 1.

Best advice ever received?

Emotions are connected to needs, met or unmet. Don’t run from what they are telling you; learn to listen.

Your worst job ever?

Labourer in a drywall-laminating company. Flipping drywall onto a laminating machine for eight hours. Worst job, great motivator.

What is your favourite quote?

“The person who says it cannot be done should not interrupt the person who is doing it.” —Chinese proverb

If you could be an animal, what would you be and why?

The king cheetah—the world’s fastest land animal, with its own unique style. The feeling of being able to accelerate from zero to 100 kilometres an hour, in just three seconds, seems like a fit for me.