A reflection on career, family, connection, and the moments that remind us why time is the most meaningful gift of all.
There are some journeys that go far beyond career success. They become stories about growth, purpose, family, and the people who shape us along the way.
For Drew Scott, the world may know him today as an entrepreneur, television personality, producer, and now one of the newest Dragons on Dragons’ Den, but behind the success is a story rooted in something much deeper: connection, gratitude, and the understanding that time is ultimately our most valuable currency.
Before the television empire, before the businesses, books, and global recognition, Drew’s journey began with creativity and performance. Long before millions of viewers welcomed him into their homes through Property Brothers, he was pursuing acting, improv, theatre, and storytelling.
Acting was one of his first passions — a way to connect with people emotionally and creatively. Over the years, life took him through many chapters: entrepreneur, real estate investor, producer, husband, father, and now Dragon.
Yet in many ways, this newest chapter feels like a return to his roots back to storytelling, human connection, and inspiring others through lived experience.
What makes Drew’s story resonate is not simply the scale of his success but the evolution behind it. Like many entrepreneurs, his journey was never linear. It was built through risks, uncertainty, reinvention, and resilience.
He started his first business at a young age, explored acting while studying and investing in real estate, and eventually helped build a globally recognized brand alongside his brother Jonathan.
But somewhere between building homes, building businesses, and building a family, another realization emerged: success means very little if we are not truly present for the people who matter most.
At WatchDNA.com, our motto is simple: “Where Time Connects Us All.” For us, watches have never truly been about luxury, status, or even the object itself. They are symbols of moments. They represent milestones, memories, gratitude, celebration, and human connection.
A timepiece often enters someone’s life during a meaningful chapter: the birth of a child, a graduation, a wedding, a personal achievement, a thank-you to someone who stood beside us, or simply a reminder of how far we have come.
The object becomes a vessel for emotion — a physical reminder of a moment in time we never want to forget.
And in many ways, Drew Scott’s journey reflects that philosophy naturally.
From actor to entrepreneur, from dreamer to mentor, and from television host to father, his story is ultimately about people. About creating homes where memories are built. About building businesses alongside family. About understanding that achievements become more meaningful when shared with others.
Now, as he steps into his latest adventure as a Dragons on Dragons’ Den, Drew represents something larger than entrepreneurship alone. He represents mentorship, experience, and the passing of knowledge from one generation of dreamers to another.
A Personal Connection
For me personally, this story carries an even deeper meaning.
Years ago, I had the pleasure and honour of being featured alongside my wife Christine on an episode of Property Brothers — listed as Season 7, Episode 12 on some platforms and Season 4, Episode 25 on others, depending on the network and region where it aired.
At the time, we were preparing for one of the biggest moments of our lives: welcoming our baby while trying to find a place to call home. Time felt precious. Every decision carried emotion, pressure, hope, and excitement.
What started as a television experience unexpectedly turned into something much more meaningful over the years. After the show, we stayed connected and had the incredible pleasure of building a genuine friendship with Drew and Linda.
One of the most memorable moments was having the honour of celebrating their wedding in Italy, witnessing the moment they said “yes” to each other surrounded by love, family, and lifelong memories.
Life, of course, moves quickly. Between two busy families, children, careers, and living on opposite sides of the continent, it becomes harder to stay closely connected as often as we would like.
But that is also what makes certain moments and relationships even more meaningful. Looking back today, what remains strongest is not simply the memory of the show or the house itself but the moments those experiences represented, the people we met along the way, the memories we created together, and the reminder that some connections continue through time, no matter the distance.
It is not about owning something beautiful. It is about remembering why that moment mattered in the first place.
As life moves faster and the world becomes increasingly focused on material success, perhaps the greatest reminder is this: the most meaningful thing we can offer one another is our presence. Our attention. Our memories. Our shared experiences.
Because in the end, time is the one thing we can never replace — and the moments we choose to share with others are what truly define our lives.
Three Questions for Drew Scott
1. Balancing Time Between Career, Family, and Passion
Today, your life is divided between television, entrepreneurship, travel, family life, and now Dragons’ Den. How do you personally manage your time between ambition, passion projects, and being present for the people you love especially while constantly travelling and living such a fast-paced lifestyle?
This is my biggest challenge and will most likely remain a balancing act for the rest of my life. I break my time commitments into segments and prioritize accordingly. Family always comes first, with work and passion projects second. It doesn’t always work out perfectly in that order. I’m actually writing this while flying across the country for a work commitment but whenever work pulls me away from family, I make it a priority to create meaningful makeup time with them afterward. I also make a conscious effort to avoid scheduling work the day before and the day after any travel that takes me away from my family.
2. The Moments That Matter Most
Looking back on your journey so far — from acting and entrepreneurship to marriage, fatherhood, and becoming a Dragon — what are some of the moments that mean the most to you personally? Are there certain memories or milestones that truly changed your perspective on life and success?
It may sound cliché, but for me, it’s really the little things that matter most. Cuddling with my kids in the morning, helping someone on our team move closer to their goals, or identifying a problem and figuring out how to solve it, those are the moments that truly stay with me. I’ve realized that success is less about titles or milestones and more about the impact you have on the people around you and the fulfillment you find in everyday life. I love challenges, creativity, and diversity in what I do. If I were doing the exact same thing every single day, I’d probably go stir-crazy.
3. Advice to the Next Generation
Now that you are a little more mature — yes, I said mature — and have experienced success, challenges, reinvention, and family life, what advice would you offer the next generation about managing their time, discovering their path, and understanding what truly matters in life beyond career achievements alone?
Playing the long game wins every time. When I was younger, I was always chasing quick results and instant gratification, and it made life feel rushed and frantic. But once I realized I could take my time to build something meaningful, it completely changed my perspective. It also taught me to enjoy the journey, not just the outcome. Growth, success, and fulfillment rarely happen overnight, they come from consistency, patience, and surrounding yourself with the right people. And I do have one golden rule: I don’t work with assholes. It’s simply not worth it. We all work hard, so I’d rather spend that time building, creating, and solving problems with people I genuinely enjoy being around.
As Drew Scott begins this exciting new chapter as one of the newest Dragons on Dragons’ Den during the show’s 20th anniversary season, it is the perfect moment to reflect not only on his entrepreneurial success but also on the deeper message behind his journey: the importance of family, connection, purpose, and the moments we choose to share with others.
Christine & I had the pleasure of meeting Drew backstage during his visit to Toronto for Dragon’s Den.
Because in the end, success is never only about what we build — it is about the people we share the journey with and the moments in time that stay with us forever.
Read more stories from Thomas J. Sandrin
Follow Drew Scott’s Latest Chapter
Catch the next episodes of Dragons’ Den on CBC.
Visit Drew & Jonathan, follow @drewandjonathan, connect with Drew at @mrdrewscott, and view his LinkedIn profile.
Because in the end, success is never only about what we build — it is about the people we share the journey with and the moments in time that stay with us forever.
