Startup Canada Podcast

There’s no formula for entrepreneurship, but if you talk to Colin Christensen you might find a map!  Colin is a “been there done that” entrepreneur & mentor. Awesome wins, excruciating failures, lessons everywhere. He’s a curator of all good things business and built a free (for now) tool-suite for entrepreneurs and mentors to start and grow business (EntrepreneurRoadmap.ca). Utilizing these tools Colin has occasionally consulted larger businesses, launched a micro-lending app pilot project in Honduras that grew internationally and ran an Accelerator in the Hemp and Cannabis space. He is currently working to take the Entrepreneur Roadmap international as a tool for entrepreneurs everywhere. Most of what he does surrounds The Entrepreneur Roadmap, and he has just finished a choose-your-own-adventure book on it, which is in editing now. Also keeping up with his entrepreneur side, he also has another team with patents for reinventing drywall to be lighter, fireproof and mould-proof. “I believe everybody is an entrepreneur at heart, everyone has a great idea but not everyone knows how to build a business around it.” In this week’s episode of the #StartupCanadaPodcast, sponsored by Mastercard and Ceridian, Colin discusses the importance of knowing you’ve got guidelines on your entrepreneurship journey, even when you’re going off-road. The post Mapping Your Entrepreneurial Adventure with Colin Christensen – May 26th 2020 first appeared on Startup Canada.

It’s important to know about the potential risks that come with managing a business – just ask Julian Valeri, Manager of Risk Solutions at Sovereign Insurance, Alberta on our show today. Julian is an insurance professional with experience in underwriting, claims, loss control and risk management. For over 30 years, he has worked his way through various positions within the insurance industry.  Julian’s job involves working with businesses to identify possible risks that could negatively impact the company’s operations and cash flow while recommending plans and strategies to minimize those risks.  When he’s not working to protect businesses across Canada, Julian is the past president of the Ontario Risk and Insurance Management Society as well as the Lead Instructor for the Certificate in Risk Management Program at the University of Toronto School of Continuing Studies. He is also currently a Board Member for the Society of Fire Protection Engineers (SFPE), Southern Ontario Chapter.  “Entrepreneurs face risks that other business segments don’t necessarily have to consider. ” In this week’s episode of the #StartupCanadaPodcast, sponsored by Mastercard and Ceridian, Julian discusses how to manage and protect your business from risk. The post Solutions for Risk with Julian Valeri – May 19th 2020 first appeared on Startup Canada.

Sometimes the talk you talk is as important as the walk you walk – just ask Priya Chopra, founder and CEO of 1Milk2Sugars (1M2S). 1M2S is a thriving public relations agency specializing in influencer marketing, social media and media relations. Under Priya’s leadership, 1M2S has grown to include offices in Montreal, Toronto and New York, offering bespoke communications services to prominent and international lifestyle brands including NIVEA, Pfizer, Marriott Hotels, L’Oreal and more. Priya has been recognized by the Forbes Agency Council, Bloomberg Canada, Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year Awards, and the Chamber of Commerce to name a few recent distinctions. Most recently, Priya was awarded the PR in Canada Women in Communications award in the “Founders” category. In addition to being an accomplished business leader and highly sought-after communications professional, Priya is trilingual and is a proud mother of three.   “We really believe in PR as a source of authenticity and credibility. That’s our driving force.” In this week’s episode of the #StartupCanadaPodcast, sponsored by Mastercard and Ceridian, Priya discusses the importance of public relations in the world of entrepreneurship. The post Producing at Your Pace with Priya Chopra – May 12th 2020 first appeared on Startup Canada.

