Startup Canada Podcast

“Lawyers are good, but law firms break them. That is why we built something better with Goodlawyer. We want to create an environment where entrepreneurs and founders want to talk to their lawyers.” Brett Colvin is Goodlawyer’s Co-founder and CEO. Brett has overseen Goodlawyer’s growth from inception to a 25+ person team that was named Small Business of the Year by the Calgary Chamber. Brett was a corporate lawyer for 4+ years, where he experienced firsthand that most business owners can’t afford the legal help they need.The post The Future of Legal Counsel with Brett Colvin first appeared on Startup Canada.

9-year-old entrepreneur Lily Harper shares her journey of creating sustainable, amazing scented products. They discuss her daily routine, dealing with ADHD, and the involvement of her family in the business. They also explore the importance of social media marketing and entrepreneurship education. Lily shares her aspirations for her business and offers advice to Canadian entrepreneurs.

Giancarlo Sessa is the Co-Founder and Chief Strategy Officer of Blade Air. Aedan is Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Blade Air. Together, they founded this indoor air quality technology manufacturer, where smashing the status quo has always been the company’s focus. Blade Air offers a suite of products including both portable and whole building solutions, featuring HEPA Air Purifiers, Electromagnetic Filters, UVC Air Supplemental Sanitization, and Carbon Filters, and this team delivers air quality solutions unique to each of their clients. “Having a portfolio of technology differentiates us. It allows us to be very customer-focused.”The post Breathing Collaboration with Giancarlo Sessa and Aedan Fida first appeared on Startup Canada.

“The vicarious experience of working with an entrepreneur teaches you what it truly takes to build something from the ground up.” Scott is the Founder and CEO of Venture for Canada, a national charity that is driven to foster entrepreneurial skills and mindsets of young Canadians. Venture for Canada accelerates careers through training and community. Their programs help young minds kick start their careers and allow Canada’s budding companies to work with eager talent. Scott, I am so excited to learn more about Venture for Canada and talk about something we both live and breathe everyday, entrepreneurship. The post Vicarious Entrepreneurship and Impact with Scott Stirrett first appeared on Startup Canada.

Bradley Daye is the Co-Founder and Co-CEO of Placemaking 4G, based in Halifax, Nova Scotia.Bradley is on a mission to co-create a more socially conscious recruiting industry and wants more people to embrace the vulnerabilities that come with being human at work. Bradley leads with empathy and wants to inspire workplaces to embrace cultural differences and unique lived experiences. “For my whole life I have code-switched, changing things about myself, in order to fit in. That isn’t belonging.”The post Making Interviews Equitable with Bradley Daye first appeared on Startup Canada.

“The number of women getting into cycling is increasing. Women are racing and competing and there is so much mentorship, inclusivity and encouragement happening there.” Janet Hiebert is the Founder and CEO at Samsara Cycle. Frustrated with the lack of flattering clothing options for women, she created cycling clothing and kits that she wanted to wear. Soon, others were asking where she got them and Samsara was born.The post Ride In Style with Janet Hiebert first appeared on Startup Canada.

“We do work in 5 minutes that would take a team of analysts 90 days.” Kevin Collins is the Founder and CEO of Charli AI, a leading Intelligent Content Services Platform provider that is driving the transformation of human decision-making. Its suite of products helps businesses accelerate growth, dramatically reduce costs, streamline operations, and enable employees to focus on high-value activities that have real and recognizable impacts on the business.  Kevin has more than 30 years of experience and extensive knowledge in artificial intelligence and machine learning, both as an entrepreneur and a corporate executive. At Charli AI, he oversees a team of expert scientists that are pushing the boundaries of innovation in the AI-driven intelligent content management space. The post What if AI is truly helpful? with Kevin Collins first appeared on Startup Canada.

“We raise girls who are skillful, fierce, resilient and hopeful to be a part of the future.” What started with a game of chess has ignited a movement and a revolution that young girls today need more than ever. Ingrid Gayle is empowering girls to level up and grow resilient enough to smash through the patriarchally-imposed glass ceilings that have long kept them out of STEM fields. STEM The Gap Academy is on a mission to eliminate the gender gap in STEM, by teaching girls chess, math, science, and digital skills.The post Empowering Girls in STEM with Ingrid Gayle first appeared on Startup Canada.

“My response to hate is that you are not on the right side of history. What I teach is that everyone deserves to be loved, and everyone deserves equal rights.” In this episode we speak to Ian Burns, based in Kingston Ontario. Ian is one of Kingston’s premiere drag entertainers, known as Rowena Whey. Since 2016 he has brought his energetic, funny, soulful, and always entertaining performances across Canada. With talents ranging from live singing, dancing, fashion, hosting, makeup, and lip-syncing, he does it all. Ian’s accolades include being the first drag queen ever pictured on a piece of alcohol sold in the LCBO, with his beer partnership Queen of Wheat with Spearhead Brewing, and being voted “Best Theatre in Kingston” in 2021 and 2022. Ian is also responsible for multiple large-scale drag productions and events in Kingston, Ontario. His shows have entertained thousands, and enlisted stars from such television shows as Rupaul’s Drag Race, Canada’s Drag Race, and Call Me Mother, plus many local and visiting drag performers. Ian is actively involved in the Kingston community and with 2SLGBTQIA+ organizations across Canada. He has organized multiple Drag Queen storytime events in Southeastern Ontario, to teach children and families about acceptance and equality. Ian has also spearheaded events for various charities/non-profits including Kingston Pride, Dawn House, Rainbow Railroad, the ISCWR, Trellis HIV & Community Care, and the CCGSD. This episode is part of the 2023 Startup Canada Podcast Pride Takeover. Today and everyday, we can all do our part to make Canada a better, more inclusive place to start and grow a business.The post Revitalizing Queer Pride: Uplifting Community through Drag with Ian Burns (Rowena Whey) first appeared on Startup Canada.

“As marginalized folks, as those who walk at the intersection of multiple identities, we often feel like imposters in the room. My advice is to know that you already are an expert if you are living those identities – trust yourself and your brilliance.” In this episode we sat down with Fae Johnstone, a leading voice on 2SLGBTQIA+ issues in Canada. She is the Executive Director and Co-Owner of Wisdom2Action Consulting Ltd., a social enterprise and consulting firm that provides a range of services and supports to non-profit organisations, health and social services and government agencies. Fae is a sought-after public speaker, facilitator and media commentator on 2SLGBTQIA+ issues, mental health and gender justice. Her words regularly appear in the Ottawa Citizen, Toronto Star and other major media publications. As an advocate for 2SLGBTQIA+ rights, Fae played a role in the fight to protect transgender rights and ban conversion practices in Canada. Fae was the 2019 recipient of LGBT Youth Line’s Trans Activism award, and currently serves on the Boards of Directors for YWCA Canada and Oxfam Canada. This episode is part of the 2023 Startup Canada Podcast Pride Takeover. Today and everyday, we can all do our part to make Canada a better, more inclusive place to start and grow a business. Ready to start right now and help Fae in fighting gender-based violence against 2SLGBTQ+ youth? Take the SAFER Project pledge: https://saferproject.ca/The post Consulting for Change: Strategies & Tools for Inclusion with Fae Johnstone first appeared on Startup Canada.