Can you learn anything about running your business from a charity? The fact is that charities and non-profits are some of the most entrepreneurial and innovative organizations out there. They have to think outside the box when it comes to generating the funds they need to achieve their mission and serve our communities. That's why I'm excited about my guest, Sharon Hapton. Sharon is the founder and CEO of Soup Sisters, an organization that has produced literally millions of bowls of soup to feed families in need. And how they do it is fascinating. Want to get involved? Check out what the Soup Sisters are doing and how you can help here: https://www.soupsisters.org/donate-with-miso-money-in-soup-outSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Finding your purpose as an entrepreneur. It’s easier said than done. But purpose is one of the 5Ps that separate the business owners who make it from the ones who don’t. Who better to talk about it than the founder and CEO of Purpose Investments, Som Seif?  Som is one of Canada’s leading entrepreneurs in the financial service industry. Before he turned 40, he founded a successful company, was forced to sell that company, and decided to get back in the ring and start a second business in the same industry. Through it all, he was able to maintain his vision: to make investing simple, intuitive, and more affordable for everyone. Ever heard of Wealthsimple?  That’s him.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

'Calm down' . . . 'Don't let your true feelings show' . . . 'Don't let emotions cloud your judgement' . . . As business owners, we hear stuff like this all the time. These kinds of comments make it seem like emotions are a weakness. But the fact is business owners aren't robots. We're thinking, feeling, physical people. Take one of those elements away and you're not seeing the whole picture. As my guest Catherine Bell, Author/Founder of The Awakened Company says, “we're at our best when we feel.” Great leaders know the difference between feeling and reacting. People want to work for a boss who shows emotions, but who doesn't have emotional outbursts. Someone who lets them know where they stand, but doesn't fly off the handle. Someone who communicates, but doesn't yell. What kind of leader are you?See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

I had the amazing opportunity to speak at CN! Magazine's Annual Mental Health Summit. I got vulnerable in a conversation with Jade Alberts and Tyler Chisholm about my struggle with imposter syndrome, learning to take care of myself so I can take care of others, and finding that elusive balance between giving and receiving help. Thank you so much to Krista Malden for organizing the event and inviting me to speak!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Had the pleasure of talking to Mike Cottingham of Razor Sharp Consulting and it was an amazing conversation. We talked about how he turned his side business into his full time job. We also took comments from YOU, the audience, and chatted about itSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

You can have an innovative idea. You can have passion. But if you're not getting paid, you don't have a sustainable business. If you want to learn how to make it even easier to get paid, this episode is for you! I talk to Leo Bailey, Client Partnership and SMB Director at Interac Corp, and David Nagy, Founder of eCommerce Canada, about what they're doing to help business owners navigate the world of eCommerce. We talk about understanding your cash flow, the difference between cost and investment, and the importance of having a community on your business journey. Plus you'll hear my personal challenge to business owners for 2024.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Who is Catherine Bell? Catherine Bell is the author of The Awakened Company. She was awarded the Nautilus Book Award in Business and Leadership and became a best seller just one week after its release. As CEO and founder of her consulting firm, Catherine works with companies all over the world. She was named as one of the top 10 "innovative CEOs revamping the future" by Inc. Magazine and uses her platform to give back to the community where ever she can. We talk about leadership fails, what it means to be a leader and why your team needs to be involved in corporate vision. Is your team engaged at work? Or are they actively working against your organization? The conversation was so amazing, that we forgot to mention Catherine's secret sauce for individuals and teams: knowing the Enneagram! "It is a personality roadmap that allows us to be more present and this improves corporate culture. We lead sessions with teams on it all the time and it is transformative." -Catherine BellSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Picture this: you hire a temporary replacement for you maternity leave and you love your new hire. But your staff is divided. Some of them like the new hire, some prefer the old ways of doing things. Your employee is returning from maternity leave but you don't have the budget to keep both of them... We chatted about this at the last Exchange x Joydrop event and it was incredibly insightful. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Working with people is not black and white. In the last Exchange x Joydrop event, we got into an AMAZING discussion about what it means to work with your employees and manage performance.  It's so important to stay curious about your employees. When there is a staff member who isn't performing, sometimes we have to look at ourselves.  Shashi Behl, Founder, Joydrop Leona Moser, HR Director, Forward Level Tara McCool, Chief People Officer, Foundation Automotive Peter Fenwick, Director of Growth Catalyst, Director of Scale-Up and Growth Programs, Mount Royal University Thomas Ross, Partner, McLennan RossSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Science, technology and coaching. Blake MacDonald is the person responsible for bringing OrangeTheory to Canada. He opened the first location in St. Albert. But how did he take a new concept, open one location, then grow this franchise into one of the most popular fitness boutiques in Canada?See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.