Charbel Daniel, President and CEO of Northwood, discussed the organization's mission to provide dignified living for seniors in Nova Scotia. Northwood operates multiple facilities for long-term care, home care, and affordable housing, with a significant portion (90%) funded by the government. Daniel emphasized the importance of sustainability and affordability, noting that Northwood's affordable housing rents range from $600 to $1,500, well below market rates. He highlighted the organization's i...
Dec 20, 2024•41 min•Ep. 13
Dorothy Spence, Founder of Imaginal Ventures discusses her journey from engineering to entrepreneurship, emphasizing the shift from a logical, analytical career to a more conscious, values-driven approach. In this episode, Dorothy explains the concept of a "conscious business operating system," which integrates human dynamics and business mechanics to help businesses scale their impact. Imaginal Ventures focuses on women innovators and healthcare companies, using a trust barometer to measure and...
Nov 29, 2024•48 min•Ep. 10
Charlotte Jewer, Community Engagement Specialist at East Coast Credit Union (ECCU), discusses the organization's unique approach to banking, emphasizing its cooperative structure and focus on member needs over profits. ECCU has a $1.4 billion portfolio and invests $830,000 annually back into the community. They support local businesses, affordable housing, and environmental sustainability through initiatives like green loans and partnerships with organizations like Feed Nova Scotia and the Nova ...
Nov 15, 2024•47 min•Ep. 9
This episode features Michelle Reid, an advisor for corporate sustainability and B Corp at BDC! Michelle discusses the role of BDC in supporting social entrepreneurship. BDC is the only B Corp-certified bank in Canada and offers various resources, including advisory services and mentorship, to entrepreneurs. Michelle highlights the importance of the B Impact Assessment tool for sustainable business practices and the growth of B Corps, with over 9,100 globally and 31 in Atlantic Canada. Michelle ...
Nov 01, 2024•45 min•Ep. 8
Mike McGlone, General Manager of Afishionado Fishmongers, discusses his 30-year career in fish-mongering, along with the incredible opportunities for the Nova Scotian seafood industry! Afishionado focuses on local, sustainable, and responsible sourcing, working with small-scale fisheries and independent retailers. They offer a subscription service for weekly fish deliveries and have won awards for their smoked salmon. In his chat with your hosts, Matt and Anuj, Mike emphasizes the importance of ...
Oct 18, 2024•39 min•Ep. 7
Shawna Henderson, CEO of Blue House Energy and Be Free Homes, shares her journey from entrepreneurship to leading a company that provides online training for building science! Shawna highlights the need for sustainable housing and the challenges of the construction industry, including a workforce shortage of 100,000 people. Henderson emphasized the importance of passive solar design and the role of online training in up-skilling professionals. She also discussed the potential of factory-built ho...
Oct 04, 2024•44 min•Ep. 6
Justin Cantafio, Executive Director of Farmers Markets of Nova Scotia, discusses the importance of local food systems and farmers markets as economic and community hubs! In this conversation with your hosts, Matt and Anuj, Justin highlights the cooperative's 20-year history, supporting over 40 markets and 1,500 owner-operated businesses. Justin emphasizes the need for equitable funding models and the economic impact of local food systems, noting that 85% of Nova Scotia's food is imported. He als...
Sep 20, 2024•57 min•Ep. 5
Your hosts Matt and Anuj sit down with guest Louisa Horne to chat about a sustainable way to assist and facilitate end-of-life care! The three discuss the importance of addressing end-of-life transitions with empathy and expertise, emphasizing the need for a safe space to talk about death and the end of life. They highlighted the significance of Epilog's work in addressing the emotional and practical aspects of end-of-life transitions and discussed the potential for disruption in the funeral ind...
Sep 06, 2024•55 min•Ep. 4
This week's conversation revolved around sustainability and social impact in the wine industry. Joining us as a guest is Keltie MacNeil, Director of Sustainability & Community Engagement at Benjamin Bridge. Matt and Anuj discuss the importance of interconnectedness and nuance in addressing Nova Scotia's social issues, highlighting the need for dedicated roles and inclusive practices. They also touched on the challenges of growing grapes in a cool-climate region and the sustainable practices ...
Aug 23, 2024•49 min•Ep. 3
Matt Thomson and Anuj Jain are back, this time to discuss the challenges and opportunities of navigating the middle space between art and business in social entrepreneurship. They are joined by guest, Marc Almon Founder + Partner, Culture Link CIC, as they highlight the importance of community engagement, government relations, and public relations. The three chat more about the need for empathy and compromise in navigating industry challenges. They also discussed the current state of Nova Scotia...
Aug 09, 2024•49 min•Ep. 2
Join Matt and Anuj as they explore a creative solution for Canada's affordable housing crisis, with guest Ron Lovett, CEO of VIDA. The three sit down for an in-depth discussion about VIDA's socially responsible and purpose-driven approaches. Discover Ron's inspiring journey of finding purpose in business through community engagement. Learn about the challenges of landlord-tenant relationships and the importance of education and collaboration for better outcomes. Ron also shares his company's inn...
Jul 26, 2024•47 min•Ep. 1
Jun 03, 2024•2 min
In the final episode of season one, hosts Matt and Anuj review some of the biggest and best takeaways from the past eleven episodes. Stay tuned until the end of the episode for an exciting surprise announcement!
