Unapologetically Canadian

This week, I interview food entrepreneur Jo Notkin about her life as the owner of Zoe Ford catering, her experience on Top Chef Canada and her appreciation for Montreal. Also, today is the last day for Canadian entrepreneurs to apply to Startup Canada's export challenge. 

I recently had the privilege of interviewing Lori Straus about how she's created a profitable business through both fiction and nonfiction writing. She's the author of the Between Worlds series, a historical modern mashup for 12-year-old girls and their moms. She's also a translator and copywriter for international brands in Germany and Canada. For the shownotes, refer to https://traceyarial.com/b...

Thanks to Dorothy Nixon for a great far-reaching conversation about Canadian history, the suffragettes, a freelance writers’ life and growing up in Montreal during the Expo ‘67 era. Refer to the show notes at  https://traceyarial.com/blog/dorothy-nixon for links to the books, articles and songs mentioned in the interview.

This is a diary episode of what I am experiencing during the COVID-19 pandemic. I don't mention worry, but it's there, as is uncertainty. When I recorded this, I hadn't checked recent stats but we actually now have 1,629 cases of COVID-19 in Quebec, with most of those in Montreal where I live. I'm trying to adopt a positive mindset, get enough sleep, eat well and build good habits. How are you cop...

Great to be able to interview Kornel Szrejber, the host of the popular Build Wealth Canada Podcast and the latest coordinator of the Canadian Financial Summit. We spoke about his podcast, his investment course, his new life as a creative entrepreneur, his mission to improve the financial literacy of Canadians, the financial independence movement, his history as a Polish immigrant raised in Canada...

Recently, I spoke to Jannette Anderson, the founder of Bodacity.ca. We spoke about her nomad lifestyle, her calling to create a movement of women leaders and her reasons for calling herself Canadian. For the show notes, refer to:  https://traceyarial.com/blog/jannette-anderson

This month has been full of entrepreneurial excitement and pitfalls. Here's a quick overview of the latest experiences in the world of a solo creative. For the show notes of this episode, refer to  https://traceyarial.com/blog/entrepreneurial-experiences-february-2020/.

Last summer, I got to speak with two of my heroes, Miriam Goldberger and Paul Jenkins, the owners of Wildflower Farm because the couple were passing through Montreal and stopped to visit Grand Potager. They spoke to me about their innovative product Eco-Lawn, their passion for wildflowers and the challenges of running a business with your life partner. For a transcript of our discussion, check the...

Recently, I had the good fortune to interview Lucy Anglin, one of the writers with Genealogy Ensemble and a talented fabric sculptor. We spoke about life as an artist, combining two crafts, selling your work and life as a sixth or seventh generation Canadian. To read the show notes, refer to  https://traceyarial.com/blog/lucy-anglin.

Just before the holidays, I got the chance to interview Evelyn Huynh, wellness lifestyle and business coach who moved her business from Ottawa to Los Angeles last year. In addition to describing her entrepreneurial journey so far, and commiserating on the importance of empowering women, Evelyn briefly outlined her EVOLVE coaching method, which inspired me as I finalize the year's strategic plan. E...

My resolutions for 2020 include: business clarity, the creation of intellectual assets, financial independence, generosity and resiliency. For a list of the measured actions, inspiring podcasts and blog posts, and measured actions or to comment on the ideas, view the show notes at  https://traceyarial.com/blog/resolutions-2020.

I reviewed 2019 and the entire decade it ended based on 10 themes: financial (self-investment, business investment, revenue) health (Celiac disease, diet, exercise, spirituality, capacities) writing (craft, process, learning) business (partnership, professionalism, coaches) relationship (love, growth, challenges) friends (appreciation of one another, time spent) family (adventure, change, growth)...

Douglas Jack, a community organizer and designer has created an edible landscape around his home. He also serves as the president of a local non-profit organization called the Sustainable Development Association. I visited Doug last spring. During our interview, Doug and I spoke about his community design ideas and his plans for a digital community directory. We also toured his property to discove...

Experienced branding expert, speaker and author Tsufit shares tons of stories. We began with a hilarious little anecdote about an interview beginning on the wrong foot and continued through discussions about how she's helped entrepreneurs from all walks of life tighten their message and improve business. Get hints about how you can present your work with confidence and humour. Check out the show n...

Cooper Pete Bradford talks about his passion for crafting barrel-aged vinegar in the Prince Edward County, one of three wine regions in Ontario. Canadian Vinegar Cellars operates within the Black Prince Winery in Picton. For more information and a transcript of our conversation, check out the show notes at https://traceyarial.com/blog/pete-bradford/.

Thanks to Verdun organization Toujours Ensemble, local farmers’ market visitors got to experience smoothies created using a blender attached to a bicycle in 2018 and 2019. The first year, 13 youth participated in the project, including Tasha, who spoke to me for Unapologetically Canadian. For a video of the bike and some quotes from our conversation, refer to: https://wp.me/p2buQs-598

Unapologetically Canadian Episode 23 features an interview with Lachine Mayor Maja Vodanovic. We speak about three key questions: • If you include public participation at the beginning of a development project instead of at the end, will you be able to create a common vision for a space that everyone will buy into? • How has Vodanovic’s former activism played into her current life as a political l...

Two years ago, I had the opportunity to interview Roch Carrier, a wonderful author who wrote a series of diverse works from La Guerre, Yes Sir to The Hockey Sweater to his latest novel “Demain, j’écrire un roman. Most of our conversation focussed on The Hockey Sweater, which became a musical last winter in the latest of a multitude of diverse creations. Roch turns 82 next month, on May 13. Happy b...

How difficult is it to run a seasonal business, raise a family and own property together? Tereska Gesing and Shawn Manning, co-owners of Urban Seedling with cousin Trevor Manning do it, and they're still having fun. To read the show notes, refer to https://traceyarial.com/blog/tereska-shawn .

Join me for a conversation with Doreen Pengracs, Canada’s chocolate tour expert. We speak about chocolate, travel and building an author's platform. Get the transcript of our conversation, complete with links, at https://traceyarial.com/blog/doreen-pendgracs/.

I had fun interviewing professional genealogist Johanne Gervais for this week’s podcast. Johanne founded the Québec Genealogical eSociety, and has been researching family history since 2008. For a transcript of our conversation, visit https://traceyarial.com/blog/johanne-gervais/.

This week, I spoke to LaSalle-based community activist Joseph Pugliese. We talked about VIP lists, school loan forgiveness and contaminated soil in LaSalle. For the show notes, visit Joseph Pugliese on my blog, at https://traceyarial.com/blog/joseph-pugliese.

If there’s anyone who knows how to use the study of science for the benefit of humans, it’s Lorne Trottier. Trottier's childhood passion for electro-magnetic technology has him creating a multi-national company, a building on the McGill campus, two research chairs, two institutes, an observatory, and a family foundation known for its philanthropy to science and health. I hope you're as inspired by...

Just before Christmas, I met with Elizabeth Johnston at a restaurant to discuss creativity. This was a great topic because Johnston has the Own Your Creativity site, where she leads a “memoir in a month” challenge every November. She also works as a self-actualization consultant and story coach. Access her skills for success programs to help business leaders at http://www.elizabeth-johnston.com/....

Rishad Quazi helps large companies use technology to build relationships among team members and with their clients. Now, he’s taking his expertise to the non-profit sector. Read all about it at https://traceyarial.com/blog/rishad-quazi.