Entrepreneurs Exposed

Originally aired: Feb 2021 Connie Steele is the co-founder of Flywheel Associates and host of the Strategic Momentum Podcast. Connie is also the author of Building the Business of You: A System to Align Passion and Growth Potential Through Your Own Career Mash-Up. Connie has observed how business is no longer binary, or absolute. We explore the future of work as well as the notion of "fluidity"; t...

Derek Szeto founded RedFlagDeals.com in 2000, Canada's largest bargain shopping community which ultimately sold to Yellow Pages in 2010. From there, Derek has founded multiple companies, some under the RBC ventures umbrella. He is now is at the helm of Go Walnut, a start-up in the insurance space. In this EP, we talk about the origins of Red Flag Deals, and the sale to Yellow Pages; the sectors De...

Originally aired: Dec. 2020 John Warrillow is the founder of The Value Builder System, now used by thousands of businesses worldwide. He's the author of 3 books, including the best-selling Built to Sell recognized by Fortune as one of the best business books of 2011. John is also the host of Built to Sell Radio. In this EP, we discuss if this is the right time to sell a business; the state of the...

Anthony DiIorio funded & co-founded Ethereum, the decentralized smart contract platform that at its peak hit $350 billion in market cap. Currently, he is the founder and CEO of Decentral Inc., a Toronto-based innovation hub & software development company focused on decentralized technologies. In this EP, we discuss the origins of Ethereum; Anthony's problem-solving formula; his take on Elon Musk's...

Mike Gettis founded Endy in 2015 - Canada's fastest-growing vertical e-commerce company and market leader in the online mattress space. After the big sale to Sleep Country Canada in 2018, Mike has gone on to launch Kilne. In this one, we discuss Mike's experience growing and selling Endy; how marketing has shifted during the pandemic; trends related to D2C, and how he's taken advantage of the mome...

Ahmad Munawar is the Founder and CEO of the 90day pipeline and advisor to 7 figure consultants. He has gone from an accountant at Ernst and Young to the forefront of the digital marketing world. In this episode, we discuss "imposter syndrome", and why having it is a good sign; the importance of committing to mastery; why power positioning is the first step in getting marketing right; how to think...

Originally aired: Dec 2, 2020 Tony Chapman is one of the youngest individuals inducted into the Marketing Hall of Legends, a testament to a storied career in the ad agency world. Tony has spoken around the globe on all topics related to marketing, advertising, and branding.  In this EP, we cover the latest Forbes global brand rankings; we also discuss the latest trends in retail; the importance of...

In this episode, we chat with the CEO of Ether Capital, Brian Mosoff. In this round 2 with Brian, we get his take on the recent bull run and this year's run-up in the value of both Etherium and Bitcoin - we also talk about stable coins; all things NFT's (non-fungable tokens), and the latest trends in that sliver of the market; access points where the average person can invest and much more.   Lear...

Kirk Simpson is the co-founder and CEO of Wave, an accounting software company supporting over 400,000 active small businesses. Wave was acquired in June 2019 by H&R Block for over $537M – the 7th largest tech exit in Canada since 2001. In addition, Kirk was honored as one of Canada's Most Admired CEOs in 2019. In this EP, we discuss the company's rise to prominence on the Fintech stage; the compa...

Originally aired: 2018 Alex Ikonn has co-founded several businesses (Luxy Hair, Five Minute Journal, Productivity Planner) and also runs a creative agency called Dreamers & Creators, based in London, UK. He shares all of his entrepreneurial and life activities with his wife and business partner, Mimi Ikonn, who is by all accounts, a major online celebrity. In this episode, we discuss Alex’s busine...

Mark Ang is the co-founder and CEO of Second Closet, Canada’s largest valet-storage company. Second Closet has raised over $35M in financing and is over 600 people strong. In this episode, we talk about the first few years of working 18 hours a day; getting punched in the face, both metaphorically and literally; the importance of articulating core values; Mark's views on taking venture money; the...

Elly Gheno is the Founder + CEO of BootayBag, an intimate subscription box for women. Elly's initial version of the company started as store-bought undies repackaged in recycled Amazon boxes with tissue paper and a love note; it's now turned into a full-blown brand and community of women, with over 210k followers on Instagram. In this EP, we discuss the birth of the brand, Elly's appearance on ABC...

