Canada’s Entrepreneur

In this interview, Alicia Planincic, Economist & Manager of Policy, Business Council of Alberta, discusses a new report that shows the success of immigrants is vital to Canada's prosperity but their potential is too often unrealized due to common barriers. PRESS RELEASE New report shows the success of immigrants is vital to Canada’s prosperity, yet their potential is too often unrealized due to common barriers CALGARY, ALBERTA; Economic immigration can do many amazing things for the Canadian economy, but only if we do it right. That means planning our systems to bring in people with the right skills our economy needs and providing newcomers with the supports they need to succeed. Today, the Business Council of Alberta released its latest research paper;The Struggle for Success which identifies five common barriers that many newcomers to Canada face after arriving; developed through consultation with newcomer serving agencies, businesses, and newcomers themselves. The paper also provides preliminary policy considerations to begin addressing these issues. The paper highlights two fundamental barriers to newcomers’ success: Official language proficiency—this is one of the biggest barriers for newcomers. Language learning services are not always accessible or able to keep up with growing demand. Connection to available settlement services—while Canada has a comprehensive network of services, many do not know about them. Less than 40% of newcomers access settlement services within their first year of receiving their Permanent Residency. While not all require them, others do. And three that more specifically interfere with their success in the labour market: Access to a personal and professional support system—newcomers often have limited support systems in Canada, which makes navigating a new city and country such as finding a job, a place to live, or even a school for their children more difficult. Discrimination in the labour market—newcomers often face negative bias when entering the job market. These might include having foreign experience; “second-language accents”; or even “foreign-sounding names.” Recognition of foreign education, experience, and credentials—newcomers in regulated professions can often find that they require additional education or training to be able to practice their profession in Canada, and often the door can be nearly shut altogether. “Supporting newcomers learning an official language should be job number one—nothing supercharges social and economic integration like language skills, and conversely our research showed that a lack of those skills can often be the most significant roadblock to newcomer success,” says Adam Legge, President of the Business Council of Alberta. “Right now, we are not matching language training funding to the number of immigrants, and that is not optimal for the country or newcomers themselves.” Preliminary policy considerations to address these barriers include: Adequately funding language training to the scale of newcomers: As Canada is set to welcome more newcomers than ever before over the next few years, the capacity of language programs will need to respond to this expected increase in demand. Improving connections to and awareness of the available services: As few as 8% of newcomers may learn about available services at a government office upon landing. The Calgary Gateway program offers a positive model for potential improvement. Better, faster, and more predictable credential recognition: Learning from the success of policies like the Alberta Labour Mobility Act, as well as encouraging regulatory bodies to identify specific training gaps, and standardized competency testing. This is the fifth paper in the Council’s series on Canadian immigration. The next paper, which explores the potential unintended consequences of rapid population growth, will be released later this month. The Council has also stuck an expert task force to develop actionable policy recommendations to address the opportunities and barriers identified throughout this work. The full paper is attached to this release and can be found at BusinessCouncilAB.com. About the Business Council of Alberta. The Business Council of Alberta is a non-partisan, for-purpose organization dedicated to building a better Alberta within a more dynamic Canada. Composed of the chief executives and leading entrepreneurs of the province’s largest enterprises, Council members are proud to represent the majority of Alberta’s private sector investment, job creation, exports, and research and development. The Council is committed to working with leaders and stakeholders across Alberta and Canada in proposing bold and innovative public policy solutions and initiatives that will make life better for Albertans. Mario Toneguzzi is Managing Editor of Canada’s Podcast. He has more than 40 years of experience as a daily newspaper writer, columnist, and editor. He was named in 2021 as one of the Top 10 Business Jo

"Just listen to people, no matter what consider it, you may not actually apply it, but make sure you're actually listening." Seif El-Sahly is a P. Eng., Director of Newfore Inc. but he is also a Dreamer, Renovator and Crushing Expectations! He turns drawings into reality with a dose of humour and a Top 40 Under 40 ranking. He is the force behind Tiny Homes - Garage Edition. A self-pronounced workaholic, when not at the office, he's on the hunt for abandoned real estate that can be turned into luxurious rentals in great neighbourhoods. https://www.instagram.com/newforeinc/ Connect with us: YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/canadaspodcast Website: https://canadaspodcast.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/canadaspodcast Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/canadaspodcast Twitter: https://twitter.com/canadaspodcast LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/canadas-podcast Want to stay up-to-date on the latest and news? Subscribe to our bi-weekly newsletter at https://www.canadaspodcast.com/newsletter-signup

Gail Taylor is a Canadian songwriter, keynote speaker, entrepreneur, and passionate advocate for the power of music to inspire change. Her catalog of 13 published songs draws from her life experiences and imparts invaluable messages, taking centre stage in her speaking engagements. For the past 35 years, Gail has stood on stage and spoken about finance and socially responsible investing. Her journey began in the business world, where she honed her skills and expertise. Gail attained her CIMA designation (Certified Investment Manager Analyst) from Wharton University, acquired her MBA at Queen's University, and underwent executive training at Harvard Business School, all while building a successful Investment Advisory practice. In the late 70's, she embarked on a parallel journey, one dedicated to personal betterment and the art of setting and achieving goals. She is currently penning her second book – Curve Balls – personal stories and tools to inspire folks to take action in designing their own lives. Entrepreneurs are the backbone of Canada’s economy. To support Canada’s businesses, subscribe to our YouTube channel and follow us on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and Twitter. Want to stay up-to-date on the latest #entrepreneur podcasts and news? Subscribe to our bi-weekly newsletter

In this interview, Dan Kelly, President of the Canadian Federation of Independent Business, discusses the growing opposition to the federal carbon tax and how it is impacting small business across the country. PRESS RELEASE Toronto, November 8, 2023 – A strong majority of businesses (85%) now oppose the federal carbon tax (the fuel charge) and want it to be scrapped, according to new data from the Canadian Federation of Independent Business (CFIB). The recent announcement by the federal government that it will exempt only one type of heating fuel—heating oil—from the carbon tax is just the latest example of how unfair the tax has been to small businesses. Opposition to the carbon tax among small firms is up from an earlier reading of 52% taken only one year ago. “Small businesses have been raising their concerns with the carbon tax for years. They pay about 40% of the costs of the carbon tax, but the federal government has promised to return only 10% to small businesses,” said Dan Kelly, CFIB President. “Making matters worse, it appears most small firms will be ineligible for the Federal Fuel Charge Proceeds Return Program, if the federal government ever gets around to creating the program that was promised to deliver $2.5 billion collected since 2019 to small businesses and Indigenous groups.” “Now the government is choosing to help some Canadians with their heating costs by exempting them from the carbon tax, while leaving the majority out. CFIB is concerned that the recently announced enhancement to the rural top-up to Climate Action Incentive payments will be funded by reducing the small sliver of carbon tax revenue that is current earmarked to be returned to small business. The entire federal carbon tax structure is beginning to look like a shell game,” Kelly added. “With rising costs on everything from supplies to fuel to taxes and the Canada Emergency Business Account (CEBA) loan repayment deadline fast approaching, small businesses are in a precarious financial position. The government could alleviate some of the pressure by releasing the carbon tax revenues it has already collected from businesses and committing to several important changes,” Kelly added. CFIB is asking the federal government to overhaul the carbon tax system by: Expanding the carbon tax exemption to all forms of heating fuels, including natural gas and other sources used by small business. Halting future carbon tax increases, including the hike planned on April 1, 2024. Immediately returning all promised funds to all small businesses that paid into the tax. Ensuring businesses are eligible for rebates or refunds equivalent to the full share of the fuel charge costs they incur (CFIB estimates 40%). Supporting the passing of Bill C-234 at third reading in the Senate rapidly without any amendments. “Small businesses have been waiting for a meaningful effort from government to return the carbon tax revenues it promised them since the tax was introduced. They have seen consumers and big businesses benefit from rebates and grants, while they were left in the cold,” Kelly concluded. “If the government can’t fix the carbon backstop system now, it’s time to scrap it and look for other ways to address climate change.” About CFIB The Canadian Federation of Independent Business (CFIB) is Canada’s largest association of small and medium-sized businesses with 97,000 members across every industry and region. CFIB is dedicated to increasing business owners’ chances of success by driving policy change at all levels of government, providing expert advice and tools, and negotiating exclusive savings. Learn more at cfib.ca Mario Toneguzzi is Managing Editor of Canada’s Podcast. He has more than 40 years of experience as a daily newspaper writer, columnist, and editor. He was named in 2021 as one of the Top 10 Business Journalists in the World by PR News – the only Canadian to make the list) About Us Canada’s Podcast is the number one podcast in Canada for entrepreneurs and business owners. Established in 2016, the podcast network has interviewed over 600 Canadian entrepreneurs from coast-to-coast. With hosts in each province, entrepreneurs have a local and national format to tell their stories, talk about their journey and provide inspiration for anyone starting their entrepreneurial journey and well- established founders. The commitment to a grass roots approach has built a loyal audience on all our social channels and YouTube – 500,000+ lifetime YouTube views, 200,000 + audio downloads, 35,000 + average monthly social impressions, 10,000 + engaged social followers and 35,000 newsletter subscribers. Canada’s Podcast is proud to provide a local, national and international presence for Canadian entrepreneurs to build their brand and tell their story. businessCanadasNumberOnePodcast for Entrepreneurscarbon taxCFIBentrepreneursentrepreneurshipsmall business

