What does it take to be an authentic leader? Allison Grafton is the award winning President and Founder of Rockwood Custom Homes. In this episode, she shares the details of her journey, from kicking off a career in the male-dominated investment banking industry in the early 1990s to starting Rockwood Custom Homes after facing obstacles in her own renovation projects. We discuss the personal attributes she considers as fuel for her success, where her confidence comes from, and what she would advi...
Feb 26, 2025•1 hr 7 min•Ep. 171
Finding a partner for your business should be as well-thought-out as finding a partner to marry! In today's episode of the Insider's Guide to Finance, we sit down with Jeremy B. Hill, the founder of JB Capital, to discuss his insights on private equity. Jeremy shares his journey in building relationships, emphasizes the importance of grit, humility, and delegation for leaders, and dives deep into the potential risks and rewards of private equity. Tune in to hear Jeremy's valuable insights on nav...
Feb 13, 2025•58 min•Ep. 170
What if everyday investors could tap into hedge fund-level strategies without the hefty price tag? In this episode, we sit down with Bob Elliott, co-founder, CEO, and CIO of Unlimited Funds, who is reshaping the world of alternative investments. With a career that kicked off at the renowned Bridgewater Associates, where he worked alongside legendary investor Ray Dalio, Bob is now on a mission to bring sophisticated, low-cost investment strategies to the masses. How does he do it? By harnessing t...
Oct 09, 2024•49 min•Ep. 169
Would you like to know what it takes to consistently succeed in the competitive world of tech investing? In this episode, we sit down with Randy Garg, Founder and Managing Partner at Vistara Growth, a firm that boasts an unparalleled track record in this field. With over 30 years of experience, Randy has a firm grasp on the art of growth investing, focusing on mid to later-stage technology companies . Under his leadership, Vistara growth has raised more than $500 million across five funds, boast...
Sep 25, 2024•51 min•Ep. 168
How does an experienced fund manager evaluate a company before investing in it? In this episode we welcome back Bruce Campbell, President and Portfolio Manager at StoneCastle Investment Management, to share his seasoned insights on how he navigates the investment arena as a fund manager. Investing can be compared to a high-stakes sports game - packed with emotion, strategy, and unexpected twists. Bruce takes us inside his investment philosophy, revealing how he identifies and capitalizes on undi...
Sep 11, 2024•51 min•Ep. 167
Investment products are more than just tools for growing wealth - they’re strategic assets that can define a company’s market position. That’s why in today’s competitive financial landscape, having an effective go-to-market strategy is crucial for companies to succeed and drive growth. In this episode, we are joined by Kimberly Ann Flynn, an Investment Manager and product design consultant with extensive experience in alternative product structures. As president of XA Investments, the registered...
Aug 21, 2024•52 min•Ep. 166
Are you overlooking the role analysts play in your company’s success? Many financial professionals do, missing out on opportunities to strengthen these valuable relationships. Today, with the help of Jason Gold, Founder and CEO of Resurge, we are finding ways to improve relationships with sell-side analysts and researchers with a closer look at a company’s banking relationships as well. Jason’s shares insights from his extensive experience, including his time spent at Morgan Stanley, which has i...
Aug 08, 2024•52 min•Ep. 165
What’s the value that small-cap investments can offer to an investor's portfolio? In this episode, we sit down with Matias Grum, Senior Portfolio Manager and Investment Advisor at Raymond James Ltd., to explore the potential of high-growth small-cap companies for portfolio managers and their clients. Matias brings a wealth of experience in financial planning and investment management, leading a team dedicated to providing comprehensive and personalized wealth strategies to a diverse clientele. W...
Jun 27, 2024•49 min•Ep. 164
You can’t achieve entrepreneurial success without the courage to make bold decisions and the resilience to embrace the unknown. In this latest episode, Cory sits down with Zahir Rajani, the CEO and Co-Founder of Rajani Bespoke. With a track record of managing operations that generated over $200,000,000 in annual revenue, Zahir is renowned for his contract negotiation and systems implementation. However in 2023, Zahir made the unexpected decision to leave his life as a high performing real estate...
Jun 05, 2024•48 min•Ep. 163
Would you like to learn how a web developer became an insider in the capital markets? In this episode of The Insiders Guide to Finance, we have the pleasure of speaking with Tommy Humphreys, a true capital markets outsider turned insider. Tommy’s journey from a web design background to a prominent figure in the Canadian capital markets is inspiring. By fusing these two worlds together, Tommy founded CEO.ca , a leading stock market information service; which, after a decade of growth culminated i...
