In This Episode

• What's driving financial stress for Canadians in 2026 and how it's shifted over the past few years
• How financial anxiety breaks down differently across age groups — from early career to peak earning years
• Why the 14-point gap between people with a planner and those without keeps showing up in the data
• What the shift from "freedom from" to "freedom to" language tells you about where someone is in their financial journey
• Why waiting until you have things figured out before seeing a planner is the wrong approach

Featured Quote

About the Hosts

Wendy Brookhouse is the founder and chief strategist at Black Star Wealth and a Certified Financial Planner with over 20 years of independent advisory experience. She works with entrepreneurs and business owners to build financial clarity, business value, and wealth that lasts.

Kelsey MacAulay is the Chief Operating Officer and Chief Relationship Officer at Black Star Wealth, and a Certified Exit Planning Advisor. He works with business owners on the operational and strategic side of building a business worth transitioning.

Resources & Links

• FP Canada Financial Stress Index (2026) — the survey referenced throughout this episode. 

Connect With Black Star Wealth

• Website: blackstarwealth.com
• LinkedIn: Wendy Brookhouse | Kelsey MacAulay
• Podcast: The Number — available on all major platforms

Curious whether Black Star Wealth works with people in your situation? Visit blackstarwealth.com to learn more.

Bryan Clayton built a landscaping company from a single push mower to 150 employees and eight figures in annual revenue — then sold it. Then he started over. In this episode, Bryan shares the number that guided his second act: 10. Not a revenue target or a headcount — a timeframe. He and Wendy talk through what it actually takes to build a business that works, why most "overnight successes" are the result of a decade of quiet grinding, and how a single metric can be the difference between perseverance and delusion.

In This Episode

• Why every discretionary expense in your business costs you five to seven times that amount at the sale — and what to do about it
• How Bryan used one metric (weekly transactions) to stay focused and avoid building on a bad idea for years
• What "default alive" means, and why it's the most important financial position a business owner can hold
• The difference between a pivot that makes sense and one that just lets you avoid hard work
• Why thinking in decades — not quarters — is the mindset shift that changes how you run a business

Featured Quote

About the Hosts

Wendy Brookhouse is the founder and chief strategist at Black Star Wealth and a Certified Financial Planner with over 20 years of independent advisory experience. She works with entrepreneurs and business owners to build financial clarity, business value, and wealth that lasts.

Kelsey MacAulay is the Chief Operating Officer and Chief Relationship Officer at Black Star Wealth, and a Certified Exit Planning Advisor. He works with business owners on the operational and strategic side of building a business worth transitioning.

About Our Guest

Bryan Clayton is the CEO of GreenPal, a technology platform that connects homeowners with local lawn care providers. Before GreenPal, he built and sold Peachtree, a landscaping company based in Nashville, Tennessee, that grew to 150 employees and 90 trucks before being acquired by a national operator.

Resources & Links

• Built to Sell by John Warrillow — referenced by Bryan as a key resource for founders thinking about exit planning
• The Cashflow Quadrant by Robert Kiyosaki — referenced by Bryan when reflecting on life after his first exit
• 10x Is Easier Than 2x by Dan Sullivan and Dr. Benjamin Hardy — referenced by Wendy in conversation with Bryan

Connect With Black Star Wealth

• Website: blackstarwealth.com
• LinkedIn: Wendy Brookhouse | Kelsey MacAulay
• Podcast: The Number — available on all major platforms

If this episode resonated, follow The Number so you don't miss what's next.

Most people manage money reactively — checking their bank account after the fact and hoping it adds up. In this episode, Wendy and Kelsey dig into The One Number: Black Star Wealth's system for cutting through the noise of multiple accounts, competing priorities, and unconscious spending. They explain why a spending plan works better than a budget, how automating your fixed costs frees up mental energy, and how a single weekly number can give you both boundaries and permission — depending on what you need.

In This Episode

• Why "spending plan" works better psychologically than "budget" — and how the framing changes your relationship with money
• How The One Number works: automating fixed costs so you only need to track one weekly discretionary figure
• Why the number resets every seven days, and why that matters when life goes sideways
• How to use your weekly number to understand the real trade-off between paying down debt and maintaining your current lifestyle
• Why this system helps both over-spenders and under-spenders — and how it removes the guilt from both sides

Featured Quote

About the Hosts

Wendy Brookhouse is the founder and chief strategist at Black Star Wealth and a Certified Financial Planner with over 20 years of independent advisory experience. She works with entrepreneurs and business owners to build financial clarity, business value, and wealth that lasts.

Kelsey MacAulay is the Chief Operating Officer and Chief Relationship Officer at Black Star Wealth, and a Certified Exit Planning Advisor. He works with business owners on the operational and strategic side of building a business worth transitioning.

Resources & Links

• The One Number — Black Star Wealth's system for simplifying spending and aligning money with your goals. Learn more at blackstarwealth.com

Connect With Black Star Wealth

• Website: blackstarwealth.com
• LinkedIn: Wendy Brookhouse | Kelsey MacAulay
• Podcast: The Number — available on all major platforms

If this episode resonated, follow The Number so you don't miss what's next.

From Interested to Committed: What 500 Sessions Teaches

The Number | Episode [#] — Commitment, Habits & Consistency

What does it take to stop being interested in something and actually commit to it? In this episode, Wendy and Kelsey get personal. Kelsey hit 500 gym sessions in under two years — tying for third fastest in his gym — and it changed more than his fitness. They unpack what made the habit stick, why identity matters more than motivation, and how the same thinking applies to the financial and business decisions that business owners keep putting off.

In This Episode

• Why convenience and structure matter more than willpower when building a lasting habit
• How blocking non-negotiable time — in your calendar and in your mindset — removes decision fatigue before it starts
• The difference between being interested in something and actually committing to it, and what it takes to flip that switch
• Why your reason for committing has to be genuinely yours — doing it for someone else rarely works
• How building one consistent habit can create capacity for things that previously felt out of reach
• What it looks like when a goal shifts from external motivation to a core part of how you see yourself

Featured Quote

About the Hosts

Wendy Brookhouse is the founder and chief strategist at Black Star Wealth and a Certified Financial Planner with over 20 years of independent advisory experience. She works with entrepreneurs and business owners to build financial clarity, business value, and wealth that lasts.

Kelsey MacAulay is the Chief Operating Officer and Chief Relationship Officer at Black Star Wealth, and a Certified Exit Planning Advisor. He works with business owners on the operational and strategic side of building a business worth transitioning.

Connect With Black Star Wealth

• Website: blackstarwealth.com
• LinkedIn: Wendy Brookhouse | Kelsey MacAulay
• Podcast: The Number — available on all major platforms

If this episode resonated, follow The Number so you don't miss what's next.

The milestone number 20 marks Wendy’s twentieth year in the financial industry. What began as business consulting evolved into an independent financial planning practice grounded in curiosity, education, and doing what is right—not what is easy.

In this first episode, Wendy Brookhouse and Kelsey MacAulay introduce the podcast and the concept behind it: beginning every conversation with a number and uncovering the story that sits behind it.

Wendy and Kelsey discuss what has changed over the past two decades, from pandemic‑driven digital acceleration to the rise of AI and faster approval processes. They also explore what has stayed constant: every client brings their own story, fears, aspirations, and definition of success.

With fewer than 17 percent of independent financial advisors being female, Wendy reflects on the importance of empathy and emotional intelligence in modern financial planning—skills that she believes will matter even more in the years ahead.

They also outline the three core planning pathways at Black Star Wealth:

• The One Number Solution
• Retirement Planning
• Total Wealth Blueprint for Business Owners

You’ll hear why the firm is shifting toward fixed‑fee models to offer greater transparency and clarity for clients.

This episode sets the tone for what The Number is all about: clarity, empowerment, and real conversations about the numbers that shape your life.

We cover what surprised them about business owners this year, where owners are getting stuck, why so many people are tired, and why resilience and action suddenly matter more than ever.

We dig into the myths that refuse to die, the habits that make a business sellable, and the blind spots that can wipe out value overnight.

We also talk about life after the sale.
 The identity stuff.
 The what now moment.

If you’re planning to sell in five years or you’re nowhere near ready but want the option, this one will get you thinking.

And a lot of owners are turning it on without realizing what they just gave access to.

In this episode, Wendy sits down with Darryl Cresswell, CEO and founder of myDWARE, to talk about why cybersecurity has to come before any AI rollout.

They dig into real world examples entrepreneurs can actually relate to.

AI agents running under owner level access.

Sensitive data leaking through email, CRM systems, and shadow AI tools.

And why flashy automation without guardrails can quietly destroy trust, value, and deal readiness.

Darryl breaks down the difference between AI bots, AI agents, and agentic AI in plain language.

They talk about shadow AI, third party tools, and how employees accidentally create risk.

And why buyers and auditors are now paying close attention to cybersecurity when valuing a business.

If you are experimenting with AI, thinking about automation, or planning to sell your business one day, this conversation will change how you think about “just turning it on.”

Cybersecurity first.
AI second.
Always.

In our conversation, Graham and I dig into

• How he and a group of friends used bots to farm virtual currency long before in-app purchases were normal
   
• Why cash flow, projections, and financial discipline matter far more than top-line revenue
   
• The painful lessons he learned building a game studio and raising money

• How ego and “I’m the only one who can do this right” thinking quietly caps your business

• Why community and the rooms you put yourself in can dramatically change your sense of what’s possible

• The two strategic gaps he sees in most businesses right now… outbound sales and how teams use AI

We also talk about Founder Link, the community he never planned to build, and why so many founders desperately need a place where they can ask real questions, drop the armour, and get guidance from people who’ve already walked the path.

If you’ve ever hit a ceiling, questioned your next move, or wondered what it actually takes to build something someone would buy, you’ll get a lot from this conversation.

Show Notes (light timestamps)

• 0:00 — Intro and Susan’s path: scientist → MBA → PhD → entrepreneur
• 3:30 — The Bob Proctor yo-yo story and discovering vision
• 7:55 — Creating a category: ice cider, then maple whisky
• 12:10 — Why a seven-word vision moves people faster than a long plan
• 13:40 — “Life after work” and early-retirement trends
• 17:20 — Hard stop vs glide path and the anxiety dip
• 21:30 — Prep to vision: quiet, journaling, push/pull factors
• 24:30 — Open via nature, people, and the “universe”
• 26:20 — Your Retirement Team: strong ties and weak ties
• 33:00 — Values → being vision (stop obsessing about how)
• 38:36 — The art of becoming + how to reach Susan

Key Takeaways

• Treat retirement as revisioning: move from freedom from to freedom to.
• Start with values and a being vision, then let the how emerge.
• Build a Retirement Team for support and fresh ideas.
• Keep the vision simple enough to remember.
• Prototype the next chapter before you leap.

