Leaders Of Tomorrow Podcast

What does it take to transform from a young person with a bit of ego to a powerful, inspiring leader? On this episode of the Leaders of Tomorrow podcast, Chris speaks with Andrew Solomon, an exceptional young leader who has been through Student Works as both a top operator and a coach, and now runs an $8 million division of Rydel Roofing.  Andrew shares how his experiences at Student Works sh...

How do you go from facing major setbacks to finishing the season strong? In this episode of the Leaders of Tomorrow podcast, Chris Thomson sits down with three high-achieving operators from Student Works: Zach Weiler, Chris Bennett, and Landon Roberts. Each of these young leaders faced significant challenges in their first year with Student Works but turned things around with determination and str...

Ever wonder how skills from one discipline can shape your success in a completely different field? In this episode of the Leaders of Tomorrow podcast, Chris Thomson talks to Victor Turcanu, who made the leap from being a national-level athlete to a thriving career in law.  Victor shares how his experience in the Student Works program laid the groundwork for his legal career, teaching him inva...

What does it take to set a record and break the limits you thought you had? On this episode of the Leaders of Tomorrow podcast, Chris Thomson welcomes Chris Caruso, one of our operators who broke the all-time window cleaning record. Chris shares his journey from being a window cleaner for Student Works to breaking the all-time window cleaning sales record—earning over $210,000 in a single season.&...

What does it take to build a successful business from the ground up and turn it into a multi-million dollar enterprise? In this episode, I sit down with one of the most remarkable entrepreneurs I know, my close friend and longtime colleague, Rick Eastwood. You’ll hear how friendships, like the one we’ve shared since our Student Works days, can shape not only your personal life but also your profes...

What if the things you thought you were good at turned out to be your biggest blind spots? In this episode, Chris talks to Alex Irvine, a top performer in the program. He built a $275,000 business and earned a place in the President’s Club. Now, as a full-time coach, he shares how his experience with Student Works helped him grow as a leader and develop the systems that allow him to thrive in busi...

What separates successful entrepreneurs from those who give up? It’s not just talent or luck—it’s mindset and strategy. In this episode, we explore how building systems, taking risks, and embracing setbacks can set you on a path to long-term success. It’s about more than making money—it’s about designing a life you love. Today, I sit down with Cameron Herold, an entrepreneurial coach, keynote spea...

In this episode of the Leaders of Tomorrow podcast, Chris is joined by Julia Murphy, a young leader whose journey highlights the challenges and rewards of personal and professional growth.  Throughout the conversation, she shares how embracing responsibility, managing teams, and handling multiple tasks helped her navigate both her business and academic life. You'll learn about her development...

Have you ever wondered what transitioning from a corporate leader to a successful entrepreneur takes? In this episode, I sit down with David Barron, one of our former Operators of the Year from the early 90s, who has done just that—and more. David shares his journey from leading sales teams at some of the world’s biggest tech companies to building and selling his own business, CertaPro Painters. B...

In this episode of the Leaders of Tomorrow podcast, Chris is joined by Dianne McCoubrey, Vice President of Global Business Development for Grypp Corp Ltd., as well as the mother of Hailey and Taylor McCoubrey, a pair of successful operators in the program.   Dianne shares invaluable insights on career development and the importance of selecting the right opportunities. She highlights how understan...

Are you in your 20s and wondering how to make the most of this pivotal decade? In this episode, I dive deep into why your 20s are the "defining decade" and how the decisions you make now can set you up for a lifetime of success. Whether it's choosing the right career path, building a network that matters, or understanding the power of patience, I share insights that can help you navigate this peri...

What does it take for a young entrepreneur to thrive in a challenging business environment? In this episode, I sit down with two proud parents, both successful entrepreneurs, who share their unique perspectives on their children's journeys through the Student Works Management Program.    From the initial doubts to the proud moments of watching their kids overcome challenges, these stories will res...

