Business is Fcking Hard

Trevor welcomes Mike Kennedy, a dynamic entrepreneur and founder of Green Analytics, to discuss his inspiring journey from a Christmas tree farm to leading innovative startups. In this episode, Mike shares insights into the challenges of scaling consulting services, the importance of purpose-driven business, and the evolving landscape of technology and sustainability. Discover how mentorship and a...

Join Trevor for an inspiring conversation with Alexandra Sangster, the accidental entrepreneur who turned a university project into a thriving social enterprise. Discover Alexandra's journey from university student to founder. Sarjesa Tea is fueled by a deep commitment to social impact and community empowerment. In this episode, Alexandra shares candid insights into the challenges of entrepre...

In this episode, Trevor sits down with his older sister, Laura Koot, for a conversation about her unique journey in journalism.  From helping to launch the National Post in Canada to starting a newspaper in Abu Dhabi, Laura shares her experiences of stepping out on a ledge, embracing risk, and navigating the evolving media landscape. Her career path, though unconventional, embodies entrepreneurial...

In this episode of BFH highlights, Trevor Koot breaks down his conversation with Tyler Boyd. After losing everything to bad business decisions, Tyler dug himself out of the hole and founded Bowline Logistics.  Trevor highlights conversations about learning from mistakes, rebuilding trust, and empathy— even for competitors. Tyler shows us a vulnerable side of business we don't often get to see...

In this episode of BFH Highlights, Trevor dives into his conversation with Christine Beumann!  Christine Buemann built her business for freedom—only to find herself buried in burnout, expectations, and a version of success that wasn’t hers. In this episode, she talks with Trevor about redefining what enough looks like, building a brokerage that prioritizes values over volume, and running a busines...

In this episode, Trevor Koot Chats with Jon Bennest, who shares his journey from working as a market research analyst in the real estate industry to becoming a successful business owner and partner. They discuss the challenges and strategies involved in transitioning from employee to entrepreneur, the importance of partnerships, and the impact of technology on business models. Jon reflects on the...

In this episode of Business Is Hard , Trevor sits down with Ron Partlow , former pro bodybuilder, coach, gym owner, and co-founder of West Coast Iron . Ron shares his journey from accidentally launching a coaching business in the early 2000s to building one of BC’s most respected independent gyms. They talk about what it really takes to grow a grassroots brand, how Ron leveraged authenticity over...

What happens when a science teacher from Brooklyn ends up running a health tech startup in Vancouver? In this episode, Trevor sits down with Rex Farrand, co-founder and CEO of My HealthSpan —to talk about the wild, winding path from classroom to the corner office. Rex shares what it’s like to lead a company in a world of AI-fueled hype, why he’s focused with building trust through data privacy, an...

“Human well” is what Stephanie Ryan and Trevor came up with in this episode to describe positive leadership in the business world.  Stephanie knows that people come to work wanting to put their best foot forward, and she explains how a leader fosters that spirit.  Stephanie talks about her journey, from ice cream scooping to running a leadership consulting firm. Through this conversation, she gets...

Christine Buemann built her business for freedom—only to find herself buried in burnout, expectations, and a version of success that wasn’t hers. In this episode, she talks with Trevor about redefining what enough looks like, building a brokerage that prioritizes values over volume, and running a business while living with cancer. From creating her own safety net at 22 to walking away from a super...

In this deeply personal and inspiring episode, Trevor sits down with Brian Budd, a seasoned entrepreneur whose path has taken him from high-level software sales into the volatile world of capital markets and mining, and later into the healthcare-focused fitness industry. Brian shares his journey with raw honesty, reflecting on what it meant to walk away from a secure corporate job to pursue someth...

Entrepreneurship isn’t always about having a business idea—it’s about recognizing a problem and stepping up to solve it. In this BFH Highlights episode, we dive into my conversation with Bailey Parnell , founder of Skills Camp and expert in leadership development. Bailey discusses how she discovered a major gap in soft skills education and turned it into a business. She shares a tough conflict-of-...

