CanadianSME Small Business Podcast

Welcome to the CanadianSME Small Business Podcast, hosted by Maheen Bari . In this episode, we explore how businesses can blend AI, creativity, and human-centered design to build meaningful digital experiences that drive real results. We’re joined by JP Holecka , Founder and CEO of POWER SHIFTER , a Vancouver-based digital product and transformation agency. With roots in film direction and deep ex...

Welcome to the CanadianSME Small Business Podcast, hosted by Maheen Bari. This episode is part of our AI for SMBs series, where we explore how artificial intelligence is reshaping the future of work, productivity, and real ROI for businesses across Canada. Today’s guest is Rajnish Narayanan (Raj), Head of Digital Marketing and AI at Brand Energy Digital , a leading digital marketing and AI consult...

Welcome to the CanadianSME Small Business Podcast, hosted by Maheen Bari. In this episode, we explore how Canadian innovators are shaping the future of cybersecurity through quantum technology, protecting data and communications against next-generation threats. Joining us is James Nguyen, Co-founder and CEO of Quantropi Inc. , an award-winning entrepreneur and 2023 CanadianSME Entrepreneur of the...

Welcome to the CanadianSME Small Business Podcast, hosted by Maheen Bari, where we explore the strategic insights and global perspectives shaping Canadian business success. Today, we’re diving into the world of fintech and payments, examining how a Canadian innovator is securing nearly 100 billion annual transactions across the globe. Our guest, Bijan Sanii, CEO and Founder of INETCO , brings over...

Welcome to the CanadianSME Small Business Podcast, hosted by Maheen Bari. In this episode, we explore how businesses can turn Applied AI and Machine Learning from abstract concepts into practical, scalable, revenue-driving tools. We’re joined by Émile Languepin and Gregory Belhumeur, co-founders of Beaucoup Data , an AI/ML Innovation Lab helping organizations turn bold ideas into measurable outcom...

Welcome to the CanadianSME Small Business Podcast, hosted by SK. In this episode, we explore how digital innovation is reshaping the home services sector and creating new standards of trust, transparency, and customer experience for Canadian homeowners. Joining us is Jeff Schwartz, CEO of Go Lime , whose leadership experience at Enercare and Bell Canada has shaped the company’s mission to moderniz...

Welcome to the CanadianSME Small Business Podcast, hosted by Maheen Bari. In this episode, we dive into the world of ethical hacking, cybersecurity testing, and early threat detection to help businesses uncover risks they often don’t realize exist. We are joined by Terry Cutler, CEO of Cyology Labs , an internationally recognized ethical hacker certified under the Controlled Goods Program and auth...

Welcome to the CanadianSME Small Business Podcast, hosted by SK. In this episode, we explore how AI PCs, modern technology, and purpose driven leadership are reshaping productivity, security, and fulfillment in Canadian workplaces. Our guest is Michelle Biase, President and Managing Director of HP Canada . With over three decades in Canada’s IT channel and a strong commitment to inclusive leadersh...

Welcome to the CanadianSME Small Business Podcast, hosted by Maheen Bari. In this episode, we explore how data unification and AI powered architectures are reshaping the way businesses access insights, make decisions, and scale securely. Our guest is Nathan Vega, Senior Director of Product Marketing at Starburst . With experience at Protegrity, Covail, and IBM Watson, Nathan shares how federated d...

Welcome to the CanadianSME Small Business Podcast, hosted by Kripa Anand. In this episode, we explore how flexible debt capital is helping technology entrepreneurs scale faster while retaining ownership and control in a competitive financial landscape. Joining us is Michael Wallace, CEO of TIMIA Capital , a Canadian firm offering alternative financing solutions for B2B tech companies. With experie...

Welcome to the CanadianSME Small Business Podcast, hosted by Maheen Bari. In this episode, we explore how small businesses perceive their banking partners and how customer experience and data-driven insights shape long-term trust and growth. Joining us is Paul McAdam, Senior Director of Banking at J.D. Power , who leads research on digital and in-person experiences across North America. With three...

Welcome to the CanadianSME Small Business Podcast, hosted by Maheen Bari. In this episode, we explore how AI Voice and Chat technology is reshaping the way businesses communicate, scale, and convert opportunities with greater speed and efficiency. Joining us is Anita Alimanesh , Co-Founder and CMO of ZapTron AI , a leader in intelligent automation solutions. With a background in psychology and exp...

