Yes, We Are Open! 🍁

In the season 9 finale of ‘Yes, We Are Open’ Al visits Bilqees Grant , Co-Founder and CEO of Helius Originals . She tells her story of starting her unique business, which specializes in sustainable smoke barware, including equipment to smoke food and drinks using wood sourced from Ontario. Bilqees shares the challenges of manufacturing, marketing, and scaling her business amidst the pandemic and t...

This week, Al is in Oakville, Ontario visiting Erin Nocent , owner of The Sweetest Thing bakery. Erin transitioned from baking cakes and cupcakes from home in 2009 to opening her own brick and mortar business in 2018. She talks about overcoming her struggles with work-life balance and rising ingredient prices on her way to building a family legacy with her bakery. How did she do it? Listen now, to...

This week, Al is back in Toronto visiting Ryan Altschuler , co-owner of Lynx Music . Ryan shares his story of building and running an innovative music and recording studio in Toronto and the significant challenges he faced. How did Ryan do it? Listen now to find out. You can learn more about Lynx Music at LynxMusic.ca .   Subscribe now! If you're the owner of a small business in Canada and you'd l...

In this episode, Al goes deep underground to visit the Diefenbunker: Canada’s Cold War Museum . He speaks with Monique Goffinet , Executive Director , and Jordan Vetter , Marketing and Communications Manager about the history of the bunker, its role during the Cold War, and its transition from a military site to a museum. Listen to this historic and fascinating story! You can learn more about Dief...

This week, Al visits   John Thompson , owner of The Record Centre in Ottawa, Ontario. John traded the grueling heat of a paper mill for the warm crackle of vinyl. In 2011, John bought The Record Centre from a friend—starting with just six bins of records in the back of a video store. He has turned it into a thriving destination that's part record store, part vintage audio showroom, part concert ve...

Al visits Adam Tomczyk , Co-Founder and CEO of Mad Radish to talk about the origins and growth of the company since its inception in 2017.   Adam shares his personal journey of relocating from New York to Ottawa and reflects on the challenges and triumphs along the way, overcoming obstacles such as inflation and supply chain issues. Mad Radish remains committed to providing healthy, flavorful, and...

In this episode, Al visits Chika Oguh , founder of My Afromania Inc. , a fashion business in Ottawa that brings the vibrancy of African prints to Western styles. Chika  recounts how her love for fashion inspired her to create a marketplace supporting artisans from both Africa and Canada. She candidly discusses the financial and emotional challenges of entrepreneurship, the importance of community,...

In the season 9 premiere of Yes, We Are Open, Al visits Paulo Chira , Owner of Champlain Table Tennis Club in Ottawa, Ontario. Originally founded in 1989, the club developed numerous national and international players but closed in 2015 due to a lack of support.   Paulo, who started playing table tennis at six in Peru and moved to Canada for better training opportunities, decided to revive the clu...

Season 9 of the award-winning 'Yes, We Are Open' podcast starts October 6th, 2025! In this season, Al visits Ottawa, Ontario . Here is a little teaser for the upcoming season. Subscribe now wherever you get your podcasts or visit YesWeAreOpenPodcast.com!   Subscribe now! If you're the owner of a small business in Canada and you'd like us to help tell your story, email us at podcast@moneris.com . Y...

In the season 8 finale of ‘Yes, We Are Open’, Al is back in Ontario, visiting Brenda and Rick Coletta , owners of The Fry’s The Limit and The Parlour . After retiring from her corporate career, Brenda gave entrepreneurship a try. She bought a food truck, called it The Fry’s The Limit , and sold poutine. Then Rick joined her and they bought a second truck. After a few years of toiling on the festiv...

Al visits Jim Baiton , the founder and owner of Tumblers Pizza in Regina, Saskatchewan. Jim shares his journey from making pizza boxes at 14 to building a pizza empire that sells Regina-style pizza in over 140 locations across Saskatchewan. Hear the story behind the unique name, the secret formula for their incredible sauce, and the challenges faced along the way. You can learn more about Tumblers...

In this episode of YWAO, Al sits down with Grant Frew , Bar and Marketing Manager at Bushwakker Brewpub in Regina, Saskatchewan.  Grant recounts Bushwakker’s unique German beer-inspired roots, and how it evolved to become a staple in Regina's brewing culture.   Listen to stories and insights spanning over three decades at the brewery, detailing their origins, struggles, and triumphs to remain a be...

