Atlantic Ambition

From stay at home mom scrubbing houses on the side to winning government contracts and leading a rural Nova Scotia cleaning empire, Layla Crouse of Salty Swabbers is proving that the most underestimated women in the smallest towns are building the most unstoppable service businesses of this generation. 🏛 The Rural Empire Blueprint: Flexible team building without burning anyone out 💼 The Eight VA...

In an industry most people completely misunderstand, Christopher Gourley reveals the uncomfortable reality behind airport parking and vehicle storage, exposing how an overlooked asset class, outdated parking models, and broken service systems are being replaced by a new era of 24 hour hospitality driven parking platforms that most investors are still ignoring. From family legacy agriculture roots...

In this episode of the Atlantic Ambition podcast, host Barrett McDonald sits down with Joey Haddad, President of the Cape Breton Eagles, to unpack his remarkable journey from pro hockey player to running one of the QMJHL’s most community‑driven franchises. Joey shares how: Growing up in Cape Breton and playing in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League (QMJHL) shaped his career A 13‑year pro career...

Join us for the latest Spotlight interview with Richard Landzaat, President and CEO of SUMA Financial Services. Tune in to hear Richard’s journey in entrepreneurship, from his dual roles in accounting and real estate to his insights on navigating the demands of business ownership. Don’t miss this discussion on the challenges, strategies, and rewards of running multiple ventures successfully. If yo...

Join us for an insightful conversation with Ashley MacInnis, founder and owner of amPR, as she shares her journey of launching her business from the ground up after a career pivot. In this episode, Ashley opens up about the reality of entrepreneurship—from the unexpected challenges to the rewarding flexibility it brings—and offers a candid look at balancing a young family with the demands of growi...

Join us for an inspiring interview in the Business Spotlight series as we sit down with Baylee Hood, Partner and Director of Operations and Training at Harvest Clean Eats. Baylee discusses her entrepreneurial journey, sharing insights on managing a growing business, balancing personal and professional life, and the importance of hiring motivated team members. Tune in to hear about the Harvest Clea...

Meet Taylor McMaster, founder of DOT & Company, the first and only agency providing fractional account management services for marketing agencies. Taylor shares her entrepreneurial journey and the unique path that led her to create a business focused on optimizing client experiences and supporting agency owners. With valuable lessons on hiring, fostering a positive work environment, and mainta...

Meet Sam Daviau, co-founder and CEO of UpBeing, a company dedicated to improving social well-being through its innovative application. In this interview, Sam shares his journey from Toronto to Halifax, the inspiration behind UpBeing, and his mission to combat the loneliness epidemic affecting many today. Over the past few years, Sam has learned valuable lessons about leadership, hiring, and mainta...

Meet Roxanne Tate, President and CEO of Tate Engineering, in this insightful interview. Roxanne shares her journey from a career in engineering to founding her own business focused on energy efficiency and reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Learn about her experiences addressing common misconceptions about entrepreneurship, the importance of hiring the right people, fostering a positive work envir...

Join us as we interview Rashmi Prakash, CEO and co-founder of Aruna Revolution, a company transforming menstrual health with compostable menstrual pads that are better for our bodies and the planet. Rashmi shares her entrepreneurial journey, from early business ventures to developing Aruna's mission-driven products. Discover her insights on the misconceptions of running a business, the importance...

Join us as we interview Niva Sabeshan, CEO of Motryx, a company revolutionizing blood sample transport to ensure accurate test results and improve patient care. Based in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Motryx provides innovative sensors that monitor transport conditions. Niva shares her entrepreneurial journey, discussing the importance of learning from mistakes, the value of feedback, and the challenges of...

Join us as we interview Rafaela Andrade, founder and CEO of Myomar Molecular, a groundbreaking company developing the first urine test for detecting muscle wasting. An experienced scientist turned entrepreneur, Rafaela shares her journey from postdoctoral research at Dalhousie University to leading a biotech startup. Over the past three years, she has navigated the challenges of startup life, secu...

Join us as we delve into the entrepreneurial journey of John Leahy, founder of immediaC. With over 26 years in the software industry, John shares his experiences and insights on running a successful business. From creating one of the first content management systems in the late '90s to developing mobile apps and web solutions, immediaC has been at the forefront of technology. John discusses the im...

Join us in this insightful interview with Geoff MacIntyre, General Manager at Xeos Technologies. With 25 years of experience in the ocean technology industry, Geoff shares his journey from the early days to leading a company specializing in beacons, communication, and tracking equipment for ocean research. Discover the innovative solutions Xeos Technologies provides for remote ocean monitoring, in...

Meet David Rafuse of Blended Athletics. An accomplished entrepreneur in the fitness sector, David has a wealth of insights to share about managing and growing a business. Over the past decade, he has embarked on an inspiring journey, transforming Blended Athletics from a startup into a flourishing business. David delves into the critical aspects of building a solid team, navigating the complexitie...

Join us for an inspiring interview with Laura Kanaan, CEO of MDW Law, a leading family law and personal injury firm. Laura shares her entrepreneurial journey and the innovative processes that set MDW Law apart from traditional law firms. With over 14 years in practice and a focus on systematizing legal services, Laura discusses how the firm’s team-based execution model enhances client experiences...

Meet Danny O'Hearn of Nine Locks Brewing. An experienced entrepreneur in the brewing industry, Danny has invaluable lessons to share about running a successful business. Over the past several years, he and his co-founder and cousin Shaun have navigated the complexities of starting and growing Nine Locks Brewing in Nova Scotia. With a background working at Moosehead Breweries and a commitment to qu...

Meet Chris Oldham of InterTalk Systems. An experienced entrepreneur in the communications sector, Chris has insightful lessons to share about running a business. Over the past 20 years, Chris has navigated the growth of his family-founded company, providing crucial tools for first responders. His journey emphasizes the importance of building a supportive team with people who have a genuine desire...

In this episode, host Barrett McDonald interviews Brandon Doyle, co-owner of Smile Dog. Brandon shares his entrepreneurial journey, from leaving corporate life in Toronto to joining and growing his father's business. Discover the secrets behind Smile Dog's consistent growth, the importance of a positive work culture, and the benefits of hiring through referrals. Brandon also addresses common misco...

Meet Ben Garvey, President and Founder of Enginuity Inc. Ben's journey from running charter boats to leading an engineering service company is filled with valuable insights for aspiring entrepreneurs. In this interview, he shares the importance of win-win relationships in business, the misconceptions about entrepreneurship, and the lessons he's learned about building a successful team. Ben's story...

Meet Beau-Brandon Cleeton, founder of Lettuce Agency and Canadian Lumber. An experienced entrepreneur, Beau has some invaluable lessons to share about recognizing opportunities and navigating the fast-paced world of business. Over a short span of nine months, Beau transformed his idea for Canadian Lumber into a reality, launching the first Canadian brand of rolling papers just before cannabis lega...

Meet Corey Yantha of Dispension. As the founder of a pioneering company in secure automated kiosks and smart lockers, Corey brings invaluable insights into the entrepreneurial journey. Since 2017, Corey has been navigating the challenges and rewards of running a business, sharing key lessons on building the right team, structuring a company, and maintaining a healthy work-life balance. Join us as...