Latest news with #EthanBrooks
CTV News
04-06-2025
- Business
- CTV News
How you can rent a friend with this new Ont. platform
Ethan Brooks, CEO of Friendly Connections, posed for a photo in Uptown Waterloo on June 4, 2025. (Spencer Turcotte/CTV News) Making friends isn't easy for everyone, but a made-in-Waterloo Region service is hoping to change that. The web-based app called Friendly Connections is helping people expand their social circle. 'In my childhood, I had a tough time connecting and doing activities I loved,' said Ethan Brooks, the platform's CEO. The 20-year-old entrepreneur from Breslau, Ont. grew up in the age of apps helping people making connections constantly, but more so in the romantic sense. He saw a gap when it came to platonic connections. 'I want to create a platform for people who share similar interests as me and for people who also share the same issues which I've experienced previously,' said Brooks. Friendly Connections let's people pick a friend, which is a contractor for the site, who has a list of interests and preferred activities. Then, the customer pays that contractor an hourly rate to hangout with them. Rates range from $5 an hour to $25 an hour. 'For the first time I was hesitant, but after the first meeting it was awesome,' said contractor Ahsan Salman. Salman works full-time in the local tech sector and works as a 'friend' on the side. He said it also benefits contractors who make a connection. 'Sometimes people actually hire us for just a conversation about technology or business,' said Salman. Customer Chris Hodgins says Friendly Connections helped his pick-up hockey team who needed an extra player in a pinch. 'It was very short notice and he said, 'Yeah, I'll come. I'll play with you guys.' It worked out perfect, the guys loved him. They want him to play full time now,' said Hodgins. He says the service can help people like him who are perhaps at a different stage in life. 'I find [my] age group, a lot of my friends now have young families and they're just super busy with their kids playing sports,' said Hodgins. When it comes to ensuring connections remain friendly and the platform isn't abused for inappropriate purposes, the CEO says there are protections in place. 'For safety reasons we are limiting it to 18+,' said Brooks. 'Our contractors are vetted through a background check and interview process.' Both contractors and customers can chat before meeting up through the site to make sure they are both comfortable. If any rules are broken, either party can be banned from using the service, with the focus always on making a friend and never feeling alone.
IOL News
22-05-2025
- Sport
- IOL News
AmaZulu star Ethan Brooks relishes Orlando Pirates clash with top-eight spot on the line
Ethan Brooks Ethan Brooks of AmaZulu celebrates a goal against Richards Bay earlier this season. Photo: BackpagePix Image: BackpagePix AmaZulu midfielder Ethan Brooks believes there's no better way to finish the season than with a test against Orlando Pirates – a 'perfect' opponent, he says, with a top-eight place hanging in the balance. Usuthu welcome the Buccaneers to the Moses Mabhida Stadium on Saturday (3pm kick-off) in their final Premiership clash of the 2024/25 campaign knowing a single point will be enough to secure their ticket to next season's MTN8 competition. The Durban-based outfit haven't been in league action since May 2, when they drew 1-1 against Polokwane City. Since then, they've anxiously watched other results unfold, trying to maintain their grip on sixth position. Arthur Zwane's side now sit under pressure, with the likes of Kaizer Chiefs still in the mix to potentially leapfrog them. But now, their fate is firmly in their own hands. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Next Stay Close ✕ For Brooks, who has been one of the most consistent performers under Zwane, there's no better fixture to showcase their worth than against a club of Pirates' stature. 'I wouldn't say it's the worst game (to play). In fact, it's probably the best game to show where we would like to end (at the end of the season),' Brooks said yesterday. The 24-year-old has been rejuvenated since Zwane and Vusumuzi Vilakazi took charge in October, and he's remained a key figure even after Vilakazi's resignation in February. AmaZulu will face a Pirates side that, despite reaching the CAF Champions League semi-finals and securing a second-place league finish, have looked lethargic in recent domestic outings following the departure of long-time coach Jose Riveiro. Still, Brooks knows the Soweto giants can never be underestimated. 'I don't know whether they'll put in maximum effort, but that's why it's better to just focus on ourselves.' With nearly three weeks between matches, Usuthu might have fresher legs than their visitors, though Brooks insists that desire and not rest will determine the outcome. 'I wouldn't say we've been resting, because we've been training. Yes, they've been playing more than us and maybe yes, that could be advantageous, but I think whoever wants it most will probably matter more on the day.' A positive result on Saturday would seal a place in the MTN8 – a major milestone for a side that had to dig deep following a poor start to the season under Pablo Franco Martin. Brooks, who has featured prominently since Zwane's arrival, also threw his support behind the coach after AmaZulu confirmed he will continue in his role next season. 'I'm happy and excited going into the new season with him. We've obviously had chats with him this season, so I'm really excited about going into the new season with him,' Brooks said. Usuthu now stand on the brink of a strong finish, but the challenge remains a big one.