In this interview, Simon Worsfold, Head of Data Communications, for Intuit QuickBooks, discusses a new report that indicates small business credit card spending is up 18 per cent. He talks about the reasons for the huge increase, the challenges faced by small businesses today, the impact on hiring, the rise of solopreneurs, the importance of access to capital and the impact small business has on the overall Canadian economy. PRESS RELEASE TORONTO–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Intuit (NASDAQ: INTU), the global financial technology platform that makes Intuit TurboTax, Credit Karma, QuickBooks, and Mailchimp, has released the 2023 Intuit QuickBooks Small Business Index Annual Report. Developed in collaboration with leading global economist Professor Ufuk Akcigit and his co-authors, the report reveals how macroeconomic pressures like inflation and higher interest rates are affecting small businesses’ ability to create jobs and get the funding they need to grow. THE STATE OF SMALL BUSINESS The report finds that in 2023, while overall employment levels have trended upward in Canada, the US, and UK, small business employment has been less resilient. Using anonymized data from more than 3.4 million Intuit QuickBooks customers and surveys of more than 5,000 small businesses in Canada, the US and the UK, the report looks at how small businesses are responding to these challenges, and examines the relationships between small business growth, access to capital, and use of digital technology. Key findings include: With elevated inflation and high-interest rates, small businesses have increasingly depended on their credit cards, with the current spending being 20% higher, on average, than they were before the pandemic. At the same time, their monthly credit card payments, which include interest charges, are up by 26% on average. These pressures are affecting jobs: small business employment rates declined in seven of the first eight months of 2023 in Canada, and in the first five months of 2023 in the US. Similarly, in the UK, small business job vacancy growth rates declined in all of the first eight months of 2023. The rise of the solopreneur (non-employer businesses) shows entrepreneurship is stronger than ever; however, in Canada and the US, fewer new businesses are creating jobs, a concerning trend because in the US, more than a third of all jobs are with small businesses while in Canada and the UK it’s more than two in five. Access to funding is essential for small business growth, but roughly half of small businesses in Canada, the US and the UK are self-funded by the owner. New businesses and businesses owned by women or members of underrepresented racial groups often face greater funding challenges. Despite inflation declining over the past year, small businesses in Canada, the US and the UK say rising costs are still the number one challenge they face. FRESH INSIGHTS ON CANADIAN SMALL BUSINESSES Small business employment and hiring: In January 2023, Canadian small businesses with 1-19 employees employed 5.2 million people, rebounding to a similar level in August 2023 after several months of declines, before declining again in September (source: Intuit QuickBooks Small Business Index). Small businesses contribute to the economy: In Canada, 99% of all Canadian businesses are small businesses; 47% of all Canadian workers are employed by small businesses. Rise of the solopreneur (non-employer businesses): In 2015, self-employment made up just under 68% of all Canadian businesses. By 2022, this had risen to more than 69%. This rise is significant because it is part of a longer-term trend, similar to the US, where fewer new businesses are creating jobs. The report connects this to the rise of gig work and digital technology. Small business finances: Monthly small business credit card expenditure is currently 18% higher, on average, than before the pandemic, equivalent to $2,700 CAD per business while monthly repayments against credit card account balances are up by 22% on average, again equivalent to $2,700 CAD per business. Small business access to funding: While 51% of Canadian small business owners surveyed have used their own savings to fund their business, only 27% report ever getting funding from a commercial lender. New small businesses (0-5 years old) are more than twice as likely to say “getting funding” is their number one challenge compared to older small businesses (21+ years). Adoption of digital tools and technology: Higher use of digital tools and technology (such as software, apps, social media, and e-commerce) correlates with higher growth among small businesses surveyed. Among Canadian small businesses using digital tools to manage 8 or more different areas of their business, 63% report revenue growth and 22% report workforce growth but, among those only managing up to 2 areas with digital tools, this drops to 31% and 5%, respectively. Leading global economist and Arnold C. Harberger Professor of Economics at the U

Well-known Canadian entrepreneur Arlene Dickinson, who is also a Dragon on CBC’s Dragons’ Den TV show, discusses how entrepreneurs can survive and thrive in these difficult economic times. In this video interview, Dickinson talks about common mistakes entrepreneurs make, how you can grow a business even in this environment, if the economy is discouraging people from becoming entrepreneurs, why would people start a company today and the role of social media for an entrepreneur. Mario Toneguzzi is Managing Editor of Canada’s Podcast. He has more than 40 years of experience as a daily newspaper writer, columnist, and editor. He was named in 2021 as one of the Top 10 Business Journalists in the World by PR News – the only Canadian to make the list) About Us Canada’s Podcast is the number one podcast in Canada for entrepreneurs and business owners. Established in 2016, the podcast network has interviewed over 600 Canadian entrepreneurs from coast-to-coast. With hosts in each province, entrepreneurs have a local and national format to tell their stories, talk about their journey and provide inspiration for anyone starting their entrepreneurial journey and well- established founders. The commitment to a grass roots approach has built a loyal audience on all our social channels and YouTube – 500,000+ lifetime YouTube views, 200,000 + audio downloads, 35,000 + average monthly social impressions, 10,000 + engaged social followers and 35,000 newsletter subscribers. Canada’s Podcast is proud to provide a local, national and international presence for Canadian entrepreneurs to build their brand and tell their story. #business #CanadasNumberOnePodcastforEntrepreneursentrepreneurs #entrepreneurship #smallbusiness

Aslan Renewables, a PEI-based company founded by successful tech entrepreneur Andrew Murray, is revolutionizing renewable energy with its scalable modular dams designed to bring Canada’s 50,000 historical hydro sites back to life with modern technology. Entrepreneurs are the backbone of Canada’s economy. To support Canada’s businesses, subscribe to our YouTube channel and follow us on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and Twitter. Want to stay up-to-date on the latest #entrepreneur podcasts and news? Subscribe to our bi-weekly newsletter

In this interview, Carmin Di Fiore, Executive Vice President of CBRE’s Debt and Structured Finance team, discusses the real estate company’s latest Canadian Real Estate Lenders’ Report. Di Fiore talks about how lenders are feeling about the market right now, what cities in Canada are seeing investment, what assets are attractive today, how the office market is still struggling and what to expect with the economy in 2024. PRESS RELEASE Toronto, ON – November 27, 2023 – Lenders are signaling optimism in real estate as interest rate hikes appear to plateau. The amount of debt capital available to facilitate Canadian real estate transactions is expected to grow modestly in 2024. According to CBRE’s new Canadian Real Estate Lenders’ Report, lenders plan to add 16% of net new capital into the real estate market in the coming year, and 79% of lenders say they plan to expand their outstanding real estate loan books in 2024. Despite this focused growth in lending for real estate, for the first time in four years a small group of lenders have reported intentions to modestly trim their amount of capital available next year. Lenders unanimously see elevated interest rates as the top challenge facing the Canadian lending market in 2024. The impact of interest rates on property cash flows and pricing has created uncertainty around property valuations, which ranks as the second greatest challenge expected by lenders next year. Recession fears have faded and are currently not a top concern for lenders in 2024. Expectations appear to have shifted towards a “soft landing” for the economy, with only potentially moderate or minor impacts on underwriting. In fact, 12% of lenders do not plan to factor any recession into their property underwriting for 2024. It should also be noted that less than one-third of lenders expressed concern with real estate market fundamentals. CBRE’s Canadian Real Estate Lenders’ Report surveys domestic and foreign lenders to gauge commercial real estate lending sentiment and offers borrowers insights on what to expect as they look to access real estate financing. Toronto, Vancouver, Montreal, and Ottawa are the markets generating the strongest lender appetite. In terms of asset classes, Purpose-Built Rental (Conventional), Purpose-Built Rental (CMHC-Insured), and Industrial were cited as the most favourable property types for lenders and with the most available financing. “The challenging conditions in real estate are no longer news and the lending community is starting to look ahead to what comes next,” notes Carmin Di Fiore, Executive Vice President of CBRE’s Debt and Structured Finance team. “The continual escalation in cost of capital, valuation uncertainty and tightening credit have impinged on the industry’s performance and reduced real estate transactions. That said, the general tone in the market has improved slightly looking ahead to 2024.” Here are six additional takeaways from CBRE’s new Lenders’ survey: Office Sector Poses the Greatest Challenge Lender sentiment on office assets continues to deteriorate, as 67% intend to cut their exposures next year and none have plans to increase their budgets for office in 2024. Class B office in the suburbs and downtown core caused the greatest concern, with 94% of lenders expressing concern for each property type. Class A office assets also recorded the largest declines in lender sentiment year-over-year, in both the suburban and downtown segments. Through an open-ended survey question, more than half of the lenders cited work-from-home in some form as the greatest challenge facing the office lending market today. Uncertainty surrounding office valuations is another challenge given leasing demand and a lack of sale comparisons. Property Types with Most Lender Concern Office – Suburban, Class B Office – Core, Class B Retail – Regional Malls in Secondary Markets Purpose-Built Rental in Greatest Demand Purpose-built rental and industrial real estate remain the most desired asset classes among lenders, who have expressed strong intentions to increase budgets and expand exposures to both sectors in 2024. Amid incentives offered by the federal government and some provincial governments for purpose-built rental development, lenders hope for increased multifamily development in Toronto, Vancouver, Montreal and Halifax. Overall, lenders remain bullish on the industrial sector, with only a small minority expecting a market correction. But debt availability for industrial development is likely to be more nuanced next year as 55% of lenders reported low or no appetite to finance speculative industrial construction in 2024. Among the alternative real estate sectors, self-storage and seniors housing recorded the greatest interest, with over a third of respondents that lend to those sectors looking to increase their 2024 budgets. The hotels asset class recorded the biggest improvement in lender sentiment, marking the third consecutive year of improvement for the se

In this interview, Peter Menzies, Senior Fellow with the Macdonald-Laurier Institute, former newspaper executive and past vice chair of the CRTC, discusses the state of the media in Canada. Menzies talks about how the industry is at a point where it needs to adapt or die, how it got to this point, who is to blame, the federal government online legislation, the CBC, and the growth of alternative news publications. Below is a column Menzies wrote for The Hub. By Peter Menzies, November 22, 2023 Twenty years ago, it should have been obvious to all that the jig was up for newspapers and journalism was going to need a new ride. Print had a good run—almost 600 years—but the invention by Tim Berners-Lee of the World Wide Web meant the era of massive presses and the power they bestowed on their owners was coming to an end. The only question, once Craigslist and Kijiji began boring holes in classified advertising, the economic foundation of newspapers, was whether there would even be time to save the furniture. Since the turn of the century, there have only been two alternatives for legacy news organizations: adapt or die. While there has been some evidence of success in terms of the former, public policy support has ignored new ideas in favour of propping up the ones everyone knows won’t make it. The results have ranged from inconsequential to catastrophic. In Canada, as author and academic Marc Edge has detailed in his most recent book, The Postmedia Effect, the possibilities for newspapers to adapt have been severely limited by the nation’s largest and dominant chain’s business and ownership structures. Thousands of jobs have been cut to ensure high-interest debt payments can be made to its U.S. hedge fund owners. Easy to blame management, one supposes, but hedge funds gotta hedge and the primary fault for the mess that is Canada’s news industry belongs squarely at the door of the nation’s public policymakers. Sadly, outdated foreign ownership regulations restricted the supply of qualified buyers for media organizations, which depressed the cost of acquiring newspapers to a level that facilitated their acquisition en masse by Southam, then Hollinger, then Canwest, then Postmedia. With every step, competition was suppressed through increasingly consolidated ownership only to find the nation’s largest newspaper chain owned by Americans. You can’t make that up. Piling on, the Competition Bureau in 2015 inexplicably approved Postmedia’s acquisition of Quebecor (Sun) Media’s newspapers based on the “lack of close rivalry” between newspapers such as the Calgary Herald and the Calgary Sun and “the incentive for the merged entity to retain readership and maintain editorial quality in order to continue to attract advertisers.” All said with a straight face. Anyone who had actually worked in the business—I put in shifts at both the Calgary Sun and the Calgary Herald in their halcyon days—would know that this is sheer nonsense justified only by the extreme narrowness of the analysis the Bureau undertook. Today, the only distinguishable difference in content between the Herald and the Sun is that Don Braid writes a column for the Herald, and Rick Bell writes one for the Sun—a pretense of competition that appears to have allowed both to extend their careers well beyond those of thousands of their colleagues. “No solutions can be found until the issue of the CBC is dealt with.” Thirty years ago, Bell and Braid shared more than 250 newsroom colleagues covering events in a city of fewer than 800,000 people. Today, reflective of their business’s demise, a couple of dozen survivors cling to the Herald/Sun lifeboat in a city approaching 1.5 million. Their presses and even their buildings have been sold to feed the hedge fund. Implementation of policies designed to sustain business models that produce results such as these in the hope of “saving journalism” is self-evidently unwise. We live at a time when innovation and entrepreneurship—virtues that are fuelled by competition and suppressed by consolidation—are desperately needed. While those are clearly lacking in the newspaper industry (laudable exceptions apply at the Globe and Mail, Le Devoir, and a plethora of digital startups) it’s just as unlikely journalism can find salvation in the arms of Canada’s heavily regulated broadcasting industry. For it, with exceptions acknowledged, the provision of news has always been primarily a regulatory obligation and not a core business proposition. Broadcasters are in the business of entertaining people with music, drama, chat, and related programming and have long acknowledged there is little or no money in them for news. All too often, it’s just regulatory rent. For those who may believe, though, the ponderous regulatory processes in place at the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) make the entrepreneurship and innovation needed to adapt in an era of massive technological change almost impossible. But all t