In this episode, I sit down with Jennifer Williams, founder and partial owner of Firefly Insights, to unpack one of the most exciting developments for Canadian entrepreneurs — Employee Ownership Trusts (EOTs).

If you’re a business owner starting to think about succession, exit planning, or legacy, this episode will open your eyes to a whole new way to transition your business — one that rewards your team, sustains your community, and can even save you millions in taxes.

We talk about:

• Jennifer’s unique path from nonprofit work to social entrepreneurship and employee ownership
• The tough mindset shift around profit versus mission
• How to find the right scale in your business without burning out
• The new Canadian EOT legislation and what it means for small and mid-sized companies
• Who qualifies, how the trust is structured, and the real financial and cultural benefits

My favorite moment: when Jennifer breaks down how profit can amplify your mission rather than distract from it.

If you’ve ever wondered, “What’s next for my business when I step away?”, this conversation might just change the way you think about exit planning.

Connect with Jennifer: fireflyinsights.ca

Email: jennifer@fireflyinsights.ca

Episode in a sentence: Ray shares how “done beats perfect,” why relationships are the real currency, and how a simple idea plus disciplined iteration can create momentum, funding, and valuation growth.

What we cover

• From high-school dances to London Telecom to Direct Energy: Ray’s entrepreneurial through-line
• The 65% rule: ship, listen, iterate
• “Clarity beats complexity,” and getting “pedestrian” with customers to gather real feedback
• G.R.O.W. mindset: Gratitude, Resilience, Optimism, Willpower
• The Equal Tank story: a simple washer-fluid dispenser, environmental impact, and national rollout
• Funding growth: why sales orders are easier to fund than ideas
• Packaging a story investors understand and want to back
• Daily relationship rituals that keep your network alive

Key takeaways

• Ship at 65% and improve with feedback
• Relationships compound if you maintain them intentionally
• Keep the product and the story simple so adoption is easy
• Growth needs cash, data, and proof, not perfection
• Momentum creates new problems, but they are the right problems

Timestamps

• 00:00 Meet Ray and the power of relationships
• 02:30 Early entrepreneurship: dances, driveways, done over perfect
• 07:10 Iteration vs. perfection and the 65% rule
• 08:50 Clarity beats complexity and learning to listen
• 18:20 The G.R.O.W. mindset explained
• 23:20 Equal Tank: simple solution, big impact
• 28:20 When and how to fund growth
• 35:50 Packaging the story for partners and investors
• 36:30 Wrap: relationships and iteration as operating systems

Connect with Ray
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ray-samuels-a20165/

Like this episode?
Subscribe, leave a review, and share it with a founder who needs a nudge to ship.

Lissa and I dive into some of the most critical topics for business owners, from the mindset shifts of moving from corporate to entrepreneurship, to the surprising truth about owning a restaurant (it's not always sexy!). We talk about how the pandemic actually opened up new opportunities and simplified things for business owners, and Lissa shares her biggest lesson: you can’t just build it and expect them to come.

The heart of our conversation is all about the end game. As a Certified Exit Planning Advisor, Lissa is passionate about helping entrepreneurs understand that a profitable business isn't always a sellable one. We explore why it's so important to think about the value of your business as a key performance indicator and how to avoid the "owner's trap," where you build a job for yourself instead of a sellable asset. We also talk about The Exit Lab, a workshop that helps business owners intentionally prepare for their future.

In this episode, Lissa and I discuss:

• My favorite Lissa quote: "A profitable business is not always sellable, but a sellable business is always profitable."
• Why entrepreneurs are notorious for chasing shiny objects and how to stop.
• The biggest mistake business owners make around exit planning (and why it could cost you a fortune).
• How to hire strategically so you can focus on the things you love to do.
• The staggering statistic that 75% of business owners regret selling their business a year later and how you can avoid it.

Connect with Lissa:

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lissadaub

In this solo episode, I step back from the usual interviews to reflect on what I’ve learned along the way, about business, freedom, resilience, and legacy.

Here’s what I dig into:

• Why I believe mistakes are just lessons in disguise.
• How freedom from and freedom to are two very different things.
• The way money and freedom are always intertwined.
• Why your business isn’t just your baby | it’s an asset meant to fund your life.
• How thinking about legacy changes how you grow your company.
• And why building a business that doesn’t depend on you is the real path to both time and wealth freedom.

As I share my reflections, I also talk about my own journey, like how giving up alcohol five years ago became an unexpected lesson in consistency and compound results.

The real bottom line? Freedom of time opens the door to freedom in every other area of life and business. And that’s what I wish for you.

In this episode of The Real Bottom Line, I sit down with Dalene to unpack her journey from direct sales leader earning pink Cadillacs, to running and selling the largest business referral network in Atlantic Canada, to launching her own networking company.

Dalene opens up about how she navigated each exit, why she believes human connection will always beat automation, and the simple habits that keep her network alive and thriving.

You’ll hear:

• How she turned a Mary Kay career into a sellable asset
• What it really takes to exit a franchise business
• The 10-minute-a-day LinkedIn strategy that works
• Her top tips for beginner, intermediate, and pro networkers
• How to instantly make new contacts feel welcome

Whether you’re building a business to sell or looking for better ways to meet the right people, Dalene’s story is packed with ideas you can put to work right away.

Connect with Dalene Allen
Email: dalene@networkingnaturally.ca
Website: networkingnaturally.ca

Ingrid shares her inspiring and unconventional path to entrepreneurship—from her roots in journalism to becoming a single mom working three jobs, to a pay dispute that ultimately led her to launch her own agency with major national clients.

This episode is a masterclass in the "social" part of social media. Ingrid explains why genuine, two-way conversations are more critical than ever in the age of AI, how to create content that sparks real engagement, and why you don't need to be on every platform to succeed.

In this episode, you will learn:

• Why you should stop trying to "game" the algorithm and what to focus on instead.
• How to find your brand's unique voice and personality online.
• Actionable tips for creating content that encourages comments and conversation.
• The surprising power of "older" platforms like Facebook for building community.
• How to know when it's the right time to outsource your social media.

Connect with Ingrid Dion:

• Website: word-craft.ca

We cover:

• Gord’s journey from finance to food and retail
• Why creativity and storytelling are business superpowers
• The personal challenges of selling a business you love
• Key steps to prepare your business for sale
• How to keep your business from depending entirely on you

The Real Bottom Line?
Your business can be a reflection of your values and a valuable asset — but only if you start building with the end in mind.

We dig into what makes a business attractive to a buyer, how to mentally prepare for a sale, and why your exit should start long before you want out.

We talk about:

• Why grit isn’t enough – and what you need instead
• The three types of readiness: business, financial, and mental
• Why coasting into retirement could cost you millions
• How selling your business could unlock a new kind of impact
• What happens when your identity is tied too tightly to your business

Justin shares hard-won lessons from the trenches – and how a coach helped him shift from technician to true business owner.

Links & Resources:

• Justin Goodbread: Relentless Value Coaching
• Wendy Brookhouse: Black Star Wealth

What would your life after business look like? Let's talk about it.

Episode Summary: Feeling drained by social media? Struggling to see real business results from all your posts? You’re not alone. In this episode, I sit down with M. Shannon Hernandez to talk about a more sustainable, joyful approach to marketing—one that doesn’t leave you glued to an algorithm.

Shannon is the Founder of Joyful Business Revolution™, where she helps business owners create organic marketing strategies that align with their values and bring in revenue. With over 25 years in curriculum design and work featured on CBS, ABC, FOX, and NBC, Shannon knows how to craft messaging that connects and converts.

We dive into:

• Why relying solely on social media is a mistake for most business owners
• The power of email marketing and why it should be your primary sales driver
• How to simplify your marketing while increasing your results
• The one-platform-plus-email strategy that keeps your marketing effective and joyful
• How to build true community in your business (hint: it’s not just online)

Quotes from the Episode:

• “One platform that brings you so much joy plus email marketing that drives revenue. That is the perfect blend.” – M. Shannon Hernandez
• “Publishing more content, yelling louder, or dancing on TikTok won’t fix your marketing if your messaging isn’t landing.” – M. Shannon Hernandez
• “If they can’t hear you, you can’t help them.” – M. Shannon Hernandez

Connect with Shannon: Website: www.joyfulbusinessrevolution.com
LinkedIn: M. Shannon Hernandez

Resources & Links:

• Grab Shannon’s free resource: 65 Story Ideas for Better Email Marketing → joyfulbusinessrevolution.com/65storyideas
• Learn more about The Real Bottom Line Podcast: therealbottomline.ca
• Join us for our Renew & Recharge Retreat: Exploring the Flavors, Culture, and Creativity of Mexico in September 2025: https://bit.ly/4c53OYK

  Our Tuscan Retreat is May 2-8, 2026. We don’t quite have the registration page ready yet, but if you are interested in more info, please email us.

Enjoyed this episode? Don’t forget to subscribe and leave a review! Your support helps us bring more valuable conversations to business owners like you.

What’s your biggest takeaway from this episode? Let’s continue the conversation—connect with me on LinkedIn and share your thoughts!

In this episode of The Real Bottom Line, Wendy Brookhouse sits down with Andrea Sampson, storytelling expert and CEO of Talk Boutique, to break down the art and science of storytelling in business. Whether you're pitching investors, marketing to customers, or leading a team, a compelling story can make all the difference.

Andrea shares insights from her career in advertising, branding, and coaching TEDx speakers—revealing how entrepreneurs can transform dry facts into powerful narratives that inspire action.

What You'll Learn in This Episode:

✅ The Power of Storytelling in Business – Why storytelling is more than just marketing; it’s a business essential.

✅ What Makes a Story Effective? – The key elements every great story must have.

✅ How to Find Your Brand’s Core Story – A step-by-step approach to defining your what, how, and why to craft a powerful brand message.

✅ How Storytelling Helps You Sell – How to position your product or service so that customers see themselves in your story.

✅ The Common Storytelling Mistakes Entrepreneurs Make – And how to avoid them.

✅ Lessons from TEDx – What working with TEDx speakers taught Andrea about crafting short, high-impact stories.

✅ AI & Storytelling – How artificial intelligence can help refine your brand story (but why it should never replace human connection).

Why This Matters:

If you don’t control your brand’s story, your customers will create their own. A strong, well-crafted narrative builds trust, engages your audience, and helps your business stand out in a crowded market.

