Mrugakshee Palwe

Co Founder, CEO, COO

Website / Business / Instagram / LinkedIn / Twitter

I came to Canada to study computer science at Acadia University, and immediately fell in love with this beautiful country. I spent my summers learning french in Quebec, where I met some of my lifelong friends. My intention was to learn both of the national languages of the country I would one day be a citizen of. During my school year, I never hesitated to take advantage of the wealth of learning opportunities in front of me. Eventually, my tendency to lead prompted me to become the president of the computer science society. My fascination with technology and teaching kept me engaged in communities anywhere I went.

When I graduated in 2018, I was looking for ways to take the next big step in my life. This is around the time when I met my now husband, Keegan Francis. He had been involved in blockchain projects and started teaching all that there was to know. Blockchain is the software that supports cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin, and it has many other use cases. When I was younger, my father, who is an entrepreneur himself, encouraged me to learn about money, finance, and business. Little did I know that it would be these fields that would capture my interest for the foreseeable future.

Keegan and I decided to start our business, The Atlantic Blockchain Company in November of 2018. During the first year of business, we gave dozens of presentations on blockchain, demystifying the topic for government bodies, businesses, schools, and individuals. Inevitably, at every presentation, we received questions about Bitcoin. Where did it come from? How does it work? What gives it value?

People’s innate curiosity with Bitcoin, coupled by the attention around the economy sparked by the COVID-19 economic crisis prompted us to start our new brand and podcast, Go Full Crypto. It is through this channel that we help people and businesses understand cryptocurrencies, and integrate them into their lives. I personally have received immense financial empowerment from adopting Bitcoin, and now I want to share what I know with the world. I want to work with technologies that have the potential to uplift individuals all over the world. I knew at an early age that this would somehow be internet related. It wasn't until I understood the potential of Bitcoin to change the world that I knew that I wanted to build companies and products around this amazing new form of money.

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What are you most proud of professionally? And who or why?

I am most proud of myself, professionally. I chose to start a business 4 months after graduating in a relatively new industry that I had no previous experience in, was where I decided to take my career. The ride has been wild, and I wouldn’t have done it any other way. I continually remind myself to put myself first because I am the creator of my destiny.

What’s your vision for Atlantic Canada in 10 years? What’s our biggest opportunity now?

Atlantic Canada has the potential, and the opportunity to retain talent and perpetuate innovation. I see us succeeding in retaining talent right now, the biggest opportunity we have is to tap into the resources that we have retained and perpetuate innovation. My vision is that by 2032, Atlantic Canada becomes known as the hub for innovation. We certainly have the natural and human resources for it.

What was your greatest stage of growth? What made it a shift for you?

I believe my growth is rooted in several parts of my life, spread between my childhood, my travels, my failures, the relationships I have formed, and the lessons I have learned. The greatest stage of my growth has been my entire life up until this very moment and counting! From choosing to avoid a cheesecake at midnight to my acupuncturist telling me that one has met their purpose by giving their best each day, and everything in between; these are the moments that contribute to shifting my growth to lead me to where I am today.

What’s your favourite or most read book or podcast? Now or at each of your greatest stages of growth?

My favorite reads are The Psychology of Money by Morgan Housel, Dancing with Disruption by Mike Lipkin, and Atlas Shrugged and The Fountainhead by Ayn Rand. I keep shuffling between episodes on various podcasts so it is hard to discern a favourite.

What’s your deepest learning from this past year? How did/will you apply it?

Gratitude and optimism go a long way. No matter where you are, you can always find something to be grateful for. Likewise, every tough situation can be shaken up with a little optimism. There’s nothing a good mood can’t solve!

Who’s inspired you, directly or indirectly? How have they inspired you?

My Mom first, and then my parents as one team. My Mom, because of her ferocity, passion for learning, and compassion. These are the top 3 things I want to implement in my life. My parents together, as a team, have been through the worst financial troubles I have ever known. Their consistent optimism for getting through tough times has built the mental model in my mind on the effectiveness of remaining positive, and sticking together.

What would you have done differently?

Nothing. I am a firm believer of everything happening for a reason. Another strong belief of mine is that my thoughts control my reality. Any mistakes that I made or opportunities that I missed have led me to where I am today, and have been fundamental to my growth. I love and respect the time it takes to learn certain lessons and grow, so I wouldn’t want to change a thing about my past actions.

What are the principles you live by?

Accountability, Integrity with Self and Others, Yearning for Growth, Gratitude, Optimism, Precision and Quality.

How have you recovered from fractured professional relationships? What uncomfortable truths have you learned about yourself in those experiences?

One thing I am looking to conquer about myself is not taking things personally. My ego has gotten in the way of my wisdom on previous professional occasions, and time and looking at it as a lesson has helped me learn from it and avoid repeating it.

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Tech Entrepreneur, Bitcoin Evangelist, Cryptocurrency Consultant, Violinist, Podcaster, Rock Climber