Join Gina Patterson as she delves into the journeys of Heather Luenza, Founder of Closet Core and Co-Founder of Core Fabrics and Tereska Gethsing, Co-Founder of Core Fabrics. These trailblazing entrepreneurs are revolutionizing the fashion industry by challenging fast fashion, embracing body positivity, and championing sustainable practices. Heather shares her transformation from a shopaholic to a sustainable fashion pioneer, revealing how a personal challenge to sew her own clothes sparked a flourishing business that rejects the traditional fashion industry's standards.

Tereska discusses the duo's latest venture, Core Fabrics, and how it seamlessly integrates with their existing business while upholding their commitment to environmental responsibility. This episode not only highlights the power of entrepreneurial spirit but also empowers listeners to think about clothing in a way that celebrates individuality and sustainability. 

In this episode, Katie Dunsworth-Reiach, co-founder of TalkShop, shares her journey of scaling a marketing agency from zero to $10 million in annual revenue.

Discover how Katie transitioned from a journalism student with dreams of becoming an Oprah producer to a leading figure in the marketing world. She discusses the pivotal moments that shaped her career, including her early experiences at 1-800-GOT-JUNK, forming a successful money club featured on Oprah, and founding TalkShop. Katie highlights  the challenges and opportunities of building a marketing agency, the importance of integrity and reputation, and the strategic hires that helped scale TalkShop.

This episode provides practical advice and insights for aspiring entrepreneurs and marketing professionals from one of the best in the business.

In this episode, Mario Nigro, a partner at Stikeman Elliott LLP and a key figure in the Entrepreneurship Through Acquisition (ETA) ecosystem in Canada, shares his experience as legal counsel, investor, and ecosystem builder. Mario provides insights into the world of ETA, discussing what to consider before pursuing ETA, the importance of resilience, and the evolving landscape of Canadian ETA funding.

Listeners will gain practical advice on navigating the complexities of acquisitions and learn about the key traits needed for success. 

Join us for an insightful episode featuring Alex Baniczky, SVP and Head of BMO Capital Partners. Alex delves into the critical topic of supporting Canadian companies amid economic challenges.

He discusses Canada's strengths, like a highly educated workforce and high female workforce participation, and its weaknesses, such as reliance on resource-based industries. Alex provides actionable strategies for fostering a supportive ecosystem that nurtures billion-dollar companies, emphasizing the roles of venture capital, stable banking, and private equity.

He also shares insights on leveraging Canada's educational advantages, balancing resource and knowledge economies, and overcoming productivity challenges.

Whether you're an aspiring entrepreneur or a seasoned professional, this episode offers valuable insights to help Canadian businesses thrive in a competitive landscape.

In this enlightening episode, we sit down with Laura Buhler, a longtime community leader in the venture capital and startup ecosystem in San Francisco and former Board Director at VFC, to explore the transformative power of community in entrepreneurship.

Laura shares her journey and unique insights into how vibrant communities can serve as a competitive moat for businesses and individuals alike. Now leading the community function for a venture capital fund in Silicon Valley, Laura Buhler's career in community was informed by her background in growth marketing and by her involvement in communities such as the World Economic Forum where she was a Project Manager; On Deck, where she was a Fellow; and the C100, a nonprofit tech community where she was CEO. Laura provides practical strategies for fostering engagement, setting clear cultural norms, and creating rituals that reinforce a shared mission.

Whether you're an entrepreneur seeking to build a strong brand affinity or a leader aiming to cultivate a supportive network, this episode is packed with actionable advice on harnessing the power of community to accelerate learning, foster innovation, and build lasting impact.

Join us for an engaging episode with Cyrus Symoom, Co-CEO of Clariti, a software company for state and local governments, to delve deep into the world of entrepreneurship through acquisition (ETA).

Cyrus shares his incredible journey of purchasing Clariti through a self-funded search at just 26 years old, highlighting the challenges and triumphs of acquiring and scaling a tech company in the Canadian landscape.

Cyrus also explains how he approached his six month search process and raised eight-figure equity financing, the strategic and cultural shifts made to transform a 20-person company into a 120-employee leader in its field, the importance of low ego and high humility in leading an organization through significant changes, and why more Canadians should consider ETA as a career path.

Whether you're an aspiring entrepreneur, a seasoned investor, or simply curious about ETA, this episode offers practical advice, personal anecdotes, and strategic insights into building a thriving business.

In this enlightening episode, we sit down with Juanita Lee-Garcia, the executive director of the Upside Foundation and a pivotal figure in Canadian philanthropy.

Juanita shares her insights into the evolving landscape of philanthropy in Canada, discussing the challenges and transformations she envisions for the sector over the next decade. From her early experiences as a beneficiary of philanthropic efforts to her influential role in shaping venture philanthropy,

Juanita provides a deep dive into how philanthropy is intertwined with systemic change, the ideological shifts within the sector, and the innovative approaches to philanthropic engagement.

This episode is a must-listen for anyone interested in understanding the complexities and potential of philanthropy to effect significant social change.

In this insightful episode, we sit down with Glen Silvestri, Managing Partner of Sage Capital, to explore the nuanced world of search funds and entrepreneurship through acquisition (ETA) in Canada.

Glen shares his journey from the early days at Ontario Teachers to becoming a pivotal figure in the Canadian search fund landscape, highlighting the growth and opportunities within this unique investment space. Listeners will gain a deep understanding of what search funds are, the typical profiles of searchers, and the strategic thinking involved in investing in and growing small businesses through this model.

Glen discusses the challenges of balancing investor expectations with entrepreneurial visions and how Sage Capital supports its portfolio companies from acquisition to successful exit strategies.

This episode is a must-listen for anyone curious about alternative paths to entrepreneurship and investment, offering a blend of practical advice, industry insights, and personal anecdotes that illuminate the path to successful investments in the search fund ecosystem.

Join us for an engaging discussion with Sean Speer, editor at large at The Hub. Sean shares insights into the pioneering media model of The Hub, a news and commentary website that's reshaping the Canadian media landscape by providing a platform for conservative and center-right perspectives.

The Hub isn’t just another news outlet; it's a startup in the media industry that bridges intellectual discussions with public engagement.

Throughout the episode, Sean reflects on the initial challenges and triumphs of establishing The Hub, from conceptualization to realization, and delves into the importance of civil, respectful, and pragmatic public discourse in today's rapidly changing media environment.

Whether you're intrigued by the dynamics of new media models or interested in the intersections of politics and media, this episode offers a deep dive into the evolution of media with one of its innovative leaders.

Discover the power of resilience within you.

Hosted by Jennie Wedd, Venture for Canada's Manager of Marketing & Partnerships, this compilation episode dives deep into the heart of resilience.

Join Jennie and guests Danièle Henkel, President at Les Entreprises Danièle Henkel; Sukhinder Singh Cassidy, CEO at Xero; and John Ruffolo, Founder and Managing Partner at Maverix Private Equity as they recount their journeys of resilience, joy, and strength. From heartfelt stories to actionable advice, discover how to view adversity as an ally and embrace fear as a friend.

Whether you're facing personal or professional obstacles, this episode equips you with practical strategies, mindset shifts, and the inspiration needed to transform your greatest challenges into opportunities.

In this episode, you'll learn how to:

Reflection questions:

Links to the original episodes: