Hustle & Grind

Most people spend their careers chasing clients.   Jason Recker spent his building brands that outlast trends.   In this episode, Jason breaks down why he walked away from the traditional agency path, doubled down on design, and built a reputation that made clients seek him out. From launching Carve Design to creating brands that are still thriving decades later, this is a masterclass in staying i...

Some entrepreneurs build businesses. Michelle Teichroeb built a life. And somehow, she’s managed to blend real estate, property management, mentorship, motherhood, and bear hunting into one of the most compelling founder stories we’ve ever had on the pod. This episode is a ride — in the best way. Michelle shares how she stumbled into a niche no one was serving: tenant placement and boutique proper...

What happens when a 28‑year‑old walks into a boardroom full of 50‑year‑olds and completely rewrites the culture of a unionized retail operation? Joshua Millar didn’t just survive it — he became the longest‑serving GM in Tepperman’s London history. This episode goes deep into the kind of leadership you can’t fake: the kind forged on a berry farm, hardened in the Canadian Armed Forces, and tested in...

Some people build businesses. Justin Mulligan builds experiences. And somehow, he’s doing it inside one of the biggest companies in the country — with the freedom, creativity, and hustle of a founder. This episode is a masterclass in intrapreneurship: how to act like an entrepreneur even when you don’t technically own the business. Mully’s story starts in one of London’s most iconic small‑business...

You don’t stumble into a skull‑cleaning business… unless you’re Katie Dortmans. What started as watching her brother boil deer heads in the backyard turned into one of the most fascinating niche businesses we’ve ever featured — and one of the most unexpectedly inspiring entrepreneurial journeys you’ll hear this year. Katie went from a secure corporate job with a pension to running a full‑time skul...

Luke Thomas didn’t plan on becoming an entrepreneur… and he definitely didn’t plan on running for City Council. But when COVID hit, when his business got squeezed, and when he watched small businesses get hammered while big corporations stayed open, something snapped — and he decided to do something most people only talk about. This episode is a masterclass in taking action when everyone else is c...

Most entrepreneurs think their biggest problem is sales. Glenn Mowat says that’s dead wrong — the bottleneck is always the owner. Every. Single. Time. “Every single time, every single time, every single time.” This episode is a masterclass in pattern recognition, personal blind spots, and the uncomfortable truth that your habits — not your market — determine your growth ceiling. Glenn’s been doing...

The wildest part of this episode? Rokhsana didn’t set out to build a natural‑skincare empire… she just got pissed off. She saw an industry full of toxic ingredients, fake “natural” labels, and giant corporations greenwashing their way into consumers’ wallets — and decided she wasn’t having it. What started as a few homemade products in her basement turned into a full‑blown movement. No funding. No...

The wildest part of this episode isn’t that a 23‑year‑old built a landscaping business from a Ford Ranger and a borrowed trailer. It’s that he did it with zero fluff, zero ego, and a mindset most entrepreneurs don’t figure out until their 40s. Jake Van Damme didn’t wait for permission. He didn’t wait for a “perfect plan.” He didn’t wait for capital. He went broke‑as‑hell, bought mulch he could bar...

On this episode of the Hustle & Grind Podcast, we're joined by one of our youngest guests ever, but don't let his age fool you. At just 20 years old, Cameron Usher has already built an impressive business with Crushers Demolition, proving that entrepreneurship isn't about age—it's about mindset, work ethic, and execution. Cameron's story is one of taking opportunities, earning trust, and deliv...

AI isn’t coming for your job — it’s coming for your blind spots. That’s the uncomfortable truth most business owners don’t want to hear. In this episode, Scotty and Ryan break down why 85% of businesses still aren’t using AI even though the tools are now powerful enough to replace hours of repetitive work with a single prompt. This conversation gets real about the fear, confusion, and hype surroun...

Chalkboards to Boardrooms: The Courage to Start, The Wisdom to Exit Today on the Hustle & Grind Podcast, we're joined by an entrepreneur whose journey has taken her from the classroom to the boardroom. Erika Oakes is the co-founder of Os & Oakes, the London-based retail and e-commerce brand she built alongside her brother from a simple idea into a well-known and beloved business. What star...

