Inspiring Entrepreneurs Canada

The Entrepreneurs: Nick Saltarelli, co-CEO, Midday Squares & Robert Marzin, co-founder, Manmade Brand Our annual retail panel features two high-energy Montréal-based brands that have managed to persevere and even grow under tough economic conditions. Mike and Dan begin with a look at the two major world news events shaping Canadian business, stalled CUSMA negotiations and a reignited Middle-East c...

The Entrepreneur: Peter Mammas, CEO, Foodtastic In only its tenth year, Foodtastic has become one of Canada's dominant restaurant conglomerates, with 27 brands and over 1,200 locations. It all began in a small Greek family restaurant in Montréal's Parc Extension.  Peter Mammas discusses his long journey in the restaurant business and Foodtastic's meteoric rise with the help of private equity partn...

The Panelists: Ian Lee, Associate Professor, Sprott School of Business, Carleton University + Charmaine Goddeeris, Director of Customs & International Trade, BDO Canada As trade tensions persist and geopolitical instability adds fresh uncertainty to global markets, Dan and Michael bring together two of Canada's sharpest voices on tariffs, cross-border strategy and the shifting economic relationshi...

The Entrepreneur: Pino Di Ioia, CEO, BeaverTails   As Canada's political and business class unpack the Prime Minister's dramatic speech at Davos amid ongoing trade negotiations, Dan and Mike profile one of the most "elbows up" Canadian brands imaginable, the iconic BeaverTail.   Though it's discussed, this isn't an episode about the fried doughnut-like delicacy but about one man's pure entrepreneu...

The Guest of Honour: Dr. Philippe Couillard, former Premier of Québec (2014-2018) and senior consultant,  StrategyCorp     From Montréal's controversial but innovative REM light rail project to balancing four consecutive provincial budgets, Dr. Couillard opens up about governing with private sector partners, modernizing public infrastructure with PPPs and embracing political risk.   The former pro...

The Entrepreneur: Justin Herlick, CEO and cofounder, Pine   As the Prime Minister narrowly passes a record-setting budget and embarks on trade missions abroad, Mike and Dan wonder if the federal government is doing enough to stimulate business growth domestically, starting with interprovincial trade. Then, a zoom-out on the global economy, the risk of an AI bubble-burst, and why a burst won't nece...

The Entrepreneur: Dr. Clarissa Desjardins, CEO, Congruence Therapeutics   Mike and Dan are back with some federal budget analysis, a check-in on the national business climate and a fascinating conversation with an innovative biotech entrepreneur building her fourth and most ambitious venture.   ​B ased in Montreal ​ , Dr. Desjardins develops small molecule drugs using AI-driven computational platf...

The Entrepreneur: Davide Pisanu, CEO, ClearEstate   Mike and Dan return for a succession-themed show following the election, the Liberals' near-majority win, and a Throne Speech read by the King Charles III that has Canadian investors and even some critics reacting with cautious optimism.    After breaking down what Canadian businsesspeople should expect for the coming months on tariffs, recession...

Inspiring stories from outstanding Canadian businesspeople, since 2009.  The Entrepreneur: David McMillan, proprietor, Hayfield Farms With only days to go in an anxiety-inducing Canadian election campaign, Mike and Dan share top line impressions of the Liberal and Conservative fiscal platforms, and then chat with one of the country's most accomplished restaurateurs, the co-founder of the Joe Beef...

Inspiring stories from outstanding Canadian businesspeople, since 2009.  The Entrepreneurs: Dax Dasilva, founder and CEO, Lightspeed Commerce + Myriam Belzile-Maguire, co-founder and designer, Maguire Shoes On our Holiday Retail Spectacular, we catch up with two returning retail champions who preach "focus" in these turbulent times: an e-commerce and point-of-sale innovator who recently returned t...

Inspiring stories from outstanding Canadian businesspeople, since 2009.  The Entrepreneur: Brett Huneycutt, CPO and co-founder, Wealthsimple Founded by friends aiming to democratize investing for a new generation of Canadians, Wealthsimple has shown remarkable growth over the past decade with three million users and is arguably already one of the country's top ten financial institutions. Mike and...

Inspiring stories from outstanding Canadian businesspeople, since 2009.  The late Harry Rosen started a menswear boutique from a modest 500 sq. ft. retail space in Toronto's Cabbagetown, growing it to a national luxury retailer that remains among Canada's most iconic brands. His son Larry Rosen and grandsons are now running the operation as the family remains a market leader amid mounting e-commer...

