Secret Life

Hold onto your seats folks, we've got an exciting episode for you.  Today's guest is Karen Smith, CEO at Better Business Bureau serving Saskatchewan, and woman of many hats.  Karen is a busy person indeed.  In addition to her role as CEO at BBB Sask, she currently serves as Board Member of the Regina Community Clinic, Access Communications Co-operative, is on the Saskatchewan Adviso...

Pet Parent to Pet Trainer.... Pet Trainer to Local Business Owner.... Local Business Owner to global entrepreneur...   Today's guest, Julie Naismith, hails from across the pond and came to Canada for "adventure." She got a little more than she bargained for when she chose 2020 to launch her online business.  While many entrepreneurs pulled back during the pandemic, Julie forged ahead and...

Imagine starting a new job just in time to cancel a 50 year tradition?  That's what Josh Haugerud needed to do in 2020 when COVID hit.  The Regina Folk Festival expected to celebrate their 50th year with a line-up of exciting & talented performers. Instead, they, like so many community events, were put on pause.  Tune in to learn more about the 35,000 event attendees, 650 volunt...

This afternoon's guest has a firm belief in quality. Saskatchewan-made and distilled quality. Black Fox Farm and Distillery is Saskatchewan's premier, farm-based micro-distillery, located minutes from Saskatoon. Barb Stefanyshyn-Cote is one of the co-owners of the locally-owned and locally-produced line of gin, whiskey and liqueurs; distributing their spirits around the world. Today's episode may...

I don't know about you, but when I think of a local business, I don't often think about lawyers.  And our guest today reaffirmed my thinking; Cory Furman is a homegrown, local guy with a law firm and client-base that extends around the world.  He's the first to tell the lawyer jokes and the last to leave the party (maybe the first to arrive as well?).  But his subject matter is anyt...

Today's guest is a business leader, a strong family advocate, and a role model for her girls. Nothing makes her more proud than to be there for her kids.    Tracy Archer is the President & CEO of a Knight Archer Insurance. A 40-year-old family business created in the basement of her parent's house. All these years later, this follow-in-her-mom's-steps entrepreneur is a confident, suc...

Our guest today has a very special skill.  A mediator and conciliator at heart, Tim Nickel is the owner/operator of Fifth Business Consulting. From mediating family disputes to facilitating the development of business strategy, Tim has a knack for helping others achieve win-win solutions. A vision we can all support, he aims to create a more ethical, resilient, and highly developed global civ...

I’m excited to introduce you to today’s guest!  A graduate of Luther College High School in Regina, Saskatchewan, he started off as a plumbing apprentice.   But he had an idea, a passion, and a willingness to approach business differently.  Taylor Weisgerber took it upon himself to start doing things differently. The founder of Spartan Mechanical, he approaches business, life,...

Today's guest has a very "clear" view of our community and her future as an entrepreneur!    Growing up, Lisa was part of a family-owned business. Sunday dinners, holidays and after school were spent talking about business.  Her family volunteered often; visiting virtually any venue that was hosting an event or fundraiser. This gave her a sense of what it means to give bac...

Wow are we in for a treat today!!   Today's guest joins us all the way from the North Pole!!!   Fresh out of the workshop, he's left the Elves to tend to the last minute details. This is a very busy time of year for the jolly ol man.  He and the Missus are working noon so with all the Elves to make Christmas a magical time of year!   Tune in to learn about the business end...

Coming up today on the Secret Life of Entrepreneurs, our guest shares her story of turning a lifelong love into a thriving business. Fat Plant Farm started as an Instagram following built on passion and an authentic appreciation for the value of "green" in our lives. Whether you need a splash of green in the living room window facing north, or an entire wall of green in the south-facing window, Fa...

Today's guest is the CEO and co-Founder of Three Farmers Foods; a Canadian brand that provides healthy, wholesome plant-based snacks. (And I can say from personal experience, they are delish!) Natasha Vandenhurk, her sister, and her dad bring flavours and an approach to our pantries and our palette that are literally popping! Imagine, a Red Seal Chef is helping prepare your Friday Night snack...

