Spotlight - Jake Donatis
Business was always a great interest to Jake Donatis. From the first business class he took in high school, Jake aspired to open his own business in his hometown of Thunder Bay. Jake graduated from Fort William Collegiate Institute in 2004 and was certain that business was the path he would take for post-secondary education.
In the Fall of 2004, he enrolled in the 3-year Human Resource Administration Program at Confederation College and graduated in the spring of 2007. To Jake’s benefit, a transfer program was developed in co-operation with Lakehead University. This transfer program allowed students to transition easily into Lakehead’s Business Program. The knowledge and skills acquired from college, helped prepare Jake for university. He enrolled at Lakehead University in the summer of 2007, and graduated with his Bachelor of Business Administration in 2009.
Jake worked at The Keg Steakhouse & Bar, bartending and serving, through college and university. During this time he met many local business people, made friends, and built relationships that continue to influence him and drive his ambition today.
“While working at The Keg, I gained exceptional customer service skills which I still possess today. I also learned how a successful business operates and the amount of work it takes”.
Jake and a friend from high school, who is now a local businessman, decided to develop a partnership and open a business of their own. This partnership is strengthened by their shared values and principles. The two also recognize how important it is to create local jobs, keep money in the community, and strived to stimulate the local economy.
On October 12, 2010 the Robin’s Donuts on Highway 61 opened its doors for business. After many years of studying and many long months of planning, construction and training, Jake’s high school goal was finally achieved. Robin’s was their first choice as a business because it was founded in Thunder Bay and has strong ties to the community as well as offers a great product. “Opening this business was a great challenge and a huge learning experience. "Lakehead and Confederation College paved the way by providing me with the tools and knowledge I needed to complete this venture", says Jake. As well as managing and operating the new Robin’s, Jake has recently received his Real Estate Licence from the Ontario Real Estate Association and is now a salesperson, teamed up with his brother Zac (who is also an LU graduate), for Royal LePage Lannon Realty, Brokerage.