In this powerful episode, Tyler Boyd shares his raw and deeply personal journey through the highs and lows of entrepreneurship. From launching his first business at 12 years old, running an excavation company with over 100 employees, and nearly losing everything overnight when his bank unexpectedly pulled his line of credit—Tyler’s story is one of resilience, grit, and hard-earned wisdom. He opens...

Leaving a high-paying corporate job to start your own business is terrifying—but for Anna Solnickova, it was the best decision she ever made. In this BFH Highlights episode, we revisit my conversation with Anna, a fractional CFO who took a leap of faith, built a thriving business, and now helps other entrepreneurs make smarter financial decisions. Anna shares: ✅ The soul-searching process that le...

Growing up amidst the wide-open fields of southern Saskatchewan, Alex Miller learned the tenets of hard work early on but soon realized that his future lay far from the farm. Alex's journey took an unexpected turn when he ventured into engineering, only to discover a lack of passion for it—a revelation that ultimately led him to the vibrant world of real estate. The essence of entrepreneurshi...

In this BFH Highlights episode, Trevor sits down with Sharad Khare, a creative entrepreneur who turned his passion for storytelling into a thriving business. Sharad shares how he navigated a major career pivot during the 2008 financial crisis, overcame self-doubt with the help of mentors, and built a purpose-driven business that has allowed him to document some of the most fascinating people in th...

Mike Rowlands shares his journey from an "accidental entrepreneur" to a trailblazer in social purpose-driven business development. With wisdom earned through two decades of triumphs and challenges, Mike dives into why relationships are the foundation of success, how values-based branding can future-proof a business, and why companies must look beyond profits to make a real impact. Whethe...

This is Business is Fcking Hard with special guest host, Jeff King (he insisted we say that). On this episode we are flipping the script. Jeff steps in to interview podcast host, Trevor Koot. Trevor shares his business journey from starting companies that didn't do anything to growing companies too quickly. We hear about how Trevor's strategy of "I'm sure it'll all be fine...

Dive into the inspiring journey of Teresa Grobecker, a trailblazing entrepreneur and innovator. Teresa shares how she turned a “placeholder hobby” into a thriving real estate brokerage while balancing family life and navigating the challenges of leadership. She opens up about the loneliness of entrepreneurship, the importance of building a support network, and her honest take on the potential—and...

Karri Green-Schuermans, co-owner of Vancouver’s iconic Chambar restaurant, joins us to reveal the gritty realities of the restaurant business. From the power of adaptability to the ripple effects of economic shifts, Karri shares how she’s kept her doors open—and her values intact—in one of the toughest industries around. This episode is a must-listen for anyone who loves food, resilience, and comm...

In this episode of BFH Highlights, we revisit key lessons from Declan Edwards, founder of BU Happiness College. Declan shares his journey of building a purpose-driven business, including the pivotal decision to transition from a fitness business to founding BU Happiness College, a social enterprise dedicated to "growing global happiness." From redefining success to facing a financial cri...

In this engaging conversation, Jason Lindstrom shares his entrepreneurial journey, starting from his early days of building community through a ski club at university to his experiences in launching and exiting multiple businesses. He emphasizes the importance of mentorship, the balance between soft and hard skills in leadership, and the strategic decisions that led to successful acquisitions. The...

In this episode of BFH Highlights (a recap of an earlier episode), Emma May, founder of SophieGrace, shares her inspiring journey from lawyer to fashion entrepreneur. Emma tells us how her frustration with workwear led to the birth of SophieGrace, how she navigated the challenges of launching just before the pandemic, and the importance of listening to customers. Tune in to hear Emma’s insights on...

Hamish Knox’s entrepreneurial journey is rooted in resilience, adaptability, and a deep commitment to growth. Starting with a strong work ethic from his early days on a farm, Hamish found his way into sales and eventually bought a Sandler franchise to help businesses improve their leadership and sales strategies. Throughout this episode, Hamish dives into the challenges he faced, like nearly going...

In this BFH Highlights episode (a summary of the full episode), we dig into the gritty and honest journey of Matt Pasut, a seasoned entrepreneur who built his business from a basement startup to a thriving multi-company operation. Matt talks about growing through discomfort, taking big risks, and why he’s never really off the clock. If you’re ready for a real, unfiltered look at the highs and lows...