Stories from the Firecircle

On this episode, I’m joined by Brendan Riley, owner and operator of Marmora Retreat in Marmora, Ontario. Originally from South Africa, Brendan has called Canada home for nearly two decades, spending much of his career in real estate and property development in the Toronto area. During a family vacation, Brendan stumbled upon a piece of land that instantly spoke to him. That moment sparked his jour...

In this episode, I sit down with Lejla Pekaric, a business mentor on Firecircle’s Ignite team. Though Lejla began her career in accounting, her work has evolved into executive coaching, organizational systems development, and much more. She shares how that transition unfolded—and why she’s drawn to tackling big, complex challenges. Despite a busy professional life, Lejla has made space for public...

On this episode, I sit down with Pamela Joy Howse , owner and operator of The Spa at Halcyon , near Nakusp, BC. Pamela describes herself as a natural helper —someone who truly loves taking care of people, and it shows in the spa’s wide range of multi-disciplinary treatments and services. Over the years, Pamela has worked hard to build, retain, and motivate a talented team that helps her business s...

On today’s episode, I talk with Kerri Howarth about a wide variety of topics.   Our conversation winds, in part, because Kerri has lived a full life of twists and turns and she has been involved in many diverse and meaningful projects.   Kerri has been with Firecircle as a business mentor for almost 2 years now and her perspectives around embracing change, identifying true wealth and etc...

On this episode, I sit down with Jason Bacon, a longtime Firecircle business mentor who has quickly earned a reputation as our team’s financial guru. If you’ve reached Step 5 of the Firecircle 5x5, chances are you’ve had the opportunity to work with Jason. What makes him so effective is that he’s not only deeply knowledgeable—he’s also walked the same path as the entrepreneurs he supports. Jason h...

In this episode, I speak with Stephan Olivier, a photographer whose passion for wildlife began in his childhood in South Africa. Growing up surrounded by extraordinary animals, Stephan started out capturing them as a hobby. It wasn’t until he moved to Canada and shared his photos with a local photography club that his business began to take shape. For many of us, the landscapes and places we call...

In this episode, I sit down with Jason Morrow, whose ocean fishing and guiding business follows the example set by his grandfather: teaching people how to fish — not to make a fortune, but because it’s a valuable skill that helps families create lasting memories. Jason found his way into tourism after a serious workplace accident forced him into early retirement. But he wasn’t one to sit still. Wi...

In this episode, I sit down with Nadine Furnell, a trailblazer in British Columbia’s evolving tourism industry. BC is well known for its wine and cider scenes, where many producers pair their beverages with curated culinary experiences. But there’s another iconic BC product that is entering the Tourism Market: cannabis—known globally as "BC bud." British Columbia has long been a leader in cannabis...

In this episode, I talk with MC Pace.   MC recently launched Salt+Sickle Homestead in Nova Scotia, where they grow food and create accessible spaces to build community.   So often, the mantra around entrepreneurship is ‘go, go; more, more; push, push’!   While starting a business undoubtedly takes hard work, MC speaks eloquently about the importance of slowing down and taking self-c...

On this episode I talk with Jordan Dooley. Jordan is a serial entrepreneur who is bursting with ideas. Jordan is coming at the tourism industry from a slightly different angle than many other guests on this pod. Jordan comes from an outdoor guiding and adventure tourism background, but his business development has come through the world of digital sales platforms and computer coding. Jordan has re...

On this episode I talk with Meagan Bruneski. Meagan recently married and moved to a ranch in rural BC where she is able to spend time working with - and introducing others to - the healing power of horses through equine learning and therapy. She and her family are building MeadowView Reins, a place where people can come to stay, ride, eat and connect, free from the distractions of the digital worl...

In this episode I talk with Jonathan Gillingham. Jonathan is a professional photographer who also works full-time for the Government of the Northwest Territories. Jonathan is originally from Newfoundland but packed up his life and drove across the country to follow his dream of becoming a wildlife biologist. On the road, he discovered that, not only did he enjoy photography, but he was really good...