Inspiring stories from outstanding Canadian businesspeople, since 2009.  Monsieur Cocktail took off in the early days of the pandemic when at-home mixology was a popular trend, but then the elixer business was targeted by a sophisticated and costly form of fraud known as the President's Scam. The scam nearly sunk the business but Patrice Plante persevered and pivoted toward B2B. Mike and Dan explo...

Inspiring stories from outstanding Canadian businesspeople, since 2009.  A group of high-profile recent guests on Inspiring Entrepreneurs return to give Mike and Dan updates on their growth and to offer some advice for businesspeople on preparing for uncertain times; speaking of, Mike breaks down news of more cabinet appointments from the US, a weakening Canadian dollar, and two public sector stri...

Inspiring stories from outstanding Canadian businesspeople, since 2009.  More politics than Mike and Dan are accustomed to on the podcast this week with the results of the American election and speculation about what sorts of impacts are in store for Canadian businesses, including possibly rising inflation and new tariffs on exports. A second generation Montréal restaurateur is our featured guest...

Inspiring stories from outstanding Canadian businesspeople, since 2009.  We follow the supply chain from last week's Pizza No. 900 operation down to the farm where the sausages are made by a Québec family with a passion for quality meats and sustainable agriculture. Mike and Dan also discuss Canada's GDP and the concept of "degrowth", mental health vs. productivity, and record funding rounds in Mo...

Inspiring stories from outstanding Canadian businesspeople, since 2009.  With over 30 locations and expansion underway in neighbouring Ontario and even in France, Pizzeria No. 900 helped transform the pizza scene in Québec starting with one trendy Montréal location in 2014; it's endured as a market leader with meticulous attention to detail and vendor sourcing, earning it the distinction of being...

Inspiring stories from outstanding Canadian businesspeople, since 2009.  For our 16th season premiere, Mike Newton (BDO Canada) and Dan Delmar (TNKR Media) welcome a fast-growing Montreal industrial developer gaining a reputation for making bold moves. They also discuss a fall push to return to the office, sluggish innovation in Canada and how interest rates are impacting real estate markets. The...

In this season finale, Michael Newton and Dan Delmar have the pleasure of welcoming Ricardo Larrivée, Chef and Co-Founder of Ricardo Media. He tells them about entering every Quebecer's kitchen, building a multi-media empire and passing the baton to a new generation. They are also joined by Arielle Blais, Digital Marketing Specialist at BDO Canada to discuss efficient marketing and strategic eleme...

In this episode, Michael Newton and Dan Delmar welcome Francois Theriault Co-Founder of custom-tailored men's clothing boutique Surmesur. Francois talks about entrepreneurial agility, international expansion and how they landed a contract to dress up all NHL coaches. They are also joined by Youssef Boutros, Partner at BDO Canada to discuss manufacturing businesses and key elements to consider to g...

In this episode, Michael Newton and Dan Delmar welcome Samer Saab, Founder and CEO of insights solutions company Explorance. He tells them about listening to your employees to drive higher impact and performance. They are also joined by Mia Barouki, Senior Specialist, People Experience Advisory at BDO Canada to discuss AI in the workplace.

In this episode, Michael Newton and Dan Delmar welcome Richard Mabley, Co-Founder and Vice President of business development at Transformer Table. He tells them about his innovative table that went viral on TikTok and selling his product at Costco. They are also joined by Anthony Marinelli, Assurance Partner at BDO Canada, to discuss board of directors; what they are and how your business might be...

In this episode, Michael Newton and Dan Delmar welcome Marina Pavlovic Rivas, Co-founder and CEO of Eli Health. She tells them about the company's mission to be the first at-home technology that gives real-time and lifelong health insights from the hormones in your saliva.

In this episode, Uros Milekic and Dan Delmar welcome Dan Ahmarani, Director of Sales & Strategic Partnerships at ARC Group Benefits, who tells them about the use of their technology platform to shake-up the industry, and the tribulations of a second-generation family business. They are also joined by Ernie Furt, Tax Partner at BDO Canada to discuss tax season and how to prepare efficiently.

In this episode, Ernie Furt and Dan Delmar welcome Fauve Doucet, President and CEO, Partage Club. She tells us about the concept of collaborative economy and the social, financial and environmental impacts offered by her digital solution to borrow what you need from your neighbours. They are also joined by Giuliana Papandrea, Senior Manager, Business Services Outsourcing at BDO Canada to discuss h...