1980–1999
In his final year of university, he started his first company, EMJ Data Systems. Estill sold computer equipment and software, soon transitioning into distribution.[8]
In 1996, Estill joined the Young Presidents' Organization (YPO)[9] and remains a member of the CNBC-YPO Chief Executive Network.[10]
Estill served as a founding board member of Research in Motion/BlackBerry in 1997, before the company went public.
2000–2009
In 2003, EMJ purchased the Canadian operations of DaisyTek Canada, doubling their distribution size to more than $350 million in consolidated revenue.[11]
In June 2004, Synnex Canada purchased EMJ Data Systems for $56 million.[12] As part of the deal, Estill took over as CEO of Synnex's Canadian division. During the five years that he ran Synnex from 2004 to 2009.[10]
2010–present
In 2010, Estill left BlackBerry Limited and published his first book, Time Leadership – Lessons from a CEO and followed that publication three years later with Zero to $2 Billion: The Marketing and Branding Story Behind the Growth. Estill also serves on the advisory board of OMERS Ventures, one of Canada's largest pension funds, which began operations in 2011.
Estill came out of semi-retirement to assume the post of CEO at Guelph, Ontario-based Danby Products in 2015.[1] In 2017, Estill purchased Danby Products and its subsidiaries from John Wood and his family. Under his guidance, the company resumed manufacturing some of its products in Canada for the first time in a number of years.[13]
In 2023, Estill purchased Valcom Manufacturing Group,[14] a company that designs and manufactures of a full range of antennas.
In 2024, Estill purchased Arctic Snowplows,[15] a Canadian company that manufactures snow plows.
Seed investor
In addition to the businesses he started on his own, Estill also served as a seed investor for over 150 companies, including well.ca,[16] Printeron, Miovision, Clearpath Robotics, Postrank, Touch Bistro, Spicer, Inex, and Border Networks. Jim has also been granted patents for a variety of inventions, predominantly in the appliance arena.[17]
