This Commerce Life

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.   

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/  

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/

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/

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/ 

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

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/  

The founder of Two Bears talks about doing things that you love versus doing what everyone expects of you. What happens when you do? Coffee - cold cofee, hot coffee, oat milk, oh my! FRESH ROASTED COFFEE. ON REPEAT.  Check David out here:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/twobearscoffee/Shop Two Bears: https://www.twobears.ca/ps - I love their coffee spot. If you're around, message me, I'll meet you there. (this is Phil)  195 Norseman St Unit 16, Toronto

Inspired by her time in France, she looked for, couldn't find yogurt that tasted the way it should. So she did what came natural. She started on her kitchen floor, recipe testing, cracking open her own coconuts. Fast forward today, she's just won the 2022 BCFB Award for Woman Entrepreneur of the Year . Jade Herrmann talks about the path to making great, non-dairy, thick, creamy and delicious alt yogurt. Find Jade here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jade-herrmann-51540b63/Shop Yoggu! here: https://yoggu.ca/collections/all  

Rattan Bagga is a Forty under 40 Winner in 2021, and is the CEO of Jiva Organics. We talk to Rattan about the heritage and legacy of being part a family business and how he and his family approach work and family life together.  You can connect with Rattan here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rattanbagga/Check out Jiva Organics here: https://www.jivaorganics.ca/Rattan also built a notforprofit called Yell Canada, Canada’s first high school Entrepreneurship course eligible for university credit, providing youth with practical tools and experiences they need to succeed in the real world. Check it out here: https://yellcanada.org/