Calgary Business Podcast

Although it is common for many people in Calgary to pivot from oil and gas into their own business, Tanis Gatzke decided her business would use no plastic, involve natural ingredients, reduce the impact of skin allergies, uses local products and create a product that virtually everyone uses on a daily basis. You guessed it, shampoo bars! Okay, perhaps not that easy to guess but an incredible story...

This is the 14th episode in which students from Calgary post-secondary education institutions have engaged in a Q&A session with an industry expert from the Calgary and Edmonton business communities.  §§§  In this episode, three students, Sigmund Holtz, Kyle Minato and Jonah Pandarinath, from the Haskayne Bachelor of Commerce faculty at the University of Calgary, are joined by Jason...

This is the 13th episode in which students from Calgary post-secondary education facilities have engaged in a Q&A session with an industry expert from the Calgary and Edmonton business communities.  §§§§  In this episode, two students, Aarti Barakale and Shanna Hollingworth, from the Computer Science department at the University of Calgary, are joined by Jason Tate, Chief Operating O...

This is the 12th episode in which students from Calgary post-secondary education facilities have engaged in a Q&A session with an industry expert from the Calgary and Edmonton business community.  §§§  In this episode, two recent graduates (Grace Quinn and Paul Lesage) and a 3rd year student (Eliza Balkwill) from the Faculty of Business and Communications at Mount Royal University, w...

This was an engaging and eye opening conversation on the growing problem associated with “self-representation” in cases of family law and associated legal matters around mediation, arbitration and court proceedings.  §§§  To learn more about Crossroads Law, Coach My Case and the innovative approach Marcus Sixta and his team have taken to providing legal advice, click on one or more of th...

This is the 11th episode in which students from Calgary post-secondary education facilities have engaged in a Q&A session with an industry expert from the Calgary and Edmonton business community.  §§§ In this episode, graduates from the Faculty of Business and Communication Studies at Mount Royal University, Lauren Trelford, McKayla Saint Cyr and Earl Webb were joined by Lana Rogers, Foun...

There was a lot to be inspired from my chat with Darby, which includes her various national awards for recognition of her business leadership and influence as a women. What stood out most for me is how Darby and her team are truly seeking to level the playing field for individuals with all kinds of disabilities, not just those in a wheelchair!    §§§    To learn more...

Alex and I covered a lot of ground in our chat, including some terrific comparisons he made between the Arts Commons and the Lincoln Centre in New York City, where he worked for several years.  Alex commented that Calgarians are “hungry for experiences” which the team at Arts Commons continues to provide the local community through its online and digital offerings, in absence of being able to...

Since StockAlgo is literally only a weeks-old startup, Trevor has plenty of time to build out his idea of “Democratizing Trading” for everyone   §§§   To learn more about StockAlgos, click on one or more of the links below:   StockAlgos  Website | https://stockalgos.com   StockAlgos on Linkedin | https://www.linkedin.com/company/stockalgos/  ...

Bruce started his business in 2020 during the Covid pandemic and really provides inspiration for other entrepreneurs that are waiting for the “gate” to open. Bruce even provides insight for his former colleagues at Alberta Economic Development that has equal application to many of the small business across Alberta. One such recommendation was for governments and businesses to try and look “beyond...

Josh started “Depth” as a means to help companies improve the digital experience of the users of their website. Not just build websites, but seek to focus on the visual design to build out a whole experience for customers of their clients.  §§§  To learn more about Josh and his user experience focused startup, Depth, click on one or more of the links below:  Depth  Website | ht...

This podcast was packed full of creative ideas! Jonathan and Karen shared some terrific stories of how people of all ages across the Alberta community — not just Calgary and Edmonton — can participate in the Jube School programs.   §§§   To learn more about the Jube School (and its affiliation to the Alberta Jubilee Auditorium), click on one or more of the links below: &nb...

Nobody anywhere has ever had a pair of socks go unmatched or maintained a drawer full of missing socks — until now. Friday Sock Co was established to solve the challenge of mis-matched socks. Friday Sock Co allows you to purchase your new pair of socks with the sole purpose of the socks not matching one another - BEFORE they are removed from the packaging!   §§§   To learn more...