In this interview, Elliot Morris, Grocery and Consumer Packaged Goods Leader with EY Canada, discusses a new survey on how climate change concerns are disrupting Canadian consumption habits. Morris talks about the habits of different demographics and trends in the retail industry. PRESS RELEASE (Toronto, November 14, 2023) The EY Future Consumer Index Survey reveals deepening concerns around inflation (96%) and climate change (84%) are pushing Canadians to change how they live and what they buy. “Over the last few years, there has been a gap between intention and action for both companies and consumers in their efforts to address sustainability, but the real effects of environmental change on people’s lives is narrowing that gap and sparking a new wave of change,” says Monica Chadha, EY Canada Retail Leader. “As we head into the holiday season and beyond, we’ll see more shoppers take control and do their research to optimize for both economic and environmental benefits.” Consumers are taking action by buying less For the more than half of consumers who indicate they’re planning to buy less, 38% say this due to an effort to help the environment. Fashion accessories (60%) topped the list of product categories consumers plan to spend less on followed by toys and gadgets (52%) and clothing, footwear, beauty and cosmetics (48%). “Extreme weather events, rising energy costs and continued changes to harvests and crops have meaningfully impacted prices and affordability — some consumers have already made switches out of necessity and more are likely to follow,” explains Elliot Morris, EY Canada Grocery and Consumer Packaged Goods Leader. “Consumer products companies can’t ignore the large percentages of Canadians who are changing their lifestyles and consumption habits in response to climate change and affordability concerns.” Consumers are adapting to climate change-related needs Nearly one-third of Canadians have had to change the food they eat because climate change has pushed up prices or limited the availability of products. This is pushing consumers to think differently, with 32% starting to consider buying products that can mitigate the effects of climate change. Seeking ways to stretch their budgets, 41% of respondents plan to cook and entertain more often at home. This also means sacrificing takeout food, with 48% now planning to order less — a 15% jump from just over a year ago. Generations act and spend differently on sustainability Two-thirds (64%) of Canadians attribute their efforts to drive change to a personal concern for the fragility of the planet (up 8% from October 2022), there’s a clear generational divide when it comes to behaviours like using less plastic, recycling more or conserving water. Globally, 65% of baby boomers bring reusable bags to the store compared with just 43% of Gen Z, and 63% of baby boomers recycle or reuse packaging after use, compared with 48% of millennials. On the flipside, younger generations in Canada are speaking with their wallets and double-checking company claims. One-quarter of Gen Z indicated that they are willing to pay for more sustainable goods and services compared with 6% of baby boomers. And 32% of Gen Z will check an organization’s sustainability policies online compared with 7% of baby boomers. “People are more informed now about what sustainability means and have better access to information to assess whether a brand is living up to its promises,” adds Morris. “Companies need to get ahead and respond now by creating new products or reformulating existing ones to make them healthier and more sustainable, so they can protect their profitability and the brand experience.” Learn more about the EY Future Consumer Index here. Mario Toneguzzi is Managing Editor of Canada’s Podcast. He has more than 40 years of experience as a daily newspaper writer, columnist, and editor. He was named in 2021 as one of the Top 10 Business Journalists in the World by PR News – the only Canadian to make the list About Us Canada’s Podcast is the number one podcast in Canada for entrepreneurs and business owners. Established in 2016, the podcast network has interviewed over 600 Canadian entrepreneurs from coast-to-coast. With hosts in each province, entrepreneurs have a local and national format to tell their stories, talk about their journey and provide inspiration for anyone starting their entrepreneurial journey and well- established founders. The commitment to a grass roots approach has built a loyal audience on all our social channels and YouTube – 500,000+ lifetime YouTube views, 200,000 + audio downloads, 35,000 + average monthly social impressions, 10,000 + engaged social followers and 35,000 newsletter subscribers. Canada’s Podcast is proud to provide a local, national and international presence for Canadian entrepreneurs to build their brand and tell their story. #business #CanadasNumberOnePodcastforEntrepreneurs #Consumers #entrepreneurs #entrepreneurship #retail #Shopp

In this interview, Franco Terrazzano, Federal Director of the Canadian Taxpayers Federation, discusses some of the tax hikes that will hit Canadian consumers in 2024. PRESS RELEASE Brace for impact: more federal tax hikes in 2024 OTTAWA, ON: The Canadian Taxpayers Federation released its annual New Year’s Tax Changes report today to highlight major tax changes in 2024. “Tax hikes will give Canadians a hangover in the new year,” said Franco Terrazzano, Federal Director of the CTF. “Canadians need help with the rising cost of living, but the feds will be reaching deeper into our pockets with major tax hikes in 2024.” Payroll taxes: The federal government is raising the mandatory Canada Pension Plan and Employment Insurance contributions in 2024. These payroll tax increases will cost a worker up to $347 next year. For workers making $73,200 or more, federal payroll taxes (CPP and EI tax) will cost them $5,104 in 2024. Their employer will also be forced to pay $5,524. Carbon tax: The federal carbon tax is increasing to more than 17 cents per litre of gas and 15 cents per cubic metre of natural gas on Apr. 1, 2024. The carbon tax will cost the average household between $377 and $911 in 2024-25, even after the rebates, according to the Parliamentary Budget Officer. Alcohol escalator tax: Alcohol taxes will increase by 4.7 per cent on Apr. 1, 2024. Taxes already account for about half of the price of beer, 65 per cent of the price of wine and more than three quarters of the price of spirits. This tax hike will cost Canadians almost $100 million next year. “Canadians pay too much tax because the government wastes too much money,” Terrazzano said. “Canadians need relief now, and that means Prime Minister Justin Trudeau must drop his plans to raises taxes in 2024.” You can find the CTF’s New Year’s Tax Changes report here. Mario Toneguzzi is Managing Editor of Canada’s Podcast. He has more than 40 years of experience as a daily newspaper writer, columnist, and editor. He was named in 2021 as one of the Top 10 Business Journalists in the World by PR News – the only Canadian to make the list About Us Canada’s Podcast is the number one podcast in Canada for entrepreneurs and business owners. Established in 2016, the podcast network has interviewed over 600 Canadian entrepreneurs from coast-to-coast. With hosts in each province, entrepreneurs have a local and national format to tell their stories, talk about their journey and provide inspiration for anyone starting their entrepreneurial journey and well- established founders. The commitment to a grass roots approach has built a loyal audience on all our social channels and YouTube – 500,000+ lifetime YouTube views, 200,000 + audio downloads, 35,000 + average monthly social impressions, 10,000 + engaged social followers and 35,000 newsletter subscribers. Canada’s Podcast is proud to provide a local, national and international presence for Canadian entrepreneurs to build their brand and tell their story. #business #CanadasNumberOnePodcastforEntrepreneurs #entrepreneurs #entrepreneurship #smallbusiness #Taxes

In this interview, Phil Soper, President and CEO of Royal LePage, discusses the real estate company’s latest housing report. Soper talks about where home prices are headed in 2024, what to expect in sales, the impact of increased mortgage rates, the challenge of supply in Canada and affordability. PRESS RELEASE TORONTO, Dec. 14, 2023 /CNW/ – After years of unprecedented irregularity, Canadians may see the real estate market return closer to normal in 2024. According to the Royal LePage Market Survey Forecast, the aggregate1 price of a home in Canada is set to increase 5.5 per cent year over year to $843,684 in the fourth quarter of 2024, with the median price of a single-family detached property and condominium projected to increase 6.0 per cent and 5.0 to $879,164 and $616,140, respectively.2 “Looking ahead, we see 2024 as an important tipping point for the national economy as the majority of Canadians acknowledge that the ultra-low interest rate era is dead and gone,” said Phil Soper, President and CEO, Royal LePage. “We believe that the ‘great adjustment’ to tolerable, mid-single-digit borrowing costs will have a firm grip on our collective consciousness after only modest rate cuts by the Bank of Canada.” Home prices are expected to rise next year in all major markets across the country, with Calgary forecast to see the greatest gains. Throughout the second half of 2023, while prices have been declining in other cities, the Calgary real estate market has bucked the trend continuing on an upward price trajectory. Royal LePage’s forecast is based on the prediction that the Bank of Canada has concluded its interest rate hike campaign and that the key lending rate will hold steady at five per cent through the first half of 2024. The central bank is expected to start making modest cuts in late summer or fall of next year. Meanwhile, several major financial institutions have already begun offering discounts on fixed-rate mortgages. “For the last year, many Canadians have been fixated on the idea of interest rates needing to come down significantly before they can afford to enter or re-enter the housing market. Acceptance that a mortgage rate of four to five per cent is the new normal should untether pent-up demand as first-time buyers, flush with savings collected during the extended down market in housing, regain the confidence to go home shopping. And, with the return of first-timer demand, we expect families who have put off upgrading their homes to begin to list their properties in much greater numbers,” continued Soper. How we got here Over the last eighteen months, sales activity in most of Canada’s major real estate markets has been on the decline, while inventory levels have gradually increased. While transactions are down as much as 20 or 30 per cent in some regions, home prices have only declined modestly during this time, due to a simultaneous drop in demand as buyer hopefuls continue to hold out for lower interest rates. Still, prices remain above 2022 levels. “Canada’s real estate market has been on a roller coaster ride for the last four years. A global pandemic briefly brought market activity to a grinding halt in early 2020, followed by a rapid, widespread spike in demand and price appreciation as Canadians sought safety and greater living space in their homes among a world of uncertainty. By the spring of 2022, home prices had reached unprecedented highs, but when interest rates started rising quickly and steeply to combat inflation, the extended market correction began,” said Soper. “Markets take time to adjust. We see a move toward typical home sale transaction levels in 2024, and as the year progresses, appreciating house prices.” Quarterly forecast Nationally, home prices are forecast to see modest quarterly gains in the first two quarters of 2024, with more considerable increases expected in the second half of the year, following the anticipated start of interest rate cuts by the Bank of Canada. The aggregate price of a home in Canada is forecast to be 3.3 per cent higher in Q1 of 2024 compared to the same quarter in 2023, reflecting a 0.5 per cent increase over the fourth quarter of 2023. In the second quarter of next year, the national aggregate home price is forecast to be 0.2 per cent higher year over year and 0.9 per cent above the previous quarter. In the third quarter, home prices are expected to be 3.3 per cent higher year over year and 2.3 per cent higher on a quarterly basis. And, in the fourth quarter of 2024, the national aggregate price of a home is expected to land 5.5 per cent above the same quarter in 2023, an increase of 1.7 per cent quarter over quarter. Based on this forecast, by the end of next year, home prices will have essentially climbed back to their pandemic peak, reached in the first quarter of 2022. Supply shortage and affordability challenges Canada continues to struggle with a chronic housing supply shortage. According to the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corpo

