In this episode, hear from Calgary icon, Chief Laundry Folder and Co-Founder of Local Laundry, Connor Curran. He joins the show to discuss the recent trademark dispute they faced against a corporate giant - Wal-Mart. Their David and Goliath story will inspire you to stand up for what’s right, remind you of the power of community, and arm you with the knowledge to safeguard your creative ideas against the mightiest of foes.
Read MoreIn this episode, welcome Jeremy McCrea, Director of Equity Research at Raymond James Ltd. back to the show as we dial in on the energy markets since we last spoke. Jeremy provides an update on the optimism in Western Canada and the increased focus on liquefied natural gas (LNG) as companies look to become bigger through consolidation, providing them better access to debt, capital markets, and the ability to withstand inflationary pressure. Jeremy also updates you on exciting innovations in the Western Basin, including new drilling technology and completion technology that will unlock historical plays.
Read MoreIn this episode, join us as we delve into the art of raising funds to fuel expansion with Steve Vander Meulen, CEO and Co-Founder of WaitWell. Their remarkable growth can be attributed to three core principles that underpin their every move: customer-centric development, data-driven decision-making, and optimizing service delivery. This laser-focused strategy allowed WaitWell to swiftly introduce a most-loved-product to the market, continuously refining it based on valuable customer feedback. Tune in to gain insights into unlocking fresh growth opportunities for your business, all while gaining valuable insights on the intricacies of fundraising.
Read MoreIn this episode, get a behind-the-scenes look at large-scale philanthropy with Erika Maravei, Senior Philanthropy Officer at the Alberta Cancer Foundation. She is currently deploying a $215M capital campaign in partnership with the University of Calgary and Alberta Health Services designed to take facilities from a standard of care to a centre of excellence through innovative research and technology. As a former salesperson, Erika showcases how sales and philanthropy intersect and how a passion for solving problems is beneficial in both roles. If you’re considering a pivot into non-profit or you simply want to brush up on your ability to drive impact, this episode is a must-listen.
Read MoreIn this episode, learn from Rob Wildeboer, Co-Founder and Executive Chair of Martinrea International Inc., a global automotive parts supplier known for rapid growth and diverse product offerings, from lightweight vehicle structures to crucial fluid delivery systems. We explore this dynamic automotive company’s response to challenges like strikes, economic shifts, fuel price fluctuations, and the impacts of events like COVID-19 and 9/11. Rob shares unique insights into navigating an industry with soaring demand and tight inventory. Plus, discover how, with a global team of over 19,000 employees, Rob fosters a unified workplace culture transcending borders. Learn about Martinrea's approach to positioning itself as a local entity in each operating country to inspire pride and relatability among its workforce. Explore how this cultural connection drives enhanced business outcomes.
Read MoreIn this special episode, hear about carya Calgary from Tiffany Stevenson, Director of Social Impact, and learn how their upcoming Top Chef challenge is a fun way to engage the community and raise valuable donations. With deep roots in Calgary, carya has supported Calgarians since 1910 through comprehensive and free programs and services. Tiffany explains how the Top Chef Competition at carya is an exciting event that brings together local influencers and culinary professionals to showcase their talent and raise awareness for mental health in the community.
Read MoreIn this episode, learn about the investment ecosystem on the prairies from Jacques LaPointe, Co-Founder and Director of Metiquity Ventures Fund I. Metiquity helps companies with zero or no revenue build capital strength while also advising the founders on the startup journey. While there are plenty of opportunities across North America for companies delivering seven figures in revenue, there are significantly fewer for early-stage companies. Jacques explains why Metiquity decided to zero in on this gap and shares his expert perspective on the changing investment landscape on the prairies and why local, high-net-worth individuals are needed to inject capital into our growing marketplace of companies.
Read MoreIn this episode, discover what it takes to build a health-tech business in Calgary with Lisa Krzyzewski, Founder of Aeon Future Health. Now in its third year of business, Aeon is Canada’s premier longevity and health optimization clinic. But what does that mean, exactly? Aeon offers health care that falls outside of traditional health care, like AI-based fitness technology, psychedelic medicine for mental health, nutritionist work, red light therapy for recovery and lymphatic drainage. This episode will help you understand our health care system and the businesses, like Aeon, that supplement what Canadians get from their universal coverage while diving deep into the realities of starting a health business during a pandemic and building it.
Read MoreIn this episode, hear from serial problem solver Sepehr Shoarinejad. He founded his first company while in university - NuAutomations - a home automation provider. While wearing multiple hats and lamenting the challenges of being a founder, he wanted an all-in-one solution to help manage his many tasks. Unable to find the ideal solution, he built his own — Koridor. This opened up the chance to learn about challenges from other founders so Sepehr doubled down to help them deliver MLPs (most lovable products) and increase their chances of success.
