Misfit

An inspiring memoir by one of Canada's most unusual, successful and socially conscious businesspeople.

Was he gifted or a hopeless misfit? That was the defining dilemma of Andreas Souvaliotis's childhood, adolescence and young life.

Andreas grew up in Greece and then Toronto at a time when being on the autism spectrum wasn't easily diagnosed or even discussed. Minds like his were simply considered odd. The polite and friendly would focus their attention and their remarks on his extraordinary ability with numbers and his talent at the piano. But he was left in no doubt about the main impression he made on others. He was different, quirky, a social and emotional outcast. It was nothing short of a disability. Being the gay son of a homophoboic father presented difficuties too.

Misfit is the by turns hilarious, weird, tender but always engaging memoir of an outsider who has gone on to enjoy a string of triumphs. The musical prodigy who might have become a great concert pianist surprises everyone first by becoming something of an export marketing guru in Canada's tech industry. And then: "It all happened in a flash. On a beautiful spring morning in 2007, sitting in my backyard and licking my wounds from a spectacular career derailment, I came up with a big idea--and I found myself contemplating the most daring and unconventional pursuit of my life." The weird kid from Greece was on his way to making his world, and everyone's world, a better place.

ANDREAS SOUVALIOTIS is the founder of Carrot Insights Inc. (also known as Social Change Rewards Inc.) and serves as its Chief Executive Officer. The Carrot app was launched in 2017; now over 100,000 Canadians earn rewards from Carrot by making healthy lifestyle choices. One of Canada's leading social entrepreneurs, Andreas also founded the world's first mass eco-points program, Green Rewards, which was eventually fused with Air Miles, Canada's largest consumer loyalty platform. Andreas has been recognized globally for his social change achievements. He serves on the National Board of the Immigrant Access Fund, the Board of the Institute for Canadian Citizenship, the Canadian Executive Board of the Young Presidents' Organization (YPO) and the Executive Board of Toronto's Harbourfront Centre. He is a prolific public speaker, writer and advisor to leading business schools in Canada.