In this interview, Jaimie Boyd, National Digital Government Leader for Deloitte Canada, discusses a new report highlighting the demand for digital skills today in the workplace. Boyd talks about the difficulties in finding talent, why it’s important for companies to adopt new technologies, the challenges and the investment in cyber security. PRESS RELEASE TORONTO, Nov. 14, 2023 /CNW/ – As some organizations begin to reap the benefits of the digital revolution, the disparities that threaten progress have become more apparent for others. A new report by Deloitte’s Future of Canada Centre, Digital equity: Empowering all organizations to succeed in the digital era, finds that not all Canadian organizations are equipped to seize the opportunities created by digital technologies. The third and final digital equity report from Deloitte’s Future of Canada Centre reveals that small and medium enterprises (SMEs), Indigenous-owned and -led organizations, public sector organizations, and not-for-profit organizations, face disproportionate barriers to digital equity. Existing and emerging digital technologies carry huge potential to benefit Canadian organizations and spur economic growth, but a lack of in-house specialized technology experience to shape digital strategies or guide digital investment decisions, digital skills shortages in the labour market, and a constantly evolving regulatory and cyberthreat environment, interfere with these organizations’ ability catch up, keep up or thrive in a digital era. “Our people are the lifeblood of a resilient economy, and we must first identify, then work to eliminate barriers and ensure they have the skills needed for the future,” says Anthony Viel, CEO, Deloitte Canada. “Thriving organizations create the foundation for thriving people, communities, and societies. The current convergence of cutting-edge technologies underpins a future of possibilities, promising enhanced efficiency, growth, and innovation for all Canadians, and organizations of all sizes across the country. If we act now, Canada’s future can be bright, with outcomes for government, business, and people.” Deloitte’s new report, which is based on original research including a survey of 804 Canadian senior business leaders, examines the ongoing challenges organizations face across three pillars—access, participation, and ecosystem. The report makes practical and actionable recommendations for leaders of organizations and policymakers on how to work together to ensure a more equitable future. Some of the survey findings include: Two-thirds (67%) of survey respondents describe the cost of software licences and subscriptions as somewhat or very challenging, with one in four (25%) describing it as a great challenge. 56 per cent say choosing between competing software vendors or cloud service providers is somewhat or very challenging. A majority (58%) of survey respondents say uncertainty about which technologies would be most beneficial to the organization is somewhat or very challenging. 67 per cent of organizations with over 10 employees say hiring digitally skilled workers is somewhat or very challenging, which rises to 70 per cent for medium (100-499 employees) and large organizations (500 employees or more). 59 per cent of organizations permit employees to use personal mobile devices for work, while almost a third (32%) permit employees to use personal computers or laptops for work – increasing attack surface for cybercriminals. Meanwhile, 20 per cent of Canadian business leaders surveyed say their organization has not invested in any cybersecurity software or applications. “Organizations open to investing in new ways of working, upskilling, and training employees, will be a part of the movement toward an inclusive digital future” says Jaimie Boyd, National Digital Government Leader at Deloitte Canada. “We hope organizational leaders and policymakers can use our recommendations to address the barriers Canadian organizations are facing and pave the way to a more inclusive digital future for individuals and organizations alike—because we’re not there yet.” Some of the recommendations from the report include: Connect every organization with the right digital tools By creating a digital investment strategy clearly linking digital investments to business objectives, employers can participate in the digital economy as they see fit. Attending conferences, trade shows, summits, and seminars will help employers address knowledge gaps around digital solutions and keep them on the pulse of what digital tools are available in the marketplace. Participating in peer networks and industry groups, are ways for leaders to learn from one another and share best practices. Ensure organizations have the skills to thrive in the digital economy Organizations, especially smaller ones and non-profits, that are facing challenges finding and retaining digital talent need to think strategically about their talent value proposition and ho

In this interview, Corinne Pohlmann, Executive Vice-President of Advocacy of the Canadian Federation of Independent Business, discusses the big challenges small businesses continue to face in Canada. Pohlmann talks about the looming repayment deadline for the Canada Emergency Business Account as well as the increases in employers’ payrolls with hikes for Canada Pension Plan and Employment Insurance. NEWS RELEASE No cost relief in sight for Canadians and small businesses as government hikes CPP and EI yet again Toronto, January 4, 2024 – As of Jan. 1, Canadians will be seeing a drop in their take-home income, while employers will face another increase to their payroll budgets due to Employment Insurance (EI) hikes and adding a second earnings limit to Canada Pension Plan (CPP) thereby hiking CPP, says the Canadian Federation of Independent Business (CFIB). These latest hikes increased payroll taxes for employers by up to $366 per employee, and up to $348 for workers. This year, total employer contributions for CPP and EI alone could amount to $5,524 per employee. “That’s a significant increase in the cost of labour for employers and puts them in an even tougher position, especially when many employees will be looking for a salary increase at the beginning of the year. Business owners may be forced to rethink their wage and hiring plans for 2024. And that is over and above other cost pressures small businesses are dealing with right now, such as the looming Canada Emergency Business Account repayment deadline,” said Corinne Pohlmann, Executive Vice-President of Advocacy at CFIB. Heading into 2024, most small businesses (77%) want governments to focus on addressing rising prices and the cost of doing business, while another 74% want governments to reduce the overall tax burden, according to a recent CFIB survey. If governments reduced the overall tax burden, over half (57%) of small businesses said they would increase employee compensation such as wages and benefits. CFIB is calling on Ottawa to work with the provinces to offset the CPP hikes, implement a 50:50 split in EI premiums between employers and employees, or introduce a refundable credit, similar to the 2015-16 Small Business Job Credit, to offset the rate increases for small businesses. With the carbon tax set to increase to $80 per tonne on April 1, the federal government should overhaul the entire carbon tax system by halting future carbon tax increases, immediately returning all promised funds to small businesses that paid into the tax and expanding the carbon tax exemption to all forms of heating fuels, including natural gas and other sources used by small business. “Ottawa is sitting on $2.5 billion in carbon tax revenue that it promised to return to small businesses, at the same time it’s providing large subsidies to multinational corporations, while small businesses and Canadians are struggling with the increased costs of living. Is this where government priorities lie?” Pohlmann said. “Ottawa must wake up and realize the impacts its recent decisions on CEBA and rate hikes will have on small businesses’ ability to continue to operate, much less compete.” Methodology: Final results for the Your Voice – December 2023 survey, conducted from December 7-19, 2023, number of respondents = 2,966. For comparison purposes, a probability sample with the same number of respondents would have a margin of error of at most +/-1.8%, 19 times out of 20. Final results for the Your Voice – November 2023 survey. The online survey was conducted November 2-20, 2023, number of respondents = 3,265. For comparison purposes, a probability samples with the same number of respondents would have a margin of error of +/-1.7%, 19 times out of 20. About CFIB The Canadian Federation of Independent Business (CFIB) is Canada’s largest association of small and medium-sized businesses with 97,000 members across every industry and region. CFIB is dedicated to increasing business owners’ chances of success by driving policy change at all levels of government, providing expert advice and tools, and negotiating exclusive savings. Learn more at cfib.ca. Mario Toneguzzi Mario Toneguzzi is Managing Editor of Canada’s Podcast. He has more than 40 years of experience as a daily newspaper writer, columnist, and editor. He was named in 2021 as one of the Top 10 Business Journalists in the World by PR News – the only Canadian to make the list About Us Canada’s Podcast is the number one podcast in Canada for entrepreneurs and business owners. Established in 2016, the podcast network has interviewed over 600 Canadian entrepreneurs from coast-to-coast. With hosts in each province, entrepreneurs have a local and national format to tell their stories, talk about their journey and provide inspiration for anyone starting their entrepreneurial journey and well- established founders. The commitment to a grass roots approach has built a loyal audience on all our social channels and YouTube – 500,000+

