Building a successful business takes more than just a great product or service. It takes a team of passionate, hardworking individuals who are focused on the customer experience. Bode is leading the charge in Canada to show that buying and selling a home can be simple, stress-free, and affordable. With an average of 20 referrals per customer, it’s clear that they’re doing something right. If you’re looking to shake up an industry, take some lessons from Bode on what it takes to get the right tea...
Aug 25, 2022•44 min•Ep. 270
Why might Calgary’s tech community be leading the way for the industry in Canada? What kind of role can speed to market and customer focus play for entrepreneurs and investors? And what should you think about when raising venture capital funds for your own organization? Richard’s role as Chief Revenue Officer at ZeroKey, who closed Series A funding, has given him the perfect blend of entrepreneurial know-how and financial expertise to answer these questions. No matter what solution your company ...
Aug 23, 2022•50 min•Ep. 269
Since its inception, Chic Geek has evolved to focus on breaking negative cycles that affect women in technology. Their founding motto goes, “If she can see it, she can be it.” Without DEI initiatives and strong leadership that truly advocates for and creates a safe workplace, organizations will struggle to attract, hire and retain talent — not to mention, customers increasingly work with partners that reflect their values and quickly discard those who don’t. Learn the value and importance of DEI...
Aug 18, 2022•47 min•Ep. 268
Billy believes collaboration, rather than competition, is key to developing new energy technologies. He is currently working on a project with three major oil producers who would normally never work together. However, they have seen the benefits of collaboration and are working together to create an innovative product. This product not only has the potential to make Alberta more competitive but could also help lead the way in reducing greenhouse gas emissions. By working together, we can create ...
Aug 16, 2022•53 min•Ep. 267
According to Gursh, we all breathe the same air and dream of a better tomorrow. If future generations are going to thrive on our planet, it’s imperative we explore a holistic approach to energy rather than a two-sided look of “clean” and “traditional.” By making solar an easy option, everyone can benefit from lower energy costs, enhancing the value of their home or office buildings, and contributing to sustainability. Discover how Alberta measures up to other provinces and countries expediting s...
Aug 11, 2022•58 min•Ep. 266
As Canada’s economy and social landscape continue to evolve, it is becoming increasingly important for all individuals - especially women of diverse backgrounds - to possess strong financial acumen. Through The51, Movement51, and Her Story pitch competition, Shelley and Salima are dedicated to providing educational opportunities that will enable women to access more capital and make meaningful contributions to the economy. By including those who may not otherwise have a voice or a stake in the s...
Aug 09, 2022•43 min•Ep. 265
Shelley always loved playing with words, so it was no surprise that she ended up in the media and publication business. For her, finding the perfect turn of phrase is like a treasure hunt, and this passion has served her and Red Point Media well. Avenue Calgary is a beloved city brand that helps residents discover all the amazing things their city has to offer. By tuning in, you’ll see how Avenue Calgary has evolved from a print-only publication to a fully digital experience.
Aug 04, 2022•46 min•Ep. 264
The scene of start-ups in Alberta is constantly expanding, with companies such as WaitWell helping to pioneer new solutions to age-old problems. The digitization of traditionally analog solutions, such as filling out paperwork at the DMV, can be a daunting challenge to conquer. By asking tough questions and identifying previously unbreakable barriers, WaitWell has become a sticky solution that customers can rely on. If your organization is process-driven, this episode is essential listening to l...
Aug 02, 2022•43 min•Ep. 263
A Multiple Sclerosis diagnosis can be devastating — especially when you’re a young competitive speed skater. Crystal faced her aggressive onset by exploring conventional and unconventional healthcare systems. This journey showed Crystal there’s more innovation to be done in the neurological healthcare space, so she co-founded Branch Out Neurological Foundation and raised over $3M CAD for research. This has given her the insight and expertise necessary to understand VC, contributing to her succes...
Jul 28, 2022•36 min•Ep. 262
Brett knows that the future is driven by founders and start-ups, and that they have the power to change the world. He was confident that his idea would gain traction because he knew it would resonate with customers. In this talk, Brett emphasizes the importance of customer feedback and how it can help improve your product. He also shares why the GoodLawyer team makes it a priority to cultivate an environment where employees feel empowered to take risks, learn from their mistakes, and take owners...
