Evolving Entrepreneurship

Explore how AI is transforming small businesses and community organizations through strategic application, creative integration, and responsible use. Join Brock Hart of Overlap, Joani Gerber of investStratford, and Janis and Holly, as they discuss practical AI strategies, leadership, and the future of AI-driven innovation in corporate Canada. Key Topics: The three modes of working with AI: instrum...

Season 2: Episode 8: Clay, Creativity and Cash Flow Episode Duration: 52 minutes In this week’s podcast episode, Naomi Clement shares how she turned a passion for pottery into a sustainable business through teaching, community, and creativity and by building a repeat and recurring revenue stream with her own membership space. If you're in the arts and culture space, her journey will inspire you to...

Episode 7: Bonus Episode: Meet the Intern, Meredith Edition Episode Duration: 35 minutes In this bonus episode of Evolving Entrepreneurship, we chat with Intern Meredith about her time at the Stratford Perth Centre for Business, her time managing the Summer Company program and her thoughts on entrepreneurship from a Gen Z perspective. Resources for Entrepreneurs: Stratford Perth Centre for Busines...

Season 2: Episode 6: Leading with grit. Episode Duration: 59 minutes What if you led your hospitality business with transparency and values? From staffing to growth, Shelley Windsor of Windsor Hospitality Group has seen it all and led through it all. In this week’s podcast episode, we sit down with the trailblazing entrepreneur to explore: Her leadership approach to managing a large team. How she...

Season 2: Episode 5: From Listings To Leadership: values, vision and a new kind of real estate. Episode Duration: 49 minutes This week on Evolving Entrepreneurship, we sit down with Marian deWever, broker, owner, and leader, to talk about building a brokerage rooted in values, integrity, and genuine care for families. Tune in as Marian shares how she’s redefining success in real estate beyond sale...

Season 2: Episode 4: From Legacy To Leadership - leading change and upholding Stratford's sports heritage. Episode Duration: 40 minutes This week on the podcast, we’re joined by Janis Antonio, owner of Dunny’s Source for Sports in Stratford & St. Marys. Janis shares what it’s like to step into a long-standing community business, lead a multi-generational team, and navigate the unique challenge...

Season 2: Episode 3: From Surviving to Thriving - resilience, purpose & powerful leadership. Episode Duration: 49 minutes This week on the Evolving Entrepreneurship podcast, we’re joined by Dr. Cranla Warren, Leadership & Team Coach, Educator, and Organizational Psychologist who brings over 30 years of leadership experience to the mic. In this powerful conversation, Cranla shares how leade...

Season 2: Episode 2: From policies to people - empathy, individuality and the future of work. Episode Duration: 52 minutes This week on the podcast, we’re joined by Emily van Straten, HR consultant, speaker, and author of We’re Human. Not Resources., for an honest conversation about what it really takes to build people-first workplaces. 🌍 From Gen Z expectations to rethinking toxic norms, Emily s...

Season 2: Episode 1: From the farm to the courtroom: Building a law firm that listens. Episode Duration: 45 minutes In today's podcast, we interview Katie DeBlock Boersma of  KDB Law  to explore what it means to build a modern workplace inside a traditional profession. From growing up on a farm near Mitchell to launching a thriving rural law practice and leading community organizations, Katie shar...

Season 2: Episode 9: The Finale Episode: Introducing Summer Company Episode Duration: 30 minutes We sat down with two rising entrepreneurs from this year’s Summer Company program Navan Simmons of N7slens and Michael Ewing of Media by Michael on the Evolving Entrepreneurship podcast to talk business, creativity, and the hustle behind the highlights. From capturing sports action to creating standout...

In this episode, we sit down with Joani Gerber, CEO of investStratford and former Stratford Business Leader of the Year. From her early days working in the family business to steering Stratford through economic uncertainty, Joani shares powerful lessons on: Tackling trade and tariff challenges Supporting small businesses Championing women in leadership   Her message is clear: leadership means lift...

Episode 6: (Bonus Episode) Meet the Intern Episode Duration: 35 minutes In this bonus episode of Evolving Entrepreneurship, we chat with Cindy Teknedjian about her internship at the Stratford Perth Centre for Business, her Change Management studies, and what she thinks about the world of entrepreneurship. Resources for Entrepreneurs: Stratford Perth Centre for Business Website: https://www.stratfo...

Episode 5: Crystals and Commerce: A Journey of Healing and Business with Nia Bright Episode Duration: 45 minutes Nia Bright shares her transformative journey from experiencing a severe health crisis to becoming the owner of Good Vibrations Rock Shop, a vibrant crystal shop and event space in downtown Stratford, Ontario. Episode Highlights: The unexpected path from health crisis to business ownersh...

Episode 4: Breaking Ground: A New Perspective on Modern Agriculture with Jacqueline Martin Episode Duration: 45 minutes Jacqueline Martin shares her unique experience as a young female entrepreneur co-running Kampkreek Dairies with her brothers, while also managing Pastoral Pond, an artisanal cider company, with her husband. Episode Highlights: Navigating family dynamics in a sibling-owned agricul...

Episode 3: Building a 20-Year Legacy in Downtown Stratford with Kelly Ballantyne and Mel Lang Episode Duration: 45 minutes Please note that there were technical difficulties on the audio side, so turn it up once Kelly and Mel start to chat. This episode contains 20 years of knowledge that you don't want to miss! Kelly Ballantyne, chef and owner of Sirkel Foods, along with her wife Mel Lang, share...

Episode 2: Small Town Success: Building a Canadian Subscription Box Empire with Virginia Ehrlich Episode Duration: 45 minutes Virginia Ehrlich shares her journey of creating Acre75, a subscription box service that celebrates small-town Canadian makers and captures the essence of local community spirit. Episode Highlights: Creating a business model that celebrates small-town Canadian culture Managi...

Episode 1: Sweet Success: From Banking to Bonbons with Kelly Lindsay Episode Duration: 45 minutes Kelly Lindsay shares her inspiring journey of transitioning from a 20-year banking career to founding Corner Store Candy Co., a charming sweet shop in downtown Stratford, Ontario, Canada. Corner Store Candy Co https://cornerstorecandy.co/ 27 York St., Stratford ON Canada Instagram Episode Highlights:...