In this interview, Tim Sanderson, Executive Vice President, Retail, for JLL Canada, discusses the real estate firm’s latest holiday shopping survey. Sanderson talks about how 39% of Canadians are looking for ways to save money this year, what retailers will benefit from that, and the preference of in-store shopping. PRESS RELEASE TORONTO, November 22, 2023— JLL released today the Canada Holiday Shopping Survey Report 2023, highlighting the preferences and behaviours of holiday shoppers across Canada. The report indicates that 39% of Canadian holiday shoppers prioritize saving money, while the remaining 61% expand their holiday budget to make the season more fulfilling for their loved ones. Despite inflation concerns, shoppers’ average holiday budgets increased by 16% from last year, with Canadians planning to spend an average of $1,049.00 on holiday related experiences, gifts, and merchandise combined in 2023. Clothing, shoes, and gift cards are the top choices for holiday gifts, with shoppers planning to visit a total of five stores and purchase seven different gifts on average. Moreover, the report reveals that shopping centers, restaurants, food courts, and movie theaters are the most sought-after destinations for holiday experiences. Shopping centres dominate as the preferred method of shopping, with 95% of holiday shoppers planning to visit them, an average of three times. Dining out at restaurants is also highly popular, with 93% of shoppers planning to eat out two or more times during the holiday season. As more shoppers plan to eat and/or drink in shopping centres, average dwell time continues to increase, reaching an average of 65 minutes this year. In 2021, average dwell time was 50 minutes. With fewer shoppers concerned about health and safety, short trips have become less popular. Half of shoppers plan to stay at a shopping centre between 30 and 90 minutes. The report indicates a preference for physical stores over online shopping, with big box and discount stores remaining highly popular among shoppers. However, deal-hunters tend to favor e-commerce platforms, with Amazon topping the list of preferred retailers in Canada. In terms of social media use for shopping decisions, YouTube, Facebook, and Instagram are the most popular platforms among Canadian shoppers. “A significant change in 2023 is the prioritization of emotional connection with loved ones through gifts and experiences,” said Tim Sanderson, Executive Vice President, Retail, JLL Canada. “Despite economic uncertainty, many will spend 30% of their budget on experience such as dining, recreation and travel.” Methodology The report surveyed 1,000 online respondents throughout Canada across gender, age, ethnicity, education, income, marital status, number of children, employment status, career, and province. The survey was conducted in English on October 24-25, 2023. To access the full Canada Holiday Shopping Survey Report 2023 and learn more about the findings, please visit jll.ca. About JLL For over 200 years, JLL (NYSE: JLL), a leading global commercial real estate and investment management company, has helped clients buy, build, occupy, manage and invest in a variety of commercial, industrial, hotel, residential and retail properties. A Fortune 500® company with annual revenue of $20.9 billion and operations in over 80 countries around the world, our more than 105,000 employees bring the power of a global platform combined with local expertise. Driven by our purpose to shape the future of real estate for a better world, we help our clients, people and communities SEE A BRIGHTER WAYSM. JLL is the brand name, and a registered trademark, of Jones Lang LaSalle Incorporated. For further information, visit jll.com. Mario Toneguzzi Mario Toneguzzi is Managing Editor of Canada’s Podcast. He has more than 40 years of experience as a daily newspaper writer, columnist, and editor. He was named in 2021 as one of the Top 10 Business Journalists in the World by PR News – the only Canadian to make the list About Us Canada’s Podcast is the number one podcast in Canada for entrepreneurs and business owners. Established in 2016, the podcast network has interviewed over 600 Canadian entrepreneurs from coast-to-coast. With hosts in each province, entrepreneurs have a local and national format to tell their stories, talk about their journey and provide inspiration for anyone starting their entrepreneurial journey and well- established founders. The commitment to a grass roots approach has built a loyal audience on all our social channels and YouTube – 500,000+ lifetime YouTube views, 200,000 + audio downloads, 35,000 + average monthly social impressions, 10,000 + engaged social followers and 35,000 newsletter subscribers. Canada’s Podcast is proud to provide a local, national and international presence for Canadian entrepreneurs to build their brand and tell their story. #business #CanadasNumberOnePodcastforEntrepreneursentrepreneurs #entrepreneurship #re

Emily Hosie has a track record of effecting industry-shifting growth and success in the retail space through her tenure at fashion powerhouses, TJ Maxx, Saks Fifth Avenue, Saks Off Fifth, and Holt Renfrew. A dynamic millennial mom, Emily recognized a huge void in the baby gear retail market that was ripe for innovation, within a legacy industry in need of an update. Her solution for the industry was Rebelstork – a certified B Corp and purpose-driven company dedicated to creating a marketplace that connects brands and retailers to parents across North America. Her innovative AI-powered ecosystem enables frictionless movement of overstock, open box (store returns), and quality used baby gear between buyers and sellers. In four short years, Emily has brought her vision of a re-commerce and circular economy to life across two countries. To date, Rebelstork has saved over 180,000 pieces of baby gear from ending up in landfills and instead into the homes of parents across North America at a fraction of the original retail price. Entrepreneurs are the backbone of Canada’s economy. To support Canada’s businesses, subscribe to our YouTube channel and follow us on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and Twitter. Want to stay up-to-date on the latest #entrepreneur podcasts and news? Subscribe to our bi-weekly newsletter

In 2017, Sean Alexander and his family built a home in the new community of Harmony, a lake community just west of Calgary. For a side business, outside of his oil & gas career, Sean began importing Standup Paddleboards (SUPs) to sell to his neighbours out of his garage in late 2019, branding them KAILANI. Shortly after that, he realized not everyone wanted to paddleboard, so he expanded his product range and began manufacturing and importing brightly coloured coolers and started initially selling them to his Friday night shinny hockey team. In early 2020, he found himself laid off from his job in the oil and gas sector, and that’s when he decided to go all in on his idea of starting an outdoor lifestyle company. Eight months later, following a 7-day road trip through the interior of BC, he had secured $130,000 in purchase orders for his colourful collection of coolers, landing him a $1M investment with an Alberta-based private equity group. On November 2, Sean appeared in episode 7 of Season 18 on Dragons’ Den and secured a $1,000,000 deal with Wes Hall, $500,000 for 15% of his company and an additional $500,000 as an Operating Line of Credit. You can view the segment at https://www.cbc.ca/dragonsden/pitches/kailani. Today, he is selling coast-to-coast in over 200 retailers, 120 Pro Shops, 50 Promotional Marketing Companies and successfully selling in his Amazon Canada Storefront. He is an Official Partner with PGA Alberta and as of Nov 28th, 2023, and just signed a 3 year Agreement as a National Partner with the CPRA, Canadian Professional Rodeo Association, which is the sanctioning body for Pro Rodeo Events in Canada with 1100+ Athlete Members. Entrepreneurs are the backbone of Canada’s economy. To support Canada’s businesses, subscribe to our YouTube channel and follow us on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and Twitter. Want to stay up-to-date on the latest #entrepreneur podcasts and news? Subscribe to our bi-weekly newsletter

Emily Ward is the co-founder of Canada’s leading global influencer talent management agency Shine Talent Group. Emily transformed her PR agency (which she had for 10+ years) into a full influencer talent management agency. In this session we discuss, knowing when to make a change, knowing when it's time to bring on a business partner, and how to find the right person. Entrepreneurs are the backbone of Canada’s economy. To support Canada’s businesses, subscribe to our YouTube channel and follow us on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and Twitter. Want to stay up-to-date on the latest #entrepreneur podcasts and news? Subscribe to our bi-weekly newsletter

As a highly accomplished senior executive with 30 years of international experience across multiple industries, Rhea Dubois-Phillips has a track record of building and leading strong teams, advising C-Suite, and managing integrated campaigns to promote and protect reputation, revenue and business objectives. She is a respected leader, motivator, and strategist with the ability to empower employees and transform businesses. Rhea draws on her extensive experience living and working abroad, including 15 years working across Asia in key markets such as Hong Kong, Beijing, Jakarta, Seoul, Singapore, and Tokyo, where she provided senior counsel to major blue chip companies including ING, Lehman Brothers, LG, Lockheed Martin, Microsoft, Phillips, the Russian Space Agency, Samsung, and Starbucks. In her most recent professional chapter, Rhea Dubois-Phillips dedicated two decades to Edelman, the world’s largest private PR agency. Her journey unfolded across six of Edelman’s offices in Asia, culminating in her role as the accomplished General Manager of the Vancouver office. Here, she skillfully navigated a thriving business spanning diverse sectors and specialties. Rhea’s leadership was instrumental in curating a dynamic portfolio of clients, including Colliers, QuadReal, Vancouver Fraser Port Authority, Coast Capital Savings, eComm 911, Prospera, Westminster Savings, BC Ferries, Canfor, LNG Canada, City of Surrey, and more. Her legacy is her prowess to cultivate profitability, nurture client relationships, and build cohesive teams that transcend geographical boundaries. Rhea’s extensive experience positions her as a seasoned expert in the dynamic realm of public relations, solidifying her reputation as a collaborative industry leader. Rhea holds a Master’s of English from the University of London, a Diploma from the University of Paris, Sorbonne, and a Bachelor of Arts from the University of British Columbia. In 2022, Rhea was named one of Business in Vancouver’s most influential leaders in marketing, public and media relations. Entrepreneurs are the backbone of Canada’s economy. To support Canada’s businesses, subscribe to our YouTube channel and follow us on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and Twitter. Want to stay up-to-date on the latest #entrepreneur podcasts and news? Subscribe to our bi-weekly newsletter

Aditya Dutta, Co-Owner of Monki Breakfast Club & Bistro in Calgary, is a seasoned entrepreneur who has led and helped startups in the hospitality, fashion and real estate industries. An engineering graduate of McGill University, Aditya loves innovation and is now following his childhood passion of revolutionizing the hospitality industry in Calgary, Alberta. A Management Consultant by trade, he worked for more than three years in the Business Strategy and Transformation teams encompassing many industries. Entrepreneurs are the backbone of Canada’s economy. To support Canada’s businesses, subscribe to our YouTube channel and follow us on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and Twitter. Want to stay up-to-date on the latest #entrepreneur podcasts and news? Subscribe to our bi-weekly newsletter

As country leader for Sage in Canada, Mark Hickman helps to empower Canadian businesses by simplifying workflows to break down barriers and achieve growth. With more than 20 years of experience at the executive management and leadership-levels, where he consistently grew revenues at leading organizations, Mark brings a wealth of knowledge essential to successfully navigate the channel, partner, and SMB landscapes in Canada. As a leader, Mark looks to empower colleagues, partners, and customers to seek out solutions through creativity and innovation. As VP of Research and Public Policy for the Canadian Council for Aboriginal Business, Matthew Foss helps position Indigenous business at the focal point for strengthening Indigenous communities and promoting prosperous relationships. Foss has ample years of experience in consulting management and mentorship with entrepreneurs. The Canadian Council for Aboriginal Business provides key resources and learning opportunities for Indigenous businesses across the country. Company social links Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sagesoftware.canada/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/Sage_Canada Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lifeatsage/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/sage-software/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CanadianCouncilforAboriginalBusiness Twitter: https://twitter.com/ccab_national Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ccab_national/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/ccab-national Entrepreneurs are the backbone of Canada’s economy. To support Canada’s businesses, subscribe to our YouTube channel and follow us on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and Twitter. Want to stay up-to-date on the latest #entrepreneur podcasts and news? Subscribe to our bi-weekly newsletter