May 08, 2024•1 hr 2 min•Ep. 162
In today’s competitive business landscape, Investor relations plays an increasingly pivotal role in the operations of any strategic investment firm. But with the emergence of new technologies such as AI, how do you stay relevant and indispensable to your clients? Today’s podcast guest is here to explain how sometimes going back to basics could prove more powerful than you realize. Join us as we sit down with Nick Kuzyk, Founding Principal and Owner of Meadowbank Strategic Partners, a company tha...
Apr 03, 2024•56 min•Ep. 161
Shawn Freeman is not your average entrepreneur; he is a man with a heartfelt mission to improve lives through technology, community engagement and mentorship. His distinctive background in tech, coupled with a genuine passion for service, has paved the way for a unique career marked by innovation, leadership and advocacy. Our discussion explores the story of Shawn’s transition from a tech background to venturing into an entirely different industry, leading to the eventual sale of his business, T...
Mar 13, 2024•56 min•Ep. 159
As consumers, we don’t think enough about water. It's a resource we often take for granted, especially in North America where access to fresh water is incorporated into all facets of our daily lives. So when businesses or cities start facing water shortages or a lack of infrastructure - what are you supposed to do? Riggs Eckelberry, CEO of OriginClear joins us for this week’s episode to discuss the many lucrative opportunities within the water industry, and how OriginClear is taking the plunge. ...
Feb 28, 2024•48 min•Ep. 159
In this episode, we chat with Inventa Capital's Co-Founder and Partner, Craig Parry, a luminary in the mining and resource industry. With a prolific career spanning across companies such as Vizsla Resources, IsoEnergy Ltd. and NexGen Energy Ltd., Craig unveils his strategic insights on value creation, investment decisions, and the art of learning from industry leaders. Join us for an exploration of Craig’s journey to success, including fascinating anecdotes such as his dinner with Vladimir Putin...
Feb 14, 2024•1 hr 1 min•Ep. 158
There’s a lot to be learned from working at a global industry-leading firm. These lessons are especially useful when you decide to take on a new challenge, and switch to a smaller, more selective company. This is the experience of today’s guest, Evan Curtis, who shares his decade-long journey from PIMCO, a major real estate firm, to leading multifamily investments as Executive Director at Vanamor. Join us as we learn what it takes to transition from a large corporation to a nimble organization, ...
Jan 31, 2024•46 min•Ep. 157
Whether you have an existing Investor Relations strategy in place or you’re just starting to devise one, this episode is for you! Today I am joined by Tom McMillan, the Founder and Principal of Market Climber - an award winning strategic communications, investor relations, and capital markets advisory agency. Over the last two decades, Tom has partnered with some of North America’s most successful companies to address their capital market challenges, maximize valuations, strengthen their brand, ...
Jan 17, 2024•35 min•Ep. 156
Have you ever felt that legal processes are stuck in the past? How pricing for legal counsel can feel like more of a problem than a solution? This week, we are proud to feature the Founder and CEO of Good Lawyer, Brett Colvin to discuss his revolutionary approach to the legal system. Tuning in, you’ll hear about the underlying reasons behind lawyer dissatisfaction, and Good Lawyers’ approach to prioritizing both efficiency and lawyer well-being. Together, we delve into how AI is not just a buzzw...
Jan 04, 2024•42 min•Ep. 155
Tax season can be a stressful time for anyone, especially if you’re an entrepreneur or small to medium sized business owner. Many Canadians are confused by the complex tax system we have in place, and this lack of understanding could pose challenges to the growth and success of your business. Don’t worry though - you’re not alone. This week’s episode features Faisel Syed, Founding Partner of Square Law Group, a boutique law firm specializing in tax planning, defense and litigation for corporate ...
Dec 20, 2023•51 min•Ep. 154
They’re called precious metals for a reason - they are rare, high in economic value and provide investors with a means of storing wealth. Today's guest is Cam Currie, senior investment advisor at Canaccord Genuity Wealth Management , and leader of Currie Metals & Mining Group . Cam joins us today to share his experience investing in gold and why everyone should consider it a portfolio staple but only a few understand when the time is right to start looking at equities. Is now the time? In No...
Dec 06, 2023•50 min•Ep. 153
Selling your business is often an emotional and strenuous process, but it doesn’t always have to be. In today’s episode, special guest and expert closer, Jacob Koenig shows us how to navigate the complexities of selling a business and key considerations for business owners preparing for acquisition. Jacob is a managing director and partner at Woodbridge International, a company that has specialized in helping clients sell their businesses for the past 30 years. His role and focus at the company ...