Welcome to the CanadianSME Small Business Podcast, hosted by Maheen Bari. In this episode, we explore how brands can merge influencer content, performance marketing, and financial discipline to drive measurable, profitable growth in the digital marketplace. We’re joined by Alishan Dhanani, Director of Performance Marketing at inBeat Agency , where he scaled his department to over four million doll...

Welcome to the CanadianSME Small Business Podcast, hosted by Maheen Bari. In this episode, we explore how B2B organizations can turn buyer research, human insight, and AI-assisted outreach into predictable revenue systems that actually convert. We’re joined by Shane Lawrence, Managing Partner at SMB Acuity Inc. , where his team specializes in running buyer interviews and win-loss programs, then tr...

Welcome to the CanadianSME Small Business Podcast, hosted by SK. In this episode, we explore how small businesses can elevate their visibility, unlock engagement, and transform great ideas into meaningful real-world impact through strategic showcasing. Joining us is Roxanne Molnar, Founder and Chief Growth Officer at Growth Venture , a leader in fractional business development, launch events, and...

Welcome to the CanadianSME Small Business Podcast, hosted by Maheen Bari. In this episode, we explore how financial literacy can transform the lives of newcomers, young adults, and entrepreneurs by helping them build confidence, stability, and long-term financial wellbeing. We’re joined by María Kamila González, co-founder of Finanzo , a Canadian financial literacy platform that has trained more t...

Welcome to the CanadianSME Small Business Podcast, hosted by SK. In this episode, we explore how businesses can break through growth plateaus by leveraging fractional CMO strategy, gaining clarity, expertise, and momentum without full-time executive costs. Joining us is Manuel Rodriguez, Marketing Manager at Able & Howe , a strategist whose journey from immigrant to marketing leader shaped his abi...

Welcome to the CanadianSME Small Business Podcast, hosted by SK. In this episode, we explore how social impact technology is reshaping nonprofit management, helping organizations operate more efficiently and fundraise more sustainably. Joining us is Ron Spreeuwenberg, CEO of Societ , a global social impact technology company serving nonprofits in over 40 countries. Ron shares how purpose-built pla...

Welcome to the CanadianSME Small Business Podcast, hosted by SK. In this episode, we explore how smart automation can help small and medium-sized businesses operate more efficiently, scale faster, and compete in a technology-driven world. Joining us is Latif Rahimi, Founder and CEO of Biztomate , an entrepreneur with hands-on experience building ventures across multiple industries. Latif shares ho...

Welcome to the CanadianSME Small Business Podcast, hosted by SK. In this episode, we explore how Canadian businesses can streamline international operations and eliminate the financial friction that slows down global growth. Joining us is Cato Pastoll, Co-founder and CEO of Loop Financial , a pioneer in cross-border fintech innovation. Cato shares how Loop helps businesses simplify payments, manag...

Welcome to the CanadianSME Small Business Podcast, hosted by Maheen Bari. In this episode, we explore how small and mid-sized businesses can adopt Artificial Intelligence responsibly, balancing innovation with governance, ethics, and trust. Joining us is Campbell Robertson , Founder of Boxwood Strategy Group , a leading expert in AI Governance and Risk Management. With years of consulting experien...

Welcome to the CanadianSME Small Business Podcast, hosted by Kripa Anand. In this episode, we explore how Canadian businesses can stay visible, credible, and competitive amid seismic shifts in search engine behavior and the rise of AI-driven discovery. Joining us is Natasha Burtenshaw-deVries, Director of Organic Growth at Flywheel Digital , an SEO and digital strategy expert helping brands across...

Welcome to the CanadianSME Small Business Podcast, hosted by Maheen Bari. In this episode, we dive into how AI is revolutionizing the fintech space, particularly in streamlining the investment process for lean teams and family offices. Joining us is Nicolas Frendo, CFO at Acephalt , an innovative fintech startup developing an AI platform designed to simplify due diligence, assess risk, and enhance...

Welcome to the CanadianSME Small Business Podcast, hosted by Kripa Anand. In this episode, we explore how performance marketing can transform ad spend into predictable profit by combining creative storytelling with data-driven precision. Joining us is Sanjay Mayar, VP of Growth and Marketing at Imajery , a performance marketing agency that helps ambitious brands scale through measurable growth str...

Welcome to the CanadianSME Small Business Podcast, hosted by Maheen Bari. In this episode, we dive into how a mix of psychology, technology, and storytelling can elevate brands and help entrepreneurs grow their businesses. Joining us is Andrea Chase, co-founder & CMO of BAITS Global Inc. and MarketingVerse , a seasoned entrepreneur and communications consultant with a passion for empowering women-...