Cate & Levi was founded in 2008 after the CEO & Founder's first son Levi was born. Although Josh Title graduated from law school and practiced corporate law, "making" has always been his true calling. His mom is an avid crafter and father a committed and successful small business owner. You may say that Josh is the perfect marriage of both! As Josh and his wife awaited the birth of their first child, he noticed that there was a lack of one of a kind, responsibly made, and beautifully designed products for children. He decided to create a unique collection of products that would be intricately crafted and environmentally responsible. Josh started by designing a handful of stuffed animals made from upcycled sweaters. These quickly became their signature pieces distributed and collected around the world. The Cate & Levi Collection is handmade at Josh's studio in Toronto, Canada. Together with his talented production team, he oversee every aspect of this collection. All the materials are sourced as close to home as possible. This process cuts down on shipping and reduces the carbon footprint. Cate and Levi produces three distinct product lines: One Of A Kind Reclaimed Wool Finished Products, DIY Wool Crafting Kits, and Softy Polar Fleece Finished Products. Entrepreneurs are the backbone of Canada’s economy. To support Canada’s businesses, subscribe to our YouTube channel and follow us on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and Twitter. Want to stay up-to-date on the latest #entrepreneur podcasts and news? Subscribe to our bi-weekly newsletter

Cordell Jacks is CEO, co-founder, and General Partner at Regenerative Capital Group (RCG). Prior to launching in 2022 with his business partner Mike Miller, Cordell was an executive at several cleantech companies focused on global circular economy initiatives. He was also Founder & Global Director of an international NGO initiative focused on market-development programs. He’s spent the majority of his career creating innovative social finance mechanisms for environmental and social impact. Cordell is the recipient of several international accomplishment awards, including the Dubai International Award for Best Practices, INDEX: Design to Improve Life Award, and The Lipman Family Prize. He’s based on Vancouver Island. Entrepreneurs are the backbone of Canada’s economy. To support Canada’s businesses, subscribe to our YouTube channel and follow us on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and Twitter. Want to stay up-to-date on the latest #entrepreneur podcasts and news? Subscribe to our bi-weekly newsletter

Réjean Gauthier est le guide qui accompagne les entrepreneurs et les gestionnaires d'entreprises dans ses entrevues. Son émission est axée sur l'échange de savoir, la collaboration et l'épanouissement personnel & professionnel. Réjean a le bonheur d’échanger avec des gestionnaires et entrepreneurs de tous les domaines. Plus de 560 entrevues depuis 2017, qui se sont déroulées telle une discussion entre amis, sans prétention et dans une atmosphère détendue. https://www.danslajungledesaffaires.ca/fr Durant son cheminement professionnel, Réjean a fondé 14 entreprises et ce dernier compte maintenant un réseau de plus de 16 000 acteurs du monde des affaires. Il est l'auteur des Best Sellers Dans la jungle du réseautage tome 1 en version originale et Dans la jungle du réseautage tome 2 qui s'adresse aux étudiants post-secondaires. Réjean est propriétaire la maison d'éditions KARR 4.0. https://karr40.com C'est en 2013 qu’il créé le concept de formations et conférences « Dans la jungle du réseautage » afin de partager ses expériences de réseautage d'affaires. Ce que les participants lui disent le plus souvent après une conférence ou une formation, c'est que son message est pratique, présenté de façon simple et surtout d'une manière très ludique. Il dit répète souvent que l'important c'est d'avoir du plaisir. Il est diplômé deux fois du programme international « Dale Carnegie Training » et il est aussi consultant certifié auprès de Nova Global. Pour en apprendre davantage sur lui, consultez rejeangauthier.com #coach #coaching #formation #entrepreneurensérie #podcast #québec Les entrepreneurs sont l’épine dorsale de l’économie canadienne. Pour soutenir les entreprises canadiennes, abonnez-vous à notre chaîne YouTube et suivez-nous sur Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn et Twitter. Vous voulez rester au courant des derniers podcasts et actualités #entrepreneur? Abonnez-vous à notre newsletter bimensuelle.

Brad Warren is the CEO and Founder of Our Invisible Empire, a company dedicated to assisting entrepreneurs and small businesses. His passion revolves around helping entrepreneurs surmount challenges, with a strong belief that solutions can be found for almost any business problem. Brad's leadership principles emphasize self-awareness, working diligently, remaining adaptable, and executing consistently! In Brad's own words, Our Invisible Empire is on a mission to "keep as many small businesses alive as possible, so that all of our kids aren't working for Amazon in 20 years from now!" Brad and his team embarked on this journey starting out in a pandemic and a recession, with a clear objective of simplifying the path for struggling business owners and emerging entrepreneurs. Brad's own personal journey highlights his dedication to entrepreneurship and business support. He began his career with an opportunity to transition from hands-on work to a management role at a young age, working closely with his mentor, the founder of a retail service business, for nearly a decade. This experience exposed him to various aspects of business, from sales and operational management to financial data tracking, forecasting, marketing, and scaling. As the company expanded across different cities and provinces, Brad's role grew, eventually leading to his position as a shareholder and General Manager, with scaling and expansion becoming his passion. Brad's path took a significant turn when he partnered with his wife, who is a CPA accountant and Founder of White Raven Accounting. Recognizing the combined breadth of their expertise in small business needs, they established Our Invisible Empire. Their motivation is evident — to create opportunities and support small businesses in Alberta's competitive market. Entrepreneurs are the backbone of Canada’s economy. To support Canada’s businesses, subscribe to our YouTube channel and follow us on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and Twitter. Want to stay up-to-date on the latest #entrepreneur podcasts and news? Subscribe to our bi-weekly newsletter

Nathasha Vandenhurk is CEO and co-founder of Three Farmers Foods Inc., a privately held corporation based in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, which is a trusted brand known for providing foods with natural goodness. Functioning as an integrated organization, Three Farmers delivers nourishing food in a sustainable manner, adhering to the principles of Canadian farming. Their products are minimally processed to showcase their inherent nutritional value and taste, ensuring that consumers can enjoy delicious food that is genuinely wholesome. Dedicated to promoting healthier lifestyles and encouraging better food choices, Three Farmers Foods is a forward-thinking food manufacturer with a strong focus on utilizing locally sourced ingredients to enhance food security within Canada. Driven by a vision of a more nutritious future, the company remains committed to crafting minimally processed snacks that empower consumers to prioritize their well-being. Entrepreneurs are the backbone of Canada’s economy. To support Canada’s businesses, subscribe to our YouTube channel and follow us on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and Twitter. Want to stay up-to-date on the latest #entrepreneur podcasts and news? Subscribe to our bi-weekly newsletter

Gary Martin is a dynamic and uplifting musician who brings authenticity, excitement, deep expression, and emotion to his performances. Focusing on a personal connection to his audience, engaging and interacting with them, Gary leaves them invigorated, inspired, and motivated creating a memorable experience they will always remember and share. A passionate and spiritual performer Gary is there to soothe your soul and have you coming back for more. Gary is an authentic Chicago blues musician, martial arts master, and inspirational speaker. He has used his gifts of music and martial arts in speaking with over 2 million students across North America. Gary Martin inspires and motivates youth in making positive changes in their lives. Entrepreneurs are the backbone of Canada’s economy. To support Canada’s businesses, subscribe to our YouTube channel and follow us on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and Twitter. Want to stay up-to-date on the latest #entrepreneur podcasts and news? Subscribe to our bi-weekly newsletter

The Tattons are the co-founders of BReD, a B Corp-certified vegan sourdough bakery located in the premier ski and mountain bike resort of Whistler, BC, Canada. The bakery specializes in sourdough and vegan baked goods. Their new debut cookbook, also called BReD, is an homage to the Tattons' bakery and mission to inform and provide their community with cruelty-free food. ED TATTON (he/him) is a professional chef who has been to culinary college and worked in high-end kitchens in the UK, Australia, New Zealand, and Canada, but now specializes in making organic naturally leavened sourdough. As co-owner of BReD–Organic Sourdough with his wife Natasha, Ed leads a small bakery team, making and baking bread, pizza dough, and other small baked goods. These days, Ed’s food is compassionately vegan, a movement he is passionately excited to be part of and help grow for the benefit of people, animals, and the planet. NATASHA TATTON (she/her) is an English teacher turned bakery manager, animal rights advocate and co-founder of BReD–Organic Sourdough, a B Corp-certified 100% plant-based café/bakery in Whistler, BC. Natasha has taught English all over the world but now leads a small front-of-house team of cashiers and baristas. She has ventured into various food and beverage roles, nurturing her desire to establish a vegan eatery to provide more compassionate food choices for people. The bakery specializes in sourdough loaves and sourdough cinnamon buns complete with house-made vegan cream cheeze frosting, and has many other sweet and savory vegan treats which are made using locally sourced, seasonal and organic ingredients. Everything is made in-house and baked fresh daily and served alongside their specialty beverage programme. Entrepreneurs are the backbone of Canada’s economy. To support Canada’s businesses, subscribe to our YouTube channel and follow us on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and Twitter. Want to stay up-to-date on the latest #entrepreneur podcasts and news? Subscribe to our bi-weekly newsletter

Aeryon Ashlie is a holistic nutritionist, author, keynote speaker, and founder of Aeryon Wellness Support Supplements. Her female-focused brand is a result of 25+ years of personal experience with eating disorders, hormonal imbalance, weight management, stress, and sleep issues. With a mission to "Empower Women with Holistic Health," Aeryon Wellness is a place where women are supported throughout their journey to sustainable health and wellness. In 2021, Aeryon Wellness was featured on CBC’s Dragons Den, walking away with three offers and a deal with Arlene Dickenson. It was her innovative use of QR codes on each label and her passion for her calling that landed her the opportunity. In 2022, the newest product from Aeryon Wellness "Up and Away," North America's first 100% boric acid vaginal suppository kit, won The Canadian Health Food Association’s Innovative Product of the Year. Entrepreneurs are the backbone of Canada’s economy. To support Canada’s businesses, subscribe to our YouTube channel and follow us on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and Twitter. Want to stay up-to-date on the latest #entrepreneur podcasts and news? Subscribe to our bi-weekly newsletter

As someone who loves the outdoors, problem-solving, and helping others, Guita Yazdani started Campertunity, which is like Airbnb but for camping. Born and raised in North Vancouver, where Campertunity is based, Guita loves biking, dragon boating, and hiking...but mostly on rainy days when our rainforests are at the peak of freshness! She endeavours to make the outdoors easily accessible to everyone because everyone has the right to be in nature. With anxiety and depression on the rise, it's her mission and passion to offer a healthy vacation option to millions who need it, which is camping. Entrepreneurs are the backbone of Canada’s economy. To support Canada’s businesses, subscribe to our YouTube channel and follow us on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and Twitter. Want to stay up-to-date on the latest #entrepreneur podcasts and news? Subscribe to our bi-weekly newsletter