In this episode of the Leaders of Tomorrow podcast, Chris is joined by Tristan Parent and Zachary Rogers, two ambitious young entrepreneurs who are navigating the challenges and triumphs of growing their ventures while balancing full-time academic commitments.    During the conversation, you'll discover the transformative power of mindset shifts, disciplined self-improvement, and the importance of...

In this episode of the Leaders of Tomorrow podcast, Chris is joined by Ryley Campbell and Aris Lloshi to explore their journeys over the past year. They discuss the power of surrounding oneself with a supportive community and the impact of personal development habits.   You'll discover how implementing strategic business practices have led to substantial improvements in their operations. The...

How does a Student Works Management Program alumnus rise to become the CEO of a successful consulting firm? In today’s episode I chat with Sam McNaull, the CEO LNine Consulting who was part of our program 20 years ago.   Sam shares his journey from his early days at Student Works to leading a successful firm that partners with tech giants like Amazon Web Services, Microsoft, and Google.   Discover...

In this episode of the Leaders of Tomorrow podcast, Chris is joined by Elie Aude, a successful former part-time turned full-time business coach and operator with the Student Works program.   During the conversation, Elie shares insightful stories from his entrepreneurial experiences, highlighting the importance of mentorship and the transformative impact of hands-on learning. You'll discover the n...

Turning a passion into a thriving business is no easy feat, but Jeremy White, founder of Big Spruce Brewing, has done just that.   Jeremy is one of our alumni and a returning guest in our podcast who is going to share his amazing entrepreneurial journey and some of the most important lessons he has learned in our program.    Join me as we dive into Jeremy’s story, from his humble be...

What does it take to go from a science nerd to a successful business leader? In this episode, meet Jess Travnicek, who shares her experience in our program, a story of perseverance, growth, and continuous improvement.    As a mini coach at Student Works, Jess has navigated the challenges of transitioning from painting to window cleaning, developing her leadership skills, and building a resilient t...

What does it take to transition from a small-town entrepreneur to a leader in the cutting-edge world of cannabis technology? This week, we delve into the incredible journey of Taigh Smyth, a dynamic entrepreneur who has navigated diverse business landscapes with remarkable success.   Taigh worked with us 20 years ago, and since then, he has traveled the world, developed his own internet marke...

Ever wondered what it takes to transform your mindset and hit unprecedented business goals? In today’s episode, I sit down with David Young, a standout performer in our program. David's journey from a complacent start to achieving over $200K in revenue this year is really inspiring.   In this episode, we explore how David overcame low integrity and bad habits to reach new heights in his business....

Have you ever wondered how early career experiences shape future success? In this episode, I sit down with Juliana Keefler-Johnson, one of our alumni, who is now a remarkable sales manager.   During the episode, Juliana shares her journey from being a university student at McGill University to becoming a top performer in the corporate world. She talks about her early transformative experience with...

In today’s episode of the Leaders of Tomorrow podcast, Chris Thompson interviews Griffin Betts, a standout Student Works operator, to share his incredible experience in our program.   Griffin reveals the pivotal moments that led him to join Student Works and how this decision dramatically changed his career path. He discusses his transformation from a directionless student to a thriving entre...

In today's episode of the Leaders of Tomorrow podcast, Chris talks to Brennan Basnicki, one of our alumni with an incredible story who is today a partner at Auspice Capital Advisors   During the episode, Brennan shares his journey from being an unfocused university student to finding his path in finance and trading. He talks about his early days with Student Works and how the experience helpe...

In this episode of the Leaders of Tomorrow podcast, Chris is joined by Etienne Normand, a student entrepreneur who has shown remarkable growth and leadership during his time with Student Works. Reflecting on his third season, Etienne acknowledges his shortcomings in team engagement and culture building, which led to high turnover. Determined to improve, he emphasizes his commitment to fostering a...

In this episode of the Leaders of Tomorrow podcast, Chris is joined by Troy Treleavan as they explore the essence of effective leadership and business success. Troy, a seasoned entrepreneur, emphasizes the importance of being a "Go Giver" and understanding the needs of customers and employees alike. He highlights the value of genuine interest in others and the ability to see things from their pers...