Bradley Taylor is an independent high-end watchmaker. He previously founded Birchall and Taylor before going out on his own to produce some of the most beautiful timepieces in the world. Schooled in Le Locle, Switzerland he spent 3 years learning the craft before earning certifications from both Patek Philippe and Hublot. In this EP, we discuss Brad's origin story; his latest series; the bustling...

Today is a conversation with Mark Cigos, the Co-Founder of Buddha Brands Co. The company’s hugely popular Thirsty Buddha coconut water is flying off retail shelves and is a market leader in natural organics. In this EP, Mark and I discuss the state of play in grocery and organics; tech trends in the food sector and what lies ahead; how consumer behavior has changed, and what changes might be perma...

Farhan Thawar is currently VP, Engineering at Shopify after the acquisition of Helpful.com, where he was co-founder and CTO. Among other things, Farhan is an avid writer and speaker and was named one of Toronto's 25 most powerful people. In this wide-ranging EP, we hit on a number of topics including Farhan's journey starting and growing Helpful.com, his philosophies, and approaches to finding tal...

Connie Steele is the co-founder of Flywheel Associates and host of the Strategic Momentum Podcast. Connie is also the author of Building the Business of You: A System to Align Passion and Growth Potential Through Your Own Career Mash-Up. With over 20 years of combined Fortune 500, mid-size company, and startup experience, she has observed how business is no longer binary, or absolute. We explore t...

Jeff Adamson is the co-founder of SkipTheDishes. "Skip" is now one of the most recognized consumer brands in Canada serving hundreds of thousands daily. Now, Jeff has moved on to his next venture, as a co-founder of banking disruptor, Neo Financial. In this EP, we chat about Jeff's background as a professional wrestler; the origins and evolution of SKIP, and the sale to Just Eat; Neo Financial, Je...

Kim Kaupe (@kimkaupe) is the co-founder and CEO of The Superfan Company. Her team has collaborated with Oprah, Amazon, AMEX, The New York Mets, KISS, Shawn Mendes, Justin Bieber, Paul McCartney, Katy Perry, and more. Kim was named to Forbes 30 Under 30, and Inc.’s 35 Under 35 list. She was also featured on ABC’s primetime show, Shark Tank in season 5. In this EP, we discuss Kim's experience on Sha...

Joseph Del Moral is a serial entrepreneur and the current co-founder and CEO of Field Trip Health, a Canadian public company dedicated to healing through therapeutic psychedelics. In this EP, we discuss questions individuals should be asking if they want to determine whether they're a candidate for this type of treatment; Peter Thiel-backed Compass Pathways, an industry trailblazer pursuing FDA ap...

Paul Chambers is the Co-Founder and CEO of the Subscription Trade Association (SUBTA). His extensive expertise in eCommerce and subscription dates back more than two decades, having been recognized by media outlets all over the globe. He is also the Co-Founder of Gentleman's Box, Core3 Solutions, Moka Boka, and Unity Management Systems. In this EP, we cover each of his businesses, his newest ventu...

Craig Morantz is the founder of Snack Conscious, a snacking company committed to giving the consumer the cleanest, healthiest, and tastiest snacks available. He is also an executive entrepreneur and turnaround CEO. In this one, we discuss Craig's COVID story, and what has happened to his business since March; reinventing a brand during a pandemic; the importance of empathy, and being less of an as...

John Warrillow is the founder of The Value Builder System, now used by thousands of businesses worldwide. He's the author of 3 books, including the best-selling Built to Sell recognized by Fortune as one of the best business books of 2011. John is also the host of Built to Sell Radio and an entrepreneur who has exited 4 companies. In this EP, we discuss if this is the right time to sell a business...

Alan Smith is the co-founder of Strategyzer, an innovation company helping enterprises create new growth. The company's Business Model Canvas has been used by millions around the globe. In today's round 2 with Alan, we discuss the idea of investing in a portfolio of ideas; the real stats stemming from venture capital investments in start-ups; how entrepreneurs can innovate right now; and more.   S...

Tony Chapman is one of the youngest individuals inducted into the Marketing Hall of Legends, a testament to a storied career in the ad-agency world. Tony has spoken around the globe on all topics related to marketing, advertising, and branding.  In this EP, we cover the latest Forbes global brand rankings; we also discuss the latest trends in retail; the importance of attention, and selling into "...

Philip McKernan is one of the most sought after executive leadership coaches globally. He is in high demand in the world of entrepreneurship as well as sports. In this amazing EP, we discuss the difference between control and influence; the state of relationships in the wake of the pandemic, why working parents are more patient with their clients than they are with their kids, and more.  EP Sponso...