In an age where everyone has a soap-box to stand on, it’s more important than ever to carve out your corner in the digital marketplace – just ask Kevin Chan, Global Director and Head of Public Policy at Facebook Canada. Kevin Chan is the Global Director and Head of Public Policy at Facebook Canada. In his role at Facebook, he has travelled across the country meeting tens of thousands of small businesses, working with his team to help entrepreneurs grow their businesses and find new markets both in Canada and abroad using both Facebook and Instagram. “Digital presence is essential, digital presence is easy, and digital presence has zero to minimal cost.” In this week’s episode of the #StartupCanadaPodcast, sponsored by Mastercard and Ceridian, Kevin discusses the importance of treating opening digital channels like you’re opening store doors, especially when local business isn’t so local. The post Reaching Your Digital Audience with Kevin Chan – May 5th 2020 first appeared on Startup Canada.

Like so many other things, entrepreneurship is easiest with support. Nevin Buconjic will tell you the same thing! Nevin is an award-winning serial entrepreneur, author and startup ecosystem builder. Nevin has started eight companies over his career, and counseled hundreds of entrepreneurs and small businesses. He is the author of two books, including Starting Your Own Business: An Entrepreneur’s Guide, available on Amazon. He’s also currently Manager of Trade & Investment with the City of Sault Ste. Marie, working to attract business and investment to SSM, and part of the team that attracted a $1 billion manufacturing facility investment to the community in 2019. In 2013 Nevin founded StartUP Sault Ste. Marie – and has been building a supportive community for entrepreneurs in Sault Ste. Marie ever since, hosting over 70 events and meetups. He enjoys working with entrepreneurs, startups and growth companies, and thrives on building ecosystems, supporting entrepreneurs and building community.  “If entrepreneurs come together to make a community of support they can make a big impact.” In this week’s episode of the #StartupCanadaPodcast, sponsored by Mastercard and Ceridian, Nevin discusses the importance of community in entrepreneurship. The post Entrepreneurship: The Art of Balance with Nevin Buconjic – April 28th 2020 first appeared on Startup Canada.

It’s never been more important to tell your story, – just ask Vinod Rajasekaran, Publisher and CEO of Future of Good. Vinod is Publisher & CEO of Future of Good, a new digital content platform with a mission to make the world of social impact smarter through digital content. Future of Good covers stories, innovations, and trends shaping social impact in Canada. Future of Good also produces the Future of Good Summit, the premier gathering of impact-focused leaders who want to navigate the trends, tensions, and transformations shaping how we do good. Vinod was Co-founder and Executive Director of Impact Hub Ottawa, the largest multi-sector social innovation environment in Canada’s capital. He recently oversaw strategy and business model development as the founding Managing Director of Rideau Hall Foundation, chaired by former Governor General David Johnston. Vinod also launched Canada’s social R&D network as a Fellow with SiG working to seed ecosystem conditions to strengthen embedded R&D capacity in Canada’s non-profits. As a result of his work, Canada’s new Social Finance Fund includes capital for social R&D. His ground-breaking work in social R&D is referenced around the world. Vinod is on the Advisory Board to the Equality Fund. He was designated as a Global Shaper by the World Economic Forum, is a member of the Banff Forum community, and is a recipient of The Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal for his contribution to Canada.  “We’re at a pivotal moment in time right now, where this decade will demonstrate to future generations how much we care about the future of humanity and the planet.” In this week’s episode of the #StartupCanadaPodcast, sponsored by Mastercard and Ceridian, Vinod discusses the importance of social entrepreneurship in shaping tomorrow’s world. The post Building Tomorrow, Today with Vinod Rajasekaran – April 21st 2020 first appeared on Startup Canada.

