Members of the Chamber

On this episode, we’re talking all things cybersecurity! Joe Apps, from Joe Apps Technology Support, is here to break down what cybersecurity is and what parts of your business it effects, how to enhance it on your own and what to expect if you outsource, key red flags to look for, and the latest cyber attack trends.   So if you haven’t already, go initiate your software updates, and then let’s ge...

On this episode, we’re diving into the digital world of social media marketing. Benoit Mercier from Bloomtools is here to tell us the basics that every business should have on social media, how to have a more impactful presence without using up all of your time and resources, what to expect when you outsource your social media efforts, and if paid social media advertising is really worth it. Learn...

On this episode we’re talking all about how entrepreneurs and business owners can get their business involved in their community, and how to create a community of their own. Nancy Fornasiero of ACE Coworking is here to share how she’s created a dynamic and involved community of coworkers, her experience with external partnerships such as local artists, co-op programs, and event sponsorships, and h...

Welcome back to Members of the Chamber Season 4! This season we’re shaking things up a bit with a brand new topic every week, and expert guests to accompany them.  On this episode we are diving into the world of networking. If you’ve been to any of our networking events such as Business After Hours or Good Morning Oakville, there’s a pretty good chance you know today’s guest, Brent Stevens of Glob...

Season 4 is here!  This season we’re shaking things up a bit with a brand new topic every week, and expert guests to accompany them. On this episode we’re diving into the many ways that you can use food & wellness to regulate your energy throughout the work day, how to defeat that 2PM crash, why we crave carbs and sugary foods, and how caffeine actually works. Bonnie Flemington, Certified Nutr...

Happy International Women's Day! On this special episode of Members of the Chamber we're sitting down with Chris McMartin of The Scotiabank Women Initiative® – a program that breaks down barriers to help increase economic and professional opportunities for women to be successful now, and in the future. Keep listening to hear more about the tools and resources that are available to busine...

The Oakville Chamber of Commerce is excited to present this special episode of our Members of the Chamber podcast! In this episode, we're joined by Donald Guse Salah, Program Manager at the Ontario Chamber of Commerce, to chat about the Discover Ability Network - a free online portal that helps employers connect directly with job seekers with disabilities. Listen in to hear Donald debunk some...

 On this episode we’re joined by Tim and Jon Root, the father-son duo behind two local business: Look Local and Treehouse Creative. Listen in to hear how they used their backgrounds and skillsets to dive into business as a team, and how they hustled to develop the new skills necessary to scale the business. 

On today’s episode, we’re joined by Kristin Courtney, and her children Melody & Aaron. Together, their family business is Access Abilities, a medical devices establishment with locations in Toronto and Oakville. Listen in to hear how their strong family bond, and sense of family values, have established Access Abilities as a staple in their community. 

On today’s episode we’re joined by mother-daughter duo Bianca Tino and Melissa Gaetani of Tino, Gaetani & Carusi Chartered Professional Accountants. Bianca started the firm 28 years ago, and Melissa joined the business 17 years later. As accountants, Bianca and Melissa help entrepreneurs with intergenerational transfers of business & wealth everyday. Carry on listening to hear their best a...

Today we’re joined by Nancy Robertson and her children Andrew & Joanna Kadwell. Together, they make up Robertson Kadwell, a Real Estate business serving Oakville, Halton, Hamilton, Cambridge & Toronto. On this episode we cover a few different perspectives of a family business, including starting your own business & bringing in your family, joining a business that was started by your pa...

This season we're focusing on family business, and today's episode offers a pretty unique perspective, as we sit down with Neil Cawse who is the Founder & CEO of Geotab Inc. Geotab is the largest telematics company in the world, with over 2000 employees, and it all began in the family's basement at the start of the millenium. Keep listening for some great advice from Neil about...

On this episode we sit down with Jennifer Watson, of Watson Investments to hear about her experience growing up around the family business, and how she decided that joining it was the right choice for her. If you're thinking about joining the family business, you definitely don't want to miss this episode!

On this episode we are joined by Mike White and Jamie Mowat, a father-son duo from WINMAR Mississauga/Oakville. They have some great advice to share on addressing conflicts, succession planning, and they also discuss how the process of succession has been a really important milestone in both of their lives. 

Welcome back to Members of the Chamber! We have a brand new season ready for you, all about family business. On this episode,  we’re sitting down with Rob May from Sounds Good Smart Homes to learn more about his journey of starting a family business, and the process of getting it ready to pass down to his children one day. There is a LOT of good advice packed into this episode, so be sure to liste...

On this special episode of Members of the Chamber, we are celebrating International Women’s Day! What better way to celebrate than to sit down with two influential women-in-business here in Oakville: Mary McPherson, CEO of Oakville Hospital Foundation and Trish Knox, Owner & President of TK Events.  Members of the Chamber was created thanks to the strong support of Piper Foods and the podcast...

On season two, episode ten of Members of the Chamber, producer Kristen Curry re-caps the best advice heard from the guests this season with Thiara, the Oakville Chamber's co-op student.  Members of the Chamber was created thanks to the strong support of Piper Foods and the podcast is fuelled by McCafé!  The podcast is recorded at Staples Studio Oakville located at 320 North Service Road West....

On episode nine of season two, we are joined by Maria Robertson, renowned newborn consultant. Maria is the founder of The New Mummy Company, a leading Canadian business in services and products designed to meet the needs of mothers and their babies. On the podcast we discuss how she started her business, how she got connected to some VIP clients (hint: Game of Thrones), and what it meant to receiv...

On episode eight of season two, we are joined by Aby Alameddine, Co-Founder of Core Online Marketing and Past Chair of the Oakville Chamber of Commerce. With a background in corporate finance, Aby is an entrepreneur that has continued to give back to Oakville through time on community-based boards and by offering mentorship to budding entrepreneurs. On the podcast we discuss Aby's entrepreneu...

On episode seven of season two, we are joined by Jennifer Kazmaier, who has retired by age 35. Jennifer is a Registered Nurse turned entrepreneur, the founder of CalaCare, which provided innovative home health care services that made staying in the comfort of your own home a realistic and sustainable solution. Jennifer just reached another career milestone by being able to retire at 35 years of ag...

On episode six of season two, we are joined by Dave Oswald, Investigations Specialist at Forensic Restitution. Dave is a trained Chartered Accountant with a passion for uncovering fraud or error. His global, multi-national experience spans over 20 years, having led investigations in high-level C-Suite executive cases with success. Dave has extensive experience in Data Preservation and Review, Comp...

On episode five of season two, we are joined by Wendy Donnan, Co-Founder of the Oakville Festivals of Film & Art (OFFA).   Wendy worked in broadcasting and television for 25 + years (TVOntario, TWN, OUTtv) in various management and programming positions before venturing out for her own productions. Wendy is also a part-time professor, currently teaching at Sheridan College and York University....

On episode four of season two, we are joined by Andrew Esemezie, the Franchise Owner of Second Cup Coffee Company on Lakeshore Road in Downtown Oakville.   Andrew is a Certified Customer Experience Professional (CCXP) with 16+ years of extensive global experience leading enterprise Customer experience strategies. Prior to delving to the entrepreneurial world, Andrew's last role was Director o...

On episode three of season two, we are joined by Wendy Rinella, Chief Executive Officer of the Oakville Community Foundation.   The Foundation is Oakville’s largest charitable asset of +$100 million supporting local charities and community-wide programs through turnkey foundation infrastructure for business and family philanthropists. Wendy’s career is also marked by her passion for community buil...

On the second episode of season two, we are joined by Don Pangman. Don is the Founder of ArtHouse, a Halton based charitable organization which provides FREE Arts programs for vulnerable children and youth. Celebrating its 11th Anniversary in June 2020, ArtHouse has served over 9,000 young people with 634 programs at 90 safe and accessible locations throughout Halton.  On the podcast, we discuss ...