Snippets with Leon Goren

In this Snippets episode, Leon Goren sits down with Craig McLellan, CEO of ThinkOn, to discuss what it takes to build a company that lasts through multiple technology cycles. Craig reflects on one of the most difficult transitions leaders face: evolving from founder to CEO. He shares lessons learned scaling a business from a close-knit startup culture to a high-performing organization, why the peo...

In this Snippets episode, Leon Goren sits down with John Preiditsch, Managing Partner at Six S Partners, to discuss what it takes to successfully lead business transformation in a rapidly changing environment. Drawing on nearly four decades of experience working with growing mid-market companies, John shares why transformation initiatives often fall short of expectations and why leadership, commun...

In this Snippets episode, Leon speaks with Meghan Sherwin, President of Keilhauer, about how the workplace has evolved in the years following the pandemic and what leaders are still learning about culture, collaboration, and employee connection. Drawing on her background in strategy and advertising, Meghan reflects on her transition into a family-owned manufacturing business and how creativity, cu...

In this Snippets episode, Leon chats with David Yeaman, Founder and President of Molded Precision Components (MPC), about building a manufacturing business rooted in innovation, culture, and community. David reflects on growing MPC from a three-person startup into a company with more than 100 employees across two facilities, while creating meaningful, high-paying work in Oro-Medonte, a rural commu...

In this Snippets episode, Leon speaks with Josiah Shelley, CEO and Co-Founder of ForwardPath AI, about how organizations can move from AI curiosity to practical implementation and measurable results. Josiah shares insights from working with hundreds of businesses across industries, highlighting the most common challenges leaders face when adopting AI, including over-reliance on AI committees, lack...

In this Snippets episode, Leon speaks with PJ Ferguson, President and Founder of ABL Employment, about how hiring strategies are shifting in response to ongoing economic uncertainty. Drawing on her experience in the staffing industry, PJ shares what she is seeing across sectors, from pent-up demand in distribution and customer service to ongoing pressure in entry-level talent pools. She reflects o...

In this Snippets episode, Leon speaks with James White, President and CEO of Wellmaster, about leading a second-generation manufacturing business through growth and change. James reflects on the company’s evolution into a global supplier across multiple industries. He shares how the business balances diversification with operational focus, using shared resources and materials across sectors to sta...

In this Snippets episode, Leon Goren speaks with Dave Jones, President and CEO of Bento Sushi, about the evolution of one of Canada’s most recognizable food brands. Dave reflects on Bento’s growth from a single storefront in Toronto to a North American leader, with operations spanning retail, franchise, and large-scale manufacturing. Dave shares how the business has adapted over time, including th...

In this Snippets episode, Leon Goren speaks with Ryan Casey, Founder of Skapa Tech, about building practical, results-driven technology solutions. Ryan outlines how Skapa Tech supports enterprises and startups through custom software development, AI consulting, and a focused SaaS product that improves accuracy and efficiency in the construction and utilities sector. Using real client examples, Rya...

In this Snippets episode, Leon Goren sits down once again with John Mendis, tax partner at McGovern Hurley, for a timely conversation on year-end tax planning strategies for individuals and business owners. With December 31st fast approaching, John shares practical reminders and actionable insights to help listeners make informed tax decisions before the deadline. Learn about key personal tax cons...

In this Snippets episode, Leon sits down with John Mendis, tax partner at McGovern Hurley, to discuss key year-end tax strategies for individuals and business owners. John shares valuable insights on optimizing tax planning, maximizing deductions, and understanding the latest changes in Canadian tax regulations. While this conversation originally focused on fourth-quarter tax planning for 2024, th...

Tune in as Leon chats with Alex Talmor, the President of the Canadian Operations at GlassHouse Systems, a North American company that provides IT infrastructure, security, cloud, and managed services for large corporations and governments.  Starting as a sales executive, Alex rose in the ranks, becoming President in 2022. He offers key insights into career advancements within organizations and pro...

Join us in today's Snippets episode as Raj Tandon shares his unexpected leap from the world of philosophy and mathematics to the banking industry and the founding of Algonquin Capital. Raj also provides insights into the intricacies of fixed-income investing and their role in diversification and wealth preservation. Beyond his professional endeavors, Raj discusses his active involvement in ph...

In this Snippets episode, David King, Senior Managing Director for Canada and South America at Robert Half—the world’s first and largest specialized talent solutions and business consulting firm—takes us on a deep dive into the post-pandemic landscape of talent recruitment and labor markets. Don't miss this opportunity to stay ahead of the curve and make informed decisions for your organizati...

Ready to enhance your investment strategy? Tune in as Leon sits down with Liam O’Sullivan, Principal Co-Head of Client Portfolio Management at RPIA. An expert in alternative investments and risk management, Liam shares insight on managing an investment portfolio, current market paradigm shifts, the crucial role of fixed income, and the importance of differentiating between high-grade and high-yiel...

In this episode, Leon chats with Dan Carmichael, the president of Whitecap. Dan tells us about his motivations for leaving a 20-year-long big corporate job at Dell Technologies to join the small business world. Leon and Dan discuss staying on the forefront of emerging technology and Dan gives advice to business leaders on getting involved with AI. If you’re interested in our Snippets podcasts or T...

Bryan Jaskolka is a serial entrepreneur and the visionary founder and CEO of the CMI Financial Group. Bryan is a driving force in the Canadian private lending and mortgage financing industries and has been recognized for his leadership and innovation. CMI is Canada’s premier private mortgage lender, a leading provider of mortgage funding and investment solutions, and one of Canada's fastest-g...

Abby Gnanendran is the CEO and co-founder of Earth Rated, a B Corp-certified company that provides dog lovers with eco-friendly poop bags. In this Snippets episode, Abby tells us how Earth Rated grew from a direct-to-consumer ‘pet project’ to serving 4.5 million people daily worldwide. Earth Rated stands out with its dedication to a supportive, performance-driven work environment. Abby and Leon di...

Brian Cotter is the President of Durham Artificial Grass (established 2018) and Lloyd’s Grounds Management Professionals (established 1963). He and Leon discuss the lessons he’s learned growing a family business and the effects of climate change, employee shortage, and COVID-19 on both his well-established business and new but rapidly growing business. If you’re interested in one of our Snippets p...

Glenn Poulos is the Co-Founder, Vice President, and General Manager of Gap Wireless Inc. He has 30 plus years of experience in sales and has started and sold two successful companies.  He has also just published his first book 'Never Sit in the Lobby: 57 Winning Sales Factors to Grow Business and Build a Career Selling.' In this episode, Glenn and Leon discuss the book-writing process an...

Leon sits down with Peng Lin, CEO and founder of VIVA Scandinavia, a consumer-centric glassware and accessories brand. Peng has a wealth of experience in manufacturing high-end products and managing consumer and sales data. Peng and Leon discuss Peng's unique background, his entrance into the glassware market, and why Kickstarter is such a powerful tool for product design and development. If...

Leon sits down with Michael Sherrard,  recognized as one of Canada’s leading employment and labour lawyers, to talk about the return to work, both in terms of legal mandates but also social and moral ones: how do we best support our employees health and safety, while seeking to build company connection? Michael also wades into the murky waters of vaccine mandates and whether or not such measures a...

Scott Cooper made the move a year ago from Molson Coors to the start up, truss beverages, to reimagine what the cannabis market could look like. An experienced business leader, marketer and innovator with a track record of breathing new life into businesses & brands and unlocking new opportunities, Scott brings great insight into his new chosen path and what kinds of generational opportunities...

Les Mandelbaum , CEO of Umbra and long-time member of PEO Leadership has not only been predicting the reinvention of the retail industry, he and his global team have been executing their vision of a digital economy for many years. Umbra has transformed itself from a primarily retail-driven platform to one of the world’s leading houseware companies with e-commerce accounting for more than 50% of th...

Keith Beckley , CEO of Novx Systems, long-time member of PEO Leadership, physicist, engineer and climate activist, talks passionately about his “night gig” – following the EV industry. Keith took delivery of the 2nd Tesla Model S in Canada and spends his nights actively learning everything about EVs and the energy industry. Thinking about purchasing a new or used combustion engine vehicle in the c...