Jason Feller

Meet Jason Feller, science enthusiast and founder of The Boreal Museum. Jason is a life-long resident of Thunder Bay with a passion for science. A graduate of Lakehead University in biology, Jason also spent many years working at the Thunder Bay Historical Museum. Through his love for Thunder Bay, science, and natural history, Jason was determined to share his passion with our community, so he started The Boreal Museum in 2021. The business started out of Jason’s home, delivering seasonal science kits across the city, and opened its doors to the public in late 2021 inside the retail business incubator The Hub Bazaar. At his new location, Jason offers free exhibits featuring natural history and science along with a variety of hands-on science kits. To learn more about The Boreal Museum check them out on Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok @BorealMuseum or on their website borealmuseum.com.

Q & A with Jason What drew you to entrepreneurship?

I’ve always had an entrepreneurial spirit, from selling crafts as a kid at the end of my driveway to selling handmade crystal jewelry at craft fairs. So I think most people who knew me really expected me to one day start my own business venture. After seeing a large gap in science education and accessibility in Thunder Bay, I wanted to give back to my community and provide services that are accessible to everyone. The easiest way to do this was to start my own venture.

What inspired you to launch your business?

I’m really passionate about the natural sciences, and it’s really important to me for education to be accessible and hands-on. Many supplemental educational supplies and programming can be quite expensive and become out of reach for many people of Thunder Bay. I really want to make The Boreal Museum a space that focuses on the fun of education and science. There’s always something at The Boreal Museum for everyone to learn no matter how old or young you are, or how much money you have. We have free exhibits at our location and affordably priced take-home science kits and programming in many topics!

Knowing what you know now, is there anything you would have done differently when you were first starting out?

Most of the preventable struggles that I've faced in the past year were accounting related. I wish I had an accountant right from the start—that’s something that I would recommend to any young entrepreneurs beginning their journey. Running a business will take a lot of time and energy, and something that can be as daunting as accounting is better outsourced to someone who knows exactly what they’re doing. We have a volunteer accountant at the moment, and we would be very behind without her!

What advice would you give to someone who is trying to become an entrepreneur?

For any new entrepreneurs out there, I think the hardest hurdle to overcome is yourself. I’ve held myself back just because I thought I wouldn’t be very good at it or I would embarrass myself. Looking back, after I actually tried the task, I always thought “Why did it take me so long? It really wasn't that bad.” Starting out, you especially have to be able to take your business in stride and be ready to always pivot. You’ll always have good days and rough days, and you just have to know and trust that starting a business is always like that.

What are you working on now?

We’ve worked very hard to establish ourselves in our space; now, our focus is getting into classrooms, and booking group sessions. We’ve already run a few programs with really great reception, and we can’t wait to offer even more. Topics in our programs range from everything about dinosaurs and ancient life to exploring physics and chemistry. Our programming list will be available through our website with a catalogue of what we can do! Of course, we know each group is different out there, so anyone looking for unique programs and education in science, please reach out to us!

Is there anyone specific you would like to thank?

First and foremost I have to thank my community of Thunder Bay (and around!) for supporting The Boreal Museum. Everything we do is because of you, and we can’t express our gratitude enough for helping us get to where we are! A huge thanks goes to my partner, Mariano, and my friends and my family. They all really believe in and support what I do, and help at every twist and turn of this adventure—everything from artwork, exhibit fabrication, programming support, and video editing. I wouldn’t have been able to make the strides I have so far without them and their belief in me and The Boreal Museum.

I also really want to thank many of the professionals in my past who have encouraged me, as well as the professors in the biology department and many other departments [at Lakehead]. The Thunder Bay Historical Museum and the staff, both past and present, really gave me the tools I needed to be able to help bring the magic of science to our community. Specifically, I’d like to thank Marissa, Breanne, Margaret, Nick, Kathleen, Michael, Scott, and Tory. I’d also like to thank the Thunder Bay CEDC for helping me in all the ways they have, and the staff of Magnus Theatre for guiding us and mentoring us. Let’s all build a brighter Thunder Bay together!