In this episode of Not So Avg, Nick Thompson pulls back the curtain on the realities of entrepreneurship. The parts people rarely talk about. An entrepreneur, coach, and author, Nick shares the story behind building and scaling a Canadian branded merchandise company through mergers and acquisitions, growing it into a culture-driven organization recognized for developing its people.

But the journey did not follow a straight line. After a U.S. merger and major structural changes to leadership and governance, the culture that once defined the company began to unravel. What followed were lawsuits, personal hardship, and ultimately Nick losing both his role and ownership in the company he helped build.

💡 What You’ll Hear in This Episode:

📈 The strategy behind merging five companies and acquiring twenty more

🏗 Why building people, not just profits, was the foundation of their culture

⚠️ How leadership changes and aggressive cost-cutting can dismantle a company culture

🧠 Nick’s battle with depression and the role community played in his recovery

🤝 The difference between mentoring and coaching in leadership development

🎯 Why true success comes from the positive impact you have on others

Nick’s story is a powerful reminder that entrepreneurship is not just about the wins. It is about resilience, humility, and the people who help you rebuild when everything falls apart.

🎧 Listen now and hear the unfiltered truth behind building, losing, and starting again.

Show Notes:

1. Die with Zero - Bill Perkins

1. https://www.amazon.ca/Die-Zero-Getting-Your-Money/dp/0358099765

2. Fractional remote staffing

1. https://astrateams.com/

3. nickthompsonbooks.com

4. Nick Thompson’s LinkedIn

1. https://www.linkedin.com/company/astrateams/

#NotSoAvg #NickThompson #Entrepreneurship #Leadership #StartupLessons #Resilience #BusinessCulture #Mentorship #ExecutiveCoaching #CalgaryEntrepreneurs