It’s never been more important to help every Canadian through times like these – just ask Darrell Schuurman, CEO of the Canadian Gay and Lesbian Chamber of Commerce. Darrell is an advocate for affecting social change through the economic empowerment of LGBT+ entrepreneurs. Growing up in small town Alberta in an entrepreneurial family, Darrell had a passion for business, and knew the struggles small businesses face.  But as someone who felt that he had to hide his true-self, he knew even more the struggles facing LGBT+ people. He soon realized that he could combine his passion for business and his commitment to supporting LGBT+ inclusion, while leveraging his entrepreneurial background.  In 2003, he co-founded he CGLCC, Canada’s LGBT+ Chamber of Commerce, a national not-for-profit organization with a mission to expand the opportunities and advancement of the LGBT+ business community in Canada. Now with a team of 10, Darrell and the CGLCC is proving that LGBT inclusion is good for business and good for Canada. “For Canada to grow and for our communities to grow, we need to realize and understand the importance of an inclusive economy.” In this week’s episode of the #StartupCanadaPodcast, sponsored by Mastercard and Ceridian, Darrell discusses the importance of inclusivity of entrepreneurs and diversity of thought in Canadian business. The post Empowering by Including with Darrell Schuurman – April 14th 2020 first appeared on Startup Canada.

Stay off the beaten path, blaze your own trail, whatever the saying is Solon Angel, Founder of Mindbridge AI, says it works! Solon Angel founded MindBridge Ai in 2015, with a seer’s insights into how important artificial intelligence would become for accounting – specifically audits – in just a few years. A true advocate for Ai in the profession, Solon’s company MindBridge AI has played an important part in what is now the inevitable change in audit technology globally. “Unconventional success sometimes requires unconventional thinking – that’s something that people seldom appreciate, which is behind every success.” In this week’s episode of the #StartupCanadaPodcast, sponsored by Mastercard and Ceridian, Solon discusses the business of AI in Canada, and how to stay on the hunt. The post Unconventional Thinking for Success with Solon Angel – April 7th 2020 first appeared on Startup Canada.

Ever wondered if your business could solve more than just your customers’ problems? Then Tonya Surman, CEO of the Centre for Social Innovation wants to talk! Tonya is one of Canada’s leading social entrepreneurs. Her clients: people and planet. Her superpowers: visionary ideas that inspire, models that harness collaboration, and spaces that accelerate systemic change. Highlights from her 20-year career include co-founding and leading the Centre for Social Innovation, a pioneer in the coworking and social enterprise movements that has catalyzed more than 100 world-changing initiatives; developing the Constellation Model, a multi-stakeholder partnership framework that was used to ban toxic chemicals in baby bottles and organize 40,000+ Ontario nonprofits into a network with policymaking clout; creating the Community Bond, a groundbreaking social finance tool that raised $6.3 million to purchase $25 million in real estate to house 70+ social entrepreneurs; and launching Catapult, a micro-loan fund that galvanizes government, corporate and nonprofit partners. “I hope entrepreneurs reflect on what entrepreneurship is, as it’s ultimately a tactic to get some outcome out of the world, a tool to make the change we want to see in the world.”  In this week’s episode of the #StartupCanadaPodcast, sponsored by Mastercard and Ceridian, Tonya discusses how your business can make the change your community needs – whether that community is local, national, or global. The post Business: A Tool for Good with Tonya Surman – March 31st 2020 first appeared on Startup Canada.

Want to build a business that’s about more than a bottom line? Wayne Miranda, Social Finance Investment Readiness Lead at the McConnell Foundation wants to help you do it! Wayne’s passion is to grow ventures that generate a social and environmental impact. Presently, he’s leading the social finance investment readiness work at McConnell Foundation. This is a new program launched to help nonprofits, charities, co-operatives, and social enterprise for-profits access social finance to enhance their impact.  Prior to joining McConnell Foundation, he was the Director of Growth at the Centre for Social Innovation, Managing Director of TechSoup Canada, and Founder & CEO of Growth Mosaic in Ghana. Wayne has helped put to work over US$21 million to build hundreds of social ventures.  “Business as usual just isn’t good enough anymore – in this next century we need to recognize profit isn’t the end, it’s just a signal you’re onto something good.” In this week’s episode of the #StartupCanadaPodcast, sponsored by Mastercard and Ceridian, Wayne discusses the future of social entrepreneurship, and how to build a better world with business. The post Funding the Future of Social Entrepreneurship with Wayne Miranda – March 24th 2020 first appeared on Startup Canada.