“Like a house, your brand is one of the biggest assets you own. If you don’t have a strong foundation to start with, you might have to knock it all down.” Christine Lieu is the expert behind CL Designs and the Brand Party Podcast, a show to energize entrepreneurs to invest in their brands.  She is a graphic designer who’s traded climbing the corporate ladder for climbing mountains around the world. Christine helps purpose-driven businesses create a cohesive branding, web design, and social content to drive their impact and sales. As featured in Top 10 Canada Design, the Brand Party Podcast delivers fun, honest, to-the-point advice that you can implement RIGHT AWAY in your entrepreneurial journey.The post Branding as a Super Power with Christine Lieu first appeared on Startup Canada.

“The digital divide has created a wider gap between leadership and management. It has created a lot of problems for people with disabilities.” David Best is persistent in seeking out best practises for more accessible businesses. At the age of five, David developed glaucoma and by age twenty, lost all of his vision.  David believes people with disabilities can achieve a satisfying and quality life. David was the first blind individual to graduate with a Bachelor of Science in computer science at Western University in 1978 and while there, established the first Canadian Braille facility and digital information research centre for people experiencing vision loss. David also enjoys hiking and canoeing in Nothern Ontario and the Canada’s wild Rockies. David began his career working with Air Canada as a systems application designer and spent years at IBM immersed in software development, technical support, product design, project management and was actively involved in supporting the IBM Accessibility Team. David formed BEST Consulting in 1985 to meet the growing demand for accessibility employment issues and creates education and accommodation strategies for business and non-profit organizations.The post Accessibility as a Competitive Advantage with David Bestwith David Best first appeared on Startup Canada.

“When change happens, we become resilient. I believe pursuing a side hustle allows us to learn this and thrive.” Jeff has enjoyed a winding pathway through the gig and creator economies. A former English teacher, Jeff dove into entrepreneurship in 2012 and hasn’t looked back. Early in his journey he started an education technology company, led innovation training at various Canadian Innovation Centres, and did freelance curriculum development for a range of post-secondary institutions.  Today, Jeff has a portfolio of work that includes being a freelance innovation coach and consultant for big brands, co-owning Lane Two Learning Inc, where he builds & launches courses for large organizations like Canon Canada, and is the co-owner of The Maker’s Collective. With The Maker’s Collective, Jeff has become a thought leader in the Future of Work, Side Hustling, and the Gig Economy, having designed and delivered side hustle 101 – an online course that has helped over 450 people to thrive in the gig and creator economies.The post Let’s Talk Side Hustles with Jeff Mitchell first appeared on Startup Canada.

“We showcase the Yukon’s extraordinary people, culture, and places through our magazines, podcast, and retail store.” Karen McColl is the editor of Yukon, North of Ordinary, and produces two podcasts: Yukon, North of Ordinary, the podcast; and Frisky North of 60. She is also working with a local legend on a book about ski trekking. Reporting has taken Karen to the Arctic, down the Mackenzie River, and into the Yukon backcountry. Karen graduated from the University of King’s College with a bachelor of journalism in 2014 and that year was the recipient of the Gordon Sinclair Roving Reporter Bursary.The post Celebrating Yukon Doers and Dreamers with Karen McColl first appeared on Startup Canada.

“I see confidence increase in the folks of our programs, and identity shifts. We had one woman identify as a refugee and domestic abuse surivivor. Now, she identifies as a business woman.” Christina Wong is the Executive Director and Co-Founder of Employ to Empower, a registered charitable organization that empowers people who face barriers in Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside (DTES). We use entrepreneurship as a vehicle to cultivate community, a sense of belonging, and confidence for people facing work and social barriers. We provide free access to skills training resources like business planning, mentorship, and education opportunities to empower people who face barriers to become the resource themselves and help others, creating a ripple effect of impact.  Christina created the Cardboard Project, which seeks to engage local entrepreneurs in the Downtown Eastside with the other members of the public to raise awareness and showcase artists’ voices. Recently, she was nominated for the 2020 YWCA Women of Distinction in the Non-Profit category, a recipient of the 2021 Globe and Mail’s top 50 Business Changemakers in Canada, and selected as a recipient for the VISA Canada She’s Next Grant recipientThe post Breaking Barriers with Christina Wong first appeared on Startup Canada.

“Networking is not just about business. Ask them ‘how can I help you’ and write this on their business card, so you remember.” Known by his signature fedora, Jarrod Goldsmith is a Canadian community builder, avid networker, past archaeologist, YouTuber, podcaster, and professional musician who founded Sax Appeal Ottawa. Using an interactive and novel virtual event platform, his other business is eSAX (The Entrepreneur Social Advantage Experience) Virtual Events which hosts exciting virtual experiences for others. He is the embodiment of the small business spirit and has more than 700 videos on the eSAX YouTube channel covering entrepreneurship, networking, and virtual event resources. Jarrod Goldsmith is a true small business success story.The post The Power of Networking with Jarrod Goldsmith first appeared on Startup Canada.

Bronwyn Bridges is the Co-Founder and CEO of Pragmaclin, and is transforming the ways we assess, diagnose and treat people with Parkinson’s Disease. Bronwyn has helped to leverage over one million dollars in non-dilutive government funding and received over two hundred thousand dollars through pitch competition wins. A big thank you to Export Development Canada for powering this episode of the Startup Canada Podcast. Without EDC, we could not support the growth of entrepreneurs like Bronwyn to take their businesses to the next level and find success on the world stage. For more information and resources, visit w w w dot E D C dot ca. The post Transforming Parkinson’s Disease with Bronwyn Bridges first appeared on Startup Canada.

On the show today, we are excited to speak with Matt Mizzi, Co-Founder and CEO of Drinkable, in Dartmouth Nova Scotia. “I really embrace pivots, it means it was a decision we always had to make, we just didn’t know it yet.” Matt Mizzi is an environmental scientist and venture capital enthusiast. His vision is to enable water literacy at the press of a button. Matt is building the world’s first accurate, easy-to-use, and affordable water test device for consumers. Matt has a Bachelor of Science with a focus on biology, chemistry, geology, and environmental assessment and policy. As CEO and Co-Founder at Drinkable, Matt leads a team of researchers strategists, technologists, and engineers.  The post Embracing Innovation with Matt Mizzi first appeared on Startup Canada.

Co-founders, moteliers, and best friends, April and Sarah created The June Motel, now with two locations and guests who can’t get enough.  April has a decade of experience creating successful PR campaigns and a great eye for design which has helped The June gain traction through social media and online spaces. Sarah’s previous experience working in public service has allowed her to keep operations running smoothly.  “We see our work pay off when we observe guests and see them making friends with one another. We get to witness the highlights of their summer.”The post Redefining the Motel Experience with April Brown and Sarah Sklash first appeared on Startup Canada.

Lesley Hamptonn is an Anishinaabe Artist and Fashion Designer. Her pieces and designs focus on mental health awareness, body positivity, and authentic representation in fashion, film, and media. Vogue has called her the “number one Canadian designer to keep your eye on”, and The Globe and Mail describe Lesley as ‘an important Indigenous face in the Canadian fashion landscape.”  “I founded my brand on mental health awareness, body positivity, and authentic representation. I use this to align myself with opportunities that come my way.”The post Representation on the Runway with Lesley Hampton first appeared on Startup Canada.