Jul 26, 2022•46 min•Ep. 261
As the hemp industry continues to grow, Darren and his team are poised to make a big impact with their newly acquired company, HempAlta. Based in Alberta, they started by focusing on 5 main areas of product development. With our convenient location for exports and rich resources, Alberta is the perfect place to continue innovating and disrupting this historic industry. For Darren, sustainability, innovation and geographic accessibility are key factors that give Alberta a competitive advantage in...
Jul 21, 2022•40 min•Ep. 260
Chris has a wealth of experience in content marketing and knows that it takes time and effort to be successful. He also understands that the landscape has changed in recent years, so businesses need to adapt their content strategies to match the new buyer habits and interests. Learn from Chris how content marketing can help your business, why being transparent about your core mission is a key competitive advantage, and what overarching changes content marketing has seen since its early days in p...
Jul 19, 2022•53 min•Ep. 259
As a clean tech entrepreneur, Koleya found it difficult to get her business off the ground in 2005. Many established companies were unwilling to take a chance on her vision of lower emissions and increased safety, dismissing it as “not their problem.” However, Koleya persevered and began collaborating with her customers as an innovator. This allowed her to not only increase technology adoption, but also create better solutions to the problems faced by industries such as energy, agriculture, heal...
Jul 14, 2022•1 hr 17 min•Ep. 258
The changing nature of work can be confusing to both job-seekers and companies. How do you know whether it is best for your employees to work from home or in the office? How can a company cultivate an ideal culture that keeps employees happy and dedicated? These are questions that entrepreneur, Catherine Brownlee, helps her clients answer as she manages their HR needs. Find out her take on the current employment ecosystem in Alberta and how you can stay competitive while securing the talent you ...
Jul 06, 2022•43 min•Ep. 256
From a recent partnership with the Alberta Ukranian Chamber of Commerce to deliver programming to Ukranian student refugees in their native language, to the philanthropic and entrepreneurial spirit that Alberta contains, there’s plenty for JA Southern Alberta to be proud of. Learn more about this historic organization and the real impact they’re having on youth around the world. Interestingly, 85% Alberta’s youth feel entrepreneurship is a great career choice. With mentorship and financial liter...
Jul 05, 2022•59 min•Ep. 255
As the new CEO of the Calgary Stampede, Joel has big shoes to fill. Thanks to his agricultural background and a graduate degree in Animal Science from Texas A&M, Joel is positioned to fill them well! The Calgary Stampede is an iconic event that celebrates western heritage and culture. It is also a key driver of the city’s economy, generating millions of dollars in economic activity each year. This year’s event promises to be even bigger and better than ever, with something for everyone, so m...
Jul 04, 2022•39 min•Ep. 254
Alberta is quickly becoming a hub for technology and innovation. The provincial government has invested millions of dollars into the Alberta IoT initiative in order to support key member initiatives over the next three years. This move positions Alberta as a leader in tech and helps to attract global citizens and businesses to the province. The Alberta IoT initiative brings together businesses, academia, and those who can influence policy in order to generate key economic transformation. By work...
Jun 30, 2022•34 min•Ep. 253
Investors investing in pharmaceuticals can be nervous about the lengthy process from R&D to commercialization and the regulatory approval processes. PreveCeuticals has diversified its research into four unique applications, which include three that have already been proven. Stephen took a bold approach of researching multiple solutions at once - something that can make investors feel a bit nervous. Stephen wants to develop treatments for major global medical issues like the opioid epidemic i...
Jun 28, 2022•1 hr 4 min•Ep. 252
Incremental changes have always been the key to success. Just ask Ron, who has some fascinating stories to tell about how even the smallest change can make a big difference. From British Cycling to Marda Loop’s goals, and from Shenzhen’s transformation from a tiny fishing village into one of the world’s top economic centres, there are plenty of examples that show us just what can be achieved when we’re prepared to take things slowly and make steady progress. These global lessons can be very usef...
Jun 23, 2022•53 min•Ep. 251
Investing in biotech can be a risky proposition - often requiring significant sunk costs in research and development with no guarantee of success. Many scientists also struggle to commercialize their discoveries, failing to adequately protect them through intellectual property and patents. However, those who are able to navigate these challenges and successfully move their inventions from research publications to the marketplace can reap tremendous rewards. Discover the opportunities available i...
