Connected North

Brad and Steve sit down with Luke Bazely, to talk about building a transportation company from the ground up. Luke shares the early grind, working with family, scaling through franchising, the tough lessons that came with restructuring, and why he believes Northern Ontario has massive potential for entrepreneurs and business growth.

Connected North, we sit down with ARCA driver Matt Kemp at Michigan International Speedway for a behind-the-scenes look at the business of racing. Matt talks about his journey from grassroots racing to the ARCA level, the importance of local tracks, building experience, finding sponsors, and balancing racing with work, marriage, travel, and everyday life. He breaks down what it really costs to rac...

On Episode 13 of Connected North, Brad and Mike sit down with Greg Lefave, President of Superior Auto Group in Sault Ste. Marie. Greg shares his journey from starting out vacuuming cars at Enterprise to building a career across Canada, returning home to the Sault, and growing into a major leader in the automotive industry.

We sit down with Jean Morrison who is a entrepreneur, realtor, musician, former mortgage professional, and a true Northern Ontario business builder. Jean shares her journey from studying psychology and music to building a career in real estate, mortgages, property management, and leadership. She talks about growing up in Sault Ste. Marie, learning through entrepreneurship, building and selling bus...

On episode 12 we sit down with Kristina Hudson, the entrepreneur behind Krush Fashion, Big Moose Ice Cream Parlor, Frenchies, and the Trading Post in Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario.

On this episode of Connected North, Steve Renelli shares real insight from 25+ years in investment banking, M&A, business brokerage, and operating in the North, covering owner dependency, clean financials, deal structure, private equity, and how to build a business that is actually sellable. A must-listen for entrepreneurs, operators, and business owners thinking long-term.

On Connected North, we welcome Dave Barban for a conversation about second generation business, consulting engineering, leadership, and building in Northern Ontario.

On this episode of Connected North, we sit down with Don Mitchell to talk business, leadership, mentorship, economic development, and what it will take to build a stronger future for Sault Ste. Marie and Northern Ontario.

Connected North features Amelia Biasucci Ritchie sharing her journey of turning passion into business from paint and design to pottery, pasta nights, and building one of Northern Ontario’s most unique creative spaces.

We sit down with Antero Tarvudd, founder of Tarvudd Construction, who’s spent nearly three decades building a luxury custom home business in Northern Michigan far from major markets, but right in the middle of opportunity. From growing up in a family run lumber and building business to expanding into the U.S. and establishing a reputation built on quality, integrity, and craftsmanship, Antero shar...

In this episode of Connected North, we sit down with Sault Ste. Marie Mayor Matthew Shoemaker to discuss the city’s future, including the proposed $200M port, economic growth, housing, and attracting new industry. A real conversation about leadership, opportunity, and what it takes to build in the North.

Chief Jason Gauthier joins Connected North to talk leadership, economic development, and building self-sufficient communities in Northern Ontario. A real conversation on vision, partnerships, and what it takes to create long-term impact.

Derek Nott joins Connected North for a raw, unfiltered conversation on what it really takes to build and sustain a business in Northern Ontario. If you're an entrepreneur, business owner, or operator trying to grow in a regional or overlooked market this episode is for you.

In todays episode of Connected North, with Brad Gregorini and Steve Cormier. They dive into a real and unfiltered conversation about economic development in Northern Ontario. What it’s supposed to do, where it’s falling short, and what needs to change.

Our discussion today with Jason Naccarato, centers on effective strategies for attracting individuals to northern regions and bolstering employee retention. We explore the importance of fostering job satisfaction to ensure high-end positions and skilled trades remain vibrant. This includes considering new construction and civil engineering projects as key components to illustrate how things work i...

This is where real builders speak. In our first episode, we introduce Connected North a platform built for entrepreneurs, operators, and leaders navigating the realities of building in Northern Ontario and other tough markets. No fluff, no gurus just honest conversations about what it takes to create something real when nothing is handed to you. If you're building through pressure, uncertainty...