This week, Al visits Gloria Walsh , Manager of Creative Kids , a charitable organization dedicated to removing financial barriers for Saskatchewan children aged 4 to 19 to participate in arts and culture.   From its inception in 2007 to its growth and community impact, discover how Creative Kids has enriched lives and fostered cultural appreciation among the youth. Learn about their struggles, suc...

In this episode of YWAO, Al visits Tracy Bosche , the owner of Zippity Zoom Toys in Regina, Saskatchewan. Tracy shares the inspiring story of how she started the toy store in 2009, juggling a newborn and a new business. She talks about the evolution of the store, her background in retail, and her passion for toys. Tracy also discusses the challenges her business faced during the COVID-19 pandemic,...

In this episode, Al sits down with Amanda Rae , the owner of Base Studio , a thriving hair salon in Regina.   Amanda shares her journey from a stylist to a business owner, the challenges she faced, and the resilience it took to overcome them, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic.   You can learn more about Base Studio at basestudio.ca .   Subscribe now! If you're the owner of a small business i...

This week Al sits down with Ashley Donald , the owner of BasketCases , a prominent gift basket store in Regina. Ashley shares her inspiring journey of buying and running the business, discussing her origins, struggles, and future outlook. Discover how she transformed from a dedicated customer to the “Chief Basket Case” herself, navigating the challenges of pandemic, inflation, and marketing, while...

In the season 8 premier of ‘Yes, We Are Open’, Al flies to Regina, Saskatchewan to visit Kevin Toth, President of Prairie Flying Service. They delve into the storied history and rich legacy of the company which began in 1946, founded by four World War II pilots. The aviation industry has had many highs and lows during that time. Significant events like 9/11, the pandemic, and rising costs for part...

Season 8 of the award-winning 'Yes, We Are Open' podcast starts April 7th, 2025! In this season, Al visits Regina, Saskatchewan. Here is a little teaser for the upcoming season.   Subscribe now! If you're the owner of a small business in Canada and you'd like us to help tell your story, email us at podcast@moneris.com . Yes, We Are Open is a Moneris p odcast production hosted by Al Grego.

In the season 7 finale of Yes, We Are Open, Al is in Oakville, Ontario visiting Tyler and Jordie Schwartz from Retrofestive , a unique pop culture and Christmas store. Tyler started selling Christmas Story leg lamps back in 2007. When that went well, he added Christmas Vacation moose mugs. Now Retrofestive is Canada’s top shop for old-school fun! Learn how he did it and about his journey along the...

Al’s final stop in Winnipeg is at Jenna Rae Cakes , co-owned by twin-sisters Jenna Hutchinson and Ashley Kosowan . Their dream began 15 years ago in their small apartment, sparked by an episode of Cake Boss , and grew into a legitimate business despite numerous legal and logistical hurdles. Hear about the challenges of balancing school, work, and starting their bakery from the ground up, including...

We hit the bullseye with this episode this week! Al visits Neil Migalski , General Manager at AVO Gameroom . They talk about the rich history and unique charm of this beloved Winnipeg establishment founded in April 1963 by three brothers, and how it has evolved into a community staple known for its pool supplies, dart equipment, poker accessories, and more. Neil shares his passion and vision for k...

We tee off episode 5 as Al visits with Amy Cerasani , from Shooters Family Golf Centre and Restaurant . The Cerasani family transformed a modest driving range into a beloved community hub serving Winnipeg for the past 31 years and counting. Listen now to learn about the family's deep-rooted entrepreneurial spirit, the challenges and triumphs they've faced, and Amy’s own journey growing up within t...

This week Al is back in Ontario for a visit with Dave Guenther , owner of Door World in Tillsonburg. Dave balanced a growing family and an expanding business during an unprecedented global pandemic. Hear how together with his wife Breanne, their resilience and adaptability helped them build a thriving company from the ground up. You can learn more about Door World at doorworld.ca .   Subscribe now...

Things get spicy in episode 3 when Al visits Nikhil Dutt , owner of Spice Circle . His family opened the restaurant in 2019, despite having no prior business experience. Nikhil opens up about his early emotional struggles of receiving customer criticism and the determination that drove him to keep improving their service and food quality. Today Spice Circle boast the best Indian food in Winnipeg....

Al visits Katrina Tessier , Owner of Scout Coffee: + Community . Katrina shares her journey of opening the unique Winnipeg café, providing a welcoming space for parents to relax while their children play.   Tune in for the story of how a mother turned her idea into a reality. Learn how Katrina navigated financial hurdles, the pandemic, and a change in location to create a unique space for families...