Michael Okoye is the co-founder and CEO of ADAM (All-life Digital Asset Manager). Michael began his remarkable journey with a life-altering near-death experience at the age of 15, which instilled a determination to look beyond the present and envision a future shaped by innovation. Entrepreneurs are the backbone of Canada’s economy. To support Canada’s businesses, subscribe to our YouTube channel and follow us on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and Twitter. Want to stay up-to-date on the latest #entrepreneur podcasts and news? Subscribe to our bi-weekly newsletter

Victoria Marshman is a passionate and driven entrepreneur, marketer, community leader and dance educator. Born and raised in Scarborough, Ontario, she has operated and scaled two 6-figure companies since 2015, and has helped raise over $250k for local Canadian charities through charitable events. Recently, Victoria has Co-Founded Mave & Chez: a luxury ergonomic slipper brand designed for women, by women. The brand successfully launched on Kickstarter in October 2022, with over 425 pre-orders and was selected as a "Project We Love" by Kickstarter. The brand has already scaled to 6-figures in just a few short months in the market. Catch Mave & Chez on the next season of Dragon's Den this fall. Entrepreneurs are the backbone of Canada’s economy. To support Canada’s businesses, subscribe to our YouTube channel and follow us on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and Twitter. Want to stay up-to-date on the latest #entrepreneur podcasts and news? Subscribe to our bi-weekly newsletter

Helen Kontozopoulos is the Co-Founder and Chief Tech Evangelist of ODAIA Intelligence, an Artificial Intelligence (AI)/Machine Learning (ML) company that develops technology platforms focused on enhancing sales and marketing effectiveness. With 20 years of experience in the technology space, Helen has established herself as a prominent thought leader in the North American health technology industry and startup ecosystem. Helen's primary mission is to address the disparities in AI/ML adoption within the pharmaceutical sector. Helen is also an adjunct professor and accomplished speaker. Helen co-founded the University of Toronto's Department of Computer Science Innovation Lab. She has taught entrepreneurship, research commercialization and startup creation. Helen still teaches part-time in the areas of product development, design, and entrepreneurship at the University of Toronto. lives with technology. Entrepreneurs are the backbone of Canada’s economy. To support Canada’s businesses, subscribe to our YouTube channel and follow us on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and Twitter. Want to stay up-to-date on the latest #entrepreneur podcasts and news? Subscribe to our bi-weekly newsletter

Creative storytelling and cultivating relationships to enhance brands - Calgary, Canada’s Podcast Melanie Nicholson is an award-winning communications strategist with nearly 20 years' experience in strategic communications, public relations and broadcast journalism. She has excelled in roles within post-secondary education, tourism and the ski industries, with a primary focus on creative storytelling and cultivating relationships to enhance a brand. She's the owner of MLC & Co., a boutique communications agency in Calgary, Alberta. Melanie has received several awards for her communications work, including a Gold Award of Excellence from the Canadian Public Relations Society, a Gold Quill Award from the International Association of Business Communicators, and recognition from PR Daily's Nonprofit PR Awards. https://www.melanielynncommunications.com/ Instagram: @mlcsocial Facebook: @mlcsocial LinkedIn: @melanie-lynn-communications Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/its-a-theory/id1682081431 https://open.spotify.com/show/6NBchSqVbQ0DScaYrsNZvc https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9mZWVkcy5zaW1wbGVjYXN0LmNvbS9OQXBBcU92cw https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/d9cd5ed1-6db8-451a-b0b4-11ab8c507b3e/it's-a-theory Entrepreneurs are the backbone of Canada’s economy. To support Canada’s businesses, subscribe to our YouTube channel and follow us on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and Twitter. Want to stay up-to-date on the latest #entrepreneur podcasts and news? Subscribe to our bi-weekly newsletter

Building on over two decades as a corporate leader and CEO, Callie B. Elwayns founded YouTube channel and follow us on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and Twitter. Want to stay up-to-date on the latest #entrepreneur podcasts and news? Subscribe to our bi-weekly newsletter

Sandra Bueckert-Davison is an industry-recognized, award-winning personal training pioneer in the city of Calgary. In the eighties, unlike now, personal trainers were a luxury for celebrities and movie stars. In 1989, 23-year-old Sandra Bueckert wondered: what if she used her knowledge as an award-winning athlete to show regular, everyday folks how to get better results in the gym—One-On-One? Sandra was no stranger to hard work, and she saw a need. "When I was working out, people would constantly ask me for advice," she says. "Eventually I realized that maybe I could turn my passion for fitness into a business." One of her first clients was a chef who had gained 40 pounds. After helping him to trim down, his wife asked her to help her get her body back post-pregnancy. The referrals kept coming. It didn’t hurt that Sandra was funny, finds people fascinating and had a natural way of connecting with them. She also has personal familiarity with her clients’ experience. She had had two sons and weighed well over 200 pounds during her pregnancies. Losing the weight allowed her to empathize with her clients. She knows what it’s like to run a business, have children and struggle to find time to exercise and eat well. She dropped 70 pounds in 2005 and returned to the competitive arena after a 15-year layoff! Competing also helped her handle her mother’s death from breast cancer. She won her class, earned her pro-card and CTV awarded her the Athlete of the Week. Sandra is widely known for her appearances on CTV and for the acclaimed X-weighted television series. "I won’t sacrifice someone’s health for results," she says. Celebrating 34 years as Calgary’s original personal trainer, 57-year-old Sandra and her talented trainers love working with clients who want to fight aging every step of the way. Accolades: Besides being a fitness expert for CTV, Sandra has been interviewed by QR77 Radio, CBC Radio, Breakfast Television, The Globe and Mail, the Calgary Chamber of Commerce magazine, CityScope magazine, Avenue magazine, IMPACT magazine, and the Calgary Sun. One On One Personal Fitness was featured in a twelve-week series by the Calgary Herald. Sandra has also appeared twice on the front page of the Calgary Herald Real Life section. Most people recognize Sandra from the X-weighted television series on the Slice network. She was also featured in the LA Times. In July of 2023 Sandra was the guest on Hit Play Not Pause: Feisty Menopause podcast. Entrepreneurs are the backbone of Canada’s economy. To support Canada’s businesses, subscribe to our YouTube channel and follow us on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and Twitter. Want to stay up-to-date on the latest #entrepreneur podcasts and news? Subscribe to our bi-weekly newsletter

Thierry Joubert, investisseur immobilier détenant 32 millions d’actifs et 245 logements en partenariat, est reconnu pour son expertise en création de valeur dans la détention d'actifs immobiliers à long terme. Travailler c’est bien, mais collecter c’est mieux. L'entrepreneuriat est avant tout un véhicule qui lui permet de poursuivre son plus grand projet : un système d’éducation adapté à la réalité d’aujourd’hui. Comment inspirer des ACTIONSSS pour la prochaine génération? 1800 industrialisation, 2023 informations, pourtant notre système d’éducation n’a pas évolué. Il met actuellement tout en place pour créer une nouvelle école où on apprend à se tromper et s’entraider pour se relever. Il rêve d’une société qui développe des citoyens heureux d’apporter une valeur à la communauté. #Affaires #éducation #immobilier

Just two years after settling in Vancouver from the east coast of Australia, Danielle Riddle identified a lack of customer service in the corporate travel industry leading her to create a customer first, corporate travel company based in Western Canada, Inspired Travel Group. She is passionate about simplifying work travel by providing personalized customer support. Beyond her company, Danielle lives out her dream of travelling to top destinations and accommodations, ultimately allowing her to help others travel seamlessly. #DanielleRiddle - CEO Inspired Travel Group #worktravel #womeninbusiness #womenentrepreneur #corporatetravel Want to stay up-to-date on the latest #entrepreneur podcasts and news? Subscribe to our bi-weekly newsletter

"Pick a big industry where you can grow a big business that's got a lot of runway. Early on in my career I got that advice, and that helped me think about what was the business. The one is it needed to be big." Clive Kinross is CEO of Propel Holdings. A seasoned entrepreneur with a history of building successful and innovative technology businesses. Clive founded Propel in 2011 with a mission to provide access to credit for underserved consumers overlooked by traditional banks. Clive is an accountant by trade, but an entrepreneur at heart. Over the last decade, Propel has helped over a million customers access credit and in doing so has achieved profitable, sustainable growth. Entrepreneurs are the backbone of Canada’s economy. To support Canada’s businesses, subscribe to our YouTube channel and follow us on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and Twitter. Want to stay up-to-date on the latest #entrepreneur podcasts and news? Subscribe to our bi-weekly newsletter

In today’s podcast, we talk about ‘Weology: How everybody wins when we comes before me’, based on themes in The Globe and Mail’s bestseller book authored by Peter Aceto. Peter Aceto is a globally recognized and respected business leader, author and speaker, currently focused on reversing the epidemic of quiet quitting through caring, compassionate leadership. As a founder and investor in multiple technology companies, Peter devotes much of his time to the technology, innovation and startup ecosystem by serving as a mentor and advisor to Canadian startups. Peter just completed a 2 year "turning around" of the operations of one of Canada’s largest mortgage brokerages, The Mortgage Alliance Company of Canada – rebuilding its management and sales teams, implementing operational processes, making significant technology enhancements and leading the company to its best financial performance. Previously, Peter was a founding member of Tangerine (formerly ING DIRECT)’s senior leadership team helping transform ING Direct from a monoline savings bank to Canada’s most preferred "everyday" bank, ultimately leading to the 2012 $3.1 billion acquisition of ING DIRECT by Scotiabank. Peter also had a short tenure leading a Canadian medical cannabis company, is a Board member of the Sinai Health System Foundation, was a member of the Council of Governors of iCanada dedicated to helping Canada become a world leading "intelligent nation." We invite you to follow Peter on Linkedin. Website: https://www.linkedin.com/in/peteraceto LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/peteraceto Twitter: https://x.com/peteraceto?s=21&t=jsHgN06uZ6uA8St0YD96mQ [email protected] Categories: Business, Coaching, Finance Entrepreneurs are the backbone of Canada’s economy. To support Canada’s businesses, subscribe to our YouTube channel and follow us on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and Twitter. Want to stay up-to-date on the latest #entrepreneur podcasts and news? Subscribe to our bi-weekly newsletter

"Surrounding myself with good people, creative people, optimistic people has been the key. They're telling me things all the time that motivate me and keep me going." Shane Murphy is CEO of Ownr, a venture of RBCx that makes it easier and more affordable for businesses to incorporate, register and confidently handle ongoing legal compliance, for Canada's Podcast as I think he’d be a great fit. With almost a decade of experience as a lawyer, Shane initially co-founded Founded Technologies in 2017 as an innovative, all-in-one technology platform that provided businesses with the ability to automate sophisticated legal tasks such as incorporations, equity management, and legal agreements. Founded was acquired by Ownr in 2020, with Shane moving into the role of COO. He has since moved into the role of CEO. To date, Ownr has helped over 100,000 Canadians launch a small business. Entrepreneurs are the backbone of Canada’s economy. To support Canada’s businesses, subscribe to our YouTube channel and follow us on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and Twitter. Want to stay up-to-date on the latest #entrepreneur podcasts and news? Subscribe to our bi-weekly newsletter