Nov 22, 2023•53 min•Ep. 152
Have you taken a serious look at how royalties can be an effective vehicle to finance mining projects? If you'd like to learn how a successful gold royalty company is built and how it can support the mining industry, investors and management teams, this episode is for you! Sandstorm Gold Royalties holds a portfolio of 250 royalties on mines worldwide. David Awram, Geologist and Senior Executive Vice President, is at the helm of their leadership. In this episode, he shares his experience of learn...
Oct 25, 2023•1 hr 4 min•Ep. 151
How is a company evaluated by a professional investor? What are the first factors the consider before diving into the details? If you're curious, this episode is for you! The resources sector is cyclical by nature. As a result, commodity prices can be volatile, with fluctuating levels of demand occurring at various stages of excess or restricted supply. As you’ll learn from today’s guest, however, there are some attractive valuations to be found! Gabriel Alonso-Mendoza is the Co-founder and Mana...
Oct 12, 2023•50 min•Ep. 150
Choose your side – debt or equity financing and get ready for battle! Aspiring entrepreneurs and business owners looking to scale operations, this episode is for you. On this special episode of the Insider’s Guide to Finance, we dive deep into the heart of one of the most contentious topics in the business world. Tom Klausen, President of True Viking Finance, and Scott Sinclair, President of Sinclair Range are back on the show to discuss the nuances of debt and equity. Debt and equity are two co...
Sep 27, 2023•48 min•Ep. 149
When you think of the American dream, do you think of the white picket fence? A swanky downtown job? In today's evolving world, the American dream has shifted, especially when it come to building businesses and investing. We unpack the changes in today's episode. Todd Piggott is a remarkable self-made investor and financier. He's here to share insights into building his company from the ground up. Todd is the Principal and Managing Member of ZINC. The ZINC brand involves 4 separate entities invo...
Sep 13, 2023•1 hr•Ep. 148
Are you a business owner at a stage where you need to either raise capital or sell your business but don't know how to evaluate options? You need to listen to this episode! Today’s guest, Arthur Petropoulos is here to help. His career began on Wall Street at an investment banking firm. Today, Arthur is the founder and managing partner at Hill View Partners. Hillview Partners focuses exclusively on the sell side and is there for clients through every phase of a deal. Executives turn to Hill View ...
Aug 30, 2023•58 min•Ep. 147
What would it take to pitch investors the idea of high-quality wine investing and not only be successful at raising capital, but also turn it into a profitable project for all involved? Anthony Zhang is the Co-founder and CEO of Vinovest and he joins us today to share his method for financing this and past companies. He shares why Vinovest is an incredible investment opportunity as it democratizes fine wine investing and provides clients access to a once-exclusive market. Their unique blend of w...
Aug 09, 2023•55 min•Ep. 146
Without good leaders at the helm of a company, how can your team succeed? Mistakes can often lead to personal growth if you can identify the opportunity! That's where today's guest, Peggy Klaus steps in. Peggy is an author, executive coach, and speaker. Her professional background spans the fields of law, theatre, healthcare, and finance. She coaches leaders on how to be compelling and captivating in their public speaking. Her background in theatre is a guiding tool! In our discussion, Peggy exp...
Jul 26, 2023•55 min•Ep. 145
As the world shifts to a digital landscape, the stress of spending thousands on flights, lodging, and wining and dining with your investors is gone. In fact, you don't even need to leave your couch to reach them. Connecting with investors has never been easier thanks to technology. Joining us today is IR practitioner and Principal of Momentum IR Corps., Nisha Hasan. Nisha has over 15 years of experience specializing in investor communications and shareholder engagement. Information from countles...
Jul 19, 2023•1 hr 1 min•Ep. 144
Do you see people yawning when presenting your investor pitch in a boardroom? It's likely not the heavy lunch, you need to learn how to tell a good story. In this episode, we’re speaking with Alyssa Barry, co-founder of irlabs. Alyssa is an experienced capital markets and communications professional. She specializes in corporate communications, investor relations strategy, and shareholder engagement. Throughout her career, Alyssa has raised over $1 billion of capital as well as led some of Canad...
Jul 12, 2023•53 min•Ep. 143
As an entrepreneur looking to raise capital, you'd be surprised to know that the cheque is not the main focus of an opportunity when investing in change and make a difference. It should come secondary to the value you and your team are bringing to the table. This is the mentality of our guest Manish Nayar, Founder of OYA Ventures when it comes to investing in ventures. The OYA Ventures team helps entrepreneurs find opportunities to address climate change. With a background in investment banking ...
Jul 05, 2023•47 min•Ep. 142