Today's guest is no stranger to clean up, messes, and spills with 3 kids and a busy business.  When Dianne Beauchamp and her husband, Greg Stephanson, were on the hunt for the right business, they stumbled upon Puroclean, an international network of disaster restoration services.   They officially opened their doors 2 weeks after the world shut down due to COVID-19 and in hindsight she s...

As the Chief Inspiration Officer (aka President/Owner) of a boutique communications and management firm in Saskatoon, SK, Adele works closely with clients in the agriculture and food communities to meet their individual needs in the areas of communications, public relations, marketing, event planning, and office and association management. She loves connecting with like-minded thinkers and promoti...

Coming up on Ep. 63 of the Secret Life of Entrepreneurs we have Mary Weimer of Conexus Credit Union. Mary was born and raised in Regina. A University of Regina graduate, she and her husband, Jeremy, have owned the Assiniboia Gallery since 1999. In 2013, Mary took leave from the day-to-day operations of the gallery and joined Hillberg & Berk as its Chief Operating Officer. In July 2018, she joi...

Today's guest left the corporate world to purse a political dream. She spoke confidently and articulated her vision for our country and our home. In pursuing her dream she discovered she had a talent for bringing people together, creating a shared vision in people, systems and organizations.   She brings that passion to her work with Silo Strategy; S - I - L - O. Tune in to learn what SILO me...

Heather is passionate about the trucking industry and is a member of the Board of Directors for both the Saskatchewan Trucking Association (STA) and for the Canadian Trucking Alliance (CTA).   Before transitioning to her current role, Heather earned degrees in Music and Education and enjoyed a seven-year teaching career in London, England where she led the Music Departments of both inner...

Amber Goodwyn is the acting Executive Director at 91.3FM, CJTR Regina Community Radio on Treaty 4 land / in Regina, SK. Before moving to Regina in 2012 she was the Music Coordinator and Music Librarian at CKUT 90.3FM in Montreal, as well as a volunteer host.    She’s a new member of the Swamp Fest music festival Board of Directors and has previously served on the boards of Girls Rock Reg...

Cari ran her first half marathon in 2005, and her first full marathon just one year later in 2006. Since then, she has been committed to training early nearly every morning, and to eating healthy to fuel her body through these workouts.  Despite her long-time commitment to her physical health, she was diagnosed with rhabdomyosarcoma, a rare form of cancer, at the end of 2018. Due to a radical...

Donna Crooks' personal vision is to make a difference in the lives of others through her work and in her life. She is the Founder & Chief at Brain Snacks Co, a platform business with a mission to help close the gender gap by supporting women with core services, like study and workspace, supervised play for children, networking, career coaching, and professional development.    Donna'...

Michelle is a passionate teacher of the Deaf & Hard of Hearing in Regina. When one of her twin sons was born Deaf she began classes in American Sign Language (ASL). She fell in love with the language and the community; she has been an invaluable advocate and mentor to Saskatchewan’s Deaf community ever since.  She is an administrative team member and former vice-president of Deaf Crows Co...

Sarah is the leader of KPMG's Tax Services practice in Regina. Throughout the past 21 years, Sarah has specialized in helping owner-managed businesses and entrepreneurs as their business adviser. Working closely with her clients, Sarah provides insight to help them grow their business, minimize tax and meet their organizational objectives. She is dedicated to assisting family owned and operated bu...

Sharon Leibel is a family physician and Child Abuse Consultant in Regina.  A Saskatchewan girl through and through, Saskatchewan is where she completed all of her university and medical training! Despite her humble nature, Sharon has been recognized for her accomplishments through multiple awards and scholarships and graduated with Distinction from the University of Saskatchewan College of Me...

Mmmmm, a tall cold one on the patio. Now that's a summer day in Saskatchewan.  Today's guest is going to talk about the 4 simple ingredients that make Paddock Wood beer a fan favourite. Paddock Wood is Saskatchewan’s first microbrewery and Canada’s indie beer.  They pride themselves on a unique flavour and refreshing taste. Their pure brews can be found bottled and on-tap in some of the...

Madhu Kumar was born and raised in India where she received her Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Education degrees. Kumar earned her Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from the University of Regina with Great Distinction in 2017.   Her oil portraits, paintings of horses, and landscapes have been in juried exhibitions in Ottawa and Regina.  Her current work is an ongoing series of large-sc...