Although the foundation for Inqli started with grade 9 students and the Rethink Thinking program (now a Foundation), Rebecca, along with her co-founder and husband, Sven, are building a community that connects students of all ages (“lifelong learners”) with a network of mentors.   §§§   To learn more about Inqli and its creative business model, including how to pivot, re-tool,...

This is the 10th episode in which students from the Haskayne School of Business, at the University of Calgary, engage in a Q&A session with an industry expert from the business community.  In this episode, Master of Management Candidates Brielle Pelletier, Nicholle Grunsky and Mariah Wilson, were joined by Robert Price, CEO and co-founder of Bode Canada in Calgary.   §§§ &n...

This is the 9th episode in which students from the Haskayne School of Business, at the University of Calgary, engage in a Q&A session with an industry expert from the business community.   In this episode, Master of Business Administration students, Shobhit Dixit and Suhas Lal were joined by Chris Lavin, MNP Regional Managing Partner, Advisory Services.   §§§  To learn...

Bottled water has been around for many years but Saawan and Linda found two key factors missing from the majority of the options available on the market in Canadian shops: a truly Canadian bottled water and a metal re-usable container. North Water Canada provides a unique solution to both of those aspects and does so through a new manufacturing facility in North East Calgary.   §§§ ...

This is one of those business cases that is easily validated from one or two individuals. My Normative originated due to the existing products available on the market not meeting the needs of at least two women: Danika Kelly, and her co-founder, Renee Kokts-Porietis. That validation appears to have been sufficient to allow My Normative to scale to reach a significant number of women, starting with...

Jo shared an incredible 44-year story of how the Greenery Office Interiors team has been an active participant in ensuring the downtown Calgary office community understands the term “BioPhilic Design”. Jo also provided her take on some pretty unique projects that clients have chosen to include a “Living Wall” and a “Moss Wall” as part of their office decor.   §§§   To learn mor...

Although the average guitar pick is likely no more than 1mm thick and not much bigger than a Canadian quarter, there is nothing small about the backstory behind the wooden guitar pick company, Tree Picks, that Adam Chiasson started here in Calgary.  We mostly chatted about the multiple instruments that he plays, learning guitar on YouTube and the importance of music to families in Nova Scotia...

This podcast was a journey that was simultaneously recorded on Zoom whereby Kyo (Kyo-Jean Simon Chung) shared his origin story of working in his parents cafe, “You & I Cafe”; travelling to Europe and acquiring an appreciation for liqueurs, wines and spirits; working with coffee traders in Mexico and Guatemala; mixing drinks at the twice yearly weekend events coordinated by Market Collective.&n...

When I invited Jessica onto the podcast, I never expected she would be competing as a finalist (against 4 other startups) at the Saskatchewan Investment Summit organized by Valhalla Angels and StartupTNT on 18 March. Since I subscribe to the StartupTNT newsletter (published by CEO and founder, Zachary Storms), I was pleasantly surprised to see the memoryKPR team on the list of the 5 finalists. Aft...

This is the 8th episode in which students from the Haskayne School of Business, at the University of Calgary, engage in a Q&A session with an industry expert from the business community.   §§§ In this episode, Master of Management candidates, Emma Duffy, Carmen Massel and Hailey Leonardis were joined by Vicki Knott, CEO and co-founder of Crux OCM.   To learn more about the...

After a short career in oil & gas and a shift into law school, Catherine managed to take her years of experience working in various legal roles to successfully run her own law firm since late 2014 with a focus on employment and immigration law.  To learn more about the Catherine and her law firm, click on one or more of the links below:   §§§   Confluence Law &nbs...

This is the 7th episode in which students from the Haskayne School of Business, at the University of Calgary, engage in a Q&A session with an industry expert from the business community.   §§§ In this episode, Master of Management students, Sam Goldberg, Alex McKenzie and Brock Weston from the University of Calgary, were joined by Harish Consul, President and CEO of Ocgrow Group of C...