Jake Karls, co-founder of Mid-Day SquaresDominic Lachance/Supplied
Jake Karls has already taken 72 flights so far this year. Only six of them were for pleasure.
The other 60-plus flights were related to Mid-Day Squares, the snack bar company Karls co-created seven years ago. With headquarters, a factory and a team of 55 in Montreal, Mid-Day Squares sold its 60 millionth bar last month and can be found in more than 10,000 stores across North America.
Born and raised in Montreal, Karls travels across the U.S. and Canada to meet investors, pitch the brand to retailers and deliver keynote speeches at universities, colleges and corporate retreats.
“I’m a huge believer in showing up physically,” he said. “I started getting on planes, even for a five-minute meeting.”
At first, the constant travel gave him a boost of adrenalin. But eventually, once Karls reached around 150 flights a year a couple of years ago, the trips became draining.
To avoid burnout, he now optimizes his time by setting up meetings near his speaking engagements. This month, he’ll attend PacificWest, a real estate industry trade show, to speak about entrepreneurship and strategy.
What a jewellery designer packs when she travels
What a luxury hotel manager packs when he travels
Karls also streamlines the packing process by bringing the same items on every trip, such as a mini ab roller, Nike Air Force 1 trainers and travel-friendly Alo shorts. “By packing the same things every time, I’m able to just grab it and pack it,” he said.
For West Coast trips, Karls prefers red-eye return flights: Landing in Montreal at the start of the day energizes him. He avoids nighttime travel to his destinations, opting for early flights so he’s ready to work as soon as he lands.
“That way, I don’t leave the airport exhausted,” he said. “I usually work out right before my flight, which puts me in the right headspace to get to work once I land.”
By keeping a packed schedule, Karls has been able to limit his trips to a maximum of two days. That helps with the loneliness he often feels when travelling solo for business.
“It doesn’t matter how nice the hotel is – it gets lonely and it feels like it’s not your home,” he said.
Karls has found that working out helps stave off some of that homesickness, so he always packs gym gear such as shorts and wide-fit running shoes from Altra in his carry-on.
The workout shorts: Nike Sportswear Tech Fleece
“These shorts are good because they have zippers. They’re more of a lounge short – they’re very comfortable and I get good use out of them. I try to get a workout in at least once on every trip I take.”
Buying options
$110, buy at Nike
The travel shorts: Alo 7-inch Crinkle Nylon Excursion Cargo Short
“These shorts have four pockets. I put my passport and important stuff like my EpiPen in the zipped pockets so they don’t fall out. I always pack a Mid-Day Squares hat or sweatshirt and usually wear them with my cargo shorts, since it’s a conversation starter.”
Buying options
$128, buy at Alo
The in-flight entertainment: Nintendo Switch
“I bring my Nintendo Switch to entertain me. I only really play on the plane. I get zoned in and it makes the time pass quickly. I usually play Grand Theft Auto – it reminds me of when I was a kid.”
Buying options
$420, buy at Nintendo
The breath saver: Excel Mints Peppermint Tin
“I always pick these up at the airport. I drink a lot of black coffee, and I find these take the taste away and freshen my breath before a meeting. They last long and keep me fresh throughout the day.”
Buying options
$2.75, buy at Excel
The toothbrush: Philips One by Sonicare
“I always have my electric toothbrush – I find it makes a difference in how fresh I feel. I travel with this one because it’s not too expensive and I don’t have to plug it in; it’s battery powered.”
Buying options
$35, buy at Philips
The sunnies: Ray-Ban Meta Wayfarer
“I wear these before getting on a stage or going into a meeting. You can use them to play music without headphones, which I use to hype me up before getting on a stage to give a big presentation. I can also take a picture or a video while I’m wearing them. It helps me record audiences – with permission – and review my presentations afterward to see how the audience reacted.”
Buying options
$409, buy at Ray-Ban
