Best in the Biz

What does it mean to grow business while protecting the land and strengthening community? In this special episode, we sit down with Charlie White, Western Vice Chief of Qalipu First Nation, and Jeffrey Young, President and CEO of the Mi’kmaw Cultural Foundation. Charlie shares his perspective on sustainability and resource protection drawing from lived experience and deep connection to the land. J...

Innovation and passion are at the center stage in this episode featuring Allison Muise of Triple Point Resources and Byron Alexander of Newfoundland Naturalist. Allison breaks down how an energy storage project in Western Newfoundland is helping make renewable energy more reliable. Byron shares his journey from decades in health and wellness to launching a land-based learning initiative. He discus...

Youth empowerment takes the spotlight in this episode featuring Kosuke Toba of Money Moose and Ciel Murray of the Mi’kmaw Cultural Foundation. Kosuke shares how he’s making financial literacy accessible and engaging for K–12 students through fast-paced workshops, real-life budgeting scenarios, and a children’s book designed to spark generational change. Ciel introduces Youth Ventures, a free progr...

Careers don’t always follow a straight line and that’s where the learning happens. In this episode, we hear from Reisha Knott of Qalipu Holdings and Ray Brake of Digital Advertising Solutions. Reisha reflects on her journey as a CNA alumna who transitioned from finance to marketing and shares honest advice about discovering your strengths through real-world experience. Ray discusses the self-belie...

Community, collaboration, and a shared vision for business growth. This episode features Jonah Rowsell of Qalipu Business Network and Rob Thomas of Saltbox and Everoutdoor Adventures. From supporting Indigenous entrepreneurs with business planning and partnerships to building tourism experiences rooted in culture, place, and sustainability, these conversations highlight the power of working togeth...

 Join us for a deep dive with Adam Rowe of SubC Imaging! Discover how this Newfoundland-based company, co-founded by two CNA grads, has innovated to become a leader in underwater imaging for marine research, offshore energy, and defense across 30+ countries. Adam shares insights on building a tech business from the ground up, navigating international markets, and the vital role of community suppor...

Kayla Stride of Miawpukek First Nation never planned on becoming a ceramic artist. After being waitlisted for flight school, she enrolled in Visual Arts and discovered pottery. In her words, the clay chose her. Since then, her journey has wound between full-time teaching, performing with the all-nations drum group Eastern Owl, and building her business Red Fire Ceramics. In this episode, Kayla ref...

Josh Taylor’s business, TxtSquad, simplifies communication for clients. He says making services more accessible can be a game-changer. Josh also shares why pacing growth matters in long-term markets and how strong relationships can open doors that speed alone cannot. Along the way, hear about TxtSquad co-founder Tim Bonnell, a CNA alum and recent winner of CNA’s Alumni Acclaim Award for Innovation...

 In this episode, we sit down with Tera McDonald of Kalawikk Diversity Inc. Dive into her unique path from educator to entrepreneur, exploring how she's building inclusive spaces and empowering Indigenous women. Tera reveals the transformative power of storytelling, the critical role of transparency in business, and invaluable lessons learned from real-world challenges. A must-listen for anyon...

Welding isn’t just a trade—it’s a launchpad for entrepreneurship. In this episode, we meet the founder of DWS Mobile Welding, Dennis W. Shelley, who turned 18 years of experience into a business built on skill, patience, and grit. He grew his company from scratch, one job at a time. Hear how trusting his instincts, solving tough problems on-site, and building strong client relationships helped him...

Chocolate-covered strawberries, charcuterie cups, and a whole lot of hustle—this episode features Jacqueline Burke who turned her love for making sweets into a profitable small business. From getting certified and licensed to hosting pop-ups at Marble Mountain, she’s building a brand that’s as creative as it is delicious. Tune in to hear how she juggles full-time work, entrepreneurship, and making...

Mentorship and Meaningful Connection: What role do mentorship and communication play in entrepreneurial success? Jason McDonald from Futurpreneur breaks it down. He emphasizes the importance of face-to-face communication, a skill he calls a lost art. He also highlights how building genuine relationships can make a lasting difference for both mentors and entrepreneurs. Whether you're looking to...

Truth Behind Success: Baker. Teacher. Competitor. Author. TV Host. There’s not much Aaron McInnis hasn’t done. Unemployed at 23, Aaron dove into entrepreneurship with zero experience and zero regrets. Since then, he’s competed on the Food Network, launched his own show on Bell Fibe TV, and released a cookbook Happy Belly: The Cake Book. In this episode, Aaron shares how he built his business throu...

Shifting Your Perception: Entrepreneurship often feels fast paced, but Sharon Evans encourages us to embrace stillness. When she stopped trying to be a meditation teacher in a traditional business sense, she began embodying her authentic self. For Sharon, every challenge holds a lesson. Reframing setbacks transforms them into opportunities. She highlights the power of cultivating calm and building...

Strategy Meets Creativity: Based in Edmonton, Alberta, Dee Higdon has spent seven years building a successful business working with small to mid-size companies. She credits her background in journalism for instilling the diligence and versatility needed for entrepreneurship. Dee emphasizes the importance of aligning goals with tactics, defining a strong brand identity, and choosing clients based o...

Owning Your Ideas: Have an idea? Then it’s time to talk about intellectual property! In this episode, Andre Gallant, an IP Advisor with the Canadian Intellectual Property Office, joins our host Ian to break down the essentials of protecting your ideas. Recorded live at the 2024 NLOWE Conference, this conversation is full of practical advice for entrepreneurs in any industry. Andre shares why IP ma...

Reap What You Sow: This episode we’re joined by Kim Fequet, owner of Root Awakenings and Tasteful Gatherings, based in Western Newfoundland. A proud alumni of CNA's Agricultural Technician program, Kim shares her journey in the agri-food industry. She highlights the Provincial Vegetable Transplant Program and how it helped her business thrive by reducing costs and boosting recognition. Kim als...

Propelled by Purpose: What happens when you turn your passion into a business at just 14 years old? Meet Alex Hennifent, owner of VOLTFUSE, a rider-owned headwear and apparel brand for snowboarders, skiers, skateboarders, and adventure-seekers. In this episode, Alex shares how he built a global brand rooted in community, quality, and creativity. Alex’s story is packed with advice for anyone dreami...

NL Pride, Global Impact: From health care aide to CEO of an international telemedicine company, Charlene Brophy shares her inspiring journey in our Season 3 finale. Charlene is the CEO of Fonemed and a proud CNA alumni. She joins host Ian MacDonald to discuss the strengths of running Fonemed from Newfoundland and Labrador, how the company supported families affected by 9/11, and why embracing wher...

Hydroponics to Haircuts: Emily Bland, Seed-EO of SucSeed, and April Penney, owner of Refined Barbershop, prove that trusting your gut can pay off. Emily transformed a student project into a social enterprise tackling food security. And April is elevating the barbershop game and building a loyal clientele in the process. These two driven entrepreneurs offer fresh insights into building impactful, c...

Harnessing Networks and Hard Work: Denise Goodyear, owner of Intuitive Media, and Alicia Barrett, owner of A2Z Photography, share their entrepreneurial insights. Denise, a CNA alum, explains how hiring CNA work-term students has helped her business grow. She also discusses her commitment to leveling the playing field for all entrepreneurs through accessible marketing expertise and the power of lev...

Balancing Business & Making Space for Others: Jessica Brown is an Inuk filmmaker and entrepreneur from Happy Valley-Goose Bay, Labrador. She juggles multiple businesses— Ujarak Media , St. John's Fashion Week, and the Northern Film Initiative —all while being a mom of two. In this episode, Jessica opens up about facing uncertainty head-on and the power of representation. Tune in for her ad...

Why ‘People-First’ is Good Business : In this two-for-one episode, we’re joined by Laurabel Mba, owner of Laurabel Mba Consulting, and Kelly Ryan, founder of Nerdy Nutrition Corporate Wellness. Laurabel highlights the critical role of equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) in creating successful businesses, while Kelly shares how health and wellness programs can engage, attract, and retain employe...

Taking Care of Nature and Yourself : From childhood dreams of becoming a marine biologist to launching her own environmental consulting firm, Ashley Noseworthy’s story is a testament to passion and perseverance. How did Ashley turn a long-held idea into a thriving business? Recognizing a market gap in 2010, it took nearly a decade for Ashley to start her business. But there was a problem she neede...

MedTech Innovation Meets Small-Town Motivation: This episode, we sit down with two powerhouse entrepreneurs. Sidra Anwar, co-founder of MetaCrust Services Ltd. shares how her company is revolutionizing secure health data transmission from Newfoundland to the Netherlands. Sarah Whelan, the mompreneur behind Cria Boutique and Purely Radiant Salon & Home Décor, talks about navigating business own...