Karly Gramlich is the Founder and CEO at Upper District; a Canadian-based sustainable luxury fashion and accessories brand. She describes herself as unapologetically unconventional. Despite growing up as a farmer's daughter and miles away from the luxury scene, her ambitious personality took hold and Upper District was born. She sought to outfit those who have worked relentlessly to achieve their goals, despite an unconventional background. Those who have worked tirelessly through trials and tribulations, only to persevere and reach success. Entrepreneurs are the backbone of Canada’s economy. To support Canada’s businesses, subscribe to our YouTube channel and follow us on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and Twitter. Want to stay up-to-date on the latest #entrepreneur podcasts and news? Subscribe to our bi-weekly newsletter

Findependence Day is a financial primer that uses classic fiction structure to impart core financial concepts to young people just embarking on the working world and raising a family. Findependence is a contraction of Financial Independence, so Findependence Day is the moment sometime in the future when your income from all sources exceeds the income you could get from a single employer. As an entrepreneur Jon runs FindependenceHub.com, is author of Findependence Day and co-author of Victory Lap Retirement. Personal finance columnist for National Post 1993 - 2012, Editor-in-Chief MoneySense Magazine 2012 - 2014. Currently Investing Editor at Large for MoneySense, Jon also writes its monthly Retired Money column. https://twitter.com/JonChevreau https://mstdn.ca/@jonchevreau https://www.threads.net/@jonchevreu https://www.linkedin.com/in/jonchevreau/ https://findependencehub.com

Lloyed Lobo, an entrepreneur, podcast host and community builder, experienced the Gulf War as a young refugee in Kuwait, witnessing the strength of community in evacuating the population to safety. As the co-founder of Vancouver based fintech platform Boast.Al, he leveraged the Community-Led Growth model to bootstrap the company to eight-figure revenue and secure over $100m in capital, while also co-founding Traction, a community empowering over 100k innovators through connections, content, and capital. Lloyed is also the author of ‘From Grassroots To Greatness: 13 Rules to Build Iconic Brands with Community Led Growth’ (foreword by Jason Lemkin), which covers tactical advice from community-led businesses both big and small, such as Apple, Harley Davidson, Nike, Crossfit, HubSpot, and many more to help readers attract passionate and devoted fans of their own. The book topped Amazon’s new release charts in various categories, including Startups and Business Technology, within mere hours of its pre-sale launch. Lloyed has been covered in Fox Business, Techcrunch, SF Business Journals, Forbes, and several other publications. He has also been a speaker at more than 100 conferences and podcasts including SaaStr, Entrepreneurs on Fire, Marketing School, Mixergy, TearSheet, MarTech Podcast, and Success Story. Entrepreneurs are the backbone of Canada’s economy. To support Canada’s businesses, subscribe to our YouTube channel and follow us on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and Twitter. Want to stay up-to-date on the latest #entrepreneur podcasts and news? Subscribe to our bi-weekly newsletter

Robert Saunders is the Founder & CEO of Doormat, a tech company that wants to make real estate transactions dead simple. Buying and selling properties in Canada shouldn't be so complicated. Doormat is on a mission to simplify the process by pairing modern technology with top-tier service. A creative and self-motivated engineer and entrepreneur, Robert has always been driven to build products that excel in other people’s lives and has a deep passion for technology. Entrepreneurs are the backbone of Canada’s economy. To support Canada’s businesses, subscribe to our YouTube channel and follow us on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and Twitter. Want to stay up-to-date on the latest #entrepreneur podcasts and news? Subscribe to our bi-weekly newsletter

With 30 years of experience in the industry, Deneen Allen understands the unique challenges of Indigenous, rural and remote tourism development in Canada. She's deeply committed to making stories of place and culture come alive for guests and their hosts. Lodges, camps, glamping, parks, hotels, food concepts, Indigenous cultural spaces and places - these are just some of the businesses that Deneen has contributed her experience to. Her extensive industry knowledge in tourism and hospitality design, product development, operations, marketing and finance has been parlayed into her two business ventures: Pure North Canada, a leading tourism and hospitality consultancy, and Firecircle, an innovative digital business accelerator and mentorship platform that has helped dozens of individual tourism entrepreneurs in their business start-up and growth. Entrepreneurs are the backbone of Canada’s economy. To support Canada’s businesses, subscribe to our YouTube channel and follow us on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and Twitter. Want to stay up-to-date on the latest #entrepreneur podcasts and news? Subscribe to our bi-weekly newsletter

Monica Kretschmer is the Founder and CEO of the Universal Womens Network™️️ Inc, Women of Inspiration™️️ and SupportHER™️️ . Her mission is to connect, inspire and empower one billion women. Monica is a visionary, global influencer and disruptor with passion and an unwavering commitment to drive change for women to be seen, heard and valued. Her personal story of resilience of the "The Seven Year Journey" in the court system with 4800 hours litigation, 22 days led her to her bigger purpose to create the Universal Womens Network and the Women of Inspiration™️️ Awards to recognize the achievements of women who lead, inspire and motivate. The Women of Inspiration™️️ Awards have grown from single award honoring one woman to celebrating over 1,000 women from diverse industries, ages and stages of life reaching 5 continents. Monica believes every woman has a story. Your story does not define you; it empowers you. Since 2015, Monica has built a recognizable brand across North America. The Universal Womens Network™️️ is a media company committed to the advancement of women and inspiring change for equality by unlocking the ripple effect to advance women, to strategically partner with companies committed to equity, diversity and inclusion, to welcome men to the conversation as allies and SupportHERs. She is the creator of SupportHER™️️ (elevating male allies as champions for women in their networks, workplaces, and communities), the host of the Women of Inspiration™️️ Podcast, publisher of the UWomen Magazine™️️ and Women of Inspiration Driving Change Book Forbes Contributor and 2022 LinkedIn Top Voice for Gender Equity. During the pandemic, Monica published the first edition of the Women of Inspiration – Women Driving Change book featuring 100 inspiring women from diverse industries which coincide with the launch of graphics trucks with the faces of contributors across North America. The second edition of Women of Inspiration™️️ Changemakers will be released in the spring of 2024. Monica is a native Calgarian, proud mom to her son and future SupportHER, dog momma and believes in living life to the fullest. Entrepreneurs are the backbone of Canada’s economy. To support Canada’s businesses, subscribe to our YouTube channel and follow us on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and Twitter. Want to stay up-to-date on the latest #entrepreneur podcasts and news? Subscribe to our bi-weekly newsletter

Kerri Isham is a knowledgeable, experienced, and passionate educator, coach, and facilitator dedicated to excellence and committed to the empowerment of people of all ages. Her primary goal is to make exploring sexual health fun and meaningful and alleviate the shame and embarrassment sometimes associated with this topic. Kerri runs Power Up Education, based out of Nanaimo, specializing in sexual health education for preschool to Grade 12. Her three main areas of focus are sexual abuse prevention, supporting children, youth, and adults with support needs, and the impact of pornography viewing on children and youth. Kerri completed the Sexual Health Educator’s Certification program in June 2011 with Options for Sexual Health in Vancouver. Entrepreneurs are the backbone of Canada’s economy. To support Canada’s businesses, subscribe to our YouTube channel and follow us on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and Twitter. Want to stay up-to-date on the latest #entrepreneur podcasts and news? Subscribe to our bi-weekly newsletter

C'est en 2015, suite à ma diplomation de l’Université Laval à Québec, que je débuta ma carrière professionnelle en tant que responsable ressources humaines pour un groupe de résidences pour aînés pour lequel je travaillais depuis 3 ans. Ayant démontré un fort engagement et une persévérance à gravir les échelons, en moins d’une année, je devins responsable régionale du recrutement pour l’Est du Québec. Lors de cette expérience, j’acquiers plusieurs aptitudes dont la gestion de groupe, et ce, dans le cadre de journées de formation pour intégration en milieu de travail. Ayant comme objectif ultime de carrière de devenir directrice de résidence pour aînée, j’obtiens en 2018 une offre pour devenir directrice d’une résidence de 140 résidents. Au même moment, mon conjoint débuta son aventure entrepreneuriale au sein de COOKIE BLUFF dont j’eu la chance de participer indirectement par mon soutien au niveau administratif. C’est au début 2020, suite à un changement d’emploi, et constatant les besoins grandissant de mon conjoint, que nous décidons d’unir nos forces et que je fis le saut en tant qu’adjointe à temps complet au sein de Cookie Bluff. Depuis 2021, nous avons lancés plusieurs sous-produits ainsi que fondé une toute nouvelle entreprise Bobba spécialisé dans la vente de bubble tea prêt-à-boire ainsi que la vente de bulles fusion de première qualité. À peine 2 ans suivant le début des ventes, nous sommes présentement distribués dans plus de 2000 points de vente au Canada ainsi que dans 3 pays dont la France et la côte est des états-unis. Les entrepreneurs sont l’épine dorsale de l’économie canadienne. Pour soutenir les entreprises canadiennes, abonnez-vous à notre chaîne YouTube et suivez-nous sur Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn et Twitter. Vous voulez rester au courant des derniers podcasts et actualités #entrepreneur? Abonnez-vous à notre newsletter bimensuelle.

Emily O’Brien is the founder of Comeback Snacks popcorn company. It all started when she went to prison. Before, Emily was an entrepreneur and social media professional, having created her own firm at a young age and enjoyed great success. Regrettably, addiction caused her to make some poor choices that culminated in a four-year jail term. As her sentence began, Emily made it her mission to transform herself, get clean, and make a positive difference during her term. "I didn’t know how I’d make a difference at the time," says Emily, "but I knew I would find something I cared about that would benefit from a purpose-driven facelift." Thus, Comeback Snacks (formerly known as Cons and Kernels)was born. Upon her release, Emily made a decision to start a popcorn company that used high quality, health-conscious ingredients to create unique flavours inspired by the ones she found in prison. A fun, self-deprecating brand that would also help remove the stigma around people who had prior convictions and provide newly-released offenders with the chance at a fresh start through training, empowerment, and education. Entrepreneurs are the backbone of Canada’s economy. To support Canada’s businesses, subscribe to our YouTube channel and follow us on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and Twitter. Want to stay up-to-date on the latest #entrepreneur podcasts and news? Subscribe to our bi-weekly newsletter