Mar 19, 2024•26 min•Ep. 12
As a 100% municipally-owned company formed in 2014 by the towns of Antigonish, Berwick and Mahone Bay, AREA believes in the strength of collaboration. AREA has been developing solar photovoltaic projects in Nova Scotia since 2017, starting with 1.5 MW of commercial solar for 20 municipalities across the province through the Solar for Community Buildings Program. Inspired by the opportunities presented through community solar and the experience AREA gained through these projects; they launched th...
Mar 04, 2024•48 min•Ep. 11
Equilibrium Engineering (LMMW Group Ltd.), was founded in 2009 and is an award-winning energy services firm rooted in sustainable building design and energy conservation. Equilibrium, along with L360 Facility Services, formally became part of LMMW Group Ltd. in 2022. Equilibrium Engineering specializes in decarbonization planning, energy and facility condition assessments, and energy modelling. Equilibrium works with our clients to identify their energy efficiency needs and to develop solutions ...
Feb 19, 2024•47 min•Ep. 10
Indigevisor serves as a bridge between their clients and Indigenous communities, with their team acting as conduits to achieve that connection. As an Indigenous women-owned and led national advisory corporation, Indigevisor is dedicated to supporting Truth and Reconciliation in Turtle Island. They draw on teachings of humility, respect, and wisdom to empower our collective strengths. Their work aims to build capacity, and contribute positively to the next seven generations. Indigevisor's special...
Feb 05, 2024•40 min•Ep. 9
Placemaking 4G (or P4G) was founded with the goal of transform workplaces by helping employers build stronger and more inclusive teams through socially-conscious recruiting, and innovative approaches to human dynamics and equity, diversity and inclusion practices. P4G works with organizations that have big ambitions; those who want to ensure their teams are cultivated based on what's possible and not what’s familiar. As a recruitment agency, P4G stands out from its competitors due to it's focus ...
Jan 22, 2024•42 min•Ep. 8
Blk Women in Excellence (BWIE) is a non-profit organization that was put in place to educate, inspire and encourage Black women to become self employed and sustainable businesses owners. The idea for the organization came when founder and local business leader Tia Upshaw was attending the annual Takin' BLK Gottingen community market. Upshaw found herself literally surrounded by other Black women who were creating their own wealth through small businesses, but were lacking the support to take the...
Jan 08, 2024•45 min•Ep. 7
The Medway Community Forest Co-op (MCFC) is located in Annapolis County near the communities of Annapolis Royal, Bear River, South Milford, Springfield, New Germany, and Caledonia. The 15,000 ha area was determined through careful analysis of the landscape. The resulting area is the best possible fit of considerations such as roads and access, forest type and volume, watersheds, current parcel boundaries, conservation and biodiversity values, recreation potential, and archaeological knowledge. T...
Dec 11, 2023•51 min•Ep. 6
FarmWorks Investment Co-operative Limited was incorporated as a for-profit Co-operative on May 18, 2011, by community leaders concerned about social, economic and cultural needs. FarmWorks lends Shareholder funds to qualifying food-related businesses across Nova Scotia. FarmWorks investors are making a significant difference in the year-round availability of food from field to fork for Nova Scotians. As of October 31, 2022 FarmWorks has loaned the cumulative amount of $8,146,541 in subordinated ...
Nov 27, 2023•37 min•Ep. 5
Davis Pier and Pier Labs work with the public, social, and not-for-profit sectors to address complex issues that improve society. Existing at the intersection of policy and people, the team at Davis Pier specialize in engaging community to maximize the efficacy of program delivery and implementation. Recently, Davis Pier has undergone the process of becoming B Corp certified. This procedure brought to light areas of improvement for the company, and was an internal reckoning for President and CEO...
Nov 13, 2023•45 min•Ep. 4
Made With Local made it's debut on a small farmer's market table in Halifax, Nova Scotia in 2012. Their mission was simple and to the point: provide tasty, nourishing snacks using ethically sourced ingredients from local producers. Now sold in major Canadian grocery stores, Made With Local has managed to scale into a national brand, all while keeping their foundational values close to heart. Throughout their growth, Made With Local has remained dedicated to using ethically, transparently sourced...
Oct 30, 2023•39 min•Ep. 3
Just Us! has been a worker co-op since its founding in 1995. From baristas and roasters to managers and administrators, everyone who works at Just Us! can be member-owners. This is inspired by the small producer farm co-ops that Just Us! partners with in the Global South. More than two decades later, Just Us! continues to thrive as a wholly Canadian-owned worker co-operative, still committed to their founding mission. Just Us! proved the spirit and model of an alternative approach to business, w...
Oct 16, 2023•44 min•Ep. 2
New Dawn is a non-profit, private, volunteer-directed social enterprise dedicated to community building. It seeks to identify community needs and to establish and operate ventures that speak to those needs. Some of the services provided by New Dawn generate revenues, and these revenues are reinvested in New Dawn. These revenues allow New Dawn to develop new projects and take on new community issues in pursuit of a more vibrant and self-reliant Cape Breton Island. New Dawn employs over 175 people...
Oct 02, 2023•39 min•Ep. 1
In the dynamic, exciting world of social entrepreneurship, you don't need to choose between contributing to social causes or running a profitable business - you can have both. Welcome to The Just Good Business Podcast, a show dedicated to defining, demystifying, and making the work of social enterprises more accessible to the Nova Scotian business community. Learn alongside hosts Matt and Anuj as they interview social entrepreneurs from all across the province - people who have taken the bold ch...
Sep 25, 2023•1 min
