Success Leaves Clues with Robin Bailey and Al McDonald

We proudly introduce the first episode of our new Starting with One series: Success Leaves Clues, where we will take you on a journey of discovery as we learn about the inspiring lives of different people, from all walks of life, who share one thing in common – success! Join us as we relate powerful and motivational stories of adversity & triumph and learn how various definitions of success al...

Ryan Weiss, Vice-President Product and Experience at Canada Life joins Robin & Al to discuss the first fully digital employer-sponsored RESP. This new product helps employees advance their long-term savings goals through their workplace benefits with a simplified online enrolment process. Ryan speaks about the importance of creating a great member experience and their commitment to the financi...

Employee health is more important than ever before! Lori Casselman, President & CRO at Wello, joins Robin and Al to discuss how virtual health care services are helping Canadian businesses create and sustain a healthy workforce. They discuss how leading companies are beginning to change how they look at employee healthcare by preparing their organizations to meet the health and wellness needs...

Michael Clark, COO of Marketcircle, joins Robin and Al to discuss his company's award winning business app, Daylite CRM, and how small businesses & teams can easily leverage technology to facilitate increased productivity and connections, whether in the office or remotely. Their conversation includes the importance of having the right tools in place in order to increase sales efficiency, impro...

Robin and Al are joined by Carolyne Eagan, Regional Director, Business Development at Canada's first digital pharmacy, Pocket Pills. Their discussion covers this exciting new, full-service e-health solution – perfect for benefit providers, advisors, employers & Canadians. The company offers an accessible health care platform which instantly connects with pharmacists across the country and allo...

Estate lawyer Suzanna Winsborough, Partner at KMB Law, is back with Al & Robin to walk them through the different types of trusts as she explains why naming the right trustee is critical when it comes to fulfilling the duties exactly as you intended and to ensure that assets and funds are distributed accordingly. Suzanna also answer questions surrounding the importance of designating a Po...

In this episode, Al and Robin are joined by Dr. Sasha High, medical director of the High Metabolic Clinic, to learn a better understanding of the complexities of obesity and why employers need to consider the affects of this chronic medical condition on their workforce while offering non-judgmental support for obese employees. Dr. High discusses the difficulties that obese colleagues face and...

Ian Ash, co-founder of market research agency DIG Insights, is back with Robin and Al to discuss new attitudes and growing optimism as we move slowly through the phases of the Covid crisis. DIG's ongoing research delves deep into consumer behaviours and experiences while providing insights across a variety of categories such as financial hardships, mental health, personal health, retail lands...

Estate lawyer Suzanna Winsborough, Partner at KMB Law, joins Al & Robin to explain why the creation of a will is such an important element in any individual estate plan. Learn how a will can be used to direct your assets in complex situations and why choosing a capable estate trustee is a key factor in managing the scope of your assets.  

When it comes down to it, it's all about the tax! Stephanie Stewart, Advanced Case Consultant at Canada Life, returns to explain how business owners can use life insurance as one of the best, long term investment diversification strategies. Learn how the right insurance solution incorporated into a meaningful financial plan will help build your wealth, tax free.

Ian Ash, co-founder of market research agency DIG Insights, joins Robin and Al in a discussion addressing the changing consumer landscape during the current Covid-19 outbreak. Ian reviews the findings of DIGs ongoing tracking studies which take a deep look into consumer responses to COVID-19 and how this has impacted behaviours and perceptions. Looking for new ways to innovate and adopti...

Robin and Al are joined by Stephanie Stewart, Advanced Case Consultant at Canada Life to discuss the strategic side of life insurance. Stephanie explains the benefits of using life insurance as a tax sheltered asset and an important means of wealth protection, accumulation and transfer.

Many businesses are resorting to temporary layoffs in response to the COVID-19 pandemic and its impact on the economy, causing real anxiety for both employers and employees concerning what will happen next. Employment lawyer Rich Appiah joins Robin and Al to better explain the challenges and misconceptions surrounding temporary layoffs, as legal rights and Common Law rules continue to be test...

In today’s episode, Robin and Al are joined by Ian Ash – a Co-Founder of Dig Insights, one of Canada’s fastest growing companies – in a conversation summarizing business strategies and realistic expectations as we head towards an uncertain future. Ian discusses the reality of managing staff remotely, adapting to change, and overcoming the barriers to recovery. We hope you enjoy it.  Stay...

Louis Isabella joins Robin and Al to discuss the impact of Passive Investment Income rules on small business owners and the investment strategies that can ensure you're staying on-side of the rules while reducing/managing your taxable income.

In this special edition of Starting with One, Lori Cammerota of Open Doorz Strategy joins Robin and Al to discuss the immediate challenges that business owners are now facing due to the global crisis brought on by the Coronavirus outbreak. How do we look past the 'doom and gloom' and begin to stabilize ourselves and then others who depend on us? A new level of leadership will be required to h...

Louis Isabella, CPA, talks with Al & Robin about the little known and often under-utilized Registered Disability Savings Plan (RDSP) and its very unique features & advantages. Learn how it could apply to your situation.

In this episode, industry expert Scott Edgington returns to discuss the benefits of guaranteed income streams with Al & Robin. The discussion includes longevity risks, the challenges of investment inflation, annuities and lifetime income benefits as well as the importance of talking with an advisor so you won't outlive your money!

Join Al & Robin as they discuss Group Retirement Programs with Alex Bertola of Manulife Financial.  Learn the difference between the 3 plan types and how benchmark reports can help enhance employee participation & contributions, while better addressing the different needs of your company and employees. It's no longer One Size Fits All!

In this episode of Starting with One, Rich Appiah, principal at Appiah Law | Employment + Labour Counsel, discusses the unpleasant surprises that can arise when a business decides to let go of an employee. Topics include the importance of using employee agreements to limit liability when dismissing employees, understanding common law notice, when can you terminate a dismissed individual's particip...

What is the difference between a Mutual Fund and a Segregated Fund? Al and Robin speak with industry expert Scott Edgington, Regional Wealth Manager at Qualified Financial Services, about their unique features and discuss why a segregated fund might be particularly beneficial for business owners. (The opinions expressed in this commentary are solely those of Robin Bailey and Al McDonald as at the...

Robin chats with Will Houtart about the new virtual healthcare company MAPLE, that allows you to instantly connect with Canadian doctors for medical care from your phone, tablet or computer - any time, 24/7. Learn how you and your employees can start enjoying on demand healthcare that fits your schedule and lifestyle.

What are management fees as they apply to Mutual funds and what does the average investor gain from paying these fees? Al and Robin answer many of the questions surrounding this hot topic and explain the benefits of ongoing fund management service and advice.

The podcast "Starting With One" is hosted by business partners Robin Bailey and Al McDonald, the founders of Aria Benefits and Life & Legacy Advisory Group. Together they believe that they enhance the lives of many, starting with one. They have been the benefactors of countless stories that started with either one phone call, one conversation, or one meeting. With each episode they will be exp...

How do you create "magic" in your corporate culture, and how do you actually get employees excited and talking about their benefit plans?  Tune in to hear how today's guest did just that, and in a fairly short amount of time to boot!   James Malliaros is the Managing Director for myWorld Canada.  A self proclaimed "citizen of the world", it is quickly evident that James' global...