Behind the Brand®

Michael Ryan's love for pushing boundaries ignited his extraordinary journey into the world of foot care, starting as a certified pedorthist in Canada. For over 14 years, he honed his expertise within outpatient settings, from private practices to prestigious university health centers. Driven by an unwavering desire to make a difference and improve the field, Michael explored new horizons that could revolutionize foot care approaches. Now, at Kintec: Footwear + Orthotics, Michael leads the charge in embracing innovative technologies to provide personalized solutions and exceptional customer service.

Here are some highlights from the episode:

• The significance of maintaining physical health to achieve personal and professional success.
• The power of technology in elevating customer experiences and fostering brand loyalty.
• Exploring how incremental actions can pave the way for transformative outcomes.

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Lesley-Anne Scorgie’s passion for personal finance ignited at a young age. At just ten years old, she took a hundred-dollar birthday gift from her grandparents and made her first investment by purchasing a Canada Savings Bond. 

As Lesley-Anne’s financial literacy grew, so did her ambition. By the age of fourteen, she had already begun investing in mutual funds, setting her on a path to becoming a millionaire by the age of twenty-five.

In this episode, Lesley-Anne offers valuable advice on shifting your mindset about money, emphasizing the importance of establishing consistent money habits to ensure long-term financial security and success.

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Discover more about MeVest here.

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In the late 1990s, Darby Sieben embarked on his journey as an internet early adopter, eventually founding his own digital marketing company. Over the years, he has earned a reputation as a respected industry leader, driving impactful change and spearheading product strategies.

Darby's remarkable ability to navigate the ever-evolving landscape of product development is evident through his consistent innovation and customer-centric approach. He thrives on tackling complex challenges and seizing emerging opportunities.

Here are some highlights from the episode:

• How to leverage dedicated landing pages to enhance ad campaigns and achieve a higher ROI
• Insightful predictions on the profound impact AI will have on organizations
• Valuable tips on successful remote leadership in today's work environment

Enjoy!

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Discover more about Unbounce here.

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Having produced for NBC during the 2000 and 2002 Olympics, Russell Reimer recognized the power of storytelling in captivating audiences and generating interest in the games. This insight inspired him to establish Manifesto Sport Management, where he continues to tell the stories of iconic athletes, including Toronto Maple Leafs star Mitch Marner, hockey legend Mark Messier, and Olympians Mark McMorris and Hayley Wickenheiser. 

A prominent figure in Canada’s sports scene, Russell has worked with world leaders developing successful programs like Sport for Life, and spearheading the community movement, All Sport One Day, which provides free sport discovery opportunities for children.

Here are some of the highlights from the episode:

• Storytelling is incredibly powerful and the ability to craft compelling narratives and communicate effectively is essential in various areas of life.
• In a competitive environment, accepting rejection as a step toward success is crucial.
• Delivering candid feedback is key in guiding individuals toward improvement.

Enjoy!

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Established in 1938, Servus Credit Union is a member-owned, community-based financial institution. With an impressive network of over 100 branches and a staggering 380,000 owners, Servus Credit Union proudly holds the title of being the largest credit union in Alberta.

Leading the charge at Servus Credit Union is Ian Burns, a trailblazer in finance, entrepreneurship, and relationship management. Ian's extensive experience and innovative mindset have made him a true pioneer who fearlessly challenges industry norms in the world of business and finance.

Here are some of the highlights from the episode:

• Credit unions play a crucial role in fostering trust, collaboration, and financial empowerment within local communities.
• Open banking and the benefits, challenges, and transformative opportunities it brings to the Canadian financial landscape.
• The value of diverse perspectives and embracing different ways of thinking

Enjoy!

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As an avid backcountry skier, downhill mountain biker, and trail runner, it only makes sense that Michele Guimond found her way to working at MEC. After spending a little over a decade travelling abroad, Michele graduated from Emily Carr University of Art + Design and pursued a career in retail marketing. 

Over the next few years, she led marketing at top-tier retail brands during periods of rapid growth. Ultimately leading her to MEC, where she is responsible for sharing the MEC brand with the world.

In this episode, Michele shares her experiences building community brands and strategies for effective leadership.

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Peter Furnish has had a long and exciting career, full of interesting experiences that have helped him learn valuable lessons. His journey has taken him to visit Walt Disney's home in California, where he gained insights into the creative genius behind the Disney brand. He also had the opportunity to witness Sir Richard Branson's daring promotional stunts for Virgin Mobile, which taught him the importance of taking risks to create a buzz.

During his career, Furnish has worked with some of the most iconic brands, including The Walt Disney Company, Labatt Breweries, Cineplex, Virgin Mobile, and Starbucks. Each of these experiences has provided him with valuable lessons that have helped him build a successful career.

Here are some of the highlights from the episode:

• Failure is a valuable teacher — always use its lessons to improve
• Being flexible and unlearning what you know are essential when transitioning between companies of different categories and growth stages
• Creativity is key to making an impact
• The differences between founder-led and founder-inspired businesses
• Build a network and learn from those around you

Enjoy!

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The UN predicts that in order to achieve our climate goals by 2050, more than 8.1 trillion dollars must be invested in nature-based solutions. However, current projections indicate that only about 4 trillion dollars will be invested, leaving a massive funding gap that must be filled. Failing to close this gap could have severe consequences such as food insecurity, natural disasters, and potential conflicts.

To address this issue, we should be considering nature-based solutions, such as tree planting, coral reef restoration, and kelp rebuilding which have more significant impacts beyond just carbon sequestration. However, monitoring and measuring these impacts is challenging. 

That’s where veritree comes in.

Founded in 2019, veritree is a platform that uses blockchain technology to measure and verify the productivity of nature-based investments. Currently, veritree is collaborating with over 300 businesses to restore the planet in a verified, measurable, and impactful way.

Looking for more?

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Growing up at Sunshine Village Ski & Snowboard Resort was somewhat of a fairytale for Kendra Scurfield. Waking up in a winter wonderland to the excitement of skiers and snowboarders, drinking all of the hot chocolate she could possibly drink, and commuting to work with her dad via gondola — it was a childhood unlike any other.

Now, as an adult, Kendra has returned to her fairytale and works for the family-owned business, Sunshine Village, where she advocates for winter sports and encourages people worldwide to get outside and explore.

In this episode of Behind The Brand, Kendra discusses the importance of family-owned businesses in building community and their impact on our economy and society. She shares insights on navigating the complexities of balancing profitability, customer experience, and inclusivity.

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Kristen Gale was 24 when she was fired, for the second time. However, instead of dwelling on the setback, she took a bold step to start her own venture. She quickly developed a business plan, secured a location and loan, and opened the first TEN SPOT location in just a few months. Almost 20 years later, Kristen has grown THE TEN SPOT and created a remarkable company culture that is guided by the values that she lives every day.

This week, Kristen shares the story behind her success, including how she created a successful franchise model and scaled it across North America, while maintaining a consistent brand and exemplary company culture.

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