Read MoreIn this episode, get a behind the scenes look at an Alberta success story with Shawn Freeman, Founder and former CEO of TWT Group. It was acquired by Fully Managed in 2020, which was acquired by Telus in 2022. He shares the complete journey from scrappy start-up to seven figure exit deal, and the considerations of a successful acquisition. He details how to maintain ownership and shares in the new company, how to align the decision with values and culture, and why he has turned his focus to the community in his age of ‘retirement’.
Read MoreIn this episode, hear from negotiations expert Scott Tillema, Partner at The Negotiations Collective, as he unravels the universal art of negotiating. Scott explains different negotiation applications, from managing conflicts to leveraging influence. With a sharp focus on self-awareness, he underscores the importance of understanding our responses under pressure, advising self-control over trying to control others. Scott provides a blueprint for respectful conflict resolution and stresses the transformative power of culture change, linking it directly to profit growth, employee retention, and attracting top talent.
Read MoreIn this episode, immerse yourself in the ever-evolving world of Initial Public Offerings (IPOs) with Jenna Kaye, Co-Founder and CEO of Odyssey Trust Company, the first woman to pioneer a federal financial institution. Odyssey Trust, as transfer agents, has the dual responsibility of diligently tracking the ownership of shares and bonds in publicly traded companies and ensuring timely dividend distribution to investors. Jenna's keen business acumen identified a golden opportunity within the Canadian landscape, which was dominated by two major non-native players. Her entrepreneurial zeal propelled her to secure the largest seed funding round a female had ever received at the time in Alberta—a substantial $3.5M—in 2017. Jenna candidly shares her journey through the intricate process of building a trust company in Western Canada while simultaneously inspiring listeners to devise solutions for industry-wide problems within their ecosystems.
Read MoreIn this episode, Mark Korthuis President and CEO of the Glenrose Hospital Foundation shares how they diversified revenue streams through the challenges of raising significant donations during COVID-19, including innovative technologies to drive greater impact for their mission to mobilize resources to accelerate advances in human ability. Mark explores the wonder of AI, and the possibilities of a future of brain-computer interface and proposes using Bitcoin to address societal issues. Don't miss this thought-provoking episode and the chance to collaborate for a better future with the foundation's cutting-edge research and initiatives in Calgary, making innovation the best advantage for Alberta.
Read MoreIn this episode, hear from real estate development veteran and RNDSQR President Alkarim Devani. Alkarim transforms everything from residential real estate to inner city development, giving life to his passion for design and architecture. Unearth why Devani was inspired to create the flourishing company, RNDSQR, and its pivotal role in repopulating Calgary’s inner city with mixed-density properties. He also unpacks the significance of stewarding the land, sharing historical city narratives and the pressing need to integrate technology in ways that uplift society. Alkarim underscores the crucial role of affordable housing for multigenerational living and the hurdles he faces in championing this model in the face of his unwavering commitment to aligning stakeholders for accessible housing. This episode highlights the transformational potential of the real estate industry in fostering inclusive communities and sustainable development. Your journey into the future of housing starts here.
Read MoreIn this episode, learn about the realities of community impact from Melissa From, CEO of the Calgary Food Bank. Unfortunately, the reality is this: almost 6M Canadians (including 1.4M children) lived in food-insecure homes in 2021. When you don’t know when your next meal might be, there are significant impacts on your physical and mental health and your job or school performance. The Calgary Food Bank is driven by a community-centric mission to create a hunger-free Calgary that addresses root causes. Melissa is new to her CEO role, and she’s laser-focused on transforming the organization’s resilience to meet the growing demand and shares insights on the non-profit world.
Read MoreIn this episode, get a perspective on entrepreneurship in the next generation from Taitt Geekie, Student Ambassador with Junior Achievement Southern Alberta. His role is to travel around Alberta and promote Junior Achievement, which has given him plenty of hands-on sales experience. As someone close to graduating high school, Taitt has plenty of knowledge to share on the choices individuals must make about attending university and their career afterwards, such as what factors to consider when choosing a company to work for. This episode will inspire you to get out there, try everything, and explore the opportunities that come your way.
Read MoreIn this episode, we welcome Erik Allan back on the show to discuss his new pivot, Co-Founding Budo Brothers. As an engineer by trade, Erik has undergone serious personal and professional growth and he highlights the importance of embracing vulnerability and learning from failures. Erik opens up about his struggles and setbacks, including a failed app development venture that drained him financially. He shares how he faced depression and had to rebuild his life, ultimately finding inspiration to contribute to the entrepreneurial ecosystem in Calgary. Explore Erik’s belief in the value of bridging different perspectives and creating win-win situations, as well as his commitment to helping others realize their potential through martial arts.
Read MoreIn this episode, get an insider’s look at industrial automation with Nannette Ho-Covernton, Sustainability Leader at Spartan Controls. Spartan Controls was founded in 1963. Nannette has been with them since 1995 in various roles, from inside sales to account management to sustainability, giving her a ringside seat to innovation in Western Canada. Discover the reality of innovation in the energy sector and how it will fuel organizations that need to meet their net-zero commitments.
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