Shake Hands Take Names

In the season finale of Shake Hands, Take Names , AJ sits down with Chris Gourley fourth-generation entrepreneur and founder of Summit Vehicle Storage, to unpack what it really takes to grow a barn-startup into a 7,000% growth story without losing your soul—or your community. Chris shares how mountaineering shaped his “Summit” mindset on risk, culture, and perseverance, why he bets big on relation...

In this episode of Shake Hands, Take Names , host AJ sits down with Lee Weir, a Red Seal trades professional, entrepreneur, and founder of Crossroads in Pugwash, Nova Scotia. Lee shares how a lifelong passion for motorcycles evolved into a multi-division business spanning power sports and manufactured housing, now employing around 92 people. He talks candidly about the realities of starting and sc...

In this episode of Shake Hands, Take Names , AJ sits down with brothers Sam and Jim Cripps of Cripps and Sons Woodworking to talk about how passion, perseverance, and relationships turned a small rural cabinet shop into an innovation‑driven business. They share the family origins of the company, their long road to becoming Red Seal cabinet makers without a clear apprenticeship path, and how they b...

AJ sits down with Will and Chase, the teenage co-founders of Live Laugh Lawn, to talk about how they turned a summer mowing idea in rural Pictou County into a 300+ client landscaping business and their first $10K month. They share how the name came to life, how they used door-to-door outreach, word of mouth, and personalized service to compete with bigger players, and how hiring friends from their...

AJ, Colin, and Nick discuss their journeys in the trades, emphasizing the importance of attitude and mentorship. Colin and Nick, both from Pictou County, highlight their early exposure to the trades and the value of community and family business. They stress the significance of transparency, credibility, and reputation in their businesses, Maritime Pressure Works and McGregor Industrial. They also...

David Phillips, a former Microsoft and Louis Vuitton executive, discusses his journey in strategic networking and relationship building. He emphasizes the importance of authenticity, preparation, and adaptability in career success. David credits his early political involvement and his mother's encouragement in public speaking for developing his communication skills. He highlights that nine out of...

In this episode your host, Abhishek Bhatt (AJ), sits down with Sutton McKay, a serial entrepreneur and real estate investor. Sutton emphasizes the importance of networking, stating it can bring 10 times more value than a resume. He shares his journey from flipping cars in high school to buying an auto detailing business at 21, growing it to $600,000-$700,000 in revenue, and eventually selling it d...