Baseball, Bins, and Being Kind Cleveland Brownlee didn’t just arrive in London, Ontario — he built a legacy here. From an Atlanta kid grinding through Division II baseball, to hitting 13 bombs at an open tryout, to becoming one of the most recognizable community leaders in the city… this story is wild. What starts as a baseball journey quickly turns into something bigger: mindset, service, resilie...

Today on the show we’re talking with a true service-industry staple: Marty Salliss, the owner and driving force behind Salliss Plumbing & Heating — a London, Ontario business that’s been keeping taps running and furnaces firing for over two decades. Since launching back in 2001, Marty has grown Salliss Plumbing & Heating into one of the most trusted names in plumbing, HVAC and emergency re...

We are so excited to have Sabina Manji on the pod!!! Sabina, is the editor and publisher of The Mom & Caregiver in London, Ont. She is also host of the Really Authentic Women RAW Podcast, the podcast for Really Authentic Women & Men alike! A lifelong Londoner, an irrepressible entrepreneur, and also a committed volunteer with Lexus of London Golf Classic, her infectious energy and engaging...

In this solo episode, Ryan gets real about the parts of entrepreneurship most people never talk about. He shares the messy, non‑linear path from corporate life to running his own marketing agency — including building a business around himself (“I built a company around me… and I couldn’t scale”), losing a friendship over a failed app, and realizing that passion without market demand is “just an ex...

Jay Gray owns Forest City Auto Glass with his wife Elena, an innovative business that is disrupting their industry in a big way! However, Jay started his career quickly accelerating to executive roles with some of the top Fortune 500 corporate companies! And also, Ryan and Jay both worked corporately together decades ago. . .talking to each other here after not seeing each other for over 10 years!...

This one’s special. Ryan sits down with three of his business partners — Eric, Cassandra, and Joel — to break down how they accidentally built one of the fastest‑growing roller hockey communities in Canada: Roller Hockey London. What started as a side‑hustle passion project has turned into an 8‑year movement with hundreds of families, a thriving youth program, international opportunities, and a cu...

Redefining London Events: The Mobile Bar Mogul’s Story From corporate grind to mobile bar mogul — Joel Richer breaks down the real challenges and rewards of stepping into entrepreneurship. Hear how he and his crew are redefining events in London with curated festivals, creative networking, and a fresh approach to community building. Bulles et Bieres website

When Gary Brown of KEMBRO Design Studio mentioned Bob Vila (the most trusted man in home improvement and tv legend) in the first minute of this episode, we knew this was going to be a banger!!!👊👍 What a blast we had with Gary on this episode! This guy has done it all, and we were fascinated with his in-depth knowledge, attention to detail and customer first approach! From starting on the ground...

From Bottled Water MLMs to Retail Burnout! Ryan and Scott revisit their craziest business attempts: bottled water MLM pitches, retail stores bleeding cash, and the rise of social shopping. They give each model a grade and share the lessons every new entrepreneur needs before diving in. **Audio fixed - Stereo enabled**

Today we have the Team of Kevin Kingma and Levi Kap on the pod - the twosome who make up K&K Realty Team! In part 2 of our special series, Realtors Corner, we bring Levi Kap on to discuss with Kevin and Levi, the dynamics of their team and why this works! Getting down to it. . .being real and not being fake, in an arguably overdone industry saturated with realtor trends and tik tok videos tryi...

We are so excited to have a "real" conversation with Kevin Kingma on a special segment called Realtors Corner! (Part 1 of 2!) Kevin is a no BS realtor who tells it like it is and gets the job done - one of the secrets to his success, and why his clients love him is his direct approach with great pace! Also a huge community advocate, Kevin is the "real" deal when it comes to the real estate industr...

2nd Gen Owner of Joe Kool's, Toboggan Brewing, Fellini Koolini's & Runt Club Pub! Today, we’re sitting down with someone who didn’t just take on the challenge of running a family business—he's continuing a legacy. Charlie Smith!! If you’ve ever grabbed a pint at Joe Kool’s, crushed a pizza at Fellini Koolini’s, or sampled craft beer with local pride at Toboggan Brewing Co., you already know th...

London's Source For Sports. Secrets to building a successful brick & mortar business!  Colin Hopper (affectionately known as 'Hop') has been the owner of London's Source for Sports for decades. A cool opportunity for our hosts Ryan and Scott to sit down with Hop, someone both of them have known for a long time being involved in sports themselves. London's Source for Sports is truly a London On...