This Commerce Life
A Canadian Podcast, focused on Canadian brands, determined to talk about Canadian success stories.
We are two retail guys that believe that Canadians are smart, resourceful entrepreneurs that Canada needs to know about.
We find great stories of entrepreneurs for inspiration, teach the principles of retail, share best practices,. We play the role of connector to help entrepreneurs to find great partners.
Latest episodes
Jan 24, 2023 • 54min
He started as a bag boy at Save-On Foods. Kyle Leslie, President of Star Marketing talks about helping amazing brands
He started as a bag boy at Save-On Foods. He faxed his resume in for an advertising assistant, and next thing you know, Kyle Leslie has spent a lifetime in retail. Today, he's the President of Star Marketing Ltd. Check out Star Marketing here: https://starmarketingcanada.com/Find Kyle here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kyle-leslie-45b17b21/
Jan 17, 2023 • 51min
He'd never farmed before. When he had the opportunity to buy Alvin Filsinger's farm, he jumped at it. Filsinger's is named for it's founder Alvin Filsinger - one of the first six organic farms in Canada
One of the first six organic farms in Canada - Filsinger's is named for it's founder Alvin Filsinger. When he decided to sell, Shaun Becker and his cousin decided to buy the place, with no experience in farming or making ciders or vinegars. Check out Filsinger's here: http://www.filsingersorganic.com/Find Shaun here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shaun-becker-56935295/
Jan 10, 2023 • 57min
Gage Mitchell on, he runs Modern Species - he helps impact-driven CPG brands grow through strategic branding, sustainable design, and community.
We talk about the gift of time. This podcast was recorded before Christmas, but the conversation around "time" is definitely relevant. If anyone has solved the mystery - hit us up - we'd love to hear it. But really, we had Gage Mitchell on, he runs Modern Species - he helps impact-driven CPG brands grow through strategic branding, sustainable design, and community. Check out Modern Species here: https://modernspecies.com/Contact Gage here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gagemitchell/
Jan 3, 2023 • 37min
Just the Knuckleheads today. We talk about what we want out of the podcast this year, what to expect from the podcast this year. We also do something we don't do well - we ask for what we want.
Just the Knuckleheads today. We talk about what we want out of the podcast this year, what to expect from the podcast this year. We also do something we don't do well - we ask for what we want.
Dec 27, 2022 • 58min
Making farming cool again. First timers on the podcast, Avi and Binny talk about Good Karma Farming from the Okanagan. One is a pharmacist and the other an engineer, but wind up taking over Avi's parents' farm
First timers on the podcast, Avi and Binny talk about Good Karma Farming from the Okanagan. One is a pharmacist and the other an engineer, but wind up taking over Avi's parents' farm. They talk about learning the business, becoming part of a family business, and how they look to evolve the business. They've recently won BC Food & Beverage Silver Product of the Year Award for their Pear Soda. Check out Farming Karma here: https://www.farmingkarma.ca/good-karma/
Dec 20, 2022 • 1h 3min
She started her retail journey starts at 7 in Shakespeare Ontario.
She might be the missing link on our podcast. Simona Irwin, Managing Director of Uprising Naturals started her retail journey starts at 7 in Shakespeare Ontario. We've had Simona on a #fastthoughts already and we were glad to hear her story finally. To contact Simona: https://www.linkedin.com/in/simonairwin/To contact Uprising Naturals: https://www.uprisingnaturals.com/
Dec 13, 2022 • 59min
Creating an Answer Where None Exists: A Hopeful Story - CEO of Kidstar, Caitlyn Vanderhaeghe
She pretty much grew up in the industry and didn't know that there was anything else in the world.From listening to her mom on early morning radio shows and helping to pack boxes from a young age, she's got retail in her blood. Caitlyn Vanderhaeghe, President and CEO at Kidstar Nutrients dishes on growing up in a retail family, and her own search for a solution, not finding one, and building one. You can find Caitlyn here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/caitlyn-vanderhaeghe-134486101/Shop Kidstar here: https://kidstarnutrients.com/
Dec 6, 2022 • 56min
He always wanted to be an entrepreneur. Scott Currie talks about what the journey looks like after drinking the corporate cool aid.
He always wanted to be an entrepreneur. Scott Currie talks about what the journey looks like after drinking the corporate cool aid. "Growing up" at P&G, then breaking away to build his own business, then finally becoming CEO of Wakewater Beverage Company. You can find Scott here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/scott-currie-2400ba1a/Shop Wakewater here: https://wakewater.ca/
Nov 29, 2022 • 51min
Drew Butterworth talks about doing something worthwhile and doing something better than working for money
Drew Butterworth talks about doing something worthwhile and doing something better than working for money. He left tech space and started making juice with his buddy Lloyd (Arbour). We talk about their hero sku - Sick Day and the unique format, and the challenges of merchandising a single sku. Today, they're in Loblaws, Goodness Me, Nature's Emporium and just about everywhere else. Find Drew here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drew-edward-butterworth-5834a139/Find sick day and goodvibes juice here: https://goodvibesjuice.com/collections/sick-day
Nov 22, 2022 • 49min
Christos Kalaitzis is the Founder of OPUS and he talks about expertly handcrafted cocktails and the rocky road to making and selling alcohol free drinks
Christos Kalaitzis is the Founder of OPUS and he talks about expertly handcrafted cocktails and the rocky road to making and selling alcohol free drinks. Christos is a fountain of knowledge on alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks and the social behaviours that come with drinking Shop Opus here: https://www.drinkopus.com/shop-alcohol-free-drinksTalk to Christos here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/christos-kalaitzis-b7942378/