Want to sharpen your storytelling skills? Download Andrea’s Storytelling Toolkit at blackstarwealth.com/storytelling-toolkit.

🎧 Tune in now and start telling a story that sells!

What You’ll Learn:

• How April transitioned careers and built her financial planning firm from the ground up.
• Insights into selling a business while maintaining client and team trust.
• The power of intentional planning and the "CEO Calendar" for scaling success.
• Why rest, energy management, and personal growth are critical for entrepreneurs.
• How April helps business owners unlock their full potential as a high-performance coach.

Memorable Moments:

• April’s candid stories about life’s curveballs and finding new paths.
• Lessons in transitioning a family business while safeguarding its legacy.
• Practical tips on leveraging time and energy for greater productivity.

Resources and Links:

• Connect with April at Vixen Gathering.
• Join Wendy's Business Value Amplifier Program: https://www.businessvalueamplifier.com/
• For financial strategies, visit Black Star Wealth.

Tune in for actionable insights and inspiring stories!

Crystal opens up about her journey, from ghostwriting her first New York Times bestseller at just 14 to redefining her career during COVID. We dive into:

• Why human-written stories resonate more deeply than AI-generated content.
• How emotion and authenticity create connections that drive business success.
• The shift from event planning to becoming a full-time storyteller and creative coach.
• The power of storytelling as a marketing tool for entrepreneurs and thought leaders.

Crystal also shares her belief that emotion is the currency of the future and offers insights into how writers and business owners can stand out by focusing on their unique human experiences.

Key Takeaways:

• Authenticity Wins: Stories told with empathy and authenticity connect with audiences at a level AI cannot replicate.
• Marketing with Heart: Using your story as a marketing tool isn’t just effective—it’s transformative for your audience.
• Human Creativity Matters: Creativity isn’t unlocked; it’s already within you. Sometimes, you just need the right guide to find it.

Connect with Crystal:

• Website: www.writewordmagic.com
• Instagram: @writewordmagic

Resources Mentioned:

• Crystal’s Freebie: Bestselling Blueprint (available on her website)

Real Bottom Line: Emotions are the ultimate currency. When you tap into the heart of your story, you unlock the power to connect, inspire, and drive impact.

We dive into the highs, the challenges, and the lessons learned, covering everything from cash flow struggles in retail to the art of negotiating business sales. Plus, Jackie offers invaluable advice for entrepreneurs on staying resilient, surrounding yourself with the right team, and knowing when to pivot or push through.

If you’ve ever wondered what it takes to grow, sell, or reinvent a business, this episode is packed with actionable insights and candid stories you won’t want to miss!

Topics Covered:

• Jackie’s entrepreneurial journey from handbags to kids’ apparel
• The challenges of retail cash flow and inventory management
• Lessons from selling businesses and working with buyers
• Disrupting the legal industry with Caravel Law
• Practical advice for entrepreneurs on navigating the messy path to success

Subscribe for more insights from entrepreneurs who’ve been there, done that, and are ready to share the real bottom line!

📌 Links Mentioned:

• Connect with Jackie Dinsmore: Caravel Law Website

Our guests share their personal stories of how they had to pivot during COVID, from taking in-person events online to blending virtual and live experiences. The group also discusses the upcoming Turning Tides Conference and why this event is a game-changer for entrepreneurs looking to learn, grow, and connect in new ways. This is an episode packed with actionable insights, expert advice, and a unique look at the future of live events.

Key Takeaways:

• Pivoting in a Pandemic: Menna, Tyler, and Ravi share how they transitioned from live to virtual events, and how those changes have stuck around in hybrid formats.
• The Importance of Connection: The pandemic showed us what we missed about in-person interaction. Live events help foster that connection, but they now require a more engaging, interactive format.
• Engagement is Everything: Ravi discusses how to engage your audience, whether in-person or online, with techniques like open space and World Cafés that keep people connected and involved.
• Turning Tides Conference: The upcoming conference for entrepreneurs in Nova Scotia offers a unique "unconference" format where attendees will get personalized advice from experts and walk away with an actionable plan for their business.

Memorable Quotes:

• Menna Riley: “Consistency, consistency, consistency—you have to keep doing it or you’ll lose it.”
• Tyler Hayden: “We’ve been missing a place to come and connect... We want to help create that for Nova Scotia long term.”
• Ravi Tangri: “I realized the blocks I was putting in my own way... and found suddenly I could do 95% of what I did in person with the same engagement online.”

Special Offer:
Listeners of The Real Bottom Line can get an exclusive discount for the upcoming Turning Tides Conference. Tune in for details and learn how to attend this unique event designed for entrepreneurs.

Resources Mentioned:

• Menna Riley’s Leading Ladies Networking: https://mennariley.com/
• Tyler Hayden’s Team Building School: https://www.tylerhayden.com/
• Ravi Tangri’s Soul Engineering: https://speakerscanada.com/keynote-speaker/ravi-tangri/
• Turning Tides Conference: https://www.turningtidesconference.ca

Connect with Us:

• Website: blackstarwealth.com
• Facebook: Black Star Wealth
• LinkedIn: Wendy Brookhouse
• Instagram: @BlackStarWealth

We dive into the mindset shifts business owners need to make, how to stop hiring for potential, and why building a team that works without you is essential for growing—and selling—your business. If you're an entrepreneur looking to step into the CEO role and create a business that runs smoothly without being dependent on you, this episode is for you.

Key Topics:

• Talmar’s personal journey from employee to entrepreneur
• The difference between the Dream Team and the Freedom Team
• Why hiring for potential can hold your business back
• How to build trust and delegate effectively as a boss
• The importance of creating a business that doesn’t rely on you

Key Topics Discussed:

1. Transition from Corporate to Entrepreneurship
   • Julie’s shift from the corporate world to co-founding Mabel’s Labels.
   • How motherhood sparked the idea for the business.
   • The early days of Mabel’s Labels and how the four co-founders divided responsibilities.
2. Navigating Partnerships
   • The dynamics of working with multiple co-founders.
   • Importance of clear roles, communication, and having a shareholders agreement in place.
   • The informal yet structured approach to decision-making that kept them moving forward.
3. First to Market and the Need for Speed
   • How being the first children’s label brand in North America drove the need for speed and innovation.
   • Challenges of staying ahead of competitors and the fear of being overtaken by larger companies.
4. Corporate Lessons Applied to Entrepreneurship
   • What Julie learned from her corporate experience that benefited Mabel’s Labels.
   • The balance between process and agility in a growing business.
5. The Emotional and Practical Aspects of Selling a Business
   • The unsolicited offer to buy Mabel’s Labels and the decision-making process that followed.
   • The intense due diligence process and the importance of being well-prepared.
   • Julie’s personal journey post-sale and why she decided to leave the company shortly after.
6. Life After Mabel’s Labels
   • Julie’s transition to coaching and consulting after leaving Mabel’s Labels.
   • Her focus on helping leaders at inflection points in their careers and businesses.
   • The importance of intentionality and strategic decision-making in business and life.

Top Takeaways:

1. Clear Roles and Communication - Establish clear roles and maintain open communication to navigate the complexities of partnerships.
2. Move Quickly, Stay Ahead - Innovate and push forward to maintain a competitive edge, especially when you're first to market.
3. Prepare for the Emotional Impact of Selling - Selling a business is both a financial and emotional journey; be prepared for the challenges of both.

How to Connect with Julie Ellis:

• Visit Julie’s website: https://www.julieellis.ca/
• Connect with her on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/julie-ellis/

In this episode of 'The Real Bottom Line,' host Wendy welcomes her guest Donna Alteen, a seasoned entrepreneur who shares her extensive experience in running and eventually selling her business after 35 years. Donna emphasizes the importance of early planning, setting up a leadership team, and engaging financial advisors and other professionals well in advance of the sale. She candidly discusses the emotional and procedural aspects of the transition, including the due diligence process and maintaining company culture post-sale. The episode provides valuable insights for entrepreneurs contemplating the sale of their own businesses.

00:00 Introduction and Guest Welcome

01:14 Starting to Think About Selling

02:13 Preparing the Business for Sale

04:13 Engaging the Leadership Team

06:31 Finding the Right Buyer

14:43 Due Diligence Process

18:40 Post-Sale Reflections and Advice

33:29 Final Thoughts and Conclusion

Find Donna on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/donna-alteen-icd-d-6209483/

Websites

• timespacemedia.com (Company)
• facebook.com/TimeSpaceMediaLtd (Time + Space Media Facebook)

In this episode of The Real Bottom Line, host Wendy interviews John Keel about his diverse entrepreneurial journey and the valuable lessons he has learned along the way. At 77, John shares his experiences from his three vastly different careers, including the launch and sale of a successful water treatment business. He discusses his transition into the internet business and becoming a pioneer in online marketing before turning his expertise to LinkedIn. John delves into the importance of a well-structured LinkedIn profile, consistent engagement, and the significance of relationship-building over selling. He offers practical tips for small business owners and entrepreneurs to leverage LinkedIn effectively, highlighting the need for patience, consistency, and providing value.

00:00 Introduction and Guest Welcome

00:18 John Keel's Entrepreneurial Journey

02:03 Transition to Online Marketing

03:20 Building a Successful Online Business

04:14 Impact of the Pandemic and Pivot to LinkedIn

05:07 Deep Dive into LinkedIn Strategies

09:54 Personal Reflections and Lessons Learned

17:18 Optimizing LinkedIn Profiles

20:43 Effective LinkedIn Engagement

24:09 Consistency and ROI on LinkedIn

31:04 Final Thoughts and Contact Information

Key Takeaways:

• Misconceptions about the vulnerability of small businesses to cyber-attacks.
• The role of hardware and software in data protection.
• The risks of using public AI models for sensitive business data.
• Practical advice on choosing secure AI tools.
• The importance of having a company-wide cybersecurity policy.

Join us as we discuss:

The importance of gratitude and accountability in navigating career changes
How to determine if someone is coachable
The concept of finding calm in the chaos of entrepreneurship
The mindset shifts necessary for leaving corporate life and starting your own business
Kim's insights are invaluable for anyone considering a move to self-employment or looking to enhance their entrepreneurial journey. Don't miss this inspiring and informative conversation!

For more information on Kim Skermer and her coaching methods, visit The Approach Coaching Method.

If you enjoyed this episode, please like, comment, and subscribe for more content on wealth management, financial planning, and entrepreneurship.

#Entrepreneurship #CareerTransition #BusinessCoaching #CorporateToEntrepreneur #MindsetMatters #FindingCalm #KimSkermer

Michael get into his personal journey with depression, which motivated him to conduct the survey, aiming to uncover whether his struggles were unique or shared by others in the entrepreneurial community. The conversation highlights the deep connection entrepreneurs have with their businesses and how this impacts their mental well-being.

As they discuss the results of the initial survey and the ongoing second survey, Michael and Wendy explore the increased isolation and pressure entrepreneurs face today. They talk about the limited action taken despite growing awareness and the continuous challenges of financial health, growth expectations, and the impact of external factors like the pandemic and geopolitical events.

Michael emphasizes the importance of seeking help through therapy and leveraging online resources, sharing his positive experiences with therapy over the years. Wendy and Michael also touch on practical strategies for entrepreneurs to manage stress, improve mental health, and foster better work environments.

Join us as we break the silence on this vital issue and provide actionable insights to help entrepreneurs navigate the complex landscape of mental health. Visit mindsetproject.ca to participate in Michael's survey and contribute to this essential conversation.

In this episode of The Real Bottom Line podcast, Wendy interviews Erin Longmoon, the founder and CEO of Zephyr Connects, a company that helps businesses build effective teams. Erin shares her journey into entrepreneurship and the importance of building a valuable company that is not dependent on the founder. She also discusses the common mistakes entrepreneurs make when hiring and provides valuable tips for onboarding new team members. Erin emphasizes the need for a partnership approach when working with a recruiter and highlights the importance of understanding your company's unique culture and core values when hiring. She also shares insights on the recruiting process and the importance of creating a positive and engaging interview experience for candidates. If you're a small business owner looking to build a strong and effective team, this episode is a must-listen!

Erin shares her personal journey into entrepreneurship and how she became the founder of Zephyr Connects. She discusses the importance of mindset and overcoming limiting beliefs as an entrepreneur. Erin also highlights the need for intentional and tactical hiring decisions, emphasizing the importance of hiring for culture fit and diversity of skills and experiences. She provides valuable insights on the onboarding process and the importance of integrating new team members into the company's culture and dynamics. Erin also discusses the role of recruiters and provides guidance on when and how to use their services. She dispels common misconceptions about recruiters and emphasizes the importance of a partnership approach when working with them. Erin concludes by sharing tips for effective interviewing and the importance of creating a positive and engaging interview experience for candidates.

• Design a recruiting process that aligns with your company's needs and culture
• Focus on culture fit and core values when hiring
• Create a positive and engaging interview experience for candidates
• Consider partnering with a recruiter for expert assistance
• Mitigate expectations and be flexible in the hiring process

Key Takeaways from the Episode:

• The Value of Franchise Experience: Cathy attributes much of her success to the foundational skills and disciplines learned from the McDonald's franchise system. "You get to refine your problem-solving and your strategic thinking very significantly with that type of intensity."
• Diversification and Opportunity Seizure: From owning McDonald's franchises to launching a venture capital firm for women, Cathy's journey underscores the importance of seizing opportunities and diversification. "Where I saw an opportunity that financially made sense, and where our team had the capacity to expand, we expanded."
• Strategic Exit Planning: Cathy advises entrepreneurs to start planning for the sale of their business from day one. "The day you buy a business, you should really be thinking about it... because at some point, that time is inevitable."
• The Importance of Team Building: Highlighting the role of her team in her success, Cathy stresses the importance of hiring people who complement your skills and weaknesses. "Just because you see it quick doesn't mean you see it right."
• Challenges for Female Entrepreneurs: Cathy discusses the bias in venture capital and the challenges women face in accessing capital. "Only 2 percent of venture capital money actually ends up with women... there is bias in decision making."
• Mentorship and Empowerment: Cathy shares stories of mentorship and its impact, emphasizing the importance of empowering the next generation. "It was a similar path that I walked when I didn't have the capital, but ultimately a partnership was an opportunity for me."

Quotes from Cathy:

• On making decisions: "It's really difficult not to make really quick decisions when every lunch hour... is a make-it or break-it type of experience."
• On the importance of a supportive team: "If we became stagnant, then the opportunities for [the team] became stagnant."
• On entrepreneurial mindset: "I got really aggressive on opportunity... it provided more opportunities for that team."
• On diversity in venture capital: "We investing in companies that are trying to solve very, the biggest problems of the world today."

Key Points:

• The Evolution of Storytelling: Sandra discusses how storytelling in marketing has evolved with new tools, stressing the need for authenticity and considering the audience's perspective.
• Launching CoLabourNation: Sandra explains her motivation for starting CoLabourNation in 2020, driven by her desire to help others leverage their strengths in entrepreneurship. The platform focuses on connecting freelancers with business owners.
• Challenges in Hiring Freelancers: The conversation shifts to the challenges business owners face in hiring freelancers, such as finding trustworthy talent and understanding their own needs.
• Vetting Freelancers: Sandra details her process for vetting freelancers, looking for continuous learners with aligned personal and professional interests to ensure a perfect match with business owners.
• The Rise of Freelancing: The discussion touches on the increasing trend of freelancing, attributed to individual desires for meaningful work and the challenges businesses face in hiring full-time employees.
• Final Advice: Sandra advises entrepreneurs to understand their strengths, identify energy-draining tasks, and consider hiring freelancers to focus on high-value activities.

About Sandra Reimer:

Bio:

Sandra Reimer is a dynamic Marketing Matchmaker, adept at connecting overwhelmed business owners with top-tier Canadian freelancers. Her venture, CoLabourNation, is pivotal in accelerating success for entrepreneurs by facilitating outsourcing in marketing and administration. With a rich experience spanning two decades, Sandra has carved a niche in helping world-changers articulate their narratives as a freelance communication strategist. Her influence extends to her roles in co-organizing Communitech’s Future of Work & Learning Peer-to-Peer Group and serving on the Conestoga College Entrepreneurship Collective Advisory Board as a Freelancer Evangelist. Her work with startup founders through Boundless Accelerator and Innovate Niagara showcases her commitment to nurturing entrepreneurial talent.

Her Story:

Sandra's entrepreneurial journey began 20 years ago as a writer, editor, and communication strategist. Initially handling both content creation and design, she soon realized that her strength lay in storytelling, not design. This epiphany led her to collaborate with a graphic designer, enhancing the quality of her services, client satisfaction, and her ability to sell these services. This experience was Sandra's first lesson in identifying and focusing on her highest value activities - tasks where passion, performance, and pay intersect.

As she honed her skills, Sandra expanded her collaboration with professionals like website designers and other writers, embodying the essence of technicians collaborating to boost revenue. Gradually, she shifted towards higher-value work, embracing the roles of manager and CEO by hiring virtual assistants for administrative tasks. This evolution in her professional identity was crucial in freeing her to focus on areas where she excelled.

Three years ago, Sandra embarked on a new venture with CoLabourNation, leveraging her expertise to match business owners with freelancers skilled in marketing and administration. She understands the challenges entrepreneurs face, such as being trapped in technician roles or needing skills outside their expertise, particularly in the increasingly complex field of marketing.

Topics of Interest:
Sandra is keen to discuss several key areas:

1. Owner Identities: Understanding the different roles an entrepreneur plays - Technician, Manager, and CEO - and what it takes to transition between these identities.
2. Levels of Delegation: She emphasizes the importance of delegation, outlining levels from basic task execution to complete ownership, crucial for business growth and personal development.
3. The Challenge of Onboarding: Sandra recognizes the struggle entrepreneurs face in finding and integrating the right people into their businesses.
4. Understanding Your Zone of Genius: She advocates for tools like Working Genius, Clifton Strengths, and The Stand Out Assessment by Marcus Buckingham to help entrepreneurs discover and leverage their unique strengths.

Sandra Reimer's journey and insights offer invaluable lessons for entrepreneurs striving to balance their roles, delegate effectively, and operate within their zones of genius. Her expertise in connecting business owners with the right talent underscores her commitment to fostering entrepreneurial success.

Connect with Sandra: Listeners are encouraged to connect with Sandra on LinkedIn or visit the CoLabourNation website for more information.

Conclusion:

This episode offers valuable insights for entrepreneurs looking to grow their businesses, highlighting the significance of storytelling, strategic networking, and the effective use of freelance talent. Sandra Reimer's expertise provides a roadmap for working within one's zone of genius by leveraging external resources.

Sophia's entrepreneurial spirit was ignited at a young age, influenced by her family and her early business ventures. Her professional journey began in the insurance industry, but her entrepreneurial aspirations led her to co-found a business in the relocation industry, leveraging her background in Canadian immigration. Her company specialized in providing comprehensive destination services to expatriates relocating to Canada, including housing, work permits, and community integration.

The podcast highlights the challenges and triumphs of Sophia's business journey, emphasizing the importance of a CEO mindset and strategic planning. Sophia shares her experience in scaling her business, focusing on quality service and maintaining a work-life balance. Her approach to business growth was methodical and ambitious, aiming to double revenue annually, a goal they impressively achieved.

A significant portion of the episode is dedicated to discussing the intricacies of selling a business. Sophia candidly shares her initial reluctance to sell and how she navigated the complex process, emphasizing the importance of being well-informed and building a strong advisory team. She stresses the value of negotiation in the sale process and the emotional journey of letting go of a business she nurtured from the ground up.

Post-sale, Sophia took a brief hiatus before launching her consulting and coaching business, Conseil Waro Inc. Her new venture focuses on business strategy and international mobility consulting, drawing on her extensive experience in the relocation industry.

Key takeaways from this episode include the significance of building a supportive team, both in running and selling a business, and the importance of self-awareness and continuous learning in entrepreneurship. Sophia's journey is a testament to the power of resilience, strategic thinking, and the ability to adapt to changing circumstances in the world of business.

Listeners can connect with Sophia for expertise in international hiring and business strategy, gaining insights from her rich experience in entrepreneurship and global mobility.

Sophia's Bio

A true entrepreneur at heart, at the age of 11, Sophia seized her first opportunity to solve a problem when her family returned to live in the Seychelles after immigrating to Canada 7 years earlier. She started selling healthy sandwiches and homemade popcorn during recess to replace the junk food offered in the schoolyard!

Her life journey inspired her to study Immigration first and then Business Management at the HEC of Montreal. She began her career in an immigration and relocation agency as well as a training centre helping new comers launch their business.

At the age of 28, she moved on to a more significant challenge: the labour shortage in Canada. She co-founded a company specializing in the relocation and integration of foreign workers to address the pressing labour shortage.

Sophia set a goal to double her company's revenue every year, which she achieved with her partner and team. This goal was accomplished through her hard work and dedication to both her business and family balance. The fact that the success of her company resulted in a seven-figure acquisition agreement is a testament to her leadership and strategic vision.

Passionate about entrepreneurial challenges, Sophia has become a sought-after strategic partner by her clients to foster their success and growth.

Connect with Sophia on LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/sophia-waro

So, you might be wondering why this rewind is so important. Well, it all ties into a hot topic we've been discussing recently - breaking out of the business prison we often find ourselves trapped in. You see, this interview with Michael, it wasn't just any interview; it was one of our most popular episodes, and for a good reason. We tackled a subject that doesn't get nearly enough attention in the business world: entrepreneurs and their mental health.

As entrepreneurs, we're often so focused on building our businesses that we forget to take care of ourselves. And this, my friends, can have a profound impact on our mental well-being. It can lead to a cocktail of less-than-positive feelings about our business and, even worse, push us to make decisions driven by exhaustion and overwhelm rather than sound long-term strategies.

That's why, to complement this episode, I've designed a challenge tailored specifically for entrepreneurs like you. It's a chance to revolutionize the way you run your business and, more importantly, safeguard your mental health. You'll find all the details about this challenge in our show notes, so make sure to check it out.

So, without further ado, I invite you to dive back into this enlightening replay with Michael DeVenney. Let it serve as a mirror reflecting your own journey as a business owner, and start thinking about your own mental health. Are there steps you need to take to ensure you're thriving, not just surviving, in the entrepreneurial world? Join me in this episode, and let's unlock the path to a healthier and more prosperous business future, together.

00:11 Introduction to Breaking Out of Business Prison
00:19 Understanding the Concept of Business Prison
01:22 Strategies to Escape Business Prison: Creating a Question Diary
01:54 Strategies to Escape Business Prison: Listing Employees Alphabetically
02:21 Strategies to Escape Business Prison: Not Going to Client Meetings Alone
02:58 Strategies to Escape Business Prison: Pretending to Go on Parental Leave
03:41 Strategies to Escape Business Prison: Communicating Company Values
04:34 Strategies to Escape Business Prison: Documenting Your Sales Process
05:27 Strategies to Escape Business Prison: Limiting Complexity
05:57 Strategies to Escape Business Prison: Avoiding Customization
06:27 Strategies to Escape Business Prison: Designing Marketing Funnels
07:05 Strategies to Escape Business Prison: Niching Down
07:41 Strategies to Escape Business Prison: Dropping Certain Products and Services
08:07 Conclusion: Choosing the Right Strategy for Your Business

Key Takeaways:

1. Resilience is a Skill:
   • Resilience doesn’t always mean bouncing back quickly. Angela’s journey epitomizes that resilience is about granting ourselves the grace to navigate through adversities and challenges at our own pace.
2. Scientific Approach to Business Concepts:
   • Angela emphasizes the significance of adopting a scientific approach towards evaluating business concepts and ideas, advocating for thorough testing before fully committing to their execution.
3. Leveraging Social Media:
   • Exploiting social media for product testing is underscored as a vital strategy. A focus on measurable calls to action over vanity metrics is accentuated to ensure the strategic alignment with profitability objectives.
4. Focus and Strategic Simplification:
   • Angela’s journey underscores the power of focus and simplification. Through thoughtful reflection, she identified her zones of genius, enabling her to streamline her offerings and work more effectively and joyfully.
5. Structuring and Scheduling for Success:
   • Planning and structuring the day is highlighted as crucial. Angela’s strategic scheduling has been instrumental in enabling her to cultivate a balanced and fulfilling entrepreneurial life.
6. Managing Inner Gremlins:
   • Learn about managing the inner gremlins, those limiting beliefs and voices that could potentially thwart our progress. Angela shares the unique approach of naming these gremlins to manage them better.

Conclusion:
This episode is a goldmine of entrepreneurial wisdom, brimming with practical insights and strategies to foster business growth and personal development. Dr. Angela Mulrooney exemplifies a powerful narrative of transformation, resilience, and triumph, inspiring entrepreneurs to optimize their paths towards achieving their ideal business landscape.

In our latest episode titled "Crafting Her Ideal Life: The Inspirational Odyssey of Angela Mulrooney," she delves into how she transitioned from a renowned dentist to a dynamic entrepreneur. When faced with an unexpected central nervous system challenge, Angela did not concede defeat. With unparalleled tenacity, she founded the Unleashed Dance Company and embarked on numerous entrepreneurial ventures, epitomizing her zone of genius. 

 Engage in a conversation brimming with insights as Angela unfolds the heart of crafting one's ideal life. Absorb the lessons from her path, including confronting fears, harnessing the audacity to reimagine oneself, and deploying potent strategies infused with deep-rooted wisdom and experience.

Essential Takeaways:

• Angela's exciting pivot from dentistry to diverse entrepreneurial endeavors.
• The inception of "Unleashing Influence" as a touchstone of evolution in trying times
• Real-world confrontations, and the art of aligning grand visions with pragmatic insights.
• The transformative “sticky note exercise” that fostered focus, clarity, and prioritization in turbulent times.

For those eager to architect their own ideal journey or are at pivotal career junctures, Angela's story is a goldmine of wisdom and actionable lessons. 

Are you primed to discover pathways to your perfect life and unparalleled success? Dive into Angela's compelling tale for a dose of inspiration and invaluable strategies.

We explore five potential 'end games' or exit strategies that every entrepreneur should contemplate. From scaling your business, passing it on to family or employees, stepping up as the chairman of the board, or even closing up shop - we cover it all. Our host emphasizes the importance of creating a business that can thrive even in your absence, ensuring that you have various options available when deciding your business's ultimate path.

This episode is rich with insights, encouraging entrepreneurs to be strategic, consider the impact of their business decisions, and ultimately, maximize their end game opportunities. Whether you're just starting or looking to redefine your business journey, this episode is a crucial guide to understanding and planning for the future of your entrepreneurial venture. 🚀

• The dangers of being too entrenched in your business.
• The importance of crafting your ideal day.
• Unlocking your unique genius and focusing on what you do best.
• Strategies for delegating tasks and hiring the right talent.
• Insights from Sheila Cummings on hiring at the strategy level.

Discover how to make your business more valuable, ensure it can run without you, and truly understand the real bottom line. It's time to break free and transform your business into the asset it's meant to be!

Take the challenge: https://www.bottlenecktobreakthrough.com

But that's not all, as this episode goes beyond just one success story. We delve into the metrics that truly matter, challenging the conventional wisdom of just "increasing sales" or "cutting expenses". We introduce the concept of the manager versus the owner mindset and the pitfalls of the "owner's trap". This transformational shift in perspective can mean the difference between a business worth $2.8 million and one worth $5.6 million.

We also highlight the importance of the Switzerland structure - a business not heavily dependent on any single client, employee, or supplier. How does this neutrality benefit businesses in the long run? We break it down for you.

Lastly, we touch upon the significance of the net promoter score, a single question that can determine your business's potential to outperform the market.

Join us as we shed light on these eight distinct drivers that can substantially elevate the value of your business, ensuring that when it's time to cash in, you get the most bang for your buck. If you're an entrepreneur or business owner looking to amplify the value of your enterprise, this episode is a goldmine of insights you won't want to miss!

In this gripping episode of "The Real Bottom Line," Wendy welcomes the inspiring Monica Buzhanov straight out of Sweden. Monica reveals her personal journey, detailing a crucial point in her life referred to as "Monica's big breakdown." Dive into Monica's transformation from burnout and depression to a realization about her energy. The discussion touches on the subconscious, patterns from our past, and how they can silently shape our present. Monica emphasizes the significance of understanding these patterns, particularly when it comes to our relationship with money. Discover how generational trauma can span across multiple generations and the role it plays in our daily lives. This episode is a deep dive into the intricacies of the mind, the power of the subconscious, and the path to self-awareness and healing. Don't miss it!

Find Monica At

monicabozinov.com

https://www.linkedin.com/in/monicabozinov/

What makes this story so interesting isn’t that his podcast is in the top 3%, but that he has done so while creating a platform for women’s stories. Talk about allyship!

Telling these stories is a huge passion for Brad and we discuss how this came about and

• The importance and responsibility we all have to tell our stories
• Why mentors and coaches can be game changers
• Who should consider becoming a podcaster and how
• Why asking for help is a sign of strength
• How often should be updating your headshot

We cover a lot of ground in this fascinating interview that I know you will enjoy.

How to find Brad:

 https://www.empowerographypodcast.com

https://www.instagram.com/empowerographypodcast

https://www.facebook.com/groups/empowerographypodcast

Rebecca Bitten was a successful marketing consultant before she burned out. Not looking after herself led to a months-long hospital stay -where she met other entrepreneurs who had all the outward trappings of success, but had burned out. And that is when Rebecca realized her true calling – to become a mental health coach for entrepreneurs.

This episode delves into

• The cost of not listening to your body
• Defining sustainable success and creating your own definition of success
• The roots of Workaholism
• Signs of Physical and emotional Burnout
• Different strategies for self-care.

We also talk about the role of government and the future of Entrepreneurship in the Atlantic region. How Entrepreneurship plays a crucial role in Immigration. 

How we need to think big and

Why we need to move from a predominantly micro and small business region to a medium-sized business.

Including

• What is innovation and why small businesses need to do more of it?
• What are the top innovation myths?
• The difference between internal and external innovation?
• Are surveys and focus groups still relevant?
• Why talking to your clients is more important than ever?
• What your current analytical stack may be missing.

The podcast emphasizes the need for business owners to view their businesses as valuable assets and explores various strategies for transitioning the business to new owners, such as selling to non-family buyers, family members, or employees. The host also discusses the challenges and barriers faced by business owners when it comes to succession planning, including finding suitable buyers and accurately valuing the business. The episode highlights the importance of seeking professional help and engaging in exit planning early to maximize the value of the business and ensure a smooth transition.

Read my article about the importance of Exit Planning: https://blackstarwealth.com/the-importance-of-exit-planning-preparing-for-the-future-of-your-business/

Douglas and Anthea share their invaluable tips and tricks on how they've managed to work together harmoniously as spouses and business partners. Join us as they recount their journey and provide insights that can benefit anyone working with their significant other.

Anthea Mumby and Douglas Pinnell were the owners of an insurance brokerage that provided life, living benefits, car, home, and business insurance.  A portion of the business was sold in 2020, with the remainder retained by Douglas, who continues to educate clients about life and living benefits insurance solutions. Anthea now provides consulting services to couple owned businesses.

Throughout the episode, our guests emphasize the importance of power sharing and defining individual roles within the business. Douglas specialized in the life and health side of the company, while Anthea focused on the property and casualty side. They illustrate how staying in their respective lanes and maintaining open communication have been key to their thriving partnership.

We address the common reactions they receive when sharing that they've worked together for 25 years, including the skepticism and disbelief from others. Douglas and Anthea reveal how they've overcome these doubts and proved that a successful professional partnership can exist within a marriage.

Drawing from their personal experiences, our guests also highlight the pros and cons of running a business with your spouse. They touch upon the benefits of trust, complementary skills, effective communication, and shared goals. Additionally, they offer practical advice on managing expectations, establishing boundaries, and finding a balance between personal and business lives.

Join us in this thought-provoking episode as we uncover the secrets of power sharing for profitability in your own couple partnership. Whether you're contemplating working with your spouse or seeking ways to strengthen your existing business dynamic, this conversation with Douglas Pinnell and Anthea Mumby is packed with valuable insights that can transform your entrepreneurial journey.

We talked about

• Work/life balance is a myth
• Owning a business is going to be hard
• Finding and staying in your zone of genius
• How personal growth may result in a change of friends
• How music and travel is his self care
• How the 6 week challenge helped grow his business

We illuminate how your growing business becomes your primary asset and how its increasing value directly impacts your wealth. Drawing references from Michael Gerber's book "The E-Myth", we explore the different hats a business owner wears and emphasize the significance of the "entrepreneur hat", akin to the CEO hat.

This episode further contrasts the roles of a "Rainmaker" and an "Architect", and argues the limitations of being solely a rainmaker for your business. We share insightful questions to help you identify where you stand on the spectrum of Rainmaker to Architect and offer actionable tips on transitioning towards being an Architect for increased business value.

By providing tangible steps such as documenting your sales processes, simplifying your service offerings, and involving a team member in your sales meetings, we guide you to transition from the limiting role of a technician and facilitate business growth.

Join us to learn how shifting your role can lead to wealth creation and remember, the real bottom line is the more you step into your CEO role, the wealthier you become. Email us at wendy@blackstarwealth.com to continue the conversation.

Founder of Motivational Excellence, speaker and author, Terry is currently in his 11th year of battling cancer and he has had his foot and leg amputated in the last couple of years and currently has tumors in his lungs.

Terry uses this as his fuel to spread his 4 truths to the world.  

There is much to be learned from Terry and his journey – and I hope you will take the time to join us as I learn about his 4 truths

1. Control your mind or it will control you
2. Embrace the pain and discomfort we all experience and use it to make you a stronger and more determined individual
3. What you leave behind is what you weave in other people’s hearts
4. As long as you don’t quit, you can never be defeated.

Check him out at www.motivationalcheck.com

• SEO vs SEM
• Why you should start with Strategy
• Cost of Client Acquisition
• Setting your marketing budget and how often
• How to interview for a marketing agency

Mark’s 11 years of being a business owner shine through this episode and I just love how he gets his confidence!

My guest, Corey Poirer is now known as That Speaker Guy – but he had a huge fear of both of those things. We talk about how his fear of having regrets, of looking back and wishing he had done something was great than those fears.

And that set the stage for some pretty interesting and philosophical topics like: 

• Who do you have to become to achieve your milestones
• What if the journey is the destination
• The power of passion and purpose. 

It is such a great discussion, I know your thinking will be sparked!

In this episode, we talk about 

• How to stay excited about business
• Recognizing opportunities
• The importance of getting out of your comfort zone
• Hiring to keep people at least 2 years
• The importance of recognizing teachable versus non-teachable
• Personal blocks vs. World blocks
• We also got into the subject of confidence and over presenting.  I really enjoyed this conversation.

Lisa is a force of nature, extremely focused, and a true businesswoman. She has always carved her own path and is unique in the fashion world – she designs, manufactures, and retails all her own products. The pandemic resulted in a hard stop for all her businesses and the first pivot was to manufacturing face masks – over 55,000 of them! We talked about the slow return to normal – and how that may have shifted.

We cover some really juicy topics like:

• When a good opportunity really isn’t
• The importance of observation
• Creating space for creativity

Enjoy the episode!

After 100 episodes where I ask all the questions of my guests, we flipped the script so that you could learn more about me.  Andre was able to get some pretty interesting stories and philosophies out of me. My favorite story is one that I haven’t spoken of in years – and it is about my mother. I lost my mother to cancer just over 17 years ago. She was and is a driving force in my life. When I was around the age of 5 or 6, she was declared legally blind. But that did not stop her in the least. I think I have a lot of her characteristics – including the fact that the older I get, the more my filter is fading!  Enjoy this episode.

• Ross Simmons
• Anthea Mumby
• Katelyn Bourgoin
• Diana Lidstone
• Shelagh Cummins
• Laural Carr
• Cynthia Mason
• John Swain
• Michael Devenney
• Monique Bryan
• Teresa Easler
• Paul Fitzgerald

The lessons from the past 100 episodes are almost too many to list - and were certainly super hard to narrow down! The big takeaway I had after reviewing a few hundred pages of transcripts is that as business owners we know more than we realize. It has been an absolute privilege to highlight the ones on this episode and the others along the way!

I truly appreciate all my guests – they have freely shared their stories and provided some amazing lessons – who have helped me learn and hopefully the audience as well.

In this episode, we have built the clips around

• Operations
• Marketing/Branding
• The Inside Game – mindset.

Donna and I provide some great commentary along the way! It’s a little longer than normal, but well worth the time!

And check out the gifts from the featured guests at https://www.blackstarwealth.com/100

Cyber theft is big business and we cover a lot of ground in this interview.

• We talk about
• The dark web.
• The importance of cyber insurance and the way it works.
• The importance of ongoing training and awareness for all your staff
• What is your cyber security stack

Darryl Cresswell is the founder of MYDWARE a firm that specializes in helping small businesses prepare.

For listeners of this episode, he is offering a gift of a free security assessment. www.blackstarwealth.com/cyber to sign up.

• Acknowledgement vs Agreement: Leaders can create a culture that values open and honest communication by acknowledging without necessarily agreeing. By doing so, they can foster a safe environment where employees feel comfortable sharing their thoughts and opinions.
• Aligning Values with Social Contract: The social contract made with employees at the beginning of the relationship needs to align with the organization's values. Leaders must ensure that the expectations they set at the outset are consistent with the organization's values, and execute them properly.
• Compassion and Boundaries: Compassion is crucial in the workplace, but it's equally important to set boundaries. Leaders must have uncomfortable conversations when necessary, and approach them with empathy and authenticity while still addressing issues effectively.

Overall, this episode offers valuable insights into building a positive workplace culture where employees feel safe to express themselves, and leaders can effectively address issues with empathy and authenticity. If you're a leader looking to improve your organization's culture and create a safe and inclusive workplace, this episode is a must-listen!

If you want to find out what FAST and SLOW mean when it comes to these wicked problems and ideas, and how to embrace being a disruptor and stepping into the power of shifting your ecosystem, then this is the episode for you! Listen now to learn the importance of your values, and how identifying where you want to go (not where you are) is integral to finding your success.

Learn more about Lisa at wickedideas.ca

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lisahrabluk/

She is a proponent of women in Finance, and the high number of females working in all levels of the company certainly stands out in this traditionally male industry.

If you would like to understand more about how your business can access debt capital, even if you don’t fit in the bank mold or benefit from a fund that does that type of investing, take the time to listen to this episode. You won’t regret it!

We covered a lot of ground in this interview –

• How to use planning to escape the hustle and grind
• How to schedule your tasks to take advantage of when you are at your best
• Two things that can help you grow your appreciation of math
• How using personalize letter design can create a curated client experience
• How to stand out in your field with customized fonts

If you are part of an Entrepreneurial Couple, you are going to want to take a listen and find out about

• The Montebello Rule and why you need one
• Why intense hobbies are important
• Being open to renegotiation
• Money, risk tolerance
• Balancing roles at work and home
• Legacy

In part one, we cover decision making

• Having space and grace around decision making
• The importance of shared values and the difference these make. 

 It’s soo good….enjoy!

Justin’s journey to entrepreneurship was a bit winding and a big learning process for him. His focus now is on Promotional Products done differently. Some key subjects we discussed were

• How a repeatable process can unleash creativity
• How it is important to be intentional with your promotional products
• How promotional products can impact your brand and reputation
• How his Entrepreneurial Wife is key to the success of his business

The recent earthquake in Syria and Turkey was devastating, and the aftermath of the disaster is nothing less than heartbreaking. The death toll is already over 33,000 and growing, and now more than ever, the survivors need hope and to know that the world is thinking of them. 

While thoughts and prayers aren’t nearly enough, in situations like these, every little thing helps. Tareq and Peace by Chocolate are raising money to assist with rescue and recovery efforts by donating proceeds from several of their products. 

The link is the comments to help – spread the love today by buying some chocolate to support an extremely important cause

https://peacebychocolate.ca/pages/earthquake-in-syria-and-turkey-relief

1. When Anthea first made a vision statement and how
2. How it affected her mental health
3. What is in a vision statement
4. How often to review your vision statement
5. How to turn your vision into a tool for recruiting staff, ideal clients, and measuring your progress
6. Why you also need a personal vision statement

Discussed in this episode:

• Is investing all your money in your business a good move?
• Are you building a business to sell or for personal income or both?
• Start with the end in mind
• What is your big purpose and how do you balance that with growing your wealth?
• How wealth helps you fulfill your big purpose in life
• Profit is good, wealth is good
• We may not have a choice about when we stop working in our business
• Build your wealth in your business, in a holding company, or in your hands?
• Aiming toward your Power Number
• You have professionals help with your business, you need them in your life, too
• It costs more to not do proper planning and set up
• The work you do to make your business more saleable, also makes it easier and more profitable for you
• No one wants to buy a job that pays $40k/yr

Before we got there we talked about some of the ways they have structured their business operations so that they can work well together. Some key points:

1. Saying Yes to Opportunity – even if you aren’t quite ready
2. Balancing perfectionism and getting something out the door
3. Role fluidity

And we talk about Crypto and Blockchain – not as an investment, but rather as a tool in business. 

Some of the topics we dug into were

1. The different types of wallets and when to use them
2. What is an exchange and why do we need it
3. We even dug into the FTX implosion/explosion.

It’s a great 30 minutes on some pretty interesting topics.

Discussed in this episode:

• Your profit isn’t all available for you to spend
• 1st pot is for shock proofing - how much is enough?
• 2nd pot is for investing in your business
• We do a deep dive into the 3 areas for investment in your business
• How to measure ROI  
• 3rd pot is for fun, to make life better
• 4th pot is for future
• How to balance debt repayment with filling your pots

Replay Link: 3 Key Decisions You Need To Make To Thrive As A Business Owner During A Recession

1. The advantages of technology and mentors
2. The components of an irresistible program
3. What is an upsell and down sell
4. Why it is important to simplify the number of offers you have
5. The importance of differentiation
6. Why you may not need social media in your marketing.

www.dianalidstone.com

Discussed in this episode:

Start with the end in mind

Think of putting your money into buckets

RRSPs and TSFAs explained

Best places to keep your money

How to pay yourself

Corporations and liability

We break down life insurance as a strategy for wealth building

Protecting and growing your wealth: risk and liquidity

This is a very technical, yet approachable discussion 

Reach out with your questions and we’ll cover them in future episodes

• We talk about her journey from journalist to CEO
• How creative brains work
• How to embrace innovative ways
• The Covid Pivot
• Creating a corporate culture where asking tough questions is the norm
• Different types of investment fundraising

Discussed in this episode:

The challenge is that we have many more ideas than we can ever get done

The hard part is to decide and curate which are the best for us

One screen or filter we can use is our values to see which projects match most or all of our values

Another tool is to create an x,y chart and plot the projects against resources needed and expected return

Resources can be time, investment, difficulty, 

Recognize that you may be the bottleneck and allocate your time where it makes the most sense

Return can be money, reputation, or other outcomes you want to achieve

Projects need clear outcomes, high-level strategy, and do-able tactics

Plot work on a GANTT with who is responsible and dates required

Sometimes it help to work backwards from when you want to project completed

Work on one project at a time and defer the rest to later

Put important dates and your work in your calendar so you allocate the time for it

Set aside time to evaluate every project 

Values Exercise to help you discover your values

https://www.businessownerssuccessclub.com/2013/01/15/discovering-your-values/

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gantt_chart

https://www.gantt.com/

1. How to hire for curiosity
2. A new Definition of failure
3. How to prepare for a recession
4. The value of a business coach and community
5. How to ensure your products and services always have a market
6. Energy management
7. Giving yourself space to think.

Discussed in this episode:

• Get your numbers up to date
• How to keep your values in mind while looking at your numbers
• Thinking about funding the life you choose
• Evaluating your sales to know what to focus on next year
• How to audit your costs 
• Costs of acquiring customers and lifetime value
• Quantitative and qualitative decision making

In this episode we will talk about:

• Carrying a knapsack of rocks
• Tactics for managing a recession
• The importance of cash reserves
• Knowing when to say know
• Having a growth mindset
• Creating partnership.

We cover a lot of ground including

1. What it is like to work in a business as the daughter of the owner
2. The importance of using an expert when doing complex transactions
3. Preparing for business succession and
4. How to decide when it is time to sell and transition out of the business
5. The importance of working with a coach
6. The importance of having a customized business vision
7. How to deal with business squirrels.

Discussed in this episode:

The 4 main business outcomes the CFO makes happen

The skills you develop as you learn how to do this

How mastering those skills makes your job easier

Taking on this role sets up a level of formality in your business

The real danger of not doing this

What a bookkeeper, an accountant and a financial planner do for you

What parts you should delegate 

First steps in taking on the CFO role in your business

Links:

Be Your Own CFO YouTube channel https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCSbBrzq_xFJ66lcWQSXRNpw

Be Your Own CFO newsletter on Linked In https://www.linkedin.com/newsletters/be-your-own-cfo-6869009567674712064/

FREE Be Your Own CFO course https://damp-paper-4668.ck.page/bto-cfo

1. Re-inventing vs. Pivoting
2. Oops vs What if
3. Who needs PR
4. The difference between earned and paid media
5. What is Crisis PR and why do you need it.

Discussed in this episode:

The 4 reasons people use to keep their prices low

Who to talk to change your thinking

What people really expect based on your price

How a higher price makes it easier to make people happier

How a higher price helps people more

What’s high to some people is low to others

The best way to help people is to build a healthy business

Links:

Be Your Own CFO newsletter on Linked In https://www.linkedin.com/newsletters/be-your-own-cfo-6869009567674712064/

FREE Be Your Own CFO course https://damp-paper-4668.ck.page/bto-cfo

• Macro vs. Micro managing
• Becoming comfortable with being uncomfortable
• The language of science.
• How to get lots of free money

It is a great episode that you don’t want to miss.

Discussed in this episode:

• Your price tells your customers if they are for you
• People who like your lower price may not be your best customers
• Value-based or hourly-based pricing, which is best.
• Your price is too low if you have plenty of customers, but you aren’t making enough
• Fixed costs and variable costs
• Cost of Goods Sold (CoGS)
• The difference between revenue and income
• Three legs of price - the 3rd will surprise you

Links:

Delight With Price article https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/delight-price-frances-schagen/

Be Your Own CFO newsletter on Linked In https://www.linkedin.com/newsletters/be-your-own-cfo-6869009567674712064/

FREE Be Your Own CFO course https://damp-paper-4668.ck.page/bto-cfo

Eleanor Beaton is one of those guests and I wanted to replay her March 22nd episode here in the best of series.

Episode Description:

How about this boundary? Only pursuing opportunities that offer the potential of adding 7 figures to the top line.

Eleanor Beaton is the Founder and CEO of Safi Media. She is on a mission to double the number of 7-figure women business owners by 2030 through business coaching, entrepreneurship education and story telling. We talk about the filters that Eleanor uses when evaluating opportunities, and dig down into niching – how to know when it is time to narrow your focus, and the bliss and pain of executing on this strategy.

We'll discuss CEO time and what it is, as learn what a 'Jewel Business' is and why you want one! (HINT: 30% open time for the founder is one of the foundation pieces)

Discussed in this episode:

What it means to have a business that replaces your job and the challenges with that

What a lifestyle entrepreneur is

Talking about growing a business to scale it

Moving from one to another

The importance of growing your team

Who should you hire first

Who should you not hire at the beginning

Hire for the level of expertise you need 

Answering the question of hiring a VA or full-time support

Advisors, mentors, coaches and masterminds, why you need all of these

Links:

Gillian Selby episode of Real Bottom Line

Article about hiring appropriate people for appropriate tasks https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/delegate-like-pro-frances-schagen/

FREE Be Your Own CFO course https://damp-paper-4668.ck.page/bto-cfo

Suvojit Ghosh is the Founder/CEO of FYE Labs, a product development lab in Hamilton Ontario. Our conversation covers a lot ground including

1. The three levels of product development (and they apply to products and software)
2. The importance of understanding the pain point you are solving
3. Should you get a technical co-founder on board
4. The different ways you can develop your product and the pros and cons of each.

Discussed in this episode:

• One form is to have the same audience but come from different directions
• Women are natural collaborators
• The myth of the lone entrepreneur is just that - a myth
• Behind every success is a team
• The many different forms of collaborations
• Financial Besties are an example of great collaboration
• The most important things that have to be in alignment for it to be a success
• It’s decision-making that leads to the downfall
• Leave space to be different
• You need to have collaboration partners who you can talk to without censoring
• The real bottom line

Links:

Be Your Own CFO newsletter on Linked In https://www.linkedin.com/newsletters/be-your-own-cfo-6869009567674712064/

FREE Be Your Own CFO course https://damp-paper-4668.ck.page/bto-cfo

In this episode, we talk about all the things that make up your data. You may be as surprised as I was at all the data we collect - some of it inadvertently.

There's a lot of interesting information surround data privacy and security, and Jodi breaks it down so well! She discusses the standards you need to consider if you sell internationally, especially in the US where different states have different requirements, and what things you do or don't need to have - like a cookie banner, for example.

There's a lot of important info in this episode - you don't want to miss it!

Scott discusses opportunities and where to find them, what drives him personally, the kinds of fears he has, and the important lessons learned from his grandmother. This is a true 'rags to riches' story, and I have a feeling you're going to want to listen to this one!

Maxim describes how Hollywood has done the tech industry a disservice, and how developers are like musicians in a band. She also answers questions that you may be asking, like... "what does a CTO do?" and "when do I need one?" - we cover a lot of ground in this episode, and I hope you enjoy it!

Join me as I sit down with Gillian Selby, a professional sales coach of Gunn + McQueen, as we discuss the difference between technical and social sales, and how to decide when to hire a professional sales person. She also summarizes what she believes makes phenomenal sales people, and whether or not those people are introverts or extroverts.

In this episode, we speak about the benefits of building the right team for your business.

Find out your diagnostic score of your business at https://www.totalwealthscore.com

Lance Graulich is an expert in franchises. Having owned multiple franchises himself, and then becoming a broker, he has seen it all. In this episode, we talk about who should and shouldn't buy a franchises, and what to consider when buying or turning your business into a franchise.

Free Assessment: https://www.zorakle.net/assessment/welcome/ionfranchising

I want to talk a bit about the fact I went to see Sting in concert, he was so full of life and vibrant, he delivered an amazing performance. He was a master, and he held the audience in the palm of his hands. And yet, he was so chill, he was just so zen-like he was living his best life. 

Now, if we were to dig into the numbers around Sting we will find the following, 

• He is 70 years old.
• He has a net worth of $550 million. 
• He has sold over 100 million records during his time as a solo artist. 
• He has six kids, numerous graduate kids, two wives a whole bunch of properties. 

So why is he still performing? 

On this episode, we'll define what exactly ADHD means, the reason why so many entrepreneurs have ADHD, and the differences between ADHD and other mental health/neurodivergent conditions. André will also explain the common symptoms of ADHD, and how you can turn these symptoms into your superpowers!

• What is personal branding
• Who needs it
• Online presence
• How authentic to be online
• Retreats as a business strategy.
• How to put yourself into a high energy state

You will love this advice delivered with panache.

How does the carbon market work? How can you develop more income streams for your facilities? What is data collection and the block chain? Listen and find out!

Katelyn is engaging, practical, and super knowledgeable on so many things. Join us as Katelyn shares that knowledge, explaining 'Jobs to be Done' and how McDonald's used it to increase their milkshake sales, beach head content, and where true customer clarity comes from.

Clay Christensen video we talk about: 

Understanding the Job

Sign up for Buyer Psychology email:www.katelynbourgoin.com

Lisa Haydon has just passed the 5-year anniversary mark of her business, Pivotal Growth. Prior to her own pivotal growth, Lisa worked in finance and banking for large enterprise companies. She helps companies assess and diagnose their people performance with diagnostic, consulting, and implementation services.

Join us as we discuss the turning point that launched Lisa into the world of entrepreneurship and how to get past imposter syndrome, her thoughts on what your meeting cadence should be as an entrepreneur, and how to vet potential business partners.

Eleanor Beaton is the Founder and CEO of Safi Media. She is on a mission to double the number of 7-figure women business owners by 2030 through business coaching, entrepreneurship education and story telling. We talk about the filters that Eleanor uses when evaluating opportunities, and dig down into niching – how to know when it is time to narrow your focus, and the bliss and pain of executing on this strategy.

We'll discuss CEO time and what it is, as learn what a 'Jewel Business' is and why you want one! (HINT: 30% open time for the founder is one of the foundation pieces)

In this episode we discuss

• How to avoid micromanaging
• The two tasks he always wants to participate in
• The second question he always asks in an interview
• The evolution of communication
• The triangle of Calculated Risk decisions
• How serving multiple markets and segments can give you an advantage

In this episode, we talk about

• The importance of Building a family outside of your family
• The interplay between profit and purpose
• How Peace is the most important value you can have

As an expert in all things phone, Mary Jane shares some great insights into:

• Why Customer Service calls are totally different now
• How to make Sales calls more effective
• How often to follow up and what to do to get maximum results
• What to say if you are leaving a voice mail

Join us as we talk about

Bringing these programs to the conscious level

Reprogramming our mind to

The shortcuts your brain takes when making decisions

• What is personal branding
• Who needs it
• Online presence
• How authentic to be online
• Retreats as a business strategy.
• How to put yourself into a high energy state

You will love this advice delivered with panache.

I love hearing about people’s journeys to Entrepreneurship – they are all so different and inspiring in different ways – and Justin’s is one of perseverance. His conversion rate was pretty low at the beginning – 1 in 1000. To get his first 5 clients he talked to 5000. I think most of us would have called it way before that!

Join us to hear that story and our discussions around:

• The importance of family and why his always comes first
• How he decides who to work with
• Where the future of public relations is
• Pricing of services
• The difference between Entrepreneurs and Business Owners
• Why getting into small rooms is important on a number of levels

It’s another great episode

Join us on this episode as we discuss...

- The importance of values

- How to evaluate business opportunities

- Being deliberate about your growth

- The pros and cons of real estate investing

Together they travelled to Europe and began their adventures. They worked for a handful of award-winning hotels and independent chocolatiers in France, England, and Scotland.

They had envisioned setting up shop in Halifax 2 years prior to arriving in Canada. But why Halifax? Because it offered a great quality of life, had many European influences, and was conveniently located between Ottawa and Roquebrune-sur-Argens - the couples' respective hometowns!

7 years, 1 expansion, 2 babies, 1 house, lots and lots of blood, sweat & tears later.... Here we ARE! A true commitment to dedication, hard work and a solid partnership! 

A customer service advocate, Tanya is a relationship builder and focuses on the special touches. Currently, Tanya is the Director of WORKSPACE Atlantic and President of Mattie Capital. She is an active community volunteer, involved in fundraising with the Canadian Progress Club-Halifax Citadel, Chisholm Services for Children, Family SOS, Phoenix Youth, Oakfield Golf Club, and the United Church of Canada.

Phoenix Youth nominated her for the 2016 Maritime Philanthropy Awards as Outstanding Volunteer Fundraiser. In 2019 Tanya was awarded the Community Heart Award from Chisholm Services for Children and currently sits on the Foundation board with Chisholm. Tanya was recently awarded the Progression of the year 2020 for Canadian Progress Club Halifax Citadel and the Eastern Region.

Staying active with fitness, yoga, golf, kayaking, and biking are high on Tanya’s priority list as is travel and spending time with her husband and family - which includes 5 grandchildren !

www.meganoneill.ca 

https://www.linkedin.com/in/megan-o-neill-36392999/

https://www.facebook.com/groups/CoreBeliefsforBusiness

https://www.instagram.com/megancorebeliefs/ 

Freebie/Offer: The Confidence Lab - https://meganoneill.ca/confidence-lab-own-your-entrepreneurial-expertise/

From helping a manufacturing company scale from 20m to over 150m a year, a construction company from 42m to 200m/annualized and countless other organizations from 1m - 10m, Matt has had a front row seat on the trials and tribulations of organizations going through scale.  

Symplicity Designs is a B Corp that measures and supports a triple bottom line - People, Planet, and Profit. Over the last decade they have given back more than 4.2m in Low-Bono, Pro-Bono, and Cash to the social sector. Their work in the education system, the health care system,  

Matt and his team provided guidance to more than 1800 business leaders during the COVID-19 pandemic with a series of early stage webinars to help organizations get oriented and prepare for the pandemic. As a result of his efforts, he was named the 2021 Business leader of the year in Nova Scotia. 

He not only helps other organizations scale but he leads an equity portfolio of 8 organizations. They have skin in the game and use these same principles to scale their own organizations. 

 https://www.linkedin.com/in/matt-symes-8328a765/ 

Now as a Keap Certified Partner for 10 years, Shaun helps businesses owners implement automation in their business to grow their bottom line and get their lives back.

Learn more: http://bluecowmarketing.ca/automate

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shaunwhynacht

As Chief Financial Fitness Trainer of Bissett Financial Fitness Inc., Tracey educates and empowers individuals, notably young adults, and entrepreneurs to take control of and live their financial lives with confidence. As a former executive at TD Bank, one of Canada’s Big 5 Banks, Tracey has worked with and in support of thousands of individuals and entrepreneurs to secure the financing they needed. This hands on experience coupled with her formal financial education, Masters of Business Administration and Chartered Financial Analyst designation, position Tracey uniquely to coach about all things money.

Tracey is a full time professor in the financial services faculty within the Business School at Centennial College. She leads speaking engagements and is the Executive Producer and host of the Young Money podcast all focused on increasing financial fitness. Recently named a Silver Award winner for The IFSE Institute Award for Financial Literacy Champion through the Wealth Professional Awards 2020.

A native of Nova Scotia, Tracey enjoys giving back the community and actively volunteers with Therapeutic Paws of Canada, the United Way of Toronto & York Region as well as Junior Achievement of Central Ontario.

In 1995 Tim founded the Brennan Group of Online Companies – a firm that provided training to North American businesses on strengthening their sales leadership. It was here that he first started counselling clients on the impact of smarter selection practices. Along the way, the technology of assessing and predicting fit enabled Tim’s vision of helping companies adopt a better way to find, select and hire became a reality. A decade or so later that company became Fit First Technologies. More recently, Tim and the Fit First team have been instrumental in helping clients such as Atlantic Superstores, Admiral Insurance, Eden Valley Poultry, FYI Doctors and others reduce turnover, increase efficiencies, and generate a return on investment of more than 300% in one year all through better people practices. 

Tim’s passion for helping companies select great people and for people to find their dream career continues to be fueled by his belief that everyone will be more successful when companies measure what matters in the hiring process and sort potential employees by their Fit First; then education and work experience. 

After escaping many years of the big law firm life (aka the "soul-sucking situation"), Corinne started her entrepreneurial legal journey in 2012.  

What started as a 40-hour in-person legal course developed for small business owners has now also turned into guided legal templates for Canadians doing business online. 

Corinne has a knack for making things practical and easy to implement. Being a lawyer since 2002 has given her perspective and experience to boil things down to the essentials. 

Corinne is originally from Cape Breton Island and lives in Halifax, Nova Scotia with her spouse, Martin, two teenagers Enya and Owen and new rescue pup, Kiwi. 

Corinne’s hobbies include playing guitar with her band “The Mother Pluckers” and playing hockey with the Puckers.    

Corinne's motto is "Work Hard. Have Fun. Give Back." 

www.instagram.com/lawyercorinne  

https://twitter.com/lawyercorinne  

https://www.facebook.com/onlinelegalessentials 

https://www.onlinelegalessentials.ca/a/46574/tyMFJRL2

Martha’s passion for changing the conversation around money and finances has become the focus of her life’s work. She believes in everyone’s ability to create positive and impactful change in their lives by taking back control through their own understanding and self-development. She invests her whole heart as she tries to bring out the best in the people she works with so that they can feel empowered in their financial journey. As an author and financial educator, Martha is committed to this process, and to keeping the conversation moving forward. 

Kimberley King is a passionate leader in the Canadian meetings and events industry. A proud founding board member of the Atlantic Canada Chapter of Meeting Professionals International (MPI) and a Past President, Kim has lead the industry from the inside out. As a member of IASB (International Association of Speakers Bureaus) she offer clients a global reach on speakers, celebrities and subject matter experts. Kimberley studied at Mount St. Vincent University in the Public Relations program in Halifax, Nova Scotia and graduated from the Advertising and Public Relations program of Grant MacEwan in Edmonton, Alberta. She is a recent graduate of the Virtual Event & Meeting Management Course from Event Learning Institute and holds the PCMA Digital Event Strategist Designation (DES). 

Aria Raphael is Self-Actualization and Manifestation Coach, Channeler, Healer, Business and Leadership Consultant, and Public Speaker. She has been leading transformational programs for 14 years and has training in coaching, transformational practices, energy and healing work, leadership, and organizational and management consulting. Her newest program, “The Alchemy of Living,” teaches manifestation, deep healing of emotion and consciousness, grounded living, boundaries, and alignment with one’s highest path and outcomes. It is her calling and passion to help individuals and businesses discover and fulfill their authentic purpose and greatest potential. 

 https://www.linkedin.com/in/fotiniiconomopoulos

Cynthia is also a legal innovator and has developed an online platform for registering trademarks, making professional brand protection accessible for entrepreneurs and small businesses.

LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/masonpc/

IG/FB - @masonpctrademarks

Websites: https://masonpc.com/ and https://markably.ca/ 

Christina understands the power of identity. Using over twenty-five years of international experience as an educator, administrator, performer, award-winning musician and community leader, Christina helps students, families and schools to clarify their values and vision, identify obstacles and create meaningful solutions to maximize success and self- realization.

Bolster Family Educational Support is an online business located in Halifax, Nova Scotia that works with children, families and schools around the world. Bolster strives to turn students

into learners. Bolster strives to bring value, meaning and cohesion to the daily lives of busy

families. Bolster strives to create schools where schools understand their strengths, their vision and how to understand and maximize the existing culture within and without its walls.

Social Handles

https://www.linkedin.com/in/bolster-families-christina-forgeron/

https://twitter.com/BolsterFamilies

https://www.facebook.com/Bolsterfamilies

https://www.instagram.com/bolsterfamilies/

Helping clients first articulate and then achieve communications objectives through strategic branding while aligning their everyday business practices to reflect that brand.

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/neilstephen