Meet Jacques Perreault, a former professional hockey player turned entrepreneur, whose journey took a fascinating turn from the rink to the world of media production finance. Today, he leads Top Ops, a company supporting creative agencies with financial clarity and structure. Jacques’ story is one of transformation, resilience, and the unwavering drive to make an impact.
Humans of Fuzia is proud to feature Jacques as part of our global thought leadership series. With a community of over 5 million individuals spanning 35+ countries, we share stories like his to inspire, empower, and uplift. Because at Fuzia, we believe in She for She and He for She—stories that transcend gender, borders, and backgrounds.
Tell us a bit about your journey, Jacques. How did Top Ops come to life?
It’s been a winding road. I started out as a professional hockey player, but deep down, I’ve always loved numbers. I remember my mom taking me to the bank when I was five—I was just fascinated by money and how it works. That early interest in finance stuck with me.
After hockey, I wanted to help others manage their money better. I noticed how little financial literacy there is, especially in the U.S.—people get into debt easily, and it’s something I wanted to address.
While living in Austin, I co-founded a ticketing tech company and worked with nonprofits. That experience showed me how quickly something can be built with the right tech and people, though it wasn’t a sustainable business. I later moved back to New York and worked at Guardian Life Insurance—but life had other plans.
What changed for you at that point?
Well, I was getting dental work done from hockey injuries—no teeth, suit-only policy at work—it was an odd time. Around then, my sister, who worked in media production, asked me to help with the finances for a large shoot she was doing for Amazon.
That job opened my eyes. I realized the scale of what she was doing—and how creatives often need financial structure. She believed in me, just like my mom used to when I was younger. That gave me the confidence to pivot and help her grow her business.
And that became your entry into entrepreneurship?
Exactly. I started with basic accounting, then helped with production, outreach, even social media. I did everything I could to help scale her company. Then came COVID. It was tough, but we made it through. We doubled down on our efforts, stabilized cash flow, and grew stronger.
Eventually, I moved to a company called Assembly to learn about post-production. That experience rounded out my understanding of the media production industry. With that full-circle knowledge, I launched Top Ops to support other creative companies with their operations and financial systems.
What’s been the biggest challenge in your journey?
Aside from COVID, it was definitely figuring things out by trial and error—failing, learning, and building again. Experience is everything. You often don’t know what you don’t know until you’re in the middle of it.
But the biggest lesson is to ask for help. People think entrepreneurship means doing everything solo. That’s a myth. The smartest thing you can do is ask for guidance and surround yourself with people who fill the gaps in your knowledge. That’s how real growth happens.
What’s your advice for aspiring entrepreneurs, especially those feeling overwhelmed?
Be excellent at what you love. Don’t try to be a jack of all trades. Focus on your strengths and collaborate with those who complement them.
Also, don’t be afraid to fake it till you make it. Everyone’s figuring it out. If you start early, seek mentorship, and stay adaptable, you’ll gain the confidence and experience you need to build something truly meaningful.
“Believe in yourself, but also believe in the power of others to help you rise. You don’t have to do it all alone—and you shouldn’t.”
Connect with Jacques Perreault:
You can connect with Jacques on LinkedIn.
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