In this episode I speak with Lowanda Knox who has been a Firecircle member for the past nine months. In that time, she has made significant progress on her business planning while juggling a very busy life. Lowanda is a mother of 5, who works a full-time job, and somehow has made the time to turn her passion for food, and her training as a red seal chef, into her lifelong dream of professional coo...

On this episode I speak with Gina VandenDool who is Firecircle’s beloved Member Experience Coordinator. Gina puts in a ton of time and energy into making sure that Firecircle members have everything they need to be successful. Gina makes a big impact on a lot of people’s lives and I asked Gina to tell us a bit more about her path to working with Firecircle and why she does what she does with so mu...

In this episode I speak with Denise Miller who has recently started Experience Saghalie in Kamloops, British Columbia. Through her business, Denise provides both a beautiful and restful place for visitors to unwind, as well as catered and personalized tours, experiences and itineraries. In our conversation, Denise and I talk about the twists and turns, peaks and valleys that she has encountered on...

In this episode I speak with Brenda Cheveldayoff. Brenda is a busy woman to say the least. She is a full-time grain farmer in Blaine Lake Saskatchewan with a passion for sharing an under told story of the Russian Doukhobors in Canada. If you’ve never heard of the Doukhobors in Canada, you’re not alone. Brenda is working hard to change that and by way of an extremely short history lesson from the d...

In this episode I talk with Kim Yeaman, who along with her partner Robert, have built Brennan's Hill Camping and Cabins, a successful and growing business. Kim opened up to me, not only about how her dream business came to be, but also about those low and lonely times that all entrepreneurs face, and how the community she's found at Firecircle has helped pull her through. Kim is an important part...

In this episode I talk with Mariah Battiste. Mariah is someone who seems to have boundless energy. Her business is growing by leaps and bounds. She’s a business award winner, a published author, and has successfully battled with Canada Post for equitable shipping options in her small community. Mariah’s path has not been an easy one. There have been steps forward and steps back, life has intervene...

In this episode, I talk with Matthew Cugnet. I reached out to Matthew after hearing from our team that he was “doing something amazing”. With no other information, I reached out to hear more about what this amazing thing was. I was not disappointed. Matthew describes how the profound experiences he’s had while long distance Trekking in countries all around the world, has inspired him to want to ma...

In this episode we have an amazing story of an unlikely, and special partnership that formed between Firecircle members. Lori and Dean Runzer are experienced entrepreneurs who run a luxury resort and Carly Kowalski is a new entrepreneur with a passion for dogs. She is launching, a consultancy to help accommodation businesses become more pet friendly. Lori and Carly first met on a Firecircle live g...

In this episode I talk with Crystal Hart Drake who is using her background as a paramedic to create a thermal spa experience, guided by medical knowledge and focused on information sharing with her clients. When Crystal started the Firecircle program, she wasn’t sure that her business idea even counted as a tourism business. She has been working hard with her Firecircle mentor Kim, and as you’ll h...

Gail Chamerblain has the distinction as the first person to complete the Firecircle 5x5 method and business plan and has now launched 'Marchands d’origine', a wholesale manufacturer of Indigenous made crafts. Gail is on a mission to make sure that ‘Indigenous Arts and Crafts’ sold in gift shops in major tourism centres in Quebec, are in fact made by Indigenous artists. Building her business has cr...

In this episode, I talk with Monique Colins who is a true Firecircle Champion. Monique jumped into the Firecircle program with both feet this winter and is just about to launch a really exciting line of both products and experiences using her unique gifts and knowledge. Monique has also teamed up with other Firecircle members in her area to create customer experiences and packages beyond what she...

Jenny and Michel Dupas run Moongate Guest House in Whitemouth Manitoba. Jenny and Michel are truly a team. It is hard to mention one without the other. Together they have created a space and an experience that allows people to "disconnect to connect" as they say; to connect with nature, food, music, friends and family, in other words, what really matters most. As experienced entrepreneurs, Jenny a...

Natasha is a Mohawk woman from Tyendinaga in Southeastern Ontario. She moved back home after living most of her adult life in the United States. Natasha has a deep connection with water, and she has a thirst to learn more about her culture, language and history. I asked Natasha to share a bit about what motivated her, and her sister, to work together to create a unique and accessible Stand Up Padd...