Small Business Big Impact

Entrepreneurship can be a powerful tool for creating economic opportunity and strengthening communities. In this episode of Small Business, Big Impact, host Jay-Ann Gilfoy, CEO of Meridian Credit Union, speaks with Mickayla Labbe and Mike Labbe, the founders of First Fish. Their nonprofit social enterprise connects Indigenous fishers in remote northern communities with customers across Canada, hel...

Access to food is important, but access to connection, dignity, and belonging can be just as powerful in building strong communities. In this episode of Small Business, Big Impact, host Jay-Ann Gilfoy, CEO of Meridian Credit Union, speaks with Ameriga Alonzo, Interim Executive Director of 541 Eatery & Exchange. This nonprofit café in Hamilton operates on a unique pay-it-forward model, where cu...

The way we build and renovate has a major impact on what gets wasted, what gets reused, and how communities think about sustainability. In this episode of Small Business Big Impact, host Jay-Ann Gilfoy, CEO of Meridian Credit Union, speaks with Meredith Moore, founder of Ouroboros Deconstruction. Meredith is rethinking the demolition process by carefully dismantling buildings to recover valuable m...

Some of the most impactful businesses don’t begin with flashy ideas, they start with hard work, lived experience, and a desire to do things better. In this episode of Small Business, Big Impact, host Jay-Ann Gilfoy, CEO of Meridian Credit Union, speaks with Shane Harker, Founder and President of Rethink Resource. Shane shares how he built a 25-year career in transportation and waste before launchi...

What started as a student project has grown into a nationally recognized eco-startup tackling one of the world’s biggest waste problems. In this episode of Small Business, Big Impact, host Jay-Ann Gilfoy, CEO of Meridian Credit Union, sits down with Daniel Moll, Founder and CEO of EarthSuds. Daniel shares how a moment on a beach sparked the idea for plastic-free, dissolvable shampoo and soap table...

Resilience, reinvention, and strong foundations are at the heart of this episode of Small Business, Big Impact. Host Jay-Ann Gilfoy, CEO of Meridian Credit Union, sits down with Sebastian Clovis, founder of Shoots n’ Leaves. Sebastian shares his journey from professional football in the CFL to building homes, hosting hit renovation shows, and launching a production company rooted in storytelling a...

Success in entrepreneurship isn’t just about what you earn,  it’s about the impact you create.  Hosted by Jay-Ann Gilfoy, CEO of Meridian Credit Union, Small Business, Big Impact returns for Season 2 with inspiring stories from Ontario entrepreneurs proving that growth and giving back can go hand in hand. From community-focused restaurants to sustainability-driven startups, this season e...

Mental health and entrepreneurship go hand in hand, but prioritizing well-being as a business owner can be challenging.  In this episode, Jay-Ann sits down with Elora Gartley, founder of Nova Phoenix Counseling, to explore the realities of leading with purpose in the mental health space. From overcoming personal trauma to scaling a thriving business, Elora shares how she expanded her practice by...

The affordable housing crisis and skilled trades shortage are two of the biggest challenges facing communities today. But what if one solution could tackle both? On this episode of Small Business Big Impact, host Jay-Ann Gilfoy sits down with Brandon Day, founder of Community Builders, a nonprofit social enterprise transforming lives in Ontario. Brandon shares his personal journey from struggling...

Scaling a small business is no easy feat- especially in the competitive food industry. From perfecting your product to finding the right distributor, breaking into major grocery stores takes strategy, persistence, and a whole lot of hustle. In this episode, Jay-Ann sits down with Veneise George, the founder of Yawdi, a line of premium, all-natural condiments inspired by international flavors. What...

When life throws you unexpected challenges, do you take the leap or play it safe? This week on Small Business, Big Impact, host Jay-Ann Gilfoy sits down with Katherine Hadjinian, the founder of Mon Petit Chou, an edible bouquet business that blossomed from her deep-rooted love of gardening. After leaving a career in healthcare, Katherine navigated the difficult journey of grief, self-doubt, and mo...

When business meets purpose, communities thrive. This episode of Small Business Big Impact dives into the world of B Corps: businesses that prioritize social and environmental impact alongside profitability. Jay-Ann sits down with Arni Mickelson, founder of Northern Village and chair of Be Local Ontario, to explore how mission-driven companies can create lasting change. Arni shares his journey fro...

What if donuts could do more than just satisfy a sweet tooth- they could also create brighter futures?  In this debut episode of Small Business, Big Impact, host Jay-Ann Gilfoy, CEO of Meridian Credit Union, sits down with Melanie Cote founder of Do Good Donuts, a social enterprise that’s sprinkling hope and opportunity for young adults with developmental disabilities. Inspired by her daughte...

Turning passion into a thriving business isn’t easy. How do entrepreneurs push through challenges and build something meaningful? Welcome to Small Business, Big Impact , hosted by Jay-Ann Gilfoy, CEO of Meridian Credit Union. Each episode uncovers the real stories of Ontario's small business owners, exploring their unexpected challenges, lessons learned, and hard-won successes. Whether you're laun...