Jun 21, 2022•38 min•Ep. 250
As the economy continues to change and evolve, it is increasingly important for companies to be able to attract and retain top talent as a means to remain competitive on the global stage. This can be a challenge, especially in light of budget constraints for employers and salary demands from employees. In this episode, Sharlene explains how to create a strong company culture that will help attract and retain key talent. She also shares her predictions on unemployment in Alberta, which sectors ar...
Jun 15, 2022•50 min•Ep. 249
A diverse workforce is essential for any business that wants to succeed in today’s marketplace. By hiring employees from a variety of backgrounds and perspectives, you can create a more innovative and effective team. As a leader, you need to be open-minded and curious and create an environment where your team feels comfortable sharing their ideas. Jennie defines each power skill and how it can benefit your team and bottom line. Instead of focusing on getting a result, focus on getting the right ...
Jun 14, 2022•45 min•Ep. 248
After the Canadian legalization of cannabis, psychedelics are now a hot topic in the world of investing, with many people expecting big things from the industry. However, it is still a very speculative industry with no concrete market for psychedelics. This can make raising capital for a psychedelic plant medicine manufacturing facility quite challenging. And, historically, biotech companies have been focused in Toronto and Montreal, but Psygen is attracting investors to Western Canada - this is...
Jun 09, 2022•37 min•Ep. 247
In order to maintain its status as a global energy leader, it is crucial that Alberta exploits its natural resources in an ethical and efficient manner. The team at Insight Analytical has developed innovative technology to help the province do just that. Tune in to learn about their cutting-edge technology and how it is benefiting producers and companies in Western Canada and the United States.
Jun 08, 2022•47 min•Ep. 246
In today’s world, industrial manufacturing companies cannot rely solely on trade shows and relationships to raise brand awareness or generate sales. Ira provides actionable insights into how new technologies are giving industrial consumers the power to do their own research, and how your marketing plan needs to take this shift - and others - into account if you want to stay ahead of the competition. In industries such as OEMs or tech, where saturation is increasing and differentiation is becomin...
Jun 07, 2022•58 min•Ep. 245
There is something special about Alberta that keeps people coming back for more. It might be the stunning landscapes or the friendly spirit of the locals, but whatever it is, once you experience it, you’ll never want to leave! Travel Alberta works with organizations like Tourism Calgary and Explore Edmonton to promote our province as a world-class destination for leisure travel as well as for conferences and events. This not only attracts tourists, but also helps boost the economy with key partn...
Jun 02, 2022•51 min•Ep. 244
Canada is a country that prides itself on its diversity and inclusion. However, when it comes to accessibility, our laws have not kept pace with the needs of all Canadians. This is where Sean comes in. He helps businesses focus on making their spaces more accessible, so that everyone can live, work, and play without barriers. In turn, this creates opportunities for more people to participate in the workforce and actively contribute to society. Find out what accessibility should look like in a mo...
Jun 01, 2022•42 min•Ep. 243
As someone who knows firsthand the struggles of growing up in a single-mother household, Luke is doing something about it. He and the team at Collegium have developed a new tech-driven model for building cities and homes that is much more affordable than the current system. By investing in this new approach, they hope to make a big difference in the lives of people who are struggling to make ends meet. In addition to his personal connection to the issue of affordable housing, Luke shares his ins...
May 31, 2022•42 min•Ep. 242
As a public servant, Jyoti knows she answers to all Calgarians but she also recognizes the harmful division happening online in politics. Regardless, she is a Calgary champion who says, “Yes!” To talking up our city wherever and whenever she can. As mayor, Jyoti brings a unique perspective, thanks to decades of social responsibility consultation work. She understands what needs to be done to bridge the gap between empirical evidence and building relationships with the public and private sectors....
May 27, 2022•43 min•Ep. 241
When you are on the opposite ends of an argument, do you try to score points and win? Or do you try to listen and understand? Rather than identifying with only your peer group, Colin encourages us all to identify our shared hopes, values and dreams so we can ensure our legacy is one we’re proud of. Learn about his work at Calgary on Purpose and how building bridges of inclusivity is one of the best bets we can place on ourselves.
May 26, 2022•41 min•Ep. 240
