36 – Exceptional Content and User Experience w/ Ben Buckwold of ESL Library
Meet Ben Buckwold, CEO and Founder of ESL Library – a company empowering language teachers to teach their best class, with exceptional content and a custom platform used by language teachers in more than 10,000 schools around the world.
In this episode of Start Canada Podcast, Ben speaks about being the first ESL learning app in the world, knowing when to pivot, and the importance of building great content. From the staff side, we get tips for building a great team, remote morale boosting, and the positive people effects of giving back to the community.
If you are building an online resource based business, or you want to pivot to one, be sure to tune in to this episode of Start Canada Podcast with the founder of ESL Library!
If you prefer video format, watch now on YouTube or take us with you as you go by Subscribing Now wherever you get your podcasts.
34 – Finding Friends and Building Business w/ Katie Hartle of FriendMatch
Meet Katie Hartle, Founder and CEO of FriendMatch – a unique company that is exactly as it sounds – think online dating but strictly for platonic friendships instead. In a time where loneliness is at an all-time high, Katie has built a community over 100 countries to help tackle just this, answering the question “How to Make Friends” for more than 5 million people – and counting.
In this episode, we cover the human side of business, how to build a lean start-up, tips for growing a community, and so much more. If you have an idea you believe in – be sure to catch this episode to be inspired to get started today!
Listen now online here, on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or find us on most major podcast platforms. Prefer video? Watch now on YouTube! Just search Start Canada Podcast.
33 – Believing in Yourself and Your Business w/ Cheryl Zealand of Cranked Energy Bars
Meet Cheryl Zealand, Founder and CEO of Cranked Energy Bars – a protein bar company carried by over 100 Manitoba retailers and set for national expansion.
If you are starting a food based business from your home kitchen and want to learn to build your brand – tune in to this episode for tips from Cranked Energy Bars!
Listen now online here, on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or find us on most major podcast platforms. Prefer video? Watch now on YouTube! Just search Start Canada Podcast.
32 – Navigating a New Food Business w/ Glenda and Rory Hart of The Canadian Birch Company Ltd.
Meet Glenda and Rory Hart, Co-Founders of the Canadian Birch Company. They create products from organic birch sap and craft the world’s finest pure birch syrup.
In this episode, Host Margaux Miller taps into the ins and outs of the birch syrup industry, inquiring into dealing with food products and getting into retailers, and garners advice for working with programs like the Scotiabank Women Initiative.
If you are starting a food based business and you want to skip some hurdles of learning the hard way – then be sure to catch this episode!
If you prefer video format, watch now on YouTube or take us with you as you go by Subscribing Now wherever you get your podcasts.
31 – Starting a Meal Kit Subscription Box Company w/ Anthony Halyckyj of 204 Meal Prep
Meet Anthony Halyckyj, the Founder of 204 Meal Prep – a subscription box meal kit company that delivers convenient meal options direct to your door. In our conversation, Anthony shares with us the hurdles of the subscription business model, the experience of purchasing his main competitor, and even some tips for eating healthy.
If you’ve ever wanted to know the ins and outs of a subscription box meal prep company – then this episode is for you!
Watch on YouTube or take us with you as you go by Subscribing Now wherever you get your podcasts.
30 – Small Business Funding, Grants, and Mentorship w/ Michelle Leona of Wolseley Kombucha and Caroline Ksiazek of Futurpreneur Canada
Meet Michelle and Caroline, two business leaders from either side of the entrepreneurship coin. From the start-up side, Michelle Leona is the Owner and Head Brewer of Wolseley Kombucha – a women-owned and operated business kombucha brewery. From the support side, Caroline Ksiazek, the Regional Lead in the heart of Canada for Futurpreneur – Canada’s only national, non-profit organization that provides financing, mentoring and support tools to aspiring business owners aged 18 to 39.
Our guests provide great tips on how to leverage the power of your network and use mentorship to get ahead, as well as tips for securing grants and funding for your Canadian business.
If you prefer video format, watch now on YouTube or take us with you as you go by Subscribing Now wherever you get your podcasts.
29 – Building a Start-Up Ecosystem w/ Marshall Ring of the Manitoba Technology Accelerator
Meet Marshall Ring, Founder and CEO of the Manitoba Technology Accelerator – an organization that helps to commercialize disruptive technologies into businesses ready to scale nationally and internationally. Our host picks Marshall’s brain on what it’s like to grow a start-up ecosystem, some exciting success stories from the Canadian prairies, and some really important insight advice for anyone looking to participate in an accelerator.
If you’re curious about what it takes to start your own start-up hub or if you are looking to join one – then don’t miss this episode!
If you prefer video format, watch now on YouTube or take us with you as you go by Subscribing Now wherever you get your podcasts.
28 – Starting an International Charity w/ Darcy Ataman of Make Music Matter
Featuring Darcy Ataman, the founder and CEO of Make Music Matter – an organization using a unique form of music therapy to help survivors of conflict and trauma.
Darcy shares about his background as a music producer, what it’s like to start an international charity from the heart of Canada, and how his innovative program created and scaled in partnership with Nobel Laureate Dr. Denis Mukwege now operates in 8 countries around the world.
If you want to learn about starting an international charity, or the possibilities of using music for healing, then don’t miss this episode.
For full show notes visit www.StartPodcast.ca and Subscribe Now wherever you get your podcasts.
Note: this episode contains stories about conflict and post-conflict zones and topics may be sensitive for some listeners.
27 – How to Scale Across Canada and Get a Deal on Dragons Den w/ Catherine Metrycki of Callia Flowers
Kicking off season 3, we speak to Catherine Metrycki, Founder of Callia Flowers. We cover how she launched and grew her tech business which has reimagined the way we send flowers.
We discuss her deal on Dragons Den with Manjit Minhas, which has since provided the support necessary for Callia to be able to open all across Eastern Canada (to be now in 55 cities). And Catherine shares with us some of her experiences in improving customer service and mental health as a leader.
If you’ve ever wondered how to scale a business, or whether Dragons Den is worth it – than this episode is for you! For full show notes and resources directly from our guests, visit www.StartPodcast.ca and Subscribe Now to never miss an episode.
26 – How to Create an App Business
Watch Episode 26 of Start Podcast featuring Denis Devigne and Kyle Sierens, the founders of VidDay – a web app business that creates personalized video montages as gifts.
25 – The Complexities of Start-Up Life
Episode 25 of Start Canada Podcast features Matt Schaubroeck and Amanda San Filippo, Co-Founders of ioAirFlow – a software company focused on ‘green’ commercial buildings.
They discuss the experience of changing co-founders, finding personal balance in start-up life, and the entrepreneurial impacts of Covid-19.
For full show notes and resources directly from our guests, visit www.StartPodcast.ca, and Subscribe Now wherever you’re listening to never miss an episode.
24 – Mindfulness in Education
Episode 24 of Start Podcast features Kailey Lefko and Josianne Barnabé, Co-Founders of Educalme Inc. – creators of a series of tools to help teachers bring mindfulness and social-emotional learning into their classrooms through a bilingual online program called Educalme Classroom.
23 – Finding Your Place in a Niche Industry
Episode 23 of Start Podcast features the founders of Flipside XR – a real-time animation and XR broadcast company almost purchased by one of the Big 5.
22 – Trucks, Mods, and LifeStyle Branding
Episode 22 of Start Podcast features Mitchel Matthews, the founder of Adrenaline Offroad – a mods and accessories start-up for truck enthusiasts.
21 – Finding Your Role as a Leader
Episode 21 of Start Podcast features Duncan Jessiman and Polly Craik, the founders of Vexxit – an online marketplace for professional services.
19 – Start-Up Funding, Accelerators, and Clean Tech
Episode 19 of Start Podcast features Scott Russell, the founder of SolarSkyrise – a data analytics company that provides architects, engineers, and real estate owners with data to generate new revenue streams from unused vertical real estate on buildings.
18 – Obby Khan on Restaurants, Relationships, and Supporting Local
Episode 18 of Start Podcast features Obby Khan, the founder of online marketplace GoodLocal.ca, and restaurants Shawarma Khan and Green Carrot Juice Co.
17 – Art, eLearning, and 100% Responsibility
Episode 17 of Start Podcast features Mitch Bowler, the founder of Evolve Artist – a business that takes a unique and modern (and virtual) approach to advanced Art Education.
16 – Drones, Entrepreneurship, and Education
Episode 16 of Start Podcast features Matt Johnson, the founder of M3 Aerial – a prairie start-up providing specialized aerial imaging services and certified training for advanced drone pilots across North, Central and South America.
15 – Hockey, Agents, and How A Pandemic Affects Athletes
Episode 15 of Start Podcast features Carson Shields, founder of Wingman Player Consulting – a Winnipeg-based hockey advisory service and player agency.
14 – VR, AR, and New Tech During a Pandemic
On episode 14 of Start Podcast, host Margaux Miller interviews the founder of Bit Space Development Ltd – an interactive digital media studio focused on developing high quality Virtual Reality and Augmented Reality experiences.
13 – Trains, Driverless Cars, and Reducing Transportations Delay
On episode 13 of Start Podcast, host Margaux Miller interviews Garreth Rempel of Winnipeg-based tech start-up Trainfo; a data driven company that helps reduce accidents and traffic delays at rail crossings.
12 – Commercials, Pricing, and Perseverance
On episode 12 of Start Podcast, host Margaux Miller interviews Noah Palansky and Jordan Davis, co-founders of Taiv, about their advertising tech company that turns commercial breaks into marketing opportunities through their hardware and software ad replacement solution.
11 – International Modeling, Advocacy, and Supporting Women in the Community
On episode 11 of Start Podcast, host Margaux Miller interviews Elizabeth Crawford, Founder of Swish Productions, Swish Model Management, and new co-working space Swish Co-Create. Liz speaks about the organic journey from International Modelling to CEO of multiple companies spurred by passion.
10 – NHL Athlete’s Safety, Innovative Foot Protection, and Founding Multiple Startups
On episode 10 of Start Podcast, host Margaux Miller interviews Steven Pham and Matt Olson, Founders of Askja, an innovative protective technology company focused on skate armor for hockey players.
9 – E-Commerce, Series A Funding, and Large Growth from a Small Town
On episode 9 of Start Podcast, host Margaux Miller interviews Jason Myers, founder of Bold Commerce, about his business building the leading Shopify applications and plugins, and how it all started in a basement with his 3 co-founders.
8 – Charity, Gambling, and Technology
On episode 8 of Start Podcast, host Margaux Miller interviews Nicholas Tenszen, Co-Founder of Funding Change, about starting a charitable online gaming business in Canada. They discuss the hurdles of regulations, his focus on not for profits, and his take on tech and starting out.
7 – Careers, Quirks, and Becoming a LinkedIn Top Voice
On episode 7 of Start Podcast, host Margaux Miller interviews Kerri Twigg, Founder of Career Stories, about combining arts and business, playing the long game, and using LinkedIn for marketing. They discuss Kerri’s contributions to a best-selling book, and her work to become a LinkedIn Top Voice.
5 – Hopping in to a New Career, Brewing Strong Relationships, and Crafting Quality Beer
Episode 5 of Start Podcast features John Heim, president and co-owner of Torque Brewing Co., and president of Manitoba Brewers Association.
They discuss the growing market share for craft beer, provincial legislation, access to funding, community co-operation, and the importance of branding. John expresses his excitement to grow the local microbrewery industry through his input with the Manitoba Brewers Association.
For full show notes and resources directly from our guests, visit www.StartPodcast.ca, and Subscribe Now wherever you’re listening to never miss an episode.
4 – Body Positivity, Health at Every Size, and Growing Alongside her Body Inclusive Gym
Episode 4 of Start Podcast, the Millers speak with Brooke Van Ryssel, owner of My Body Fitness + Nutrition, about her business and her work as part of the body positivity movement.
3 – Mobile Oil Changes, Franchising, and Full Disclosure
In this episode of START podcast, the Miller siblings speak with John Sparrow, founder of Go Oil Canada, about his rapid success and ability to franchise across Canada in less than 14 months. John shares about the benefits of cultivating a community, the importance of...
2 – Dragons Den, Diversification, and Everything Eyebrows
In this episode of the Start Podcast, hosts Margaux and Matthew Miller speak with married couple and business partners Giovanna Minenna and Scott Russell. This episode covers their growth and diversification in the beauty market, specifically in everything to do with...
Recent Comments