While Ivan was building a successful career at Long View Systems being the top performer in his team, he also felt a strong urge to give back to his community. The COVID-19 pandemic had severely impacted businesses, especially those owned by minorities. Seeing many Black-owned businesses struggle or shut down, Ivan took action.
He launched BOmarket.ca, an online marketplace designed to support and promote Black-owned businesses. Unlike Amazon, his platform wasn’t built for competition—it was built for unity, offering businesses a free space to showcase and sell their products online, with the slogan “A marketplace not to compete with others, but to bring people together”. His initiative gained media attention, earning him a TV Interview with Global News.