Building Manitoba Podcast

Adam Fainman is a beatboxer and musician turned tech founder. During COVID, he started using generative AI to make music videos for TikTok and YouTube. When one went viral and everyone asked what app he was using, he realised it didn't exist, so he built it. That became Moonlite Labs, a platform where creators can generate, edit, and distribute content all in one place. In this episode, Adam...

Mark Chipman, Executive Chairman of the Board of True North Sports + Entertainment and the Winnipeg Jets Hockey Club, joins Nathan for a wide-ranging conversation about the principles behind one of Manitoba's most transformative business stories. Mark shares how working for his father's automotive business taught him servant leadership, and how a simple framework has guided every major d...

Lee Waltham unpacks how Brandish Agency scaled from a small Winnipeg start-up into a national brand-building partner by betting on culture first. He traces the early stumbles, the moment the team swapped top-line targets for metrics that actually move margin, and why serious brand work begins long before a logo is even sketched. Lee also walks through the math and the mindset that convinced him a...

From a pool-table “lab” in Winnipeg to mine sites and customers in almost 50 countries, Todd Burns shares the playbook that turned a small one-man dust-control business into a world-class cleantech exporter. We dig into cash-flow squeezes that forced invention, the R&D boost unlocked by a partnership with RRC Polytech, and the systems Todd uses to scale without losing Manitoba roots. Building...

Manitoba has historically been underrepresented when it comes to early-stage venture capital. That’s starting to shift. In this episode, I sit down with Iain Crozier, founder of Trillick Ventures, to talk about why he’s building Manitoba’s first dedicated early-stage venture fund — and what that could mean for founders here. We talk about the lessons he carries from growing up in a family business...

John Proven reflects on the early influences, mentors, and values that shaped his leadership journey—and what it takes to build organizations and institutions that endure. Drawing on a career rooted in Manitoba with global reach, John shares lessons on leadership, culture, and long-term thinking that matter for builders at every stage.  Building Manitoba is a podcast for entrepreneurs and business...

Ryan Klassen, CEO of Valley Fiber, shares what scaling a province-wide infrastructure business really demands—and why successful growth often requires rebuilding systems without losing culture, quality, or momentum. Drawing on Valley Fiber's rapid expansion across Manitoba, Ryan offers practical insights on leadership, execution, and scaling with intention.  Building Manitoba is a podcast for...

 The Building Manitoba Podcast is a non-partisan show for entrepreneurs, business leaders, and community builders who care about creating something that lasts. Hosted by Nathan Maertins, the show explores the decisions and systems behind real growth in Manitoba.  Building Manitoba is a podcast for entrepreneurs and business leaders who care about creating something that lasts. Hosted by Nathan Mae...