Alumni Spotlight: Josh Barr '06

When Greenwood teacher Ms. Rachel Greenstein needed a local, alumni-run business to base the 2024-2025 Grade 11 Marketing culminating project around, Josh Barr ‘06 enthusiastically agreed.

Josh, a member of Greenwood’s first graduating class, is an entrepreneur and co-founder of brüst, a protein-packed cold brew coffee. With ample experience in the world of marketing, and a growing company, he generously volunteered to share his expertise with the Greenwood students.

Students were invited to apply their course knowledge to a practical assignment, develop a marketing plan for brüst and receive feedback from Josh. 

Josh transferred to Greenwood in Grade 12 from another Toronto independent school. His younger sister, Laurel Barr ‘10, had already completed Grade 7 at Greenwood, and her positive experience helped influence the family’s decision to send Josh there in 2005 for his final year of high school.

Transitioning to a co-ed, younger school for Grade 12 was a unique experience, one that Josh met with openness. The warm and welcoming cohort eased his transition and made his last year of high school memorable. Although he only spent one year at Greenwood, Josh got involved in sports, travelling to Sudbury for OFSAA to play volleyball. He also remembers his Outdoor Ed camping trip and shared that the Greenwood community “felt very much like family.” He also recalls working closely with Ms. Petch and Mr. Kennedy on his post-secondary applications. 

After graduating from Greenwood, Josh earned a Bachelor of Commerce degree from Queen’s University. Following his postsecondary education, launched his career at Nestle as a Brand Manager, where he became very familiar with the food and beverage industry across North America. Next, he moved to South Carolina, where he transitioned into a sales role for Charleston Aluminum, focusing on relationship management and growth in the marine, aerospace, and defense industries. Josh moved back to Toronto and completed his MBA at Western University in 2017. In the same year, he and co-founder Amar Gupta launched brüst beverage company.

As lifelong athletes and, in Josh’s case, a past Ironman triathlete, he and Amar saw a gap in the market for healthy, energizing, on-the-go beverages. 

“And brüst is more than just for athletes,” Josh says. “It's a convenient and delicious option for an on-the-go breakfast or midday snack for those that love coffee and are looking for a boost of protein.” 

Josh says Greenwood helped spark his entrepreneurial spirit, and laid the foundation for his approach to business. 

In 2023, the brüst team had a successful visit to CBC’s Dragon’s Den, where they struck a deal with Dragon Arlene Dickinson. The drinks are now available at retailers across the country, including in Greenwood’s cafe.

Josh and his wife, a fellow Greenwood alum, Jenni